88GMCtruck's 98 Silverado Towpig Build: "Black Fox"

[88GMCtruck]

You remind me of ITguy or whoever with explaining things lmao, always dumbed down so even I can understand.

thanks?

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Little bit of an update on the truck, new K2XX towing mirrors with color matched caps and smoked signals.

Few photos of them on the truck, ignore how dirty it is, we haven't had much good weather here.

I still haven't finished wiring them up, hopefully will get them done tonight.

 

[BigBoi]

Tows are dope af

 

[marc]

if truck was clean and paint then matched the mirrors paint it would be nice

but i assume they look great man, really fits the whole build around it.

 

[88GMCtruck]

Yeah, I need to get clean pictures of it for sure, we have had nothing but rain here the last few weeks so there is no way to keep the truck clean unfortunately.

 

[88GMCtruck]

Not a ton new on the truck front, got a few mods in the works once again...

Now, this isn't a truck mod, but it does have to ride in the truck. A new to me 2000 Northern Lite Ten-2000 CD camper.

These campers are how all campers should be built. Unlike conventional RVs, it's a 2-piece fiberglass shell. Literally, built like a boat. It has no wall framing, just structural fiberglass, rigid foam and paneling. So, less places to leak, no wall/roof seams, etc etc. No front window is a huge plus (they like to leak) and due to the layout there are less windows as well. The construction, size etc have some huge advantages, it's more aerodynamic, the weight isn't hanging over the truck as much, and it's lighter. Over 1,000 LBS lighter. This is also a basement model, which has in floor tanks and storage underneath. Because of that it sits quite a bit taller than the old one.

And being a 10' model it is almost a full 2' shorter than my old camper.

Inside it's a center kitchen and dinette, rear fridge and bath. It's pretty roomy for it's size, and has a surprising amount of storage. I enjoy the carpeted headliner as well.

The bathroom in this one is even smaller than the last one. But how much time do you really spend in it?

Spent the weekend tinkering on it, testing out the systems, etc. I also have already swapped all the exterior lights out for LED and ordered some of the interior. I will have some mods from the old camper to bring over to this one, and later this year I can hopefully get some kind of rear porch/bumper built and ditch the devil stairs.

 

[88GMCtruck]

Well, it has been around a month since purchasing the new camper, and it's been living on the truck this entire time. Well the old jacks were severely rusted (this must have been out at the coast). Fortunately the hardware for 95% of the camper is stainless, sans the jacks and brackets. Anyway, I took them off to rebuild and it's been a slow project as time permits.

Here is the condition of the old ones...... These are supposed to be 3/16" thick

I was able to save the dually swing out hinges

So, out came the chop saw and welder, new brackets were made but were designed with more area for support.

And everything got a nice coat of enamel.

Luckily a friend of mine upgraded his year old jacks, so I was able to install clean jacks instead of trying to re-finish the rusty ones.

Spent a few hours installing them. Ended up adding additional lag screws on every bracket where the supports were extended, and on the rear I used bolts and a plate on the upper 4 bolts to sandwich the brackets instead of relying on lag bolts into wood alone. Every piece of hardware is stainless now. I also replaced all the plug covers with new.

Up next, the rebuilt Whipple will be showing up soon. Going to put that on the truck and likely sell the used one.

 

[Tylers88]

Dfw trok and camper setup

 

[Ginger]

question,

did you do a write-up on how to put the kodiak handles on? i tried and the key cylinder was too short and the rod linkage looked like it wouldnt work.

 

[88GMCtruck]

question,

did you do a write-up on how to put the kodiak handles on? i tried and the key cylinder was too short and the rod linkage looked like it wouldnt work.

I did not but there are a few floating around GMT400 and TheTruckStop who have. You need the specific rods and a different pawl (the part that clips to the back of the lock cylinder), plus i think you swap the cylinders left to right to get them to work properly.

 

[88GMCtruck]

Here she is.... Rebuilt Whipple.

We will get that, along with a new starter installed shortly. But first I needed to get away from things and drag the camper/quads over to the sunshine. First time using the new camper with the cargo trailer.

I think a shorter hitch extension is in order..........

With my friend's 98 GMC K2500 454/4L80E truck

 

[BigBoi]

That's so dope. The perfect weekend getaway vehicle.

 

[Tylers88]

So pretty sure you told me I could have the truck and camper, when works for you for me to come get it

 

[88GMCtruck]

So pretty sure you told me I could have the truck and camper, when works for you for me to come get it

You can pick it up when you drop off that 30k or so check in return

 

[88GMCtruck]

Welp, got a few things done. Waterpump went the other day, lost a bunch of coolant. Luckily I noticed it while at home and not towing. Threw some paint on before install.

Then swapped out the Whipple

Also noticed an exhaust leak, figured out it was the manifold donuts.... which were new about 2,000 miles ago. Seems like the Whipple is burning the graphite out of them........

And more maintenance going around - the starter was doing the dreaded key turn and nothing happens. It went on for awhile and I finally replaced it. But, I decided to go with something that was a good upgrade. This is a Denso unit a friend of mine found some others using online, it's a heavy duty application (think delivery trucks) that start and stop a hundred times a day..... plus it's a very gear reduced starter and sounds way cooler.

And it was a direct bolt in, and only $160 on Amazon.....

 

[88GMCtruck]

Welp, I think we've hit the "nickle and dime" stage of truck repairs. Last week while backing up i hit the brake pedal only to be treated to a harsh vibration and grinding sound..... only to have the same sound when I turn the truck. Welp, the power steering pump went out as well.

So, new pump was ordered along with a new pressure hose from a 96... Why a hose from a 96? Well, I got rid of the EVO steering valve on the pump... Installed that and all is well.

Then on a trip down to the junkyard, I FINALLY found a clean set of grey cloth bucket seats. I cannot express how happy it made me. And only for $100. As pulled from the junkyard...

Hit them with the carpet cleaner and began tearing out the old 60/40 bench.

Awhile back I picked up a grey GMT800 console for this purpose. Been tripping over it in the garage for far too long. Spent about 5 hours measuring, cutting, shaping, trimming, coming up with ideas on how to mount it....... yeah. It was a process. Front console mounts are directly on the floor, and the rear needed raised up so I made a little bracket. The console profile is WAY off compared to the truck, It took a bit to make it look decent and there are still some gaps.

So much better! Now I have 2 USEABLE cupholders up front (that pull out dash abomination can die in a fire) and rear cupholders, something this truck desperately lacked. I also deleted t he rear seat nets. I think it's cleaner this way.

I also installed a set of Infinity component speakers in the front doors, will be installing a rear set tonight.

 

[racer36]

never thought of taking off those ugly nets, looks wayyy better

 

[Dakota]

Sweet! That console looks good in there!

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[88GMCtruck]

never thought of taking off those ugly nets, looks wayyy better

It is way better for sure. Careful though, these seats were from an earlier truck (build sticker on them was late 1995) and my stock seats differ. There was no removable panel on my 98 seatbacks....

Sweet! That console looks good in there!

Thanks! I think this is how the truck should have came. The OEM consoles were kinda a joke as well.

 

[Tylers88]

Parents 99 obs burb center did bring the suck and every single fucking bump brought on a sodasplosion if it was a can, was to the point I'd just keep it between my legs or on the center lid in a roll of duct tape but I'm still convinced obs buckets were actually designed by lazy boy for a living room, seriously one of the most comfortable vehicle seats I've ever been in.

 

[GeoffSFAs10]

Looks awesome as usual. I forgot you had the escalade interior swapped in there.