$400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cobalt964ruf · 12-09-2015, 02:34 AM

2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3 v6, a few weeks ago i purchased this truck out of a farmers field for $400.00. i trailered it home. promptly upon getting home with it, i put a battery in it, checked its oil and coolant, put fresh fuel in it and it started and ran. the farmer told me it leaked alot of oil and that is why it was parked. he was correct, it leaked alot of oil. but it did run and drive, trans worked well, and 4x4 worked fine.

Cobalt964ruf · 12-09-2015, 02:45 AM

so i went to oreillys and got new upper and lower balljoints, new inner and outer tie rods, new idler arm and mount, new pitman arm, new shocks front and rear, new brake pads front and rear... yes a 4wheel disc truck. and went to town replacing things. i also bought a new 2006-2007 grill and new hd hood, new headlights, and new marker lights, new door handles, new tailgate handle, and new front under bumper valance. some nice oem aluminum 17" chevy wheels and new BFG 32" mud terrain tires all around. now i have $400. truck price, $467.00 oreillys, $100. 17" alloys, $630. BFG's, so $1597.00 in a really nice truck that runs and drives. i drove it for 2 weeks and the oil leak got worse, yes i suspected it would. and i pulled it in the shop and started pulling the 4.3 as already have a 2004 5.3 87k mile rebuilt for it on the engine stand. the 5.3 was free from a friend but i put new king main bearings, new king rod bearings, $49.00. new melling oil pump $89.00. new cloyes timing chain and gears $37.00. new hastings rings $46.00. and a new gm engine gasket and seal set $167.00. so now as of today... $1990.00. in a nice reliable 4x4 with a proper 5.3 swap and new bfg mudders. all new brakes, new suspension, so on... nice truck and low buck.

garmar · 12-09-2015, 03:22 AM

Very nice score! Exactly the sort of unicorn I've been hunting for. LOL.

Cobalt964ruf · 12-09-2015, 03:54 AM

thank you garmar for the kind words.

Cobalt964ruf · 12-09-2015, 03:58 AM

pulling the 4.3... getting ready for the 5.3.

WigglesTheHoly · 12-10-2015, 11:16 AM

Reminds me of my crew cab, they swore the engine was shoe at 270k miles and no oil pressure, picked it up for 3500, and put a $60 oil pump on it. She is my daily and has 303k miles on it currently. I'm subscribing to see what else you do with this.

MalibuSSwagon · 12-10-2015, 11:34 AM

Not bad!

Cobalt964ruf · 12-11-2015, 06:42 AM

yesterday... 5.3 going in...

HipToBeSquared · 12-11-2015, 09:39 PM

Great score! Looking forward to seeing the progress. By the way, do you know where the oil leak is on the 4.3?

Cobalt964ruf · 12-11-2015, 11:26 PM

the oil leak was the rear main seal

WigglesTheHoly · 12-15-2015, 11:51 AM

I don't know that I've ever seen a GM truck without a rear main seal leak lol. My 5.3 has a rear main leak but the leak eventually formed it's own new old oil gasket and I don't have to add oil between changes.

AMERICAN PICK-UP · 12-15-2015, 12:15 PM

Nice score..

**Boog** · 12-15-2015, 08:03 PM

It goes to show you can get into a truck for cheap if you don't mind doing the work. I once bought a 78 C10 stepside with v8 and 3 on the tree, no accessories. Slowly I added things to it like power steering, power brakes, A/C, carpet, better seat and some trim. All done with careful shopping I was able to keep the total investment down.

Cobalt964ruf · 12-16-2015, 03:12 AM

thanks guys!

Cobalt964ruf · 12-17-2015, 07:01 PM

30 day mechanically rebuilt the truck, 4 new bfg mud tires and oem 17" aluminum wheels, 4 new balljoints, 4 new tierods, new pitman arm, new idler arm, new idler mount, 4 new shocks, 4 new brakes, rebuilt and swapped in a 5.3 v8. Todays progress...

Cobalt964ruf · 12-17-2015, 07:01 PM

still have to install the accesory drives, water pump, and finish the wiring for the v8.

Cobalt964ruf · 01-08-2016, 07:27 AM

got it running today. more progress

Cobalt964ruf · 01-19-2016, 02:58 AM

got under the hood all tidyed up, now to put the hood back on and start driving it again.

PAPA KENT · 01-20-2016, 12:06 PM

Nice truck and nice find! Any pictures of the outside with the new wheels and rubber?

Kent.

**michael bustamante** · 01-20-2016, 01:29 PM

subbed

Cobalt964ruf · 01-21-2016, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAPA KENT

Nice truck and nice find! Any pictures of the outside with the new wheels and rubber?

Kent.

papa, ill get you some pics today. truck is looking and running good. happy with it for under 2k investment.

Cobalt964ruf · 01-22-2016, 09:11 PM

papa kent here is a pic from one of my test drives today. hood not on it yet.

Cobalt964ruf · 01-27-2016, 09:08 PM

front end pic today... dramatic change from when i picked it up.

PAPA KENT · 01-28-2016, 02:07 AM

What a transformation! Another truck saved from rotting in a field and it looks great too.

Thanks for the pictures.

Kent.

Cobalt964ruf · 01-28-2016, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAPA KENT

What a transformation! Another truck saved from rotting in a field and it looks great too.

Thanks for the pictures.

Kent.

thank you for the kind words. i am liking it.

12-09-2015, 02:34 AM	#1
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	$400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3 v6, a few weeks ago i purchased this truck out of a farmers field for $400.00. i trailered it home. promptly upon getting home with it, i put a battery in it, checked its oil and coolant, put fresh fuel in it and it started and ran. the farmer told me it leaked alot of oil and that is why it was parked. he was correct, it leaked alot of oil. but it did run and drive, trans worked well, and 4x4 worked fine. Attached Images __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

12-09-2015, 02:45 AM	#2
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. so i went to oreillys and got new upper and lower balljoints, new inner and outer tie rods, new idler arm and mount, new pitman arm, new shocks front and rear, new brake pads front and rear... yes a 4wheel disc truck. and went to town replacing things. i also bought a new 2006-2007 grill and new hd hood, new headlights, and new marker lights, new door handles, new tailgate handle, and new front under bumper valance. some nice oem aluminum 17" chevy wheels and new BFG 32" mud terrain tires all around. now i have $400. truck price, $467.00 oreillys, $100. 17" alloys, $630. BFG's, so $1597.00 in a really nice truck that runs and drives. i drove it for 2 weeks and the oil leak got worse, yes i suspected it would. and i pulled it in the shop and started pulling the 4.3 as already have a 2004 5.3 87k mile rebuilt for it on the engine stand. the 5.3 was free from a friend but i put new king main bearings, new king rod bearings, $49.00. new melling oil pump $89.00. new cloyes timing chain and gears $37.00. new hastings rings $46.00. and a new gm engine gasket and seal set $167.00. so now as of today... $1990.00. in a nice reliable 4x4 with a proper 5.3 swap and new bfg mudders. all new brakes, new suspension, so on... nice truck and low buck. __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

12-09-2015, 03:22 AM	#3
garmar Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Mtn View, Missouri Posts: 81	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. Very nice score! Exactly the sort of unicorn I've been hunting for. LOL.

12-09-2015, 03:54 AM	#4
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. thank you garmar for the kind words. __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

12-09-2015, 03:58 AM	#5
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. pulling the 4.3... getting ready for the 5.3. Attached Images __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

12-10-2015, 11:16 AM	#6
WigglesTheHoly IT Guy/ Father/ Chevy lover Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hoisington, KS Posts: 568	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. Reminds me of my crew cab, they swore the engine was shoe at 270k miles and no oil pressure, picked it up for 3500, and put a $60 oil pump on it. She is my daily and has 303k miles on it currently. I'm subscribing to see what else you do with this. __________________ 78 Chevy (Pictures) SOLD 79 Chevy LWB (pasture) 83 Chevy LWB (crushed rusted beyond repair) 02 TrailBlazer SOLD 03 VW Passat wagonSOLD 95 extended cab silveradoSOLD (still in family) 05 Crew Cab Silverado 5.3 (The Turd) WTB: 66 El camino Technology Specialist aspiring to be a gear head.

12-10-2015, 11:34 AM	#7
MalibuSSwagon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Weare,NH Posts: 1,592	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. Not bad! __________________ Eric 1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 1986 Chevrolet C10\|5.3L\|TKO600\|Shortbed\|Custom Deluxe 1983 Malibu Wagon\|TPI 305\|T5 5 speed\|3.73 non-posi

12-11-2015, 06:42 AM	#8
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. yesterday... 5.3 going in... Attached Images __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

12-11-2015, 09:39 PM	#9
HipToBeSquared Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Illinois Posts: 63	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. Great score! Looking forward to seeing the progress. By the way, do you know where the oil leak is on the 4.3?

12-11-2015, 11:26 PM	#10
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. the oil leak was the rear main seal __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

12-15-2015, 11:51 AM	#11
WigglesTheHoly IT Guy/ Father/ Chevy lover Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hoisington, KS Posts: 568	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. I don't know that I've ever seen a GM truck without a rear main seal leak lol. My 5.3 has a rear main leak but the leak eventually formed it's own new old oil gasket and I don't have to add oil between changes. __________________ 78 Chevy (Pictures) SOLD 79 Chevy LWB (pasture) 83 Chevy LWB (crushed rusted beyond repair) 02 TrailBlazer SOLD 03 VW Passat wagonSOLD 95 extended cab silveradoSOLD (still in family) 05 Crew Cab Silverado 5.3 (The Turd) WTB: 66 El camino Technology Specialist aspiring to be a gear head.

12-15-2015, 12:15 PM	#12
AMERICAN PICK-UP Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: paragould,arkansas Posts: 858	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. Nice score..

12-15-2015, 08:03 PM	#13
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,513	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. It goes to show you can get into a truck for cheap if you don't mind doing the work. I once bought a 78 C10 stepside with v8 and 3 on the tree, no accessories. Slowly I added things to it like power steering, power brakes, A/C, carpet, better seat and some trim. All done with careful shopping I was able to keep the total investment down. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

12-16-2015, 03:12 AM	#14
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. thanks guys! __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

12-17-2015, 07:01 PM	#15
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. 30 day mechanically rebuilt the truck, 4 new bfg mud tires and oem 17" aluminum wheels, 4 new balljoints, 4 new tierods, new pitman arm, new idler arm, new idler mount, 4 new shocks, 4 new brakes, rebuilt and swapped in a 5.3 v8. Todays progress... Attached Images __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's



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01-08-2016, 07:27 AM	#17
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. got it running today. more progress __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

01-19-2016, 02:58 AM	#18
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. got under the hood all tidyed up, now to put the hood back on and start driving it again. __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

01-20-2016, 12:06 PM	#19
PAPA KENT Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lolo montana Posts: 361	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. Nice truck and nice find! Any pictures of the outside with the new wheels and rubber? Kent.

01-20-2016, 01:29 PM	#20
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,862	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. subbed __________________ 1967custom

01-22-2016, 09:11 PM	#22
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. papa kent here is a pic from one of my test drives today. hood not on it yet. Attached Images __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

01-27-2016, 09:08 PM	#23
Cobalt964ruf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Piedmont, OK Posts: 364	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. front end pic today... dramatic change from when i picked it up. Attached Images __________________ 1971 K30 burb carbed LS6 th400 np205 d70f 14bff 4whl discs lifted 35 bfg's 1994 k3500 rcsb trophy truck ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1998 K3500 rclb ls427 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 35 bfg's 1999 k3500 crewcab dually 4x4 496ci 4l85e bw4401 9.25ifs 14bff g80 6" lift 37 bfg's

01-28-2016, 02:07 AM	#24
PAPA KENT Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lolo montana Posts: 361	Re: $400.00 2004 1500 4x4 rclb 4.3v6 build. 5.3 swap. What a transformation! Another truck saved from rotting in a field and it looks great too. Thanks for the pictures. Kent.

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