Project "Rebound" 2006 RCSB

[LEEVON]

I really don't know if this is a "build" in the sense of the word, but all trucks are projects to me. I like to have somewhere to document progress, even if it's just for my own amusement so thanks for putting up with me. A few weeks ago for some unknown reason I sold my '87 swb "Yetti" which was a light project / daily driver. Yetti was right at the point where it was fun to drive...cold air, 16-17mpg, looked just right, all that stuff. I didn't feel great about letting him go, and it progressively got worse especially since out of nowhere my son started giving me massive grief about it (he's only 8).

I have been a fiend looking high and low for another fix for the last couple weeks. High and low, day and night relentlessly. I wasn't looking for a late model, but when this popped up on Craigslist and I had to see it, fortunately I was the first one. The truck was dirty and on a gravel road and in evening light it didn't look all that great. The guy said it was painted, although I couldn't find any tell-tale signs in his driveway. The engine ran strong, it drove nice and tight, the interior was very clean and the price was right. Clearly somebody really liked this truck. The only thing really "wrong" was a bad tire which turned out to be a great negotiating point. We struck a very good deal and it came home with me.

It's an '06 base model with the 4.8L and 131k miles, in midnight blue metallic (love the color). I would not normally bite on a base model truck. This has manual windows, no jump seat and rubber flooring. However, the previous owner added a tunneau cover, GM 20" wheels and tires, lowered 2/4, tint, dual exhaust and a keyless entry. Everything but the exhaust is pretty new. So the windows were my biggest hang-up. Get this...I'm in my driveway playing with the key fob when I got home and the truck starts itself! He never mentioned remote start, and I only assumed he got the most basic keyless entry because of the manual locks. Who doesn't put that in a for sale ad or mention it to a buyer?

I washed the truck, and to my amazement the whole thing is in much better shape that I had originally thought. The wheels and tires look BRAND NEW. The paint is just what you would expect for 131K miles, and the bed is next to perfect. It did have paint work on the left front looks like a new fender. I found a small twig jambed up near the cowl, so I suspect it left the road...but there are no signs of any major collision repairs. Just like the '87 which had slid off the road and smacked a fence in the front left. There is also a small dent that somebody tried poorly to remove on the front corner of the hood. Small peanuts.

I'm not crazy about the wheels, so I had another set located and bought before I owned the truck 24 hours. I had to buy another tire to make the set coming off whole, but after I sell them it will be close to even money.

So here are my plans (some are goals) as funds, time and interest allows:

• Yukon 20" wheels and new 265/50/20 tires DONE
• Remove roll pan and replace with factory bumper
• Replace headlights and marker lights (blurry, tried to polish)
• Color-match handles, tailgate bezel and bumper fillers
• Kenwood KDC X696 bluetooth stereo (love these, 3rd this year) DONE
• New speakers, 10" shallow sub
• Sound deadening and new carpet
• Jump seat swap, leather?
• Corvette servo (ordered)
• 6.0 swap
• 3.90 gears, Truetrac posi unit
• Tune (fortunate to have Show Me Speed around the corner)
• Paint repair hood

[LEEVON]

Pics, as it came home:

[lolife99]

Nice truck!

[LEEVON]

Less than 24 hours of ownership

[LEEVON]

Thanks Keith, since you know how crazy I've been looking for a new rig that's good to hear!

[lolife99]

My '99 rcsb was a base model truck with super low miles.
Wish I still had it.

[72BlckButy]

Nice buy leevon.

How did you come by the Yukon wheels so quickly?

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by lolife99

My '99 rcsb was a base model truck with super low miles.
Wish I still had it.

Got any pics?

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Nice buy leevon.

How did you come by the Yukon wheels so quickly?

They happened to be on Craigslist Saturday....and the seller was a great guy. Otherwise I was going to order the chrome version.

[LEEVON]

Unexpected first mod! I just placed an order through my neighbor, who is a manufacturer's rep, directly with Motive Gear for a 3.90 ring and pinion, Detroit Truetrac LSD and install kit for less than retail on the Truetrac. I have a good install shop lined up. Of course I will need a flash for the gear change, and there is a tuner is about a mile away from the house; http://www.sho-mespeed.com/. Probably will have him juice it up a bit while he's in there...

The neighbor also reps LKQ, told me to pic out a 6.0L ; )

[MalibuSSwagon]

Sweet deal on the gears and LSD. Nice truck, base models are ok for a truck, does it at least have AC?

[lolife99]

Leevon,... my '06 crew cab has 3.23 gears in it.
I want to change to 3.73's.
Don't really care about a posi or not.
What would it cost to get everything done?

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Sweet deal on the gears and LSD. Nice truck, base models are ok for a truck, does it at least have AC?

Base model has dual zone A/C. The LS models had power windows, locks, carpet, jump seat with upgraded cloth, slightly different exterior trim and you could get steering wheel controls also. I will make this truck just like an LS, except the steering controls. I just got back from the stereo shop, I have an idea on the windows that they're wiling to try.

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Leevon,... my '06 crew cab has 3.23 gears in it.
I want to change to 3.73's.
Don't really care about a posi or not.
What would it cost to get everything done?

Keith, if you only want to do gears and not the limited slip (but maybe you have the factory G80?) here's the ballpark on retail pricing for parts plus the quote I got from a shop this morning. Of course you could just drop it off at the shop and let them sell you the parts. They make money from parts mark-up too, and in my opinion it's good business to let them, while keeping it local. If I wasn't getting parts so cheap I'd just drop it off.

Gears: $190
Install kit: $70
Shop Labor $250
Shop supplies $30 approx.
Tax and Shipping $40 approx.
Re-flash ECU: $200 (could vary)
TOTAL $780

[lolife99]

Here's my old '99 that ran my original "LO LIFE" license plates, before my blazer.
It's the only picture I could find.
DJM 4/6 drop, Tahoe grille, Street Scene mirrors, and only 56K miles.
I eventually put 17x8 and 17x10 Billet Specialties wheels on it.
Always regretted not putting 20's on it.

I added a roll pan, filled tailgate, escalade door handles, and a color matched SnugTop tonneau cover before I sold it.

Crappy pic of it the day I lowered it.

[LEEVON]

Thats perfect, nothing wrong with the stock steel wheels. I wasn't a fan of 20's until there were some decent factory options anyways. I like the "what if", "factory custom" theme.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Keith, if you only want to do gears and not the limited slip (but maybe you have the factory G80?) here's the ballpark on retail pricing for parts plus the quote I got from a shop this morning. Of course you could just drop it off at the shop and let them sell you the parts. They make money from parts mark-up too, and in my opinion it's good business to let them, while keeping it local. If I wasn't getting parts so cheap I'd just drop it off.

Gears: $190
Install kit: $70
Shop Labor $250
Shop supplies $30 approx.
Tax and Shipping $40 approx.
Re-flash ECU: $200 (could vary)
TOTAL $780

Thanks for the quick reply.
I will get more info from you when I'm ready.

[LEEVON]

The new tires came in (Discount Tires Direct, love that place). I got them mounted on the GMC wheels today. They're 265/50/20 which I think are a perfect fit and she got a little more pep in her step. I've got a set of center caps, they are GMC but I'll have to roll with them until I find the chevrolet version. No luck on that so far though.

Also got a Kenwood head unit with Bluetooth installed.

The updates will be slower for a bit while my wallet cools off!

[lolife99]

Looks excellent!^^^
Ebay has the chrome centercaps, but they are pricey!

[LEEVON]

What do you think about GMC side trim, the narrow chrome "bullet" version? Or I was thinking of using the 2007-up "S I L V E R A D O" letters. OR when it gets a 6.0 the "VortecMAX" emblems. Choices...

[lolife99]

Leevon,... what centers were in the other wheels that came with the truck?

Found these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-CH...483c82&vxp=mtr

[LEEVON]

The problem is polished vs. chrome. The GMC polished center caps came on them.

[72BlckButy]

Looking amazing leevon. Those wheels really set off the truck IMO. I love those wheels and would love to add a set to my 08.
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[72BlckButy]

The center caps are why I haven't made a purchase on them yet.
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[cochino12]

Love the truck!! wish I could find something around here like that.

[LEEVON]

Thanks guys. I wish I had thought about the center caps...should have ordered the chrome version of these wheels. I had a set on two trucks, and the chrome GM accessory caps work. So far, not finding anything in polished.