97 3500 454 4x4 project

[mingoman]

Before I get this painted I still have a few things to do. Replacing the pins and hinges today and putting in the new roller pins. I couldn't get the roller pin to drive in to save my life so we had to improvise once again. I used total automotive's hinge kit after seeing so many issues with doormans.

[mingoman]

Got the doors done and the old dash ready to pull. I'm calling it a day, it's hot out there!

[Terrick down Under]

Looking good, back around post 22, you mentioned the door speakers. What did you do about the rears. Also how do the rear covers come off, I am looking to do mine and don't want to break them.
Are you removing the rear upper overloads?
Thanks

[OutlawDrifter]

man you are killing it in this heat in our part of the world!

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by Terrick down Under

Looking good, back around post 22, you mentioned the door speakers. What did you do about the rears. Also how do the rear covers come off, I am looking to do mine and don't want to break them.
Are you removing the rear upper overloads?
Thanks

To get to the rear 4x6s you have to remove the whole rear pillar trim. The rear door speaker grilles are aesthetic only, nothing there. To remove the grille, remove the door panel and you will see that it is held in by tabs of itself that are folded over, straighten them and the grill pops off.

Example:

[mingoman]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

man you are killing it in this heat in our part of the world!

LOL, if it doesn't kill me first. I've worked two 72 hour work weeks back to back so I've not done much on the truck, but I'll be back on it Monday. Hope the humidity gives me a break.

[mingoman]

Originally Posted by Terrick down Under

Looking good, back around post 22, you mentioned the door speakers. What did you do about the rears. Also how do the rear covers come off, I am looking to do mine and don't want to break them.
Are you removing the rear upper overloads?
Thanks

The rear pillars have a few screws and clips that hold them on. Just go slow and you'll be fine with the clips. I was sweating bullets with mine, but thankfully didn't break anything. And I'm keeping the overloads too.

[mingoman]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

To get to the rear 4x6s you have to remove the whole rear pillar trim. The rear door speaker grilles are aesthetic only, nothing there. To remove the grille, remove the door panel and you will see that it is held in by tabs of itself that are folded over, straighten them and the grill pops off.

Example:

If we had a like button on this forum that pic would get one! Did you add door speakers and keep the smaller pillar speakers or do away with them?
I like the idea of bigger speakers in the rear doors.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by mingoman

If we had a like button on this forum that pic would get one! Did you add door speakers and keep the smaller pillar speakers or do away with them?
I like the idea of bigger speakers in the rear doors.

That is a friend of mine's truck, he's the one I do most of my wrenching with, his truck or mine. If you want to burn up a couple hours his build thread (link) is on a couple other forums. At first he mounted the tweeter portion of those components in the rear pillar but found that to be harsh on the rear passengers. I think he was going to put a set of 4x6 plates in the pillar and move the tweeter forward... I'll find out, I'll be riding in that truck a while today.

[mingoman]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

That is a friend of mine's truck, he's the one I do most of my wrenching with, his truck or mine. If you want to burn up a couple hours his build thread (link) is on a couple other forums. At first he mounted the tweeter portion of those components in the rear pillar but found that to be harsh on the rear passengers. I think he was going to put a set of 4x6 plates in the pillar and move the tweeter forward... I'll find out, I'll be riding in that truck a while today.

Thanks,I may do that if it worked out for him and thanks for the link too.

[mingoman]

Old dash out. Had to put the defrost and air doors back in place since they were out on one side. The defrost door wasn't even hooked to the control arm. Took the air box apart so I could clean it out while i was there too.

[mingoman]

Took the better part of the day, but the new dash is in and plugged up. I've got the rest of the components cleaned and bagged so it should go pretty quick from here.

[83GMCK2500]

Oh, crap, I forgot to mention...that dash pocket, you have to swap the airbag for the pocket while the dash is out. There are two (pretty much unreachable) fasteners at the top that require either Subaru spark plug hands or dash out.

Nice and clean looking dash!

[Wide Open]

Originally Posted by mingoman

Took the better part of the day, but the new dash is in and plugged up. I've got the rest of the components cleaned and bagged so it should go pretty quick from here.

The square on the transmission tunnel for manual transmissions...Is it just a raised stamped area or is it a removable plate from the factory?

[mingoman]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

Oh, crap, I forgot to mention...that dash pocket, you have to swap the airbag for the pocket while the dash is out. There are two (pretty much unreachable) fasteners at the top that require either Subaru spark plug hands or dash out.

Nice and clean looking dash!

I thought about it, but decided to leave the air bag in even though it's not functional. I wouldn't use the pocket and I like the looks without it better too.
I took the original dash' s harness out and placed it in the new dash. I washed all the duct work out when I did that as well.
Oh, and my wife's car is a subaru legacy. The 454 in my truck has loads of room to work compared to that for sure!

[mingoman]

Originally Posted by Wide Open

The square on the transmission tunnel for manual transmissions...Is it just a raised stamped area or is it a removable plate from the factory?

When I get in from work tomorrow I'll check for you. I have a factory auto and manual so I can check both and see if there's a difference.

[Wide Open]

Cool thanks! I've had some of both in the past but never tore into any of them.

[mingoman]

Originally Posted by Wide Open

Cool thanks! I've had some of both in the past but never tore into any of them.

Looking at the auto truck I'm gonna say no. It has a place for the shifter stamped in the hump, but it's not bolted on or cut out.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by mingoman

I thought about it, but decided to leave the air bag in even though it's not functional. I wouldn't use the pocket and I like the looks without it better too.
I took the original dash' s harness out and placed it in the new dash. I washed all the duct work out when I did that as well.
Oh, and my wife's car is a subaru legacy. The 454 in my truck has loads of room to work compared to that for sure!

Gotcha, I can understand the aesthetic preference. It isn't as useful as it could be but I do like the pocket in mine.

[Wide Open]

OK thanks. That's what it looked like but I couldn't tell for sure.

[mingoman]

I've been searching relentlessly for a leak on my passenger side. Took the cowl cover off and all ran water all through it with no water in the cab. Went to my windshield, same result.
Finally looked at my cab lights saw a crack in 1 and wala! Water in the cab!
Also found the plug in back of my compressor off so i hooked it up and I've got air now too.

[Wide Open]

Two easy fixes. Can't beat that.
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[mingoman]

Got my parking brake cables swapped out, they were different lengths than the crew cab, and the luggage rack off the roof. I want a clean roof other than the clearance lamps. Last pic before paint is on and the bed too. The bed is already there and the truck will be in just a bit. Have a great labor day weekend all.

[Terrick down Under]

what's the condition under the clearance lights?
Looking good so far.

[mingoman]

Originally Posted by Terrick down Under

what's the condition under the clearance lights?
Looking good so far.

They weren't bad at all really, just a few minor spots of pitting. I've already ordered new lamps and seals for it as well.