1991 V3500 Project Heavy Hauler

[MTCK]

Painted both diff covers and filled with 75w90. When I dropped the transfer case oil it scared the crap out of me: ATF! A little reading revealed that sometime in the late 80's GM went to ATF in the NP205's, so I refilled with some dextron 6. The problem with a shiny part is that it makes all the other parts look like they need a coat of paint.

Going to run her hard over the holiday weekend. Pretty good trip up into Canada, camping, hauling along some friends and over 1000 miles on the schedule.

[Greenlee]

Sounds like a fun trip! Post some pics.

[Matt Man]

Got any lockers or posi in that truck?

[MTCK]

Nile open front and rear. Was actually happy it was open in the rear so I can add a Detroit locker if I need one. And was happy it came with 4.56's.

[whitels1]

Awesome Marcus, enjoy your trip!

[watahyahknow]

dont worry bout the newly painted stuff after a few tours through a mudhole they all look the same again

[MTCK]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

dont worry bout the newly painted stuff after a few tours through a mudhole they all look the same again

Hahaha excellent point.

Thanks guys, I'll be sure to snap some pics.

[MTCK]

So far so good. Happy Fourth from Canada!

[MTCK]

Trip was a success. Only problem was I lost my keys in Canada. Had a hide-a-key, but only with a door lock. Punched the ignition, then found the keys. The show must go on.

Total was a shade under 1300 miles, with average MPG a little better than 11. I'm happy with that. We were loaded to the gills, went over 6 mountain passes, and did a fair amount of 2 lane passing with lots of right foot.

This thing packs a great load. 4 people, 2 dogs, 3 bikes, coolers, camping gear, water and gas. Just as intended.

Our route was Fairbanks to a campground at MP48 Taylor highway, from there to Dawson City, two days in Dawson, then two days in Valdez for fishing, then home.

Took some serious work with the pressure washer to get all the grime and bugs off. Got a new ignition lock from Napa today and she will be ready to go again once I fix that.

Captions:

Loaded and ready to leave the driveway. Sitting level.

Tok AK, stopped for gas and a map with the mutts hanging out the window.

First night camp ground. We slept in the bed but our friends riding along used the tent.

Taylor highway. We use the term highway loosely. It's interesting when two Class A's pass each other.

Unimog on the Taylor. Lots of cool rigs wandering around AK and Canada in the summer.

[MTCK]

Captions continued:

Pull off on the Taylor for a snack. We had an eclectic mix of vehicles: my truck, wife's Rav4, ranger with a flip pac and a class c motor home.

Top of the World Highway in the Yukon Territory. Stunning views along the way and a max elevation of about 4300 FT. Two hands on the wheel.

Frost heaves win. Luckily I noticed the bikes were missing in the side view mirrors before any permenant damage. Bent the rack back, affixed some ratchet straps and slowed down.

Stopped to get a glacier pic near Thompson Pass on the Richardson Highway.

Our longest day of driving. 50 mph average is pretty good considering more than half the day was on unpaved somewhat improved roads.

[COS399]

Glad to hear that you didn't have any vehicle problems. Sounds like it was a good shake down run and more importantly a great trip overall.

[watahyahknow]

punched the lock THEN find the keys
murphy's law at its finest

[deejaaa1]

beautiful truck, and scenery.
hope to be doing that, in my 93, that looks just like yours, soon.
now, i need to get to work......

[MTCK]

Thanks guys. Yeah it worked well thank goodness. I need to get the ignition switch replaced and a few other odds and ends. It has been sitting since I got home and work has been crazy. Hopefully I'll have a little time this weekend.

[MTCK]

NFab steps finally showed up after 7 months of trying to order them. Instructions are for a GMT400 truck so hopefully they fit. I understand why shipping g was a challenge...

[MTCK]

Quality looks good, but no hardware included...

[COS399]

Bummer on the hardware but they look good.

[MTCK]

They said they would send hardware, but I didn't want to wait. Wife approves. I need a lift now.

[MTCK]

Ignition switch replacement is done. Took about 3 times as long as it should have.

[MTCK]

It was easy once I made a little tool to compress the spring to put the lock plate back in using the steering wheel retaining nut. Put this one in the tool box to use again in the future.

[MTCK]

Steps seem sturdy. Powder coating isn't the greatest as a few places chipped off the mounting brackets during installation. Web site says they are coated with zinc based paint under the powder coating so hopefully they last a long time. Not cheap but not a lot of options for our trucks.

[MTCK]

Ran across the scale. Recall she was right at 6,000 with one tank and no driver when purchased. This is two full tanks so I've added about 1,000 pounds of big block, sound deadening, stereo, topper, sleeping platform, spare tire, tools etc.

[MTCK]

Installing these should be fun. Good gaskets and locking hardware for collectors and headers so hopefully they don't leak. truck is getting tuned in person first week of August so I need to get on it.

[watahyahknow]

these headers usually have more room than the long tube headers , you should be ok
might need to lift the engine a little or get the startermotor out

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by MTCK

It was easy once I made a little tool to compress the spring to put the lock plate back in using the steering wheel retaining nut. Put this one in the tool box to use again in the future.

Nice job making what you need, I think Summit sells those for $7 or $8. Would you mind posting the width and depth? I've got a lock cylinder and turn signal switch to replace.