I've had... quite a lot happen in the last month, so forgive me for not existing online.
On the way back from my last trip (end of October) the truck started making a ticking sound, like an exhaust leak. But, I was focused on the 88 at the time (frame was pulled apart for coating). I basically parked the truck camper on and went about what I was doing. Then my great uncle passed away, had to take some time to go down there with the family. I took the Black Fox down to the funeral, so before I left I went through some exhaust stuff (new collector gasket, making sure there were no leaks) etc and just couldn't figure out the tick sound... it was faint (most people thought I was nuts) but i'm pretty in tune with this truck.
During this time, my father was telling me about a truck his hunting friend was selling, a 06 GMC K3500 SLT duramax with 46k miles. It's basically the exact truck I would want as a duramax if I were to choose to go the Allison Auto route... Asked me if I was interested, saw some photos, etc. I ended up looking at it while at the funeral on the weekend of Nov 10th. Came home from that and had a really busy work week... But in the little free time I had I dug into it much farther, determined it had to be a lifter making noise. So I decided to go all out, and would pull the lifters and cam over the weekend. Mind you this is while I have the 88 COMPLETELY spread out around the property in pieces... and i'm figuring out the possibility of this new truck... plus remodeling a bedroom in the house..... so, yeah. You can see how much of a cluster-F my garage is right now
So I ended up striking a deal on the 06 that week. Got the financial and paperwork figure out during the week (truck was 3 hours away). So now we are at the next weekend. After work Friday I pull the cam, turns out the exhaust lifter on cylinder 5 had a roller starting to fail which was making the ticking sound.
Saturday I wake up, get a ride to go get the Duramax (was a day long trip)....
So I get the truck home, now it's Sunday and Monday put the Black Fox back together. Completely flushed the engine, installed a brand new OEM vortec cam, comp cams OE replacement lifters and new gaskets, plus fresh fluids. Put the 19 lb/hr injectors in and de-pinned the 0411 back to the black box PCM.
That was one busy weekend. So keep going.... Thanksgiving is the 22nd and I have family dinner plus my annual quad camping trip.... and now I have a different truck to try and get setup to haul my camper. So now I also have that to prep which included removing running boards, canopy, installing camper tie downs and the superhitch, making sure wiring the trailer brake controller are good, transferring all my stuff to the truck, and prepping for camping.
Not without a few long lights and some extra effort, but I managed to get everything done and ready and make my trip.
And no, I haven't updated because I came back from that trip late Sunday after thanksgiving, worked 2 days then flew red-eye to Chicago for another trip I had planned, which I just returned from late this past Sunday. The camper is still sitting on my the new truck, in the driveway, with parts scattered everywhere in my garage and yard, and the grille missing off the black fox.... I have a busy few weeks ahead now.
I know most of you are asking me "Why?".
I love the 98. I love the GMT400 bodystyle. There is a TON of things I love about that truck. Where that truck is today hasn't came without a bunch of trials for me, such as many NV4500 issues, supercharger issues, and just general old truck/age maintenance things like gaskets, lights, brakes, etc etc.... It's just an old truck with old technology and I'm pushing its limits to do what i'm doing with it. And with that i'm still getting like... 7MPG doing what i'm doing....
A newer truck with a stronger frame, better brakes, stronger engine and transmission that gets better fuel economy, as clean and as low mile as this one is.... it was just impossible to pass up.
I still have a few things to remove from the Black Fox (train horn, stereo, radios) prior to selling it. I'm still debating on pulling the welds off it as well, and the whipple is already removed and likely going to be installed on the 88 in the future.
