1988 Crew Cab Build

[JPalmer81]

Well, i am not gonna be able to start the build quite yet, but i figured i would get as many ideas from ya'll as i could before may when i get to go home. here are some pics of the truck of what it looks like now.






Sorry, but these are all the pics i have. I will be losing the topper and running boards. I am currently shopping around for a 4" suspension lift, thinking of going with Superlift with rear springs and adding helper springs to front and rear. I will be sporting the original stock white steelies with classic hub caps and probably some 265 all terrains. Not going too aggressive with this one. It has the 6.2L diesel in it that will be getting the Banks Sidewinder turbo installed on it and probably going to electric fan.

I have made a picture in paint of the finished product.



This is what it should look like with 4" of lift and 265's on the stock rims. Now, i need some suggestions from everyone, thinking about keeping the same color, but not for sure yet. I will have to do some minor bodywork on the passenger rear wheel well so a new coat of paint will be in order. i am liking the the color scheme but am open for suggestions.

[JPalmer81]

Here are some color schemes i was throwing around







Let me know what you think and feel free to give me some other colors.

[nekkidhillbilly]

I like the color i dont see the need for lift on 265s u can run 285s stock
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[JPalmer81]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

I like the color i dont see the need for lift on 265s u can run 285s stock
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I realize i dont need a lift to run 265s, i just like the tall skinny look. Not playing the big tire game with this truck, tired of the price tag, plus i am not a very big fan of stuffing the wheel wells like a christmas turkey. And the primary use of this truck will be pulling a fifth wheeler long distances, so i am wanting it to stay economical on fuel, not getting any cheaper.

[JPalmer81]

Also, I have been a gasser my whole life, and really dont know too much about diesels, so all I know to do is to turn my injection pump up and install a turbo charger and that is pretty much all i know. until i get home for r&r in may, i wont know any specefics on the transmission or gear ratios, but i am assuming 4.10s and prob a th400, but am not 100% on that

[C-10 simplex]

i like the black and silver the best.


http://www.73-87.com/7387info/articles/82dooley01.jpg

[crewcabsquared]

The blue and silver looks good too, that's what I was thinking about on my crew. Gonna be nice which ever on you choose, I dig the tall and skinny look!

[yousesteers]

I am gonna use blue and Gun Metal Grey on my crew but it is gonna be flipped to yours

[JPalmer81]

Thanks for the comments, I was kinda partial to the tan and white, but, paint is a long way down the road yet. I think it will look good not matter the color, as long as it is done good and right.

Another question, Has anyone ever dealt with sdtrucksprings.com, was just asking them about some suspension components for my, and i specified "1988 1 ton 4x4 Crew Cab Chevy", and he responded, directing me to a kit for a newer IFS equipped chevy????? This could be a sign i am dealing with idiots or maybe an honest mistake, just wondering if anyone has ever used them or had any luck in the past. Thanks.

[joe231]

Are you getting the banks kit off Craigslist?

When you are looking for parts for these you need to specify that it is a V series truck. V30 or V3500 whichever one it is. Everyone thinks of 88-up as the newer body style. The new bodystyle took the C/K series designation while the old style got the R/V series designation.
GM tried to alleviate confusion, but I think they made it worse

A free flowing exhaust will also help power.
On both of my 6.2's I have slightly advanced the injection pump. It helps especially on a higher mileage engine.

Oh and I like either the red and silver or the black and silver.
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[JPalmer81]

Originally Posted by joe231

Are you getting the banks kit off Craigslist?

When you are looking for parts for these you need to specify that it is a V series truck. V30 or V3500 whichever one it is. Everyone thinks of 88-up as the newer body style. The new bodystyle took the C/K series designation while the old style got the R/V series designation.
GM tried to alleviate confusion, but I think they made it worse

A free flowing exhaust will also help power.
On both of my 6.2's I have slightly advanced the injection pump. It helps especially on a higher mileage engine.

Oh and I like either the red and silver or the black and silver.
Posted via Mobile Device

I didnt signify the "V", so it was probably my fault. Just got done emailing alaska 4wheel drive, have you dealt with them any joe? and i saw that turbo charger and it is tempting, and i probably will buy it if it is still for sale when i get home, but i have to do more research on it so i know what i am looking at if i were to go look at it. Not one of those things i would just want to send the wife over to pick up and hope for the best. Wanting to get the suspension done, and take a look at all the gearing first and fix any problems in those areas. What kind of oil do u run in yours? Was thinking of doing the AMSoil treatment to mine, through the whole thing, filters, transmission, transfer case and diffs.

Doesnt the banks sidewinder kit come with bigger exhaust?

[joe231]

Originally Posted by JPalmer81

I didnt signify the "V", so it was probably my fault. Just got done emailing alaska 4wheel drive, have you dealt with them any joe? and i saw that turbo charger and it is tempting, and i probably will buy it if it is still for sale when i get home, but i have to do more research on it so i know what i am looking at if i were to go look at it. Not one of those things i would just want to send the wife over to pick up and hope for the best. Wanting to get the suspension done, and take a look at all the gearing first and fix any problems in those areas. What kind of oil do u run in yours? Was thinking of doing the AMSoil treatment to mine, through the whole thing, filters, transmission, transfer case and diffs.

Doesnt the banks sidewinder kit come with bigger exhaust?

I haven't dealt with Alaska 4wheel drive.
I've seen the place but didn't know what they did.
I'll have to google it.

I have talked to the guy selling the banks kit. I think he has lots of other stuff too. He has a very nice square crew that he's putting a cummins in.
He blew up his 6.5 that had the banks kit on it. It is suppose to be like new with just a few miles on it.

On the oil, honestly I haven't even changed oil in mine. I should do that soon
I don't drive either one much...just around eagle river on the week end or I take the Burb out to Jim Creek to fish.

Yeah, I think the banks kit has all new exhaust.
There is a member here that says he got substantial gains with headers and exhaust (no turbo)
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[JPalmer81]

Originally Posted by joe231

I haven't dealt with Alaska 4wheel drive.
I've seen the place but didn't know what they did.
I'll have to google it.

I have talked to the guy selling the banks kit. I think he has lots of other stuff too. He has a very nice square crew that he's putting a cummins in.
He blew up his 6.5 that had the banks kit on it. It is suppose to be like new with just a few miles on it.

On the oil, honestly I haven't even changed oil in mine. I should do that soon
I don't drive either one much...just around eagle river on the week end or I take the Burb out to Jim Creek to fish.

Yeah, I think the banks kit has all new exhaust.
There is a member here that says he got substantial gains with headers and exhaust (no turbo)
Posted via Mobile Device

Hmmmmmmm....Headers and exhaust u say?? sounds like more of what i am used to. I wasnt aware anyone made headers for the 6.2L? Although i have heard of some gains just putting glass packs on or running straight pipes from the manifold back. Hope that member chimes in and can maybe give me some pointers. I am probably gonna go see the Alaska 4 wheel drive guys when i come home on r&r in May, the only reason i am interested is they are a Superlift distributor, so i might be able to get a kit a little cheaper than ordering over the internet.



I emailed the guy with the turbo, so maybe will get it, would be nice saving some bucks buying a used one. i need to get rid of my dodge so i can have some more cash for this one though. but, i dont think i will have any prob doing that, i get comments everywhere i go. its one of the straightest 77s i have seen.

[joe231]

Stan's Headers makes them

http://www.stans-headers.com/gm_headers.htm


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[JPalmer81]

Cool, thanks joe, now i can start some research into that route. I wonder if i can use the headers if i install the turbo?? The guy with the turbo emailed me back and said it has a 4" custom exhaust with it, but i would have to add 14" to get it to work on mine. He didnt have any pics though, so i would have to see it first. Maybe if it is still their when i get there in May I will take a look see. Thanks again for the info on the headers!!

[joe231]

The banks turbo mounts to the passenger side banks exhaust manifold, you couldn't run headers unless they were custom built.

Stan's sells 6.2L header flanges if you wanted build custom ones.

Check out:
Matsuvalleyohv.com
And
Alaska4x4network.com

Might sell the dodge on one of those sites...
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[JPalmer81]

Originally Posted by joe231

The banks turbo mounts to the passenger side banks exhaust manifold, you couldn't run headers unless they were custom built.

Stan's sells 6.2L header flanges if you wanted build custom ones.

Check out:
Matsuvalleyohv.com
And
Alaska4x4network.com

Might sell the dodge on one of those sites...
Posted via Mobile Device

Wonder what the numbers are compared to a header installation and no turbo and a turbo with no headers and a turbo with headers, be interesting to know. I will check those sites out, when i go home in May, gonna get that baby on the market, so when i am home for good in Oct, i will have plenty of spending cash for my Crew.

[my4by2]

I'm liking the tan & white paint scheme too man!!!

How long did it take you to do that in Paint man?????

If you're gonna tow a lot & are thinking of running the TH400, I'd splurge a bit & get you a 4L80E so you can have overdrive - it'll help a lot on the freeway!!!

I'd just build up the 6.2L engine in NA form - use those headers & maybe do a little port work to the heads while they're off. Will make a great driver & be dead reliable too!!!

Look up Heath Diesel - www.heathdiesel.com - they are EXPERTS in 6.2/6.5L diesel performance parts!

Looking forward to more pics of the build man!

[JPalmer81]

Originally Posted by my4by2

I'm liking the tan & white paint scheme too man!!!

How long did it take you to do that in Paint man?????

If you're gonna tow a lot & are thinking of running the TH400, I'd splurge a bit & get you a 4L80E so you can have overdrive - it'll help a lot on the freeway!!!

I'd just build up the 6.2L engine in NA form - use those headers & maybe do a little port work to the heads while they're off. Will make a great driver & be dead reliable too!!!

Look up Heath Diesel - www.heathdiesel.com - they are EXPERTS in 6.2/6.5L diesel performance parts!

Looking forward to more pics of the build man!

That pic took me about 5 long hours!! My mouse hand was sore!
Just wanted to see what it would look like with some diff colors, so i was determined to get it done!

I am thinking about going the header route now, and maybe 3" exhaust through some 3" packs, sounds like the cheaper route but with considerable gains. Dont like the sound of spending $2400 on a banks kit, there is one for sale locally for $1600, but i am thinking if i install the headers and have a shop do the exhaust i will still be under a thousand, and still have enough power to pull a trailer down the highway with no problem. Plus they sound great though packs.

[JPalmer81]

Here ya go yousesteers, I like your flipped blue and grey color.



Here is another color i was playing with

[bpeters5814]

I like the tan and white, black and white second.

[tobytuttle]

Nice!! I saw that truck posted on cl ....looks clean..... I like the colors that are on it....if anything be that the primary is red...... I would do white on the bottom....great score again... Btw i know a guy off of debarrthat has about 15 crew cab duallys 2x and 4x4's all of them complete all 73-91 style..

[JPalmer81]

Originally Posted by tobytuttle

Nice!! I saw that truck posted on cl ....looks clean..... I like the colors that are on it....if anything be that the primary is red...... I would do white on the bottom....great score again... Btw i know a guy off of debarrthat has about 15 crew cab duallys 2x and 4x4's all of them complete all 73-91 style..

There seems to be a high concentration of the Chevy Square Crews up here in Alaska!!!! I am originally from southern missouri and to see one of these was a rare sighting! And to see one fixed up was even more rare, dont know if i have ever seen a nice one running around in missouri or arkansas! Would love to glean some knowledge from this guy you speak of, probably could help me alot in my build!

[JPalmer81]

I just purchased the lift for my truck! woot woot. I opted for the Superlift 3.5". Let the games begin! I went ahead and got the rear lift blocks, with it only being 3.5", shouldn't have any problems with axle wrap.



Next up on the list, some Stans headers and a port and polish job and maybe a new cam from Heath Diesel. Not going the turbo route, gonna try and make all you turbo guys wish you would of saved your $2400 that you spent on a Banks set up I am just kidding, i know i wont match a turbo, but i think i can come pretty close and save alot of money doing the headers setup! We shall see.

[my4by2]

Sounds like you got a good plan - looking forward to things getting under way & more pics!!! Glad to see you didn't get carried away with the lift height either - with blocks though I'd still look at some type of torque arm or something - improves the ride & stability.