How about some pics of 88-98 Part II

[devind]

At the first of the year my son Trent bought a used 1997 ex-cab GMC pickup.

I wanted to post some pics and info on the build to not just show it off but to hopefully help if anyone else might be doing a similar build. I am not a huge fan of 20” wheels on this body style. I guess I am hold school but I just like a little more side wall on the tire then the 20” wheels allow. In the end we went with 18” wheels and I think it turned out looking good. However I will warn you with 18” wheels you will have a very limited tire choice on both brands and tire size options.

With a lot of work Trent, his brother, and I have turned it into something pretty slick. I hope my son is happy with the results. He really didn't want to lower it but a persuaded him into it. I told him I had a vision for this truck and if he would just trust me in the end he would be proud of it.

The first thing we did was replace all the intake, valve cover gaskets and did a complete tune up, replaced the belt and idler pulleys and installed a new radiator while his mom hand sewed a new leather wrap around the steering wheel. Then we completely rebuilt the front-end. After that we dropped the front 4" by Installing drop coil springs and drop spindles. In the back we dropped it 6" by c-notching the frame and doing an axle flip. We also installed some air assist air bags so he can adjust the rear ride height or compensate for a load. Also took it to our local muffler shop and had some dual exhaust with glass packs ran on it. Sound nice and throaty but not too loud.

After all that we cleaned up the exterior by pulling all off the moldings and pin-stripping off, installed new headlights and a billet aluminum grill.

To make room for the new tires and wheels we rolled the rear fender flange over and cut the front fender flanges off flush with inner sheet metal and spot welded them back together.

Then finally after waiting almost two weeks the wheels arrived so we went straight to discount tire and had some new rubber mounted up on them and man they look great. Once on the truck Trent finally understood the vision I had for it and had a smile ear to ear.

All and all pretty happy with the results, the truck drives and handles real nicely.

Later on I will be sending the PCM to buddy Dave at Old School EFI to it reflashed. I want to make some adjustments to the shift points and make some corrections to accommodate the 1 ½” taller rear tires.

Basic set up:
Front end:
Lowered about 4” with 2” drop spindles and drop springs
Cut fender flange lip off flush with inner fender well, spot welded inner & outer back together and ground smooth. Pulled inner fender well bolt directly above tire out.

Rear end:
Lowered about 6’ with axle flip kit and c-notch plates.
Added some air-assist air bags so he could have some adjustability on rear ride height and adjust for carrying a load or pulling a trailer. Had to do some e-brake relocating and rerouting to clear air bags and keep from rubbing the inside of the wheel and tires.
Rolled rear fender flange with vise grips and shot filled rubber mallet. Then with a hydraulic-jack a 2x4 slightly widened the outer fender paying very close attention to the sheet metal as to not distort anything. Gained about 3/8”

Wheels and Tires:
Front:
Showheels Streeters 18” x 8” with 0 offset mounted with Falken Ziex ZE-612 (235/60R-18)
Rear:
Showheels Streeters 18” x 9” with a +6 offset mounted with Falken Ziex ZE-612 (265/60R-18)

[Cape Codder]

Truck looks awesome. And I agree with the tire/wheel combo. Trucks need some rubber showing.

[devind]

Truck looks awesome.

Thanks

And I agree with the tire/wheel combo. Trucks need some rubber showing.

That is exactly how I feel plus I would think those rubber band tire have to ride hard.

[truckfan]

well done. i like it

[ss454lemy]

new here this is my 90 ss

[1badgmc]

Originally Posted by ss454lemy

new here this is my 90 ss

Beautiful!

[devind]

Super clean!!

[Boog]

I like em both fellas. I had a white 97 GMC like that one, daughter totalled it though. That black SS is looking great too.

[ss454lemy]

Originally Posted by 1badgmc

Beautiful!

thanks !

Originally Posted by devind

Super clean!!

thank you !

Originally Posted by Boog

I like em both fellas. I had a white 97 GMC like that one, daughter totalled it though. That black SS is looking great too.

i had a cab and a half black with grey leather was beautiful too. but never modified the out side. had hids indash tv and music system.

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Love the 454 SS's!!

[ss454lemy]

[MuscleCarDynamics]

This is a customer truck I'm currently working on

[greatdane]

I just picked up this little 90 GMC swb last night, it's my new project. 110k original miles, no rust

Look at those retro graphics!!!

[truckfan]

Originally Posted by greatdane

I just picked up this little 90 GMC swb last night, it's my new project. 110k original miles, no rust

Look at those retro graphics!!!

i love it. 1/2 ton Western Hauler

[Cape Codder]

Neat truck, were those graphics a trim option? I know the dealers used to do local trim packages if that is one of them it would be nice to leave it.

[greatdane]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

Neat truck, were those graphics a trim option? I know the dealers used to do local trim packages if that is one of them it would be nice to leave it.

Thanks! I think it was some dealer conversion possibly? Interior is all woody as well. Lol I kind of dig it!

[Cape Codder]

I was going to say it's a dare to be different thing and then saw the AMC. You already have that covered. I just sold a 62 American Convert and my 66 Classic wagon. I still have a 64 Ambassador 990H buried in the shop.


Bob

[greatdane]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

I was going to say it's a dare to be different thing and then saw the AMC. You already have that covered. I just sold a 62 American Convert and my 66 Classic wagon. I still have a 64 Ambassador 990H buried in the shop.


Bob

I just sold my 69 Javelin project.

Picked up this shortwide to take my mind of it!

[Jerbou71]

Well i got my rims on today and here she is.
I got this truck about six months ago and it has mmw arms up front and kp six link in the rear. Eight 3/8 smc valves 3 gallon tank two val air compressor. Sbd and 22" wheels with 255 30 22 tires.

[gunrunner95]

My 89 Silverado 220,000 miles and still going strong! Ive put a new front bumper on since this pic was taken. Have some more upgrades planned for this summer.

[dragginmetal]

Originally Posted by Jerbou71

Well i got my rims on today and here she is.
I got this truck about six months ago and it has mmw arms up front and kp six link in the rear. Eight 3/8 smc valves 3 gallon tank two val air compressor. Sbd and 22" wheels with 255 30 22 tires.

Rims look good. Is that a split grip? I've been looking at one for my ride. Does it get hot on the finger slots?

[MuscleCarDynamics]

Looks like it didn't load

[Jerbou71]

Originally Posted by dragginmetal

Rims look good. Is that a split grip? I've been looking at one for my ride. Does it get hot on the finger slots?

Heres the pictures again i messed up and moved them in photo bucket.

Are you taking about the steering wheel? If so i just put it on about a week ago. And it hasnt gotting really hot yet, so i havn't seen if the aluminum gets hot. But it feels a lot better then the stock steering wheel. This is what the inside looked like when i git it.

[dragginmetal]

Yeah, the steering wheel. Sorry about that. I should have been more specific. Im just looking at them right now. Not ready to buy one yet, so let me know if any thing pops up that you dont like about it.

[1badgmc]

I got the truck out for a little sunshine last weekend. It's sporting an homage to my German heritage up front today. I also put on my new club logo. It's a familiar logo to the truck. A few former members and some new ones are reviving the old logo...with a little twist.










You never realize how dull a set of wheels can get even when they're not being used, but a quick shot of elbow grease did the trick.