My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade

[Stoney]

Doesn't sound good for the Dually.

[aggie91]

Kevin

I can understand too about the dually, but if you feel the 4x4 can do what you need once it is done, then that might be a time to sell. For now, it really is not costing you anything for it to sit just in case you do need it for something.

Yeh, what about a thread on the 4x4, you said you did the motor build and got it installed, that seems to be enought to start a good thread if you took pictures.

[Sodell]

Have you had any problems with the TBI on that engine combo?

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Kevin

I can understand too about the dually, but if you feel the 4x4 can do what you need once it is done, then that might be a time to sell. For now, it really is not costing you anything for it to sit just in case you do need it for something.

Yeh, what about a thread on the 4x4, you said you did the motor build and got it installed, that seems to be enought to start a good thread if you took pictures.

I'm getting close to starting the 4x4 thread. I have a couple of hundred pictures so far. I'm still up in the air whether I should put it in the 88-98 projects section or the 4x4 project section. I'm leaning towards the first once since there won't be any real 4x4 tech other than some basic mechanical repairs.

Originally Posted by Sodell

Have you had any problems with the TBI on that engine combo?

It runs fantastic. I was skeert since the Internet offers a 50/50 balance of opinions on the matter. I can say from first hand experience it runs perfectly. No computer wizardry required.

I think the stepside knows that great things are coming it's way soon. It seems contented sitting there waiting.

[rusty76]

Lovely sight isn't it..^^^

[Palf70Step]

[Sodell]

Kevin,

I have two TBI's, 88 and 87. I have rebuilt one and put a simple GM crate motor in the other. I was a little leery to change much due to the problems I have also heard about it. I am curious about the exact parts you used. I know you pieced it together, but if you have the time could you list the cam, pistons, and head work? I would love to be able to get a little more torque out of my 4x4 engine.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Sodell

Kevin,

I have two TBI's, 88 and 87. I have rebuilt one and put a simple GM crate motor in the other. I was a little leery to change much due to the problems I have also heard about it. I am curious about the exact parts you used. I know you pieced it together, but if you have the time could you list the cam, pistons, and head work? I would love to be able to get a little more torque out of my 4x4 engine.

I'll start a build thread on the 4x4 tomorrow from the fire station. Its a pain to do a long post with lots of pictures from my iPad. My engine isn't too far off of stock. I just harvested a set of used Vortec pistons which are higher compression than my stock tbi pistons, and a full Vortec roller cam setup.



I always chuckle at guys with "shop trucks" that have cut out bed floors and monster frame notches. You got to have a bed to have a real shop truck.

Retrieving some Craigslist 4x4 booty first thing this morning.....

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I always chuckle at guys with "shop trucks" that have cut out bed floors and monster frame notches. You got to have a bed to have a real shop truck.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Best quote of the day...week....year

Most mods done can be good if done in moderation my friends.....

My dually has those 'monster frame notches' that allow full frame strength @ my desired ride height & they'll be covered w/a raised/sectioned bed floor. I feel pretty confident I could still carry those doors hauled in 'Lemonade' or the tree limbs/brush hauled off by 'Hillbilly Deluxe'.

I could prob carry both @ the same time if needed.... even w/my tool box in the bed

[rusty76]

He said "booty"....

[Tx Firefighter]

Link to the 4x4 build thread there in my signature.

[Randy S. Hager]

This one needs a bump up anyway. So Kevin....... Just wanted you to know that I looked at the V6 in storage and wanted to let you know that it would need to be opened up and gone through and cleaned. I didn't sit the intake on it while it was in storage. Just wanted you to know the condition and to see if you even wanted to mess with it after all.

Randy S. Hager

[Big Tex]

Kevin- I know you haven't mentioned painting the step side in a while, so I thought I'd through this idea out there:

The "$50 Paint Job". I know there is a lot of back and forth on the subject on this forum, but this truck, and it's "story" seem to make it the perfect candidate for such a paint job. Combine that with your acute attention to detail, and the budget mindedness of your builds, plus all of us getting to follow along as you roller painted a truck. It'd make for some real fun.

Also, with your polishing skills, as demonstrated on the dually rims, I know you could get it to shine like a new penny. You'd probably have fun telling folks that you painted it with a roller for $126......

Just a thought, I thought I'd throw out there...

[Hankster]

That would be pretty cool to go along with the cheap budget of the truck! ^^

[Tx Firefighter]

I guarantee, whatever path to paint job that I take, it will be very low buck and non traditional. I don't know what yet, maybe Hot Rod Flatz or tractor paint or something. I figure maybe a 400 dollar budget all in for sandpaper, primer, paint and masking supplies.

[clapage6]

excellent truck man

Could you provide me a part number or vehicle for the upper rad hose in your post #125?

I've had a heck of a time finding one to fit my truck without complete modification and yours looks the closest I've seen even digging through the local parts stores hoses

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by clapage6

excellent truck man

Could you provide me a part number or vehicle for the upper rad hose in your post #125?

I've had a heck of a time finding one to fit my truck without complete modification and yours looks the closest I've seen even digging through the local parts stores hoses

Yes and no. I can tell you that its a Gates brand hose that I bought from Rockauto. I don't know the number though. I've ordered from Rockauto once or twice per week for the last couple of years and have long since lost track of that order and specific hose. I'm sorry I can't be more definite.

And, a little update. Just because this thread goes dormant periodically, doesn't mean I've turned my back on the truck. My plan is to still slick it up this winter. I like to do one major project each winter. Last winter was the dually, this winter will be paint and body on the stepper.

In that vein, I found something for the stepper that I've been looking diligently for a long time for. Picked this up earlier today. Now I have all workable sheetmetal for when its paint and body time.

[Hankster]

Can't wait to see the stepper all painted up.

[Palf70Step]

[mcbassin]

Another awesome build Kevin. I'm glad I found this one too. I had to chuckle when I read this:

always chuckle at guys with "shop trucks" that have cut out bed floors and monster frame notches. You got to have a bed to have a real shop truck

Best quote of the day...week....year

[Tx Firefighter]

Scot, don't get offended, you know the type of trucks I was referring to, and it's not any of yours. I'm talking about the kind you can lean over the bed side and see the entire rear suspension right there in plain sight. Holes and gaps or just completely missing bed floors. That's no shop truck and it shouldn't be called one.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Scot, don't get offended, you know the type of trucks I was referring to, and it's not any of yours. I'm talking about the kind you can lean over the bed side and see the entire rear suspension right there in plain sight. Holes and gaps or just completely missing bed floors. That's no shop truck and it shouldn't be called one.

Definitely not offended.... I see those same 'shop trucks' w/sections of bed floor missing & scratch my head. Like you indicated, I build 'em to be low & functional.

[Woogeroo]

Well now, this is an interesting thread.

Getting it done by getting dirty...

-W

[jhama78]

Ok, its been legally off the road (paperwork wise) for half a day now, where are the teardown pics?

[Tx Firefighter]

Soon brother. Soon.

I want to address the 4x4 for another few paychecks. I found a couple of little details to touch up, and I want to fix the AC on it. Then it will be stepside time.

I've got a serious list of stuff I'm gonna do to it. Its gonna get significantly lower, better engine, drastic change on the interior, probably paint and body work too. Its gonna be a very busy winter, but I will get it done, and I guarantee you I'll do some stuff different than most guys, and a couple of surprises in there too.