88GMCtruck

Woooo Boost!
Nov 4, 2015
200
47
28
37
Auburn, Wa
88GMCtruck's 98 Silverado Towpig Build: "Black Fox"

Since I recently joined and recognize some faces I haven't seen in years, figured I would post up some backstory of my Dually.

After looking at duramax trucks and not wanting to spend as much, I decided to go a different route. Here is my towpig, as bought in 2013. It's a one owner 1998 Silverado K3500, 454 NV4500 5-speed I bought with 135,000 miles.

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I basically bought it for a song, but it had a couple issues. #1 was the transmission making bad noises and the fluid was metallic. #2 the injectors were leaking down. #3 the front bed brace was ripped off from a slide in camper. #4 it was not a GMC. :crazy:

First order of buisness was the rebuild the NV4500...
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Did a few misc things: painted the wheels black, painted the grille black, installed tow mirrors, added Kodiak handles. Also put 88-91 solid tailgate straps on, and put a center console in the rear seat instead of the solid armrest.
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Next up was a full tune up, injectors, FPR, and fuel pump. I also cleaned up the camper and trailer wiring and re-connected the airbags.
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Tried going a different route with the W/T grille.
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Which didn't last long. Also finally found a good set of black GMC caps.
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Put in an overhead console and S-10 DIC and Steering wheel audio controls. Then put white LEDs in the entire dash, including the Delco head unit. I also have all 4 windows with auto-down.
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Ended up getting GM sill sheilds, weathertech mats, weathertech mudflaps, a rubber bedmat, 99-91 GMC tailgate emblems, and chrome lugs covers. I added a pair of CB antennas and found an OEM grille along the way, as well as some tint. At this point it pretty much stayed the same for awhile.
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Until I picked up a slide in camper and a new quad.... I installed a Tork Lift superhitch and camper brackets, pumped up the airbags and did a bunch of riding, camping and a few random adventures.
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Then I found a set of Weld Aluma-Dual II wheels... which snowballed into cranking the front and installing a 2" block, in order to put a set of 255/85s on the truck. TBH I was tired of dragging frame in the sand. I also snagged a smooth diesel bumper and installed a LED lightbar behind the grille.
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Thankfully, it sits a bit higher now. Even with the camper it's not a street queen.
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Eventually the clutch was acting up, turns out it was chewing itself up and the trans needed another rebuild. Went with a better clutch this go around - Centerforce.
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Picked up a Cargo trailer as well....
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Installed weathertech vent visors, Escalade door trim, dash bezel and handles. Also added 2 fog switches and a AUX lamp switch, as well as relocated the cargo lamp switch.
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Then I did upper intake gaskets, another go-around of injectors, and new sparkplugs......
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All so I could install this huffer.
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That is about where things stand at this point. Next up on the list are headers and exhaust, gauges, some rear suspension stability modifications, paint, and hopefully a doubledin stereo.
 
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Kkirwan71

the other delaware guy
Aug 2, 2015
2,790
438
83
Ahhh you're over here too now love this truck

sent from my galaxy potatoe s5
 

Liamrk

New Member
Oct 11, 2015
132
0
0
Damn always dreamed of this exact truck bagged as a tow pig, that thing is bad ass! Looks like you really use that thing, great progress man

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
 

88GMCtruck

Woooo Boost!
Nov 4, 2015
200
47
28
37
Auburn, Wa
Didnt i read that the blower froze up? or am I making this up.
No, that was a thing. I put the used Whipple I bought on there and within 30 mins it locked up (thankfully right near my house). I pulled it back off. It needs to go in for a rebuild. I ended up basically tripping across another though. You probably caught on one of my other threads. I haven't said much about it as I've been needing to send the other in and work with the seller to figure out some costs.

I love this thing. It looks beefy as hell on those Welds and 255s!
Sweet truck. I like that wheel/tire setup
Thanks. The wheels were on craigslist awhile, I ended up getting them for $150. After all my research I found they are Weld Alumadual II wheels, they are a welded 2 piece forged wheel with a 3,200 LB rating. Weld made this 10-hole style in the 80s and early 90s, around 95-96 they went to a 8 hole. These also have a odd sized hub bore and used shanked lugs, which I didn't want so I could keep the OEM caps. I ended up having centering rings made up front and custom rear spacers made to fit this hub bore. There was also a lot of debate on going with 255/85 instead of 235/85 simply because of the cost difference. The truck had perfectly good Toyo Open Country A/Ts on it, were brand new when I bought it.... BUT they were 225/75.... WAY too small.

Oh, and I spent a few nights infront of the TV polishing them...
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Thanks guys! I've been pretty happy with the truck overall... I did just discover that something is still leaking up front making the carpet wet. I've put a new window in it and it isn't the one cowl screw....... Thought I fixed this last winter.

I did go out with it last night, it's pretty impressive how fast this thing is for it's size. It was wet out, traction was an issue even with 4 tires in the rear :lol:

Also, for future reference..... I have another set of worn out 235s on dually wheels awaiting a dry day and a camera...... :evil:
 
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Tiki

Well-Known Member
Jan 23, 2011
1,581
402
83
Welcome, now I don't have to log onto gmfs to see your lust worthy build threads :D
 

GeoffSFAs10

Well-Known Member
May 7, 2012
1,839
64
48
St. Louis, MO
No, that was a thing. I put the used Whipple I bought on there and within 30 mins it locked up (thankfully right near my house). I pulled it back off. It needs to go in for a rebuild. I ended up basically tripping across another though. You probably caught on one of my other threads. I haven't said much about it as I've been needing to send the other in and work with the seller to figure out some costs.

Gotcha. i think I missed that last part the last time i read the 90 pages worth of build over at GMFS.
 

88GMCtruck

Woooo Boost!
Nov 4, 2015
200
47
28
37
Auburn, Wa
Shortly after getting the Whipple back on (since I've been extra careful listening to random noises due to the first mishap) I noticed my AC compressor was making noise. I had previously noticed it was leaky... The dreaded HT6 "Belly Leaker" compressor our trucks all have. After a good amount of research I found that Sanden makes a conversion compressor for our trucks - part number U4440. They are a WAY better case design, 7 piston (old ones are 5) which make them a good deal quieter and more efficient. Grabbed a new accumulator, orifice tube, hoses and condenser along with the compressor. Took it down to a buddies shop, used the AC machine to evac and recharge. My orifice tube came out perfectly clean - ended up replacing the upper muffler lines, accumulator and orfice but flushed the condenser and evaporator.
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Next task, I'm going to have to tear the front cowling off again. I STILL have a mystery leak making my carpet wet.....