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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
Posts: 1,381
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Big Red
New year, new project
Some may remember me from the early 00's, had a '72 C10 frame off restoration, but that died when my life imploded in 2012... Well.. I'm finally back in the GM world with a 2003 Sierra... Been looking for a Std Cab for years, but it's slim pickins up here in the Salt capitol of the world Picked this up for $1k, with "brake issues" (foreshadowing?) ![]() ![]() I prefer a SWB, but otherwise this ticked all of the boxes... Price, Body hasn't been ravaged by salt, price, and it's the Base WT model (More on that later)... Sure the rockers are gone, and one of the wheel arches is showing signs of cancer, but that's nothing my mig welder can't fix. Best, thing, is that it's had a tonneau cover from day one, so the bed floor is perfect!!! ![]() by minnesota standards, this truck is mint
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill Last edited by brak; 04-27-2022 at 03:40 AM. |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
Posts: 1,381
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Re: Big Red
The truck lived it's life as a maintenance vehicle, at a trailer park. basically only leaving the property to get gas. like the proverbial "little old lady only drove it on sundays, to church"
Odometer is just over 200k, that's a lot of laps around the trailer park. LOL
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
Posts: 1,381
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Re: Big Red
Don't really have "BIG PLANZ", other than get it roadworthy, and a couple creature comforts
After thourough inspection, it needs the following Reliability Brakes are Numero Uno new shackles shocks (eventually) Creature Comforts Tunes Center console (acquired) seat heater (by winter) remote start (by winter) Lets start by making a reliable Daily Driver, and see where it ends up
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill Last edited by brak; 04-27-2022 at 03:45 AM. |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
Posts: 1,381
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Re: Big Red
last week, i dug into the "brake issue" and found what i assume were the factory installed brake lines... as you can assume, it wasn't pretty.
Front drivers side had already been "patched", but the rear line was completely disconnected, which explained the mediocre stopping power. ![]() luckily, one autozone within 50 miles had a set of pre bent lines, In stock. For $85, minus military discount, I can't really complain. ![]() Took 4 days due to the weather, since the trucks too long to fit in my garage, and had to do all the work in my driveway. but i managed to get it done. ![]() ![]() ![]() Not my finest work... just kind of shoved them in there, and had to call a couple audibles. 1: Front pass side is so long and complex, that it wasn't possible to snake it in there without removing the front fender, and lifting the cab, so i split it mid way, and had a local shop do the flares (my cheap flaring tool wasn't up to the task). 2: I hadn't anticipated the need to replace all of the lines, so obviously i had a full tank of gas. rather than try to wrestle a full tank out of the truck, i ran the rear line on the outside of the frame rail. I know it isn't ideal, but it's better than it was, and should be fine for a few months, until the weather warms up, and i can do it right.
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
Posts: 1,381
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Re: Big Red
Also, i needed a scan tool capable of operating the ABS bleed function, so i picked up A FOXWELL NT630 Plus.
![]() was $140 on Amazon, and had decent reviews. did the trick
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
Posts: 1,381
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Re: Big Red
Today, the weather was finally cooperative, so i got my seats pulled.
This is exactly why i pull the seats from every vehicle i buy. ![]() I desperately want to shampoo the carpet, but it's still too cold, and would never dry. had to settle for good vaccuming... Console goes in tomorrow. fingers crossed
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
Posts: 1,381
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Re: Big Red
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Valley, NE.
Posts: 1,007
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Re: Big Red
Console look great in there, did it come with buckets?
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________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande, 2500 133" wb, 402, 4spd. 2007 GMC 3500 SRW 4x4, Crew cab, Duramax/Allison. (Sold} 1987 Chevy Suburban 2500, Silverado, 2wd, 454, t-400 2023 Chevy Silverado LT 3500, crew cab, longbox, 4x4 Z-71 Duramax. |
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#9 |
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Location: Wentworth, NH
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Re: Big Red
Those look like the 03-07 GM T800 WT cloth bucket seats. They wear like iron and they don't burn or freeze your butt like vinyl or leather. I like my uplevel cloth, they're really comfy, but they aren't as tough as the WT seat.
Prolly the seat foams are a little cushier on the uplevel seats. Nice looking 03. Especially hard to find em that decent in the salt belt
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1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials...
And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful. Last edited by hatzie; 05-06-2022 at 07:46 PM. |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,587
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Re: Big Red
That's a neat truck and I like the idea of starting with a W/T and working it up into the truck that you want. Good work on the brakes and the console looks nice. I agree with the idea you had on the brakes to get it workable and solid and then come back and tidy it up when conditions permit. Look forward to see what else you have in store for it.
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#11 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
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Re: Big Red
Thanks guys.
Yeah, they're the WT cloth buckets that came with the truck. Had a center seat, but the back didn't fold down, so it had to go. like this (not mine) ![]() As discussed in my console thread, i need to replace the drivers seat foam, but i would like to keep the WT cloth, for all the reasons Hatzie stated... the butt pads have a couple tears, but nothing i can't live with... Hopefully i can find new, or better shape covers that match the existing pattern.
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill Last edited by brak; 05-07-2022 at 12:36 PM. |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
Posts: 1,381
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Re: Big Red
yesterday i swapped in a new head unit.
One of the nice things about the WT, is it doesn't have a factory amp to deal with. got the harness soldered and heat shrinked. no loose or shorted connections in my future ![]() Had this alpine deck laying around. was purchased for my daughters car, but it recently committed suicide, and no longer needs a new head unit. ![]() unfortunately the metra kit is missing the correct mounting tab on the right side, so i'm going to have to go get another one. Rear speakers sound ok, but doors are shot. Have a couple sets of JBL 6.5's laying around, pretty sure they'll fit. Hopefully i can find time to swap them this weekend. Also the console has a factory sub. i rewired and tested it before the console was installed. will hook it up at some point in the future.
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#13 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sheffield, ALA
Posts: 2,471
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Re: Big Red
I'm going to follow you on the upgrades. I have a 02 single cab. I'm wanting a console for mine.
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#14 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
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Re: Big Red
Quote:
just need to make sure and grab the shorter glove box panel from the donor truck, and the bracket for the dash. hardest part was getting the seats out, since all my bolts were rusty where they poke out under the truck. Covered in "Minnesota Gold"
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
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Re: Big Red
my dash cover is all chewed up on the passenger side...
Last time i was at the yard, i found one in perfect condition, but i couldn't figure out how to release the handlebar... This time i went back fully prepared, and of course, that truck was gone. none of the other trucks had one worth pulling. While i was there i grabbed a few odds and ends, including new vents for the passenger side. both were broken in one way or another. ![]() I almost grabbed some cloth seats with arm rests ($30 each), but i drove the veloster, so i wouldn't be able to take them home. its fine, i didn't love them anyway. I need to re-cover my headliner, it's falling down all over the place. decided i'm going to go with the Pewter color, rather than the ugly Beige that's in there now... i found a brand new passenger visor (in the box) locally, for $20 and while at the yard, i grabbed a overhead console in the same color.. ![]() the little things...
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
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Re: Big Red
Got my audio issues sorted this week...
Pulled the door panels, and this is what i found ![]() Clearly the stock speakers were long due for replacement. The JBL's i had fit perfectly, but the front drivers side had a short, so i ran a new wire rather than trying to track it down... I got an amazon gift card from work, so i picked up a set of infinity's for the rear, and a small amp, to power the sub in the console. someday i'll get around to this. on another subject, i passed 300 miles yesterday. It runs and drives pretty well, seems very happy cruising along at 70. I was curious about MPG, so i topped off the tank, and it looks like 16.8 (city/hwy mix). about what i expected Topped off the tank
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#17 |
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,587
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Re: Big Red
I often drive long stretches without the radio on. But when I want to listen to music, a good sound system is key. Not necessarily elaborate, but good speakers especially. Those look like they don't have anything left attaching the cone to the housing. Wow. Putting it together with parts that you mostly have on hand is even better.
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#18 | ||
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Re: Big Red
Quote:
doesn't need to be competition level, but good enough that it's not distracting (harsh or distorted). Quote:
I have lots of parts on hand, mostly from previous vehicles, but many that were too good of a deal to pass up (if i knew it would be useful in the future). I try not to think about just how much money is sitting in boxes, or gathering dust. anyone need a new starter for an '84 RX7, or a bumper for an Opel GT? Maybe a center console for late 90's chev (one in gray and one in tan) ![]()
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill Last edited by brak; 05-17-2022 at 02:25 AM. |
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#19 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
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Re: Big Red
Put about 1500 miles on the truck over the last 2 weekends.
drives ok, but idle is a bit rough. need to check the timing this week. On to the good stuff, finally found a decent tailgate. Before ![]() After ![]() Needed to swap the latches over, so i replaced the handle & trim piece at the same time. ![]()
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#20 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MinneSNOWta
Posts: 1,381
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Re: Big Red
one question...
other than appearance, is there a physical difference between the Silverado and Sierra tail light assemblies? The mounting tabs are broken on my passenger tail light, so i need to replace it... I much prefer the look of the Silverado tails.
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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill |
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#21 |
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,587
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Re: Big Red
On the taillights, I'd bet they'd bolt right in.
Any updates? These kinda threads are my favorites: fix and drive, upgrade and drive, repeat... |
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#22 | |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,951
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Re: Big Red
Quote:
The Red tail lamp housings are a direct swap. The 99-02 Amber & Red tail lights and the 03-07 Red tail lights have a different number of lamps. They used different pigtails from the lamps down to the Metripack plugs on the distribution block on the left hand end of the rear frame rail crossmember. I fished the pigtails out along with the lamp housing from a 2001 donor truck.
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1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials...
And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,587
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Re: Big Red
What's the latest on the red sled?
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