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

Yeah i'm not sure what the problem is, only thing at this point is something nor aligned related to the engine/bellhousing... but i'm not sure that is the case. I'm hoping whatever it is I've replaced at this point.

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Worked on the brakes late last week, ended up doing new Calipers, Rotors, and Ac Delco ceramic pads.
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While I was waiting I got the wheels polished up. Photos don't do it as much justice, but the difference is pretty noticeable
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My buddy also was due for brakes, so he brought his 98 over as well.
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Got the transmission pulled. the input shaft was super loose, ended up popping it out and yup, exact same thing as the last go-round. Main shaft chewed up.
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So, we checked the flywheel/crank for runout, there was none. my flywheel and clutch were perfect, there were still machining marks on them and no hot spots. Used a new oilite bronze pilot bushing, and just to make sure everything was good, a new bellhousing and brand new never ran NV4500.
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So, it's together. New transmission is quiet and shifts tight and smooth. Lets hope this lasts...........

What turned out to be the issue with it?


live from the gutter trash.
 
What turned out to be the issue with it?

Somewhere something wasn't aligned or set right or something. The input shaft bearing was taking out the main shaft. Basically makes the whole setup super sloppy, starts making noise at neutral eventually leads to noise under load, and shaking on take off as the clutch and main shaft wobble about.
 
Welp, when I was poking around with the front end I noticed my shocks are about shot. After a bit of reading what people with campers liked, the Rancho 9000 adjustables seemed to be a popular choice. They were on sale, have a $100 rebate and lifetime warranty.... so that is what I ordered.
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The old ones were leaking, rears were super worn and soft, and one front wouldn't compress or rebound at all.
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Also got the rear wheels polished. Gotta love some shined up aluminum.
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Thought so but couldn't remember and was to lazy to go back and look lol. Just cranked to level or does it have a small block out back too and also wondered 6 welds or 4 with steel inner rears? Srs tho dfw this for a daily, Burb heated seats and matching rear leather literally done forever.
 
Thought so but couldn't remember and was to lazy to go back and look lol. Just cranked to level or does it have a small block out back too and also wondered 6 welds or 4 with steel inner rears? Srs tho dfw this for a daily, Burb heated seats and matching rear leather literally done forever.

I put a 2" block in and cranked the front. They sit the duallys low from the factory. I'm running 4 weld wheels, It wouldn't be possible to run 6 aluminum wheels without putting longer studs in.

As far as a daily, it would be fun as long as you don't mind crap mileage and have the space.

Leather seats. Been looking. I've pretty much determined I won't ever find them unless I get them re-covered.
 
As far as a daily, it would be fun as long as you don't mind crap mileage and have the space.

I daily my 88 now at 12.5-13 and the TJ gets about 14 mixed so I wouldn't mind I'm sure. I can keep my eyes open for trucks with leather getting parted but I'm sure shipping would suck
 
do your side walls rub in the rear, i went to get bigger tires for the back of my dually, and they told me they were worried about side walls rubbing when i have it loaded.
mine do not, but i'm also running 1.5" spacers. If you have stock offset wheels 235/85R16 is the largest tire you can run for MOST tires. A local friend had a set and they rubbed under heavy load.

I daily my 88 now at 12.5-13 and the TJ gets about 14 mixed so I wouldn't mind I'm sure. I can keep my eyes open for trucks with leather getting parted but I'm sure shipping would suck
I'm not in a dire want/need of leather, will be one of those things if i happen across a good set it all.

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2 weeks ago I took a sunday drive up to check out my camp spot on the lake, which, unfortunately was under water. Still was a good opportunity to get some photos of the dually.
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The last weekend I went and had my big 'ol party in the woods trip. Ended up being about 120 people this year, live music, a DJ, hot tub and lots and lots of booze. Was a great time.
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Here is our core camper crew. Don't mind the RAM.
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This year, I actually had someone else drive up my 88 to play around with. So for the first time in a long time I had the red truck out to play a little. I can't wait to start giving this thing some lovin'
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Was a long, long 4-day weekend for me. Spend a huge chunk of it doing some upgrades to the dually.

First off, I bought a new CB. Uniden Bearcat 880CHR. The CB that was in the truck previously came from the 88 but since it's been out a little more I decided it should go back. This CB is a bit larger than what I was using, but I made it fit only blocking 1 power outlet which is no big deal to me. It has lots of options, including 7-colors of backlighting.
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While I was messing around inside I fixed a few burnt out LEDs in the dash. This thing is looking more and more like a cockpit.
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I also, FINALLY found the console front block off plate!
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But most of the weekend was spent plumbing my onboard air and firestone airbag controls. I've had all this stuff for years and have just neglected to install it.

Instead of using the tiny 1/2 gallon firestone tank, I opted for a 6 gallon tank I had.
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Finding a mounting solution took a little bit of time, but I managed to fit it behind the passenger side front rocker panel. I used some angle to mount to two existing bolts up front (for some d-rings I had installed in the bed) and to the wheel well support bolts in the rear.
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Then I had to run the lines
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And mount the airbag controls.... Another hard part. I almost went with them in the center console but decided against it. Under the dash was not and option as there was just no good space left. I opted to mount them at the suggestion of 83GMCK2500 in the side of the driver seat. Some might give me flack for mounting them where I can't see the gauge, but think about it: airbags are kind of a set it and forget it kinda thing. Level your truck and you are done. IMO it's advantageous to be able to stand and look at the truck while leveling, instead of sitting in the cab. Ran all my wiring and plumbed the lines up under the seat, and wired everything up to the factory fuse block. Running a factory relay in the underhood fuse block, off the 30-amp Aux B post.
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Last piece of the puzzle was the pump, which is a small guy for now. Later I'll upgrade to something that runs a little better, hopefully I can run some air tools off it. It was mounted under the driver seat, under the truck. I ran the intake up into the boxed section of the frame to keep crud out.
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Another little project I had set aside and hadn't installed, was a set of 4-note Cadillac horns. I decided to install them behind the bumper, and made a plug in pigtail for them. Had to make sure the idiots can hear me.
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Now, those who pay close attention to details may have noticed 4 air lines, one of which was a large 1/2" that connected to an electric solenoid on the top of the tank.......... Yeah.....................
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So, my father gave me a set of Nathan Air Chime K3 locomotive horns.
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These aren't generic air "Train horns" but are actual, legitimate horns used on trains. We will just say, they are quite noticeable. These won't get used too much, mostly just for screwing around when i'm not driving, or when the Caddy horns aren't quite enough.
 
Train horns + CB radio = most excellent.

I keep wanting to toss my CB back in, but theres not good spot to mount the antenna where I want to without drilling holes