Project Ol' Blue

[bulldog2513]

Originally Posted by 98GMCSierraGuy

I think bolts would have been a better idea

heck all 8 bolts were in it but these IDIOTS welded all the bed channels, all the cross members including the transmission support and the bumper brackets. i think somebody got a new welder and just wanted to play. its ridiculous! took me 2 hours to get the rear cross member out.

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Man that sucks I hope you get it all worked out

[bulldog2513]

Originally Posted by 98GMCSierraGuy

Man that sucks I hope you get it all worked out

yeah i did. tryin to post some pics now if this thing will let me lol

[98GMCSierraGuy]

yeah it can be stubborn some times haha

[bulldog2513]

got the bed off finally. smoothed down the ragged welds and removed the rear cross member and spare tire mount to get ready for some custom work. next have to find some channel and fabricate a new rear cross member so i can get the temp brace off. will prob do some of the body work on the bed and start stripping the interior this week after work to get it ready for paint. will soak the frame in Zep degreaser then pressure wash it and tackle the fab on the cross member next weekend. things are moving along. now to get a shower and go do some fishing!

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Looking good man good luck with the interior what colors are you thinking of painting?

[dragonwrecker]

looking good. hope to get the grill done toorrow so i can get back on db

[bulldog2513]

Originally Posted by 98GMCSierraGuy

Looking good man good luck with the interior what colors are you thinking of painting?

im taking the interior black possibly with grey accents since gm did not offer a black interior in the 88-98's.

[bulldog2513]

Originally Posted by dragonwrecker

looking good. hope to get the grill done toorrow so i can get back on db

you need to get back on it. the spring rod run will be here before you know it.

[bulldog2513]

here are a few more pics. the spring shackles show where we extended them 4 inches for the drop. im gonna have to cut em down a lil bit because they are hitting the underside of my bed. going with a rear end flip for the remaining drop needed. now to fabricate the new rear cross member and the frame will be done.

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Sounds good I actually wanted to paint my truck black or that gold that they came in (Or I could do both and be like the NO Saints haha)

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Looking good keep up the good work

[bulldog2513]

Originally Posted by 98GMCSierraGuy

Sounds good I actually wanted to paint my truck black or that gold that they came in (Or I could do both and be like the NO Saints haha)

hell yeah! with the right graphics or designs black and gold can look awesome together.

[bulldog2513]

Originally Posted by 98GMCSierraGuy

Looking good keep up the good work

thanks man!

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Yeah but I'm just going to keep it green, color wise I would never put economics before performance haha

[bulldog2513]

Been in the hot shop today with no ac at work so didnt do too much when i got home. i took the measurements for the two new cross members and got the old exhaust pipes cut off to make room for the mid cross member. I decided to fab two so that the frame will be a lot stronger than factory. i have some 4x3 rectangular tubing at work, just have to talk the boss out of some of it lol

[98GMCSierraGuy]

I was thinking about doing like your old exhaust but making it come out before the rear wheels

[dragonwrecker]

Looks like you need to break out the pressure washer
Posted via Mobile Device

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Lol don't we all?

[bulldog2513]

Originally Posted by 98GMCSierraGuy

I was thinking about doing like your old exhaust but making it come out before the rear wheels

only problem is the saddle tank gets in the way. i got the bright idea of deleting mine and running a stainless fuel cell or old style rod (round) tank in the bed. but who knows. i have had a few ideas today LOL. i want mine coming out before the tires too, just got to figure out a simple and economical way to do it.

[bulldog2513]

Originally Posted by dragonwrecker

Looks like you need to break out the pressure washer
Posted via Mobile Device

YEP! gonna buy the degreaser this weekend hopefully and git-er-did

[98GMCSierraGuy]

I may just do one pipe coming out of the passenger side with a flowmaster 40 I don't know how just one will sound if not I could do them both on the passenger side

[bulldog2513]

dragon and 98 (or anybody).....give me your opinion on this.........
thinking about deleting me rear window, either completely or fabricating a "gmc" shaped window with red tinted plexi.....or finding a small window from like a 48-55 chevy and putting that in..........thoughts/suggestions?

[bulldog2513]

Originally Posted by 98GMCSierraGuy

I may just do one pipe coming out of the passenger side with a flowmaster 40 I don't know how just one will sound if not I could do them both on the passenger side

not sure how that would balance out. might be able to come straight out off the header to the outside of the frame and run it back to the tires and put a turnout there?????

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Hey now thats an idea! I was thinking about getting a sliding glass for mine but I don't know haha, as for exhaust When I change my block I will probably get a cam and headers, but I don't know If I could do away with the catalytic converter without my computer freaking out, I will brainstorm it and see