1995 C1500 Build-Phase 1 complete

[Smokinthehippies]

So, starting another build thread (i think my 3rd) since joining here.

recently, after reprioritizing my life and goals for wheeling, traded my 81k5
for this.

1995 c1500
Extended Cab, Short bed
5.7
4L60e
5 lugs
lowered (painfully)


plans for this truck will be basically 3 phases

Phase 1- Currently in motion
make it comfortable for a DD.
Basically want to undo all of the glory of the previous owners as well as bring it to where i can stand driving it as well as an overall tuneup.
*only thing left at this juncture is to keep up on maintenance and do small additions when I deem appropriate.
this will likely be a slow build.but hopefully one i can stick with for a while.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

so this is day one
a few things have already been handled and will get updated pictures

first, the hood. you can see in the picture all the clear coat oxidation and crap. thats not a reflection.
got super lucky. found a replacement hood, 2 miles from my house for $75. same color and everything. bolted that up. it has a few small dents near the hinge locations, but is infinitly better overall.

second, most annoying thing.
the previous owner or two ago lowered this thing.
on the cheap
on the super cheap
cut the coils up front, torched off the stock leaf perches and did a spring under on it. one of those where you hit a bump and the whole thing hops ups and down for half a block. biggest problem was they didnt notch the frame, so it slammed the axle into the frame constantly. dude thought maybe cutting the bumpstops would help (why i have no clue) . so needless to say the ride was rough. to top it off was the wider tires they put on, when the suspension cycled down, all corners would bite into the tires in a most soothing and pleasent way.

anyway, bought some new perches from WFO. borrowed a buddys shop on black friday and torched the old crap off and got the new ones burned on. man it rides like a cream puff now. its so smooth compared to how it was. $30 for the steel and a $100 to my friend for use of the tools and the trucks useability has gone up 10fold.

to any that think i may have gotten the loser end of the trade, the first two weeks i had the truck, i did two dump runs & emptied 2 storage units for our company. thats more driving than i did to the blazer in years. so overall i'm happy.
Didn't take any pictures cuz I was busy but here is the new perches

And the new muscle car rake

Going to order stock coils soon as I can get stock replacements for $60. Or do labor and pay pick n pull $40-50. Easy choice. Hoping to get the front up in the next few weeks

 

[Smokinthehippies]

because of emptying said storage units, this is now a company vehicle, which means the company is buying me the parts i need/want

first batch of ordering was as such

complete fluids order from Amsoil, been needing to do an order this year so they dont close my commercial discount account
amsoil air,oil,

wix tranny, fuel filter, CCV filter

new headlights from ebay
LED Bulbs
LEd third brake light

-cargo

-brakes. Picture doesn't do it justice. I like it. Very bright
LEd strip for the tailgate
MSD Coil
all 4 on hi relay kit

still need to order-
cap & rotor
plugs and wires
180 thermo
new belt
maybe a water pump, not leaking, just piece of mind, might wait on that
also want to get the relay set from LMC that powers the headlights directly and not thru the headlight switch.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

new lights
not sure if i like the smoked but i'll give it a shot. worse case, its $80 to get a new set and i can resell these on fleabay

LED setup in there.

 

[greatwhitez71]

have fun doing a SAS on that 2wd frame. I could be wrong but im not so sure a ORD kit will just bolt on that frame.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Interested to see how the LED headlights work out.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

have fun doing a SAS on that 2wd frame. I could be wrong but im not so sure a ORD kit will just bolt on that frame.

Works on 4WD or 2WD trucks. 3/4 and 1 ton 2WD trucks require significant frame modifications, for more information on that click here.

It says it'll work. If it comes down to it I can always resell that kit and use the wfo weld on setup. We will see.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Interested to see how the LED headlights work out.

Me too. Considering I got all four bulbs for cheaper than one set of upgraded bulbs. I am going to keep the replacement halogens in the glove box in case they decide to take a pooper on me on the road.

 

[greatwhitez71]

It says it'll work. If it comes down to it I can always resell that kit and use the wfo weld on setup. We will see.

interesting. glad to hear that though. typically 2wd frames are a pain in the ass with those built in buckets in the frame and that HUGE drop down engine crossmember. makes keeping the truck low somewhat a pain from what ive seen. most of the ones i have dealt with are all 4wd frames though.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

ironically because of the lowering kit. i havent even had a chance to get underneath the front and really even look around yet.keeping it low is exactly what i want as well. if that means new crossmember than so be it. ideally itll be between 3-6" lift over a stock 4wd by the time i'm done. depending on what tire size i go with.

 

[Deuling]

Ill subscribe to this.

I like your new drug dealer rig.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Ill subscribe to this.

I like your new drug dealer rig.

ha. my buddy said it was a gangsta mobile. i told him last night

i cant help it if gangstas have the same good taste i do.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

its sad if you look at my past vehicles.

blacked out black 300C
blacked out black escalade on 32" MTs
wifes car is a blacked out black merc C300

i'm surprised i dont get pulled over more often...

 

[Smokinthehippies]

New light bar added

Brake + reverse

Turn signal

But a new problem developed. Passenger side inner door handle has no feel or connection to the latch. So I've gotta dig into that now

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Interested to see how the LED headlights work out.

In short.

They suck.
They out out a lot of light, but they don't throw for crap. Maybe with projector style lenses. But in just reflecter style housings they blow. Putting in standard halogens for now eventually get some decent sylvanias.
New housings are much brighter than the factory and have it a new look so I'm happy with that part

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Hahaha, answers that.

I've got Sylvania SilverStar Ultras in the Tracker. Like them. Hear there's some better "regular" bulb options out there now. Tempted by those Silver Star XFE's or whatever they are called. Supposed to be good.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I've had the silver stars in my dodge, pricey as hell but I like more light than less so ill spring for them. I'd like to do hids but I've had the eBay kits crap out or not turn on everytime so I will probably just pay for the silver stars/sylvanias.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

HID's should have the fancy housings anyway. For my money a good set of "regular" bulbs for under $50 is hard to beat. Not to mention even Walmart sells Silverstars if they burn out.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

This morning did most of a tune up.
Used all AC Delco parts, put in
180* thermostat
New cap & rotor
Plugs and wires
Also put in an MSD coil. Which required trimming the stock brackets. Nothing a few minutes of dremel couldn't handle.

 

[sweetk30]

dont forget the most over looked tune up item . . . . . . fuel filter.

and here isa 2wd 88-up frame http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142081&highlight=flatbed