Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1999

[LEEVON]

Because it is a 1999. That's right a 1/2 ton early 1999 in the old body style. We made some changes in our driveway, long story short my wife ended up with a sweet 2009 Suburban and I sacrificed my lowered 2008 crew cab (moment of silence please) for this truck. Since I am feeling a little down about all of this I will be putting my personal touch on it until I'm satisfied. Don't fret though, the best thing about this truck is the title lives at my house I'd like to say thanks to gumbys10 and his "1997 Chevrolet granspa truck" thread for inspiration. So this will be a slow update, tweak and personalize build thread. I'll be doing lots of little things and hopefully feeding you some pics along the way.

The truck has been extremely well maintained, and it has 140k miles. I have a folder full of receipts from this year alone for everything from new rotors to water pump and so forth, some of it "just because". The only mechanical attention it needs right away is the driver side door pins, as I hate slamming the door. The stock am/fm radio was also DOA.

My goals right now:

• Exterior. Needs come clean up. This means new mirrors, tailights and headlights, bumper trim, wheel arch trim, valance, and maybe handles if they don't come clean. I've found all of this stuff on rockauto.com for pennies. Removing the rain guards. The PO already added a nice billet grill (the kind I like, not cheesy).
• Detail. It will need a three stage cut and polish, although there aren't many swirl marks or scratches there are enough to start fresh. There isn't a single dent on the sides of the body, hood or roof. There are some rock chips and scratches on the bed and tailgate, about normal for this age. I will also clean the wheel wells and polish the bumpers.
• Interior. Actually it doesn't need much. A cleaning and maybe a switch or two that is ugly. I like to replace the pedal pads because it makes it look and feel new again. I will be keeping my eyes open for a set of gray cloth buckets and console. The 60/40 isn't really my thing. Oh, and removing the junk tint and getting it done right is high on the list. Also, keyless entry.
• Stereo. I haven't owned the truck 12 hours yet but no radio is no bueno for me so I bought a Kenwood KDC-x396, it has everything I want/need including USB and 3mm jack, Pandora radio and iPod controls. It's been so long since I've bought a head unit. They have come along way and are so inexpensive, relatively. I'll be replacing the 4x6's, using component 6.5's and tweeters up front and a single 10" or 12" sub.
• Suspension. Lower 4/6 with a notch and maybe helper bags and relocated shocks and new sway bars. Simple with a nice ride is the goal.
• Wheels and tires. Eagle 225 or Coys in 20x10 with 275/40 and 20x8.5 with 255/40.
• Drivetrain. I don't really know yet. It's so clean and runs perfect. It has brand new dual exhaust. Maybe long tubes, cam, tune? Or down the road 6.0L swap? Or maybe forced induction? Hmmm.

So here she is, what should we name her?

[LEEVON]

Here's the idea:

gumbys10 extended cab and Old Man Rigsby from fullsizechevy.com's short bed both with Eagle 225's.

[LEEVON]

I thought I could make it a whole day without a stereo, even though my commute is only 6 miles...and I was wrong! This will be going in tonight:

[Vega_67C10]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I thought I could make it a whole day without a stereo, even though my commute is only 6 miles...and I was wrong! This will be going in tonight:

Nice truck.....I just put the exact same Kenwood in my 96 last week. I also did the doors in Kenwood. I have 2 6in sub's for just a lil bass but I couldn't get power to the amp so they're nothing but power weights at this point.

[LEEVON]

Vega I found your truck, since it's so perfect I'd like to add it to this thread. What are your drop specs, 5/7 or lower? You're running 8.5" rears, they look tight so what's the backspacing? Should I be re-thinking 10" rears?

I think I'll probably be using the Kenwood 4x6's in the rear and maybe their components for the front. Did you have any issues with your USB sync on the head unit? I have a Droid X2 and the Kenwood app wouldn't execute right but it worked fine the first time I plugged it in. I was able to control my playlist from the unit. The second time I get a message "N/A file". Suck.

Tonight I got the other rain visor and some of the tape off, and I pulled ALL of the ugly tint. The back and small windows had an ugly purple that left residue on every square inch. The sides were a nicer quality and didn't leave as much. I had to soak rags in thinner to get it all of, but I'm impressed how nice the windows look now. I can live with them until I get to the tint shop now.

[Ackattack]

Nice find. If it makes you feel better, I traded my 362 HP Pontiac G8 GT for a toyota minivan a few weeks ago.

Sounds like you have a good plan. I'll have to keep an eye on your thread to see what you use for keyless entry and how you like the stereo as I will be adding this stuff to my 97 crewcab (Its a bit more involved project, so it will be awhile )

[LEEVON]

That does make me feel better. ALOT better!!!

The hardest part about selling the truck was that the buyers couldn't really appreciate what they had, not being "truck" guys like ourselves. It was as "done" as they get in my book, many hours, lots of research and of course sweat, blood and cash were invested. It wasn't the money but this is where Dave Ramsey gives me a facial tick. I would like to re-write all of his courses to include hot rod budgeting.

I wish I could have found a crew cab to replace it though! Got any pics?

[54 jimmy]

we sold my wife 1996 s10 blazer for $3000.00 and we paid $6500.00 for it a year ago. but we did pick up a 2000 hyundai tiburon for $2400.00 that gets almost 40 mpg only needs a little tlc. so i think we made a good decision.

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

That does make me feel better. ALOT better!!!

The hardest part about selling the truck was that the buyers couldn't really appreciate what they had, not being "truck" guys like ourselves. It was as "done" as they get in my book, many hours, lots of research and of course sweat, blood and cash were invested. It wasn't the money but this is where Dave Ramsey gives me a facial tick. I would like to re-write all of his courses to include hot rod budgeting.

I wish I could have found a crew cab to replace it though! Got any pics?

I think there is an astrick in the budget section, and in the foot notes it says hotrod budget does not apply However, I'm on the corporate hot rod budget plan (my work pays me mileage to drive for work, and then I use that to "maintain" my ride)

[lolife99]

Nice truck.
The 88-98 truck are are one of the best riding/driving trucks I have owned.
(I had both an 88 and a 90 swb truck)

I think these would look good on YOUR truck,...

[lolife99]

Like this,...

[LEEVON]

Well I got the stereo in, the speakers all work so that will do for awhile. I also managed to slice the crap out of my thumb breaking/removing one of the rain vents. So I still have one on the truck and the other in shards, some of them still stuck on right above the blood on my window LOL. It was getting dark anyway so I guess I'll be driving around like that tomorrow. At least I have tunes!

[Orangette]

Sub'd!

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by Orangette

Sub'd!

We do have twins!

[Low Elco]

This is fun and all, but get the 71 Running! I kid, I had one like it and still miss it. Great riding and awesome highway bomber. Nice truck!

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

This is fun and all, but get the 71 Running! I kid, I had one like it and still miss it. Great riding and awesome highway bomber. Nice truck!

Oh yeah, there's a '71 half apart in my garage. I am nuts.

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Man that truck is nice I wish the body on my truck was that good

[LEEVON]

Window tint and all the residue it left is completely removed, along with the sticky tape from the vents. Boy was that was a PITA.

[Low Elco]

Hurry up and fix one of them and come up in Sept.!
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[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Hurry up and fix one of them and come up in Sept.!
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I know, I really suck at actually driving my trucks. Last time I headed up for Midwest Nats I had a nasty blowout and limped home.

Here are some progress photos, and yes if you look very carefully you can see a garbled "Michael Jackson" on the CD player...it's for the kids they make me play Beat It and Thriller over and over and over. That's my story.

[gumbys10]

Okay the wheels are 20x8.5 front with 4.5 backspacing,rear 20x10 with 5.5 backspacing.
I would recommend 4.75 backspacing front and 5.75 backspacing rear would clear without rubbing best. You can also check out fullsizechevy.com and look at obs roll call picks under street sub forum for more ideas. And I'll get some better pics as I have changed a few things since.

[jb1016]

I'm in for this one for sure. I like your style. These trucks look so good in one solid, factory color, lowered over big wheels. And you can't go wrong with Coys or 225s.

[Low Elco]

Yeah, ok, keep telling yourself that. Now put both gloves on and git ta work!
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[LEEVON]

Hey I got the motor dropped in my '71 today, tilt prepped and painted, and intermediate steering shaft extended/painted. Progress, 2 hours at a time LOL!

[Low Elco]

Right with ya. Keep the faith, 2hours at a time!
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