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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-08-12 11:17 PM - Post#2257390
Earlier this year as some of you know I wrecked my 97 Chevy crew cab dually on my way back from my Christmas vacation in Montana as I was traveling through Nebraska headed to Texas.
I hit a pothole going 75 mph, needless to say it was not good for my suspension and it caused a ball joint to separate, bent the frame and screwed up the cab when the tires slammed into it. As well with the wreck the engine would no longer start and thus the insurance company decided to total it.
So there I was standing in Nebraska, still a thousand miles from Houston, wondering what I was going to do because unbeknownst to me I did not have rental reimbursement on my policy.
I called Uhaul and asked about a truck, the cheapest I could get was about $1,350.00 going to Houston, and I'd still have to buy gas for it.
The issue was I had my dog and tools with me, so a regular rental car would not work. I wound up talking to the guy who owned the towing company where my truck had been towed, he sold me a 1970 Chevy C/10 that had been an impound.
I wound up having a pretty epic adventure driving that truck back to Houston, not going to get into it here, but the old truck did good, it made it. averaged 16 mpg the whole way too all loaded down with my junk. I was fairly impressed of the old truck for that.
Since then that is what I have been driving.
Now originally the reason I had a Crew Cab dually is I was planning on buying a Goose Neck trailer and hauling all my stuff back to Montana when I finished school, and recently I have been needing a truck with a trailer on several occasions and my C/10 just has not been cutting it.
Thus I have spent the last couple of weeks truck shopping and found this one:
I made the deal on it today, and this weekend I will be driving to Dallas to pick it up.
Tomorrow the guy I am buying it from is going to get it over to a shop to have a B&W turnover ball installed in the bed. This is so I can also get this:
It is a 26' 21K goose neck. I am super excited about it because this is a huge mile stone for me because it is the means by in which I will be moving when I graduate college back up to Seattle. This trailer is going to get that job done for me.
I am really excited about it, I will post pictures when I get my hands on it, and show you all the little road trips I make with it.
The truck has a Vortec 7400 in it right now, I am thinking once it is ready to be replaced I will put a Cummins 12 valve in it.
All I know though is that it is going to feel so good having a solid truck again that actually has power steering and air conditioning.
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 someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23384
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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08-09-12 05:07 AM - Post#2257423
In response to MrBeast
Cool! I remember seeing that one in the links you sent me. Looks like a nice truck...and it's the right brand. 
Richard
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Boog
Super Senior Member
Posts: 3373
Loc: Central Arkansas
Reg: 04-28-02
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08-09-12 04:24 PM - Post#2257668
In response to someotherguy
Hey, way to go Nick. I like that truck. The GMC and checkerd flag banner does it for me.
Boog
69 Chevy step
06 GMC ccsb Z71
00 GMC excab Z71
All GM...'nuff said! |
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-09-12 08:05 PM - Post#2257734
In response to Boog
Hey, way to go Nick. I like that truck. The GMC and checkerd flag banner does it for me.
I am going to put some red lettering on the side, I think it is going to look damn sharp hooked up to that trailer :D
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-09-12 08:42 PM - Post#2257742
In response to MrBeast
Well a small update, tomorrow it is going over to get a B&W turnover ball installed in the bed, then I will be picking it up Saturday afternoon.
When I make my trip to Montana my dad has a B&W 5th wheel coupler I am going to take off his hands.
And I am going to get one of these for the trailer:
That will convert it to a 5th wheel, which I prefer because I think they tow a lot nicer, and you don't have to crank them up super high when you are unhitching.
It will be really nice if I put air ride on the truck because I wont even have to crank the trailer up then, I can simply set the landing gear down, drop the bags and slide out from under it.
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-11-12 07:44 AM - Post#2258089
In response to MrBeast
I just ordered a set of mirrors for the truck.
They are heated power adjustable and have the turn signals on them. I am going to get everything wired up proper I think it is going to be very nice having that all setup. They are going to be really nice over the stock sport mirrors.
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-16-12 01:47 AM - Post#2259815
In response to MrBeast
Spent the last 6 hours designing this:
I think since I have some time on my hands where I can do it I am going to build it.
It is a 24' Gooseneck, the deck is 20' with a 4' dovetail. The ramps are 72"
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-24-12 03:34 AM - Post#2262667
In response to MrBeast
Things have been a little crazy for me, There was a delay in getting paid some money I was owed, so it took longer to go get the truck than I was hoping for.
Finally yesterday I got the check I was waiting on, and I scurried up to Dallas and got my truck. I was pretty happy.
I ran over and rented a uhaul trailer so I could get my other truck home. And on that note for being a 42 year old truck that old C/10 didn't skip a beat the whole way to Dallas.
Also on the way up I saw this old guy at a shell station where I stopped for Gas.
I think it is a 53 5 window. It was a pretty cool truck none the less.
As far as the new truck goes, I did have a few issues with it, when I got there the battery would barely turn the engine over. and the the AC was not working, nor were the dash lights. I checked around for a little bit, but could not find why, so I had to get on the road.
I made it about 50 miles and the cruise control quit working, I pulled over and shut the truck off, hoping that turning it off and then back on would help, but the truck would not restart. I pulled the battery out of the C/10 and was able to get it to start, but the cruise did not work.
About 5 miles up the road there was a gas station, I stopped there and got some food and drinks, when I came back out the truck again would not start, it was just clicking. I wound up pulling the battery terminals apart to find that they were very badly screwed up, I cleaned them up the best I could, but the cables had already been shortened several times, so I was left with not much I could do.
The truck did start up after a bit of protest, and all of the sudden the AC was blowing cold, albeit out the floor vents. But that is an easy fix.
I got on the road again, I made it another 20 or so miles and the dash lights lit up and worked with out issue the rest of the trip back.
The motor has a hesitation to it, and does not idle well. I am thinking that either it is having the distributor issue many of these trucks had, or it is suffering from the leaky injectors they also suffered from. I am not sure which it is, we will see, I am going to run over to a friends shop today and set the timing.
Also the transmission as I was getting close to home started shifting really hard, and most of the trip back it wanted to stay in 3rd instead of going into 4th. I am guessing I will be putting a trans in it since it does have 151,000 on it, and with that it is about due so I am not going to get really upset about it, even with these issues I still got a pretty good deal on it.
It also appears to have a rebuilt engine, it has a couple of new pulleys on the engine, and the paint on the engine is new, as well you can see the gaskets are new.
Over all I am pretty pleased with the truck, I am going to have to find a new dash for it, a new B pillar plastic, and the trip piece for over the back window is busted, the drivers seat is a bit wore out. But other than that it is pretty clean.
The plan for today is to first get the mirrors thrown on it, then I am going over to a welding supply place to make some new battery cables. Then I will head over and kick off the uhaul.
Once I get back to the shop I am going to see about getting the AC blowing out the dash vents, then I will get to work getting my alarm installed in it.
I think all said and done after a bit of cleaning up and a transmission I am going to have a damn nice truck on my hands. It rides really nice and it did pull that C/10 like it wasn't even there. I suspect the combo weighs about 6500-7500 lbs.
I did notice the truck ran better the closer we got to being home, it may have been that the gas in it was just a bit stale and needed to work its way out of it.
I also have to get underneath and make sure nothing got damaged, I had an idiot lose a motor cycle helmet out of the back of his truck in front of me yesterday and I went right over the top of it and drug it for quite a ways.
I will post some pics later when I get the mirrors all mounted up.
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someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23384
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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08-24-12 05:51 AM - Post#2262691
In response to MrBeast
What color is the interior? I really can't tell from the pics if it's tan or gray?
Richard
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-24-12 08:43 AM - Post#2262742
In response to MrBeast
I got up early this morning and started digging into the truck, the first thing I found is that the stepper motor that directs the air to the dash vents is bad.
I will pick up another and it will be working well.
Then I got my stereo stuffed in the dash, so now I have tunes and my iPod
Then I got the mirrors on the truck.
Before:
After:
I need to run over now and get some welding wire so I can make battery cables, then I will be able to get the electrical issues fixed up.
Will post more later.
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-24-12 02:46 PM - Post#2262813
In response to someotherguy
It's grey.
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-28-12 07:02 AM - Post#2263947
In response to MrBeast
I have been working on the truck pretty steady. I think I have the door locks narrowed down to the motors being bad. At the pig tail at the door when I pulled it out I am getting the proper signal there either +12 or -12v so that is going to be my next step with rectifying that. The dome light issue is still unresolved. I am thinking it may be an issue with the BCM, I have no power to the switches. I am however going to replace the headlight switch and see if this fixes anything.
The blower motor has been intermittent, but I have found that by wiggling the pigtail going to it that it will kick back on.
Just a lot of little things right now. I am going to keep working on it and see if I can get them all knocked out in the next month or so. Also I am keeping my eyes out looking for another dash, mine is cracked. Not looking forward to swapping out the dash, but it is coming.
Today the new injectors I ordered should be here, I am going to install them Friday. As well I discovered that the vent hose from the fuel filler neck was disconnected, so I am going to try to get that replaced today or tomorrow. Also going to do the fuel filter at the same time. I can only imagine how much crap has worked its way into the tank because of that.
Then I will start looking at getting some 19.5's for it, and I an considering my options on getting the truck painted. I am not sure if I am going to stay with white, or if I want to change the color. I am thinking about blue or that orange on the new Camaro.
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-29-12 07:36 AM - Post#2264346
In response to MrBeast
I have been doing some thinking, and I have been trying to make up my mind.
I have a 72 Chevy K30 that I have been building for quite some time now. I had stuffed a Cummins in it, I had done a lot of other things to it, however I have discovered that I need a crew cab for my driver and tow rig.
Don't get me wrong, I love my old 72, but right now it seems as though I have the wrong engine in the wrong truck.
I think this winter I am going to correct this. The Cummins is going to get transplanted into the 2000 crew cab, and the Vortec 454 is going to find its self between the fenders of the 72. Then I am going to convert the 72 to SRW, cut it down to a short bed, finish boxing the frame and paint it black just like the 70 short bed I had in high school was.
I think with this will be a very clean rig. And this way I can have my 2000 getting 17-22 mpg with the Cummins. Since this is the truck I will be doing all of my road tripping with, I think it makes the most sense.
Then I get a bad censored K30 short bed to go play around in and have fun. I think this will be the best route for me to take with both trucks.
The first step is going to be getting the 72 up here, it is still stored down in corpus, then I will be building a stand to test fire the Cummins to make sure it is still in good working order seeing as how I have not run it in 3 years.
Once I know it is good to go I will start collecting all the parts necessary for the swap.
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-30-12 09:08 PM - Post#2264975
In response to MrBeast
I went out tonight and started working on a few more things, I will be installing the new Injectors in the morning.
As well tonight I ran the codes, and I found out both of my O2 sensors are bad so the truck will not go into closed loop.
Between this and leaking injectors, I don't think it is hard to figure out why my fuel mileage has been sucking so bad.
Should feel like a completely different truck tomorrow afternoon. I am also going to go ahead and throw a new set of spark plugs in it.
The thing that has me concerned is I am getting a code P1870 which is saying there is a slip in the transmission, so I have a feeling it will be getting a new one pretty fast.
Not exactly thrilled about this. But it is a used truck with 150K on it, things like that are bound to be an issue.
Other than that I am going to need to get a new set of door lock motors all the way around, and I still have not found out what is keeping the dome light from working at the doors. It is frustrating because they were working when I bought the truck.
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autoinstructor
Forum Newbie
Posts: 20
Loc: Mississippi
Reg: 04-30-12
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08-31-12 04:58 AM - Post#2265017
In response to MrBeast
Got a 2000 Denali with the same set up on interior light. First thing they told me was to check the dome light switch on the headlight switch which I had already done. My son the electrical whiz came over and we diagnosed it to the bcm. The door switches were sending a signal to the bcm but nothing was coming out to operate the lights. The thumb wheel on the headlight switch works fine, lights just will not work with the doors. Hope this helps.
| 2000 Cadillac Catera, 2000 GMC Yukon Denali, 1990 Chevy 2500, 1990 GMC 1500 Show Truck, 1949 Chevy 3100, 1953 MGTD Replicar |
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-31-12 07:15 AM - Post#2265061
In response to autoinstructor
I am thinking that may be what it is, however I have no power to the switch at all.
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-31-12 08:07 AM - Post#2265077
In response to MrBeast
Just got the parts, fixing to tear into the tuck once it cools down, by the end of the day it will have new injectors, and O2 sensors. Picked up a fuel filter as well.
Going to go back in a bit and get spark plugs and the hose for the fuel filler vent.
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454cid
Contributor
Posts: 297
Age: 40
Reg: 02-18-12
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08-31-12 02:38 PM - Post#2265206
In response to MrBeast
Just got the parts, fixing to tear into the tuck.....
Given that I have a three day weekend, maybe I should do my truck too. I've had cleaned factory injectors, FPR, plugs, gaskets, and distributor sitting for awhile now.
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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08-31-12 11:30 PM - Post#2265320
In response to 454cid
Today was a day of frustration and triumph, it was a day that at moments had me furious, and at others ecstatic. Early this morning I dove into my truck and tore it apart. I yanked the plenum off, yanked the injectors out, then had a scare that they might have sent me the wrong ones.
In the picture above you can faintly see the puddle of fuel that literally leaked out of the old injector, those puppies were beyond toast. All of them were leaking.
Here you can see the new and the old injectors side by side.
I was worried they would not work, I called 50 motorsport where I bought them and was assured that they were the right ones. The metal clamps that held the injectors to the rail would not fit these new Lucas injectors, so I had to Omit them, but 50 told me this was standard practice and not an issue.
I was then able to get my truck put back together and while I as in there I replaced the fuel pressure regulator, which was toast because before when you would switch the key on the pump would not stop running, it functions as it should now. Before I lit it off however I wanted to swap out my O2 sensors, I bought a pair at the parts house this morning, got down there, pulled one of the old ones out, and sure enough they gave me the wrong parts.
The good news my shop is less than 1/8 mile from Advance, so I was easily able to walk over there. They had to go to another store to get me the sensors I needed, but they did it in about 45 minutes, I was pretty happy about that.
Finally I got the truck put back together and it runs great. It idles so smooth where as before it would surge, I just had one last thing to fix, and that is where my day got stupid.
Some knuckle head had the vent line for the fuel filler break, so they just taped it up, and left the hose barb at the filler neck uncapped. Thus what would happen when you put gas in is that you would fill about a gallon, the tank would build pressure, and shoot a couple of cups back on the ground.
With Gas being damn near 4 bucks a gallon again, I really did not want to go through this every time I needed fuel because I literally was dumping a gallon of gas on the ground every time I filled up. That gets expensive fast, and I can only assume I was losing more as the fuel sloshed going around a corner.
Thus I went to advance again, reached under the truck to pull the line, I was able to get the hose clamp off, but the hose would not budge. Laying on the ground I was able to reach up with my pocket knife and feel around, I started cutting on the old hose, then wham. Pressurized gasoline raining down on my head. I had managed to cut right through the main fuel line.
Luckily I was able to close my eye before the gas got in it. I went in the store, the guy at the counter helped me back to the bathroom, I washed my face off, went back out to the truck, started pulling the bolts off of the bed.
It took me about 20 minutes, I losened the bolts on the passenger side about 1/2 an inch, I removed all 4 on the drivers side. I then placed my floor jack on top of the duals, used a block of 2x4 to span the distance to the wheel well, then I jacked the bed up.
When I got it as high as I could before the block of wood hit too extreme of an angle, I turned around and used my receiver hitch as a spacer to set the bed on, readjusted the jack and jacked the bed the rest of the way up giving me access to the tank.
This was actually a rather effective trick. I have 3 hitches that I carry with me, I placed all 3 between the bed and the frame in case the jack let go, this gave me access to the tank.
Finally I was able to get the POS vent line hose off, and I got the fuel line patched.
My solution was to take a 4" long piece of 3/8" tubing, and 4 high pressure hose clamps, I put 2 on each side and sucked them down as tight as I could with out damaging the clamps. Turned the key on, no leaks, fired the truck up, no leaks, watched it for 10 minutes no leaks.
Broke everything down, put the bed back on, cleaned up leaving no mess behind, went to a good friends house, had a shower, ate pizza and watched some of game of thrones 2nd season.
It was a long day.
In closing the truck is running like a champ, I drove it about 50 miles tonight going to my friends, and I was amazed by the power, the truck really woke up by doing the mod's that I did today. I am very happy with the result.
As well it looks like my fuel mileage is up around 14mpg which is pretty good considering I romped on it a coupe of times.
In fact the truck surprised me, I went to change lanes on 59 headed into down town Houston and of course the self entitled special person in the car behind me in that land had to accelerate to cut me off, I dropped the hammer because I needed to get over to take my exit, and I was shocked by how hard the truck accelerated, it literally lurched forward and squatted the back end from a 65mph rolling start.
I <3 my 7.4 Big Block. It is so nice having it running right.
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454cid
Contributor
Posts: 297
Age: 40
Reg: 02-18-12
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09-01-12 06:52 AM - Post#2265358
In response to MrBeast
Wow, that was quite the "adventure".
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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09-07-12 11:40 AM - Post#2267397
In response to 454cid
P1870 - Transmission component slip. I am not happy.
So in about 3 weeks the truck will be going in to get the transmission rebuilt.
Going to put heavy duty components in it so it will stand up behind the Cummins when it goes in.
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someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23384
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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09-07-12 05:56 PM - Post#2267515
In response to MrBeast
I'm pretty sure any discrepancy between the input and output speed sensors on the 4L80E can give you that code, so it would be interesting to see what kind of data is coming from those. The PCM compares them to modulate the TCC lockup via PWM...zat enough acronyms?  I don't know what the range of normal difference is, though.
Richard
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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09-08-12 01:57 AM - Post#2267577
In response to someotherguy
Joe told me when it is throwing that code the tranny is fried.
I ran the car fax on my truck, it was repossessed from the previous owner. How much you want to bet they towed it in neutral a long distance?
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someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23384
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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09-10-12 07:02 AM - Post#2268300
In response to MrBeast
Yeah, that sucks. I would say if Joe says it, it's fact, and if for some reason once he tears into it he finds otherwise he won't BS you about it.
You're probably right about the tow. You know how most of those repo cowboys are. Hell, I know a whole whack of PPI guys that do the same damn thing, even on AWD vehicles. Really hate to see it happen.
Richard
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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09-10-12 12:36 PM - Post#2268402
In response to someotherguy
I have been thinking a lot about it, and still even with all of the work I have done, the book on this truck is 7500 bucks, so I will barely have over book value in it, and it will have a new trans and injectors, that is not terrible.
It is much better than spending book value on a truck then having to do all of this for sure.
And there are plenty of idiots in the towing business. But we could go on and on about that all day.
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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09-12-12 10:06 PM - Post#2269152
In response to MrBeast
Been playing with photoshop.
I found this image on the dually pics thread on GMT400
I think my rig would look pretty sweet with the black sides, also was going to smooth the tailgate and do a Auto Bots logo on it.
Then again I may just paint the whole thing black, trying to make up my mind.
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someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23384
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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09-13-12 05:34 AM - Post#2269192
In response to MrBeast
Okay but if you go bagged and milled semi wheels I'll never let you live it down. 
Richard
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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09-13-12 05:53 AM - Post#2269205
In response to someotherguy
I am thinking some direct bolt 19.5's and a mild drop, no modifications to the bed floor.
I really want to put air ride on it though.
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someotherguy
Moderator
Posts: 23384
Age: 43
Loc: Texas
Reg: 08-01-03
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09-13-12 06:17 AM - Post#2269217
In response to MrBeast
That'd be cool...just remember the smallest 19.5's you can get are 225/70/19.5, still a little bigger than a 235/85/16, that's the limiting factor. I could see it being a problem in the front as far as turning radius.
Richard
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MrBeast
Contributor
Posts: 238
Loc: Houston, Texas
Reg: 07-08-09
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09-13-12 07:33 AM - Post#2269242
In response to someotherguy
Yeah, I am not dropping it that much, and when I do it will be bagged.
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