My wife calls her princess....
 

Well the title kind of says it all. I bought the truck a little over 2.5 yrs ago. She was Stone Stock but super clean and straight especially for a true WI Truck.
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...d%2091/208.jpg
Yes that is all GM sheetmetal. I got it with a 2" thick stack of reciepts and various pieces of documentation and I recieved a memo pad that documented every dime the previous owner put into it INCLUDING GAS!!! He is a regular at all the local shows with a small collection of Trans Am's and this was his daily baby. After rocking it stock for awhile I started to get the itch and started collecting parts for a 4/6. Well this summer I put some new 225/70s up front and 255/60s out back.
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0100.jpg
It took me way longer than it should have but I wanted to do it un assisted. http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0103.jpg
While I did the front I also did all the standard wearables, Ball joints Tie Rod ends, sleeves, and sway bar end links. I found out the hard way that I have 1.25" brake rotors as well. It could have been easily avoided if I did a little more research but lesson learned. So after I bought the right spindles I put it all back together.
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0108.jpg
Only one problem...
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0138.jpg
Enter 454!!!!
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0150.jpg
After that I flipped her around
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0155.jpg
The leaf spring bolts were frozen solid in the bushing sleeves. With a little coaxing and some heavy equipment the rear leafs came on out.
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0161.jpg
I obviously had to do new bushings so a little propane, swazall and ball joint press later.
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0163.jpg
So I shot the springs with a little satin black krylon
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0162.jpg
They turned out pretty good. Actually had a tire guy ask me if they were new. So I pulled out a little backwoods engineering and got the new bushings in
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0164.jpg
After a little assembly some more black Krylon and one "sick" day at work
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0167.jpg
Like I said it took me way too long, but I could only work on it 2-4 hours at a time. That and I have a dd so it didn't hurt me to have it down for the summer. Either way I learned a few things 1. You can never research enough something will always bite you the first time around. 2. I loath press in ball joints 3. I am never doing spring bushings AGAIN! Either way after all the work, money, and time the first time I drove it made it all worth it! :D
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0173.jpg
Well after that I got the rear wheels swapped over too the 454s, then 2 weeks before her first show I got an exhaust leak.... :mad: Soooo I said screw it and ordered....
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0176.jpg
and threw in a new y-pipe. But to add insult to injury the y-pipe didn't seat well so I have a little "Pop" leak when I get into the throttle. Either way I took the hit in stride and showed her anyways. This was my first show as an entrant. http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...1/IMAG0182.jpg
I have absolutely gotten hooked on showing it since I just wish it wasn't so late in the year! I am now "stuck" I feel like I have writers block I can't seem to plan my next move. Suggestions?... Lol

94+ mirrors and updated lights truck is looking good

95+ (94 is still dumbo mirrors)


i REALLY LIKE this truck! great job!

an inexpensive upgrade i would look into is the jeep XJ steering shaft and 95-98 wiper arms. the wiper arms are straighter and have a heavier duty spring. they also have the hook-style end connector instead of the pin-type.

I do to even the old style grille

Yea I couldn't/can't pick between the 94+ or the 454 mirrors. I am really hesitant on lights because I don't know if I want to go smoked, blacked out, or clear or whether to go with 94+ GMC grill or rock the older one. At least I am on the right track! Lol Thanks for the input!

THANK YOU!!!!! My wiper arms have driven me absolutely crazy since I bought the truck! Anything over 55 and the don't stay on the windshield. So frustrating!

Thanks I appreciate it!

That seems to be the general thoughts for whatever reason everyone likes the old grill on my truck. But like everyone else I am getting restless! haha

there were comments made when i was looking to buy a new grille for mine just prior to getting the truck painted. the feedback i was getting was either 94+ chevy or gmc. but i stuck to my guns and left the pre-93 style in place, i just ordered a new chrome shell and billet inserts to dress it up a little. i like the older styles myself, not throwing off on the newer grilles, its just that it's been done time and time again. my truck is a 89 and i wanted "something" on the outside to reflect that.

Nothing wrong with that! The idea I keep having is to get a black grill and paint the GMC emblem like the 454ss emblems, Then enter my light deliemma.... I can't decide from there what I want to do. Either way I want to H.I.D.s

I vote smoked...I think they look good on almost any car/truck. ALMOST

x2... and i agree on ALMOST... i don't think my truck could pull off smoked lights. they're illegal in virginia anyway.

I feel the same way but with the style of this truck following "Factory" lines I am on the fence. However I will tally 1 vote smoked.

looks good, lovin the vice press haha

Thanks! Yea I pulled that out of the shed, it worked really and gave me a wide solid mounting surface to start it in square.

Looking at some headlights, I will probably pull the trigger on a set by snow fly. Opinions please! Regardless of headlights I will be going with the same style grill I have in black instead of chrome when I go with the 95+ mirrors. So keep that in mind.

option 1.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-Headl...sories&vxp=mtr

option 2.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-99-CHEVY-...sories&vxp=mtr

I plan on running these style tailights, http://www.ebay.com/itm/88-98-Silver...&forceRpt=true LED/standard bulb will be determined from the front. The only issue I am coming across is what to do for corners. I plan on running HIDs regardless of LED/standard bulb marker/tails. These links are just examples, just doing a little shopping tonight! Opinions and Tips always welcome!

Vote option 2. I think those would look slick on there.and match the taillights

Im sure u can find that same led corner set up in clear instead of amber. And then run hids up top. But even if not would still look good imo

Cool thanks for the input!

Look up Depo brand lights. They are a tad pricey but are badass and quality.

Maybe I am missing something... The only lights for a 400 by them I can see look like stockers. You got a link Dev?

Thanks man! Those look so much better! We will see how long I can I can hold out until the ones I have no drive me nuts! Lol

These lights are so boss you dont even have to silicone em

They look to be super quality. Makes me think I should rock those and some factory tails. It would keep my look solid. DAMN you DEV! Muddying the waters! Lol.

I remembered I have another early grill in storage but the black center bars are beat/chipped. I want a black one anyways so I was thinking about stripping the "Chrome" off and adding a billet insert. What do you think? http://www.ebay.com/itm/88-93-SIERRA...sories&vxp=mtr

Clean GMT400! Any thoughts on ditching the chrome doohickeys along the top of your windows on your doors?

Thanks! I would love too but they are screwed on. According to the po they have been on it since it was new. So i will just paint em black when I do 95+ mirrors then when I paint it they will go.

any new updates on the truck?

No I have been slacking lately hopefully in the next month or so the snow will clear a bit in my area and I can get back on her. I need to go thru the rear suspension again I am not really happy with the current set up so that will probably happen first.

well get to it and do work :)

A Really SWEET 2Tone, I like it.

Thanks! It really sets the drop off too in person it really shows how long it is. I don't plan on changing it!

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