I recently purchased this truck on 9/1/21, I had been working long hours and hadn't had much sleep. So against my better judgement I bought this truck without really going over it too well.... That being said I've found all sorts of issues I have to fix/figure out! I don't have a lot of pictures of this stuff at the moment but I will get some from here on out to document the build better!
First issue was the gauge cluster, multiple stepper motors out, I trailered the truck home so I was able to stop at the local Turbo repair shop, where the owner also rebuilds clusters as a side hustle. Dropped it off with him at 3pm and picked it up the next morning. Total price $137.00 after tax
Next issue was trying to fuel up the truck after I got it off the trailer. I wanted to go put some 93 in it. I didn't take very much, 5 gallons so I figured it was full. Remember the gauge cluster was still getting rebuilt, so the next day I get the cluster back and installed... Yeah you guessed it, it was on E and the light was on!!
Whip out the ole iPhone 12 Max Pro and get to Google'n issues. Watched a video and seen the charcoal canister and vapor vent solenoid were probably the issue (I couldn't pull the codes and Ill explain why shortly). So run up to AutoZone (only one local with the parts in stock), just over $200 and off home to swap the parts. 30 mins later I have both parts replaced after cussing my man fingers because the small line on the charcoal canister was a PITA for me to get off... So here I go all excited to fuel up....***** Yeah... You guessed it, there was a part 2 too said video... Watched it and seen the vent lines get clogged with the bad charcoal canister material... I'll worry about that later.... About a week later I dropped the tank and cleared the vent lines, fills just fine now!
Next was I noticed the truck labored to turn over when starting so I went to the parts store to buy a new battery, Well here's where it snow balled... Buy the correct battery, use their cart to swap so I can give them the core back. Noticed the battery was way too small and also top post! So I go back in to see if the have a top post and they didn't so I got the little screw in adapters to get the post to fit.... Yeah as soon as I disconnected the battery the truck dies so I'm like great I need a alternator too! So I continue to attempt to replace the battery but once again the terminal ends are trash and wont open because the bolts are old and I buy new ends, fight that and get it installed. Walk inside and buy a 160 amp alternator and replace it in the parking lot...
New battery- $180
Conversion and terminal ends- $20
160 amp Alt+- $240
Still get a check battery light and service charging system, so I need to do the big 3 correctly, double check the grounds are good and maybe replace the batter voltage meter on the negative battery cable?
Driver seat wouldn't move, lucked out and I unplugged it and plugged it back in and it started working, first win! Ordered a new cover for the controls because it was broken. $20 I think from A1 auto.
Stock tail lights were blacked out and that was chipping off plus they both had cracks in them so a set of Spyder LED units were ordered and installed, the deep red and smoked lens.
I noticed the transmission fluid was dark so I used the $10 hand siphon pump down the dip stick tube and sucked as much from the pan dry and refilled it. A week later I dropped the pan and replaced the filter and added Vette servos but there was metal on the old transmission filter so I called around for rebuild pricing....She failed later that day on my way home from work. Now (9/12/21) I'm picking it up from my Aunt's house and hauling it about a hr away to the best transmission shop in the area. He's gonna rebuild and upgrade the transmission and freshen the transfer case while its out. I ordered a Fti 3600 stall to throw in from Summit Racing since Yank and Circle D are all made to order and have a 4-6 week lead time.
I have a set of 243's I plan on having ported by the local engine shop PTS in Sibley La, (Power To Spare) if you're familiar with North Louisiana you know that shop and the race engines they put out for all the dirt track guys. Also a little know fact, the owner of PTS helped Mast with their LS head CNC programs, I have a TBSS intake as well to swap on too. So new lifters, lifter trays, LS9 head gaskets, ARP head bolts, Ported 243's, TBSS intake and I haven't decided on the cam 100% yet. I like the specs on Summit's Pro LS Stage 2 high lift truck cam (218/227 .600/.600 112lsa) or the stage 3 high lift truck cam (216/220 .600/.600 112lsa) from TSP. I will also add a set of 50# Delphi truck injectors to make sure injector duty cycle is good.
So with the engine and transmission getting worked over the factory air shocks and compressor are getting thrown out the window and we will add a Biotech drop kit and their street shocks will replace the factory units. I will also add a set of 22's and some 305/40's at a later date.
I'll add pictures as I go. Stay tuned for updates!
First issue was the gauge cluster, multiple stepper motors out, I trailered the truck home so I was able to stop at the local Turbo repair shop, where the owner also rebuilds clusters as a side hustle. Dropped it off with him at 3pm and picked it up the next morning. Total price $137.00 after tax
Next issue was trying to fuel up the truck after I got it off the trailer. I wanted to go put some 93 in it. I didn't take very much, 5 gallons so I figured it was full. Remember the gauge cluster was still getting rebuilt, so the next day I get the cluster back and installed... Yeah you guessed it, it was on E and the light was on!!
Whip out the ole iPhone 12 Max Pro and get to Google'n issues. Watched a video and seen the charcoal canister and vapor vent solenoid were probably the issue (I couldn't pull the codes and Ill explain why shortly). So run up to AutoZone (only one local with the parts in stock), just over $200 and off home to swap the parts. 30 mins later I have both parts replaced after cussing my man fingers because the small line on the charcoal canister was a PITA for me to get off... So here I go all excited to fuel up....***** Yeah... You guessed it, there was a part 2 too said video... Watched it and seen the vent lines get clogged with the bad charcoal canister material... I'll worry about that later.... About a week later I dropped the tank and cleared the vent lines, fills just fine now!Next was I noticed the truck labored to turn over when starting so I went to the parts store to buy a new battery, Well here's where it snow balled... Buy the correct battery, use their cart to swap so I can give them the core back. Noticed the battery was way too small and also top post! So I go back in to see if the have a top post and they didn't so I got the little screw in adapters to get the post to fit.... Yeah as soon as I disconnected the battery the truck dies so I'm like great I need a alternator too! So I continue to attempt to replace the battery but once again the terminal ends are trash and wont open because the bolts are old and I buy new ends, fight that and get it installed. Walk inside and buy a 160 amp alternator and replace it in the parking lot...
New battery- $180
Conversion and terminal ends- $20
160 amp Alt+- $240
Still get a check battery light and service charging system, so I need to do the big 3 correctly, double check the grounds are good and maybe replace the batter voltage meter on the negative battery cable?
Driver seat wouldn't move, lucked out and I unplugged it and plugged it back in and it started working, first win! Ordered a new cover for the controls because it was broken. $20 I think from A1 auto.
Stock tail lights were blacked out and that was chipping off plus they both had cracks in them so a set of Spyder LED units were ordered and installed, the deep red and smoked lens.
I noticed the transmission fluid was dark so I used the $10 hand siphon pump down the dip stick tube and sucked as much from the pan dry and refilled it. A week later I dropped the pan and replaced the filter and added Vette servos but there was metal on the old transmission filter so I called around for rebuild pricing....She failed later that day on my way home from work. Now (9/12/21) I'm picking it up from my Aunt's house and hauling it about a hr away to the best transmission shop in the area. He's gonna rebuild and upgrade the transmission and freshen the transfer case while its out. I ordered a Fti 3600 stall to throw in from Summit Racing since Yank and Circle D are all made to order and have a 4-6 week lead time.
I have a set of 243's I plan on having ported by the local engine shop PTS in Sibley La, (Power To Spare) if you're familiar with North Louisiana you know that shop and the race engines they put out for all the dirt track guys. Also a little know fact, the owner of PTS helped Mast with their LS head CNC programs, I have a TBSS intake as well to swap on too. So new lifters, lifter trays, LS9 head gaskets, ARP head bolts, Ported 243's, TBSS intake and I haven't decided on the cam 100% yet. I like the specs on Summit's Pro LS Stage 2 high lift truck cam (218/227 .600/.600 112lsa) or the stage 3 high lift truck cam (216/220 .600/.600 112lsa) from TSP. I will also add a set of 50# Delphi truck injectors to make sure injector duty cycle is good.
So with the engine and transmission getting worked over the factory air shocks and compressor are getting thrown out the window and we will add a Biotech drop kit and their street shocks will replace the factory units. I will also add a set of 22's and some 305/40's at a later date.
I'll add pictures as I go. Stay tuned for updates!
