99 Denali

[Tonyrodz]

Hahaha. Thanks guys. Appreciate it. I'll get it right, believe me. Let it be known that this is a fill in project. I didn't plan on taking this far but I couldn't leave it running lean. I mean, I have over $8k in building the engine and for me to have that kind of cash into a 99 Denali that's only worth $3000 on a good day to the right buyer, I couldn't stand that it didn't run like the receipts say it should. When I built this engine I planned on it going into my 97 K1500 but then decided to go another route on that one. Then I figured I could always pull the engine and put an $1800 crate engine in it or rebuild the vortec that's sitting on the gauge floor and just drive it as a back up vehicle or sell it. But as you guys understand, we can never leave good enough alone. Friend always tells me I could never buy a new vehicle. He says I would just bring it home and tear it apart. He's probably right.

Anyway, I'll keep plugging away at it until it's right. Thanks for keeping me focused.

@Tonyrodz - that sucks about that y-pipe. Thing looks nice. Should flow well. Alright, I feel better because I've seen most of what your doing but I couldn't find the build. Sounds like you have a solid plan and will do well in that rig. But I agree with the masses, you should put together a build. It's always nice to go back to or share link for anyone that's interested in how you did something rather than explaining it again. You'll get ahead of it, sometimes the anticipation is the best part.

Lol, so I'll put you in "the build thread" group. If I did that tho, I'd have to start all over again.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Don't want to create waves here, not sure if it's allowed so I figured I'd put this in its own post incase it needs to be removed.

Just wanted to show my other projects that are on hold while I've been messing with one. First is my 97 K1500 Centurion Conversion. I bought it in January of '00 with 62,000 miles. Didn't realize at the time that it's a rare truck. GM didn't make crew cabs in 1/2 ton trucks in 97. It was ordered as an extended cab, cab chassis or camper special as dealer told me. Then went to a conversion place in Michigan for the frame extension and rear cab added. 350/4L60/241 but had a 14 bolt semi floater rear axle. I put a 6" lift on it and plowed with it for 8 years but I took care of it. Washed it after plowing every time and waxed it 3x/ year.



Then decided I was tired of completely replacing front end every year so it was time for a solid axle swap and an extreme lift.







I have pics of the entire conversion but this is where I'm at now. I have a 454/TH400/205 and running on Chevy Dana60/14 bolt full floater. But I also have an extra 4L80 that I might use. Was thinking about doing a Duramax but after getting into the wiring I decided to use a Cummins 24v with a P-pump conversion. It's too big for garage so I only get to work on it in summer.

Looks huge next to the garage.

 

[Snowbound]

After 97 got its makeover I missed having a plow truck. I wanted something with a short wheelbase and a Diesel engine. Settled on a K5 GMC Jimmy. Bought this right before X-mas in '12. Had a locked up 350/700r4/241.



Was going to use a 6.5 turbo diesel and the 4L80 but I couldn't source rod bolts so I scrapped that idea.



Bought a Cummins 12v and adapter to use the 4L80. Then it got interesting. I tore this thing down, blasted the frame and then completely boxed the frame and filled every hole I wasn't using.







There's a lot of hours in this thing doing rust repair. Wasn't any bad rust that was noticeable when it was together but after tearing it down to a bare tub revealed things that needed attention. I hate panel replacement and all the labor that has went in and still needed sucks. I even made a rotisserie so I can get at things better.



This thing has been pulled apart and put together a few times to check clearance and fitment. It's been a labor of love and when it's finished it'll never see a plow hanging off it. I put the 97 in storage and pushed this thing out of garage under a portable garage so I can build a 22' 12k lb trailer to haul my toys. But trailer got put on hold for the Denali.



Now you guys can see where I'm at with my stuff. And I'm always tearing into my sleds and bike while these projects are going. Here's a picture that puts the 97 into perspective. Denali, 2500hd and Big Red in a lineup.

 

[Snowbound]

Lol, so I'll put you in "the build thread" group. If I did that tho, I'd have to start all over again.

That's half the fun. Start over and you'll cut out all the BS. I'd like to see it come to life from what it was to where it's at.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'll tell you what, you don't mess around! You go all out! Looks like some great father and son projects right there. Let me put my thoughts together on this build page.

 

[Snowbound]

I'll tell you what, you don't mess around! You go all out! Looks like some great father and son projects right there. Let me put my thoughts together on this build page.

They get involved whenever possible. I mostly worked on the K5 in the middle of the night because I was on afternoons but come the weekend, they wanted to know what they could do. I enjoyed every minute of it.



Hell yeah, good to see your going to do a build. I'll be looking for it.

 

[Tonyrodz]

They get involved whenever possible. I mostly worked on the K5 in the middle of the night because I was on afternoons but come the weekend, they wanted to know what they could do. I enjoyed every minute of it.



Hell yeah, good to see your going to do a build. I'll be looking for it.

I loved working on my cars with my son. He knew all his hand tools before he was 10. He's a mechanic now. Guess I ruined him! Lol

 

[Snowbound]

Been getting nowhere fast the past few days. The Equinox decided to start acting up due to lack of attention. It's been a good vehicle and served us well over the years. Only thing I've ever done beside oil changes is 2 sets of tires, 2 sets of front brakes and one rear, and an EGR valve. Had it since '10 and on this past Thanksgiving we were headed home from family's house and I looked down and seen temp gauge pegged and we lost heat. Coolant was full and wasn't boiling over? Checked hoses and they were under pressure but not hot. By the time I checked things over and opened bleeder valve the temp was back to normal and it didn't act up the rest of the way home. Next day I replaced temp sensor and it's been good up until Wednesday. I was sleeping and she went to drive her nephew home and got 4 miles from house and temp gauge was pegged again. She pulled over and called me but I didn't answer. Called my buddy who only lives a few miles from us and asked if he could come pick up kids from our house and take Nick home for her. She told him she was gonna let it cool and head home and then I called her back. She told me what happened and Don was coming to get kids. Long story long, Don's driving around looking for her and left his phone at home, she makes it home and pulls in garage and since we can't get hold of Don she calls his wife. Bout 15 minutes later I'm out of bed, Don is here his wife is here and Nicks dad is pulling in. Holy crap!! So much for sleeping. Haha.
I can't have this thing act up on us so I got a thermostat, couple gallons antifreeze, water pump, idler pulley, plugs, wires and fuel filter. Tore it apart on Thurday morning and had a few engagements at kids school Friday so I went to bed after that and woke up 2am Saturday morning and got it done. Thinking about trading it in this weekend. Time for something with 3rd row, thinking a newer Denali or Escalade. She wants the Yukon Denali XL. We shall see what happens this weekend.

 

[Snowbound]

Had to spin the rig around so I can drop the tank a little to put a new cap on one of the pipes coming from sending unit. Need to make sure it's sealed completely so it holds pressure and I can fill it up without it leaking. Soon as that's done I'll go fill it up and wash it so it'll be ready to get dyno tuned.



I'm only getting it dyno tuned so it will run with all the mods and I can tweak it once I get new trans installed. Being new to the tuning world I think it would be a lot to figure out, it'll be a lot easier to make little changes at first to see how things effect each other. Waiting for Straightline Performance to get back to me with an appointment.

 

[Tonyrodz]

So you have everything figured out and it's good to go?