88GMCtruck's never ending 88 GMC build thread

[88GMCtruck]

I actually measured it, some of it is an illusion - The truck only has 1" of rake currently. My driveway is sloped a little, and the rear tires being tucked farther in than the front make it look like there is more rake.

My plan is to bring the front up a touch, like 1/2" to 3/4" so it's ALMOST level. I like having some rake in my trucks though to keep them from squatting when they have weight in the back.

 

[Ginger]

same reason why i dont level my dually. i tow more then not with it.

 

[88GMCtruck]

That is basically all my dually does, although I have bags and onboard air on that one :lol:

 

[Ginger]

That is basically all my dually does, although I have bags and onboard air on that one :lol:

yours has more power then mine. but they both have boost lmao

 

[88GMCtruck]

Scored off craigslist, picked up these grey buckets for $150.

Now to decide if the truck will get these, or the 60/40 bench that I pulled from the dually.

 

[Ginger]

you put buckets with a console in the dually right?

 

[88GMCtruck]

Yeah, OEM buckets with a GMT800 center console. Which is what i'd do in this truck if i go the bucket route.

 

[Tiki]

Bench is where it's at! Ever considered the 96 interior update? I've been eyeing a few step sides and think it's best to just pay up for that interior (I prefer it) than attempt the swap.

 

[Tylers88]

Bench is where it's at! Ever considered the 96 interior update? I've been eyeing a few step sides and think it's best to just pay up for that interior (I prefer it) than attempt the swap.

Iirc that's why he bought that burb was to swap the interior

 

[88GMCtruck]

Bench is where it's at! Ever considered the 96 interior update? I've been eyeing a few step sides and think it's best to just pay up for that interior (I prefer it) than attempt the swap.

Iirc that's why he bought that burb was to swap the interior

What Tyler said. Go back a a few posts :lol:

I'm undecided on seats, to be honest. I have the perfect bench from the dually, but being a manual trans, the lack of storage in a regular cab, and the atrocious cupholders in the late GMT400 dash, the buckets + GMT800 console are really, really appealing.

The interior swap will probably be considerably easier in my case than it is for other people. Since I'm swapping the entire harness out and converting the truck to vortec MPFI with OBDII and a 0411 PCM, the dash harness will go in complete. The only major change to the wiring harness will be the lack of autotrac, automatic and ABS. I will abandon/re-purpose those wires and add the minimal amount of wiring for the clutch switch. I will have to change the column support, and will change the HVAC which will be easy with the dash out. The rest is just fabric and trim.

Now, the engine is already a vortec 454, I just need to swap the intake manifold and everything bolted to it, and will swap the front drive accessories as well. AC will be converted as well.

I know I'm going to run into all sorts of fun things with the swap.

 

[88GMCtruck]

I've been super busy as spring & summer hit. It's the time of the year I camp, do home improvements and work on projects.

Prior to tearing into the truck I had two major tasks I needed to complete: I needs more places to put parts, so I built a 10x20 shed from 99% recycled lumber (including the plywood). It's fully powered and now full of truck parts...

The second major task was taking the parts rig apart.

She was dismantled and boxed up.

And then sent away for scrap.

Since the parts storage shed is built and the suburban is parted out, I started ordering parts for the 88...

 

[slicksierra]

Always dig the crazy projects you get going!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[88GMCtruck]

It's been awhile!
Been collecting my parts, coming up with my plan.... etc etc. I put off starting anything this winter... it was just too cold in my garage without heat and too wet outside to do much.
Now things are turning around and I started with a bit of motivation.
I robbed the wheels off it... Put on some rollers

The PY0s were too narrow for the 315/75R16. And the only wheel I could have ever ran to keep the offset how I wanted it with 8-lug axles. So, I took them wheels and donated them to the 97 K1500 6.5L Suburban that adorns the driveway.

And parked it back on the sidelines.... waiting

You might be wondering what the plan is, since I ditched the PY0s... well, I'm going back to the truck's 6-lug roots. I picked up a full set of Procomp 069 wheels in 16x8 polished... Took me forever to pick the wheels I wanted... with the offset, size, and hole to diameter ratio I liked. Mounted them up in the garage and used balancing media

Finished product with my stainless caps and socket lugs.

Having these beauties sitting in the garage, and the truck sitting on tiny tires is motivation enough to get this party started. Next step is to find a rear 14SF axle...

 

[88GMCtruck]

Pressure washed it off and pulled it into the garage.... It's begun.

Started with pulling the bed, and will continue on stripping it down from there.

Setup some bins for fasteners, will help in the process

So, since many people keep asking WHAT the plan is with it.... here is a basic outline.
Stripping the truck down to a frame, clean, paint, etc. New springs, shocks, mounts... Possibly a SYE. New rear axle. Then comes vortec MPFI and all underhood accessories, a 0411 PCM. More cleaning and painting.
A bunch of wiring will be happening for lights and such as well. I'm sure that will be time consuming...
Interior will be grey, 98 dash, two tone z71 tahoe heated leather seats, double din... the works.
Then paint/Bodywork.

 

[Smith]

Smart thinking with the bins!

 

[Tylers88]

What’s the reason for going back to 6 lug?

 

[88GMCtruck]

What’s the reason for going back to 6 lug?

I don't like how wide the 8-lug hubs on a dana 44 sat, the tires were too far out from the fenders for my taste.

 

[88GMCtruck]

Since the forums aren't the easiest to update, I have been more regular and active on a couple Facebook GMT400 groups, and even more active on Instagram @88GMCtruck... But, here is the update. I've been busy.

Got the front clip blown off.




Then got everything disconnected from the cab and pulled the seats out.



Then used the engine hoist and the help of a friend to remove the cab and set it aside. (yes the receiver is in the back of the cab to balance it out!)







First time the cab and bed have ever been off this truck.



Started with a good pressure washing of the frame. Need to get all the gunk off it.

 

[88GMCtruck]

I also made a couple junkyard trips... Found a factory 3-piece slider window in good shape.




And picked up the new rear axle - 14SF from a 95 K2500, 6 Lug, 3.73s (will be re-geared) and a G80.



I've had a few people ask why I'm going from 8-lug back to 6-lug... Well, the primary reason is the 8-lug Dana 44 hubs set the wheels out 1-1/4" wider on each side, so 2.5" of more track width. Combined with the backspace offerings of 8-lug based wheels, I'm sitting at 4-5" wider up front, which honestly I didn't care for. The only wheel I could find that kept me where I wanted was the PY0s I had previously, and they are just simply too narrow and the ONLY option that kept the tires where I wanted them. So back to 6-lug I go. I'm not really towing with this, wont really be wheeling the crap out of it, etc. so the difference between the 14FF and 14SF is negligible IMO. Plus, this wheel/tire combo with these caps is just simply bitchin' IMO.



Once I was done screwing around admiring my tires, I spent 3 different sessions in the driveway blasting my frame with glass bead. It was dusty, messy, annoying, yet oddly satisfying.

Day 1 - Engine cradle and outside





Day 2 - inside and crossmembers






Day 3 - Had to lift to get the underside!

 

[88GMCtruck]

The mad scientist :lol:


And just because it's cool, GM part number, date stamp and stamped VIN in the frame.



Now you are up to date Next step is pulling the springs and axles and coating the frame, then blasting and cleaning the axles, and re-assembly will start.