New Project truck!!

[phantom dually]

Originally Posted by kdailey4315

I think the guages look great. Did you have to completely customize the dash or can you buy complete sets like the ones theysell at covanclassics.com?

gauges are yet to be wired but It is all custom. I wasnt aware of a premade part for these trucks at all.

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by phantom dually

My thought is that it may be too much. The gauges on the left look to set up higher though on the plate they are actually dead even. One thing I noticed was the left side of the bezel itself is rounded in the top left corner and the right side of it is more squared. Being that the two sides are diffrent it sticks out to me. I guess i will try black background and go from there.

Man, I didn't see that until you pointed it out, I feel

[1987 Shortwide]

I think if you paint the backplate for the guages black and put it in, you'll be able to get over the slight dimension differences.

Here's the one I did in my Malibu Wagon.

[phantom dually]

Well as you may or may not be able to tell i have got the dash into the truck. I put a dash from a 1997 truck into this 1992 truck. I also had to do some fab and fit the column from the 97 into the truck also. You would think it is a bolt in deal but the 92 column and the 97 are so diffrent it is unreal. I got the truck loaded on the trailer tonight and at 7:30am I am headed to Bowling Green KY to drop the truck off. A guy that works for Holley will be fabbing up a custom seat of long tubes with 2" primaries and 3.5" collectors. From there he will be installing the complete exhaust exiting in the front of the rear tire. I will using a HOOKER muffler on each side. Future plans are to have the exhaust Jet coated once I have tuned the motor and have some run time on the engine. I will attach a few pics of his various work if i can find it.

[Kevin45]

Phantom....great truck. I am always looking forward to your progress pics. Glad to here you are to the point of the exhaust. One question I have though, is why are you running the exhaust in front of the rear tires? The reason I ask sithat a few guys around here have done the same thing and have regretted it. It is fine for in town cruising, but they have found out that on the road at highway speed, the exhaust tends to drone and makes it almost impossible to talk in the vehicle. Some can tolerate it and some can't. Don't get me wrong, I am not telling you how to do it as you have done all the right things on your build, but if you have never rode in one with the exhaust in front of the tires, you may want to rethink it. But if you have and like it.... BTW..if you haven't heard this before...FANTASTIC TRUCK!! LOL!!!

Kevin

[phantom dually]

Kevin the exhaust decision is more of a last resort. The ladder bar suspension leaves very little room to put the exhaust over the rear axle. I had the exhaust previously dump right under the truck with a single 40 series and a turndown. That was VERY annoying. I hope to get the exhaust actually exit just under the bed before the tire on each side. With the BBC 496 I dont expect to do alot of talking!! The cam is pretty lopey so we will see. I have some progress pics i just need to resize them.

[phantom dually]

Still have not got the truck back from getting headers built. I am hoping he will finish up this week or so. We settled on 2-1/8" primaries for the headers though. Ill post some pics if he sends me some progress. Im getting stir crazy without the truck here! Going to buy my fuel cell and pump this week I guess.

[phantom dually]

A few progress pics. Not done but its a start!!

[4x5]

Very good looking project, that dashboard swap was a great idea, clean lines. those headers look very tight, a few runs down a track they might come back with dents from the frame.
Keep up the good work!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by phantom dually

....Meanwhile I am test fitting the gauges. I want to get some honest opinions on it first. I have a few thoughts about it but will keep them to myself and see if you guys have any.

I would paint the panel around the gauges the same color as the dash pad. Your not trying to match your motor, you want it to flow with your interior...

[phantom dually]

Here is a update pic of the pass side header. It isnt finished yet but going to be tig welded.

[BayouSS]

Looking good, where did you get your header parts from? Does it look like there is enough room that 2 1/4" primaries would fit between the block, A-Arms and Frame? I was thinking about going to that size on my truck.

[phantom dually]

Headers are being built by a guy that works for Holley in Bowling Green KY. I assume he gets his parts through them as they do exhaust parts as well. 2 1/4 headers are HUGE. Im not sure why you would need more than 2 1/8" which is what mine are ending up at.

[Kevin45]

I got the motor mount inserts from Energy suspension to get bolted back in next. If anyone has done mounts on these trucks IT SUX!!

I was reading back thru some previous postings and thought I would comment....When I swapped my 4.3 for a 5.7 into my '93, I bought mounts and figured I would have the V8 sitting in the truck the same evening. WRONG!!!! I started about 4:00 in the afternoon when I got home from work and about 8:00 I had both mounts in. I have a shoulder prosthesis somy shoulder does not pivot as a normal shoulder would so that added to the job. I finally called a buddy of mine over after a couple of hours and we both still struggled / fought with the mounts. Absolutely one of the worst designs GM ever had. Cage nuts ar welded nuts and bolt from the top would have been a way better solution.. If you really look at the design the assemblers at the plant have to shove their arm into the crossmember before anything is put on it just to nut the mounts. They must be the first thing that goes on.
Phantom.....Looking forward to seeing your truck in a magazine or two after alll of the work that has gone into it. Also a word to the wise. Just as soon as the truck is mobile, get it appraised and insured. With all of the internet publicity that it has been getting, you can't take a chance that some a-hole is just waiting in the bushes. And don't spare any expense on a top notch alarm system with LoJack. That way the truck can be traced by GPS. If not that, then by a remote switch...two caged Cobras from under the seat and a .44 pops out from under the steering column. LOL!!!
If I may speak for others, you are a definate influence and inspiration to the truck community. I have been working on my '93 practically all summer off and on with repaint, etc. It has not been without problems. Enough as a matter of fact to really hate working on it. But after sitting and reading and re-reading this thread, it kind of lights a fire under my butt to get back out in the garage. And again I must say...GREAT BUILD!!! You have done a fantastic job with the buiild and a super job with recording it with pics and explanations. Always looking forward to the next set of pics.

Kevin

[BayouSS]

I have to totally agree with what Kevin has said. The energy you have put into this project and the posting to keep us updated has been great for all of us that is slacking. It just shows what you can do by just putting in quality time ever so often and that projects such as this, do not and will not happen overnight.

As for your reply- "I'm not sure why you would need more than 2 1/8" ... Maybe 572 cid

Bill

[phantom dually]

Originally Posted by BayouSS

I have to totally agree with what Kevin has said. The energy you have put into this project and the posting to keep us updated has been great for all of us that is slacking. It just shows what you can do by just putting in quality time ever so often and that projects such as this, do not and will not happen overnight.

As for your reply- "I'm not sure why you would need more than 2 1/8" ... Maybe 572 cid

Bill

I beleive the 572 would do good with 2 1/8" primaries BUT Im no expert. Let me know what you find though.

[BayouSS]

Will do, just not much info out there concerning that engine and accessories.
I agree with you 2-1/8" will probably be ok just want to be sure, otherwise I'm going with the ZZ502, that would be basically a bolt in and not have to worry about the serpentine belt setup and header problems associated with the tall block.

Bill

[phantom dually]

Originally Posted by BayouSS

Will do, just not much info out there concerning that engine and accessories.
I agree with you 2-1/8" will probably be ok just want to be sure, otherwise I'm going with the ZZ502, that would be basically a bolt in and not have to worry about the serpentine belt setup and header problems associated with the tall block.

Bill

The zz502 with a few swaps like cam rockers etc etc. is a beast for a street truck. I would say you could put a nice turbo or SC on the 502 vs the 572 and still save some ca$h.

[bad_burb]

Originally Posted by phantom dually

Yes I have a few. I will go shoot a few pics here in a little. Meanwhile I am test fitting the gauges. I want to get some honest opinions on it first. I have a few thoughts about it but will keep them to myself and see if you guys have any.

This might be a little too late but... what if you mounted the larger gauges to the left side and the 4 smaller stacked 2 x 2 on the right, like the original gauge layout for that dash. I do like the symetrical look alot better but I think that would fit the bezel better.

[watahyahknow]

how are thing comming along anyway ?

[phantom dually]

Truck is ready to be picked up. Looking to go get it on Sunday. Here are a few BAD pics he sent me.

[kylejamers]

looks badass to me

[phantom dually]

Originally Posted by kylejamers

looks badass to me

Thx!!

[84 400]

man that truck is sweet! wish i had a manual stepper.... are you gonna run a roll pan in the rear? Also i bet that bbc is gonna smoke them rear wheels. sweet truck

[phantom dually]

Originally Posted by 84 400

man that truck is sweet! wish i had a manual stepper.... are you gonna run a roll pan in the rear? Also i bet that bbc is gonna smoke them rear wheels. sweet truck

I do plan to run a roll pan. I hope the torque of the engine doesnt effect it if I have it glassed in. I should be ok though. Just got the truck back the other day from getting headers/exhaust done. Starting to bolt it back together now.