Project ''Second Time Around''

[19723DR]

The last couple of weeks I've gotten a ton of stuff done. I started with the air tank, I bent some one inch tubing and mounted it to the bridge.

[19723DR]

In order to detexturize the dash I spent three hours sanding everything off. I began with 150 grit sandpaper with an electric sander then used a plastic bonding primer before using a 400 grit to wet sand it, followed by a coat of regular primer. Wet sanded that with 800 grit. Lastly, a think coat of white primer was applied. I'm gonna leave it this way until I decide what I want to air brush.

[19723DR]

My transmission was sticking down too far, preventing me from laying out. So I figured the best thing for me to do would be to raise the floor up, allowing me to space the transmission up on the cross member to give me clearance.

[19723DR]

So I spent Sunday cleaning up the carpet and fit that back in before test fitting the dash and finally put my seat back in so I don't have to slide around on a bucket anymore. All my gauges work, except for my fuel gauge which I think is a loose ground. I also ordered my compressors so hopefully I can get my air lines all done this week so when my compressors come I can get that put together.

[Rimshot1911]

Awesome work! Wanna do mine next? lol

[69c10stepside]

Looks great! I probably have a headlight switch laying around, let me see if I can find it and test it.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by Rimshot1911

Awesome work! Wanna do mine next? lol

Sure bring it on over. . . . .


Okay, I'm kidding, it's a ton of work.

Thanks for the compliment.

Originally Posted by 69c10stepside

Looks great! I probably have a headlight switch laying around, let me see if I can find it and test it.

Thank you, that would be cool. PM me if you find one.

[89muscletruck]

wow, nice work on the dash.
I have been thinking about doing something like that with my 89 ... but I'm kinda Lazy and that looks like ALOT ot work.
so Kudos to you for trying it

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by 89muscletruck

wow, nice work on the dash.
I have been thinking about doing something like that with my 89 ... but I'm kinda Lazy and that looks like ALOT ot work.
so Kudos to you for trying it

Thanks.

This is definetly a case of if it isn't broken, don't fix it! This is not a direct bolt on, granted the dash fits, but every electrical part is different. So I say you have to have a screw loose to do this swap! Yes, it's a lot of work.

[19723DR]

Finally finished up the rear suspention. Got the rear shocks mounted. I took some old hardware that I'd had from a 4x4 kit for the top mount. I bought some shock tabs and welded those to the two links. Saturday I went to the parts store looking for shocks, it took a while but I found some '99 Tahoe shocks fit. Deciding I needed more fun, I welded a brace between the two bag brackets and then gave the frame a shot of gloss black. Started running wires for the compressors, they should be here Monday, then I can make my compressor brackets and maybe even go for a test drive.

[19723DR]

Last week I pulled the rear X-member out and built a compressor bracket between the frame rails. I also ran the wiring for the compressor and elec fan and hooked up the old switches, for now, to make some test runs. This week was spent splicing the newer door panels in. There were a few wires that were different, such as the red wire was pink on my 93, not a big deal but took more time to figure out. Also got the front end put back together and made a few laps around the neighborhood. When I was digging around in the part cab I found the head light switch on the floor under the wiring harness.

The next thing on the list is get the bed cut down to fit and get this thing put back together and put some miles on it.

[70stroker]

always enjoy watching your progress, you do great work and the truck looks amazing.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by 70stroker

always enjoy watching your progress, you do great work and the truck looks amazing.

Thanks. All this week I've been hitting it hard. Keep watching, there's more coming.

[19723DR]

Tonight I spent 3 hours cutting down the bed. Made a call to my brother for some help lifting it back on. Had to cut 15'' out of the center and 3''above the wheel well. Still need to do a final trim.

[19723DR]

[19723DR]

I've been super busy lately. Let's start off with the interior pieces; I modified my a-pillar because the lower section of the square dash is different and doesn't match the round dash. I didn't want to use the grab handle so I took the lower section of the '95 and grafted it into the upper section of the '93.



















First I used JB Weld to fuse the pieces together then on the back side I used three layers of fiberglass and resin for strength. These two pieces are different sizes so I had to shave the '95 piece down to match and ended with body filler to smooth the two pieces in one.

[19723DR]

Since my hood springs hit my inner tubs, I stole some shocks off my Cheyenne's bed cover, but the shocks were getting old and couldn't hold up the cover but could still hold up a light hood. I don't remember what the shocks are from but they're nice because the have a bracket on one end. The one advantage, my hood can open almost vertically, which makes working under the hood really easy.

[19723DR]

In the last couple of weeks I've welded my roll pan on, put my tailgate and bedcover on, changed out my hood latch cable to the '95 style. And last weekend I picked up a set of 2002 Tahoe, power, leather seats that have the built-in seatbelts. I like the newer seats because it cleans up the interior and gets the seat belts off the B-pillar for a smooth look, I also have more room on the floor for the console. Here are some recent pictures:

[19723DR]

In the last week, I've taken it to a small car show and a cruise night. I know it's not even close to being done, but it's far enough I can have a lot of fun with it. So far, I've put 50 miles on it and this coming 4th of July weekend I'll be going to Cache Valley cruise, where I'll hang out with some friends.

[k5hart]

Looks great! You make me miss my mine already.

[jb1016]

Wow, looking great!

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by k5hart

Looks great! You make me miss my mine already.

Miss? I hope you mean you went on vacation and will see your truck when you get home. Oh and, thank you.

Originally Posted by jb1016

Wow, looking great!

Thanks, I'm really happy I can finally get out and drive it.

[k5hart]

[QUOTE=19723DR;4763809]Miss? I hope you mean you went on vacation and will see your truck when you get home. Oh and, thank you.

I wish that was so. I sold it Sunday. Had to get a newer crew cab to carry the family around.

[96twodoor]

Looks great man , I really like your rear set-up . Cant wait to see it done

[19723DR]

I really need to update this post. Since last year I've torn the truck down for a 2'' bodydrop. the front horns are done and the cab is cut and welded back together. I still need to make some mounts for the seats. Next is the bed. I'll take some pics in the next little while.