88GMCtruck's 98 Silverado Towpig Build: "Black Fox"

[88gmctruck]

Yes new toy hauler. Oh and yes, Ed saw on Facebook. Blew a tie 55 miles from the dealership.

 

[88gmctruck]

Here is the new setup! Continental Cargo 7x14 V-Nose, RV side door and rear ramp. Already ordered the LEDs for it and will be doing a shackle flip in the near future.

Did another trip to Oregon. New trailer was so useful. And I was joined by my friend with his 98 K2500 454/4L80E truck and camper.

Oh, and I weighed the truck with the new trailer and a somewhat typical load of gear. Truck and camper are right around 12,500 LBS with full fuel. Throw in 400 LBS tongue weight and we are just under 13,000 for the truck. Of that, 9,000 LBS is on the rear axle alone! Then toss the trailer in the mix at 3,300 LBS.

Yes. My Truck/Camper/Trailer is rolling over 16k with a moderate load of gear.

This trip was light - lets factor in the fact I will often have an additional person or two, two dogs, plus the associated gear. And 20+ gallons of fuel for the quads (they were empty when weighed) and more food/gear on longer trips.

Yikes.

And now for the "exciting" news. I'm going to pull the transmission back out. I'm not happy with the AC Delco clutch, so I ordered a Centerforce II for the truck.

 

[btfarm]

Always good to see you getting plenty of use after all the work

 

[BIGR]

Nice set up and as always beautiful pictures.

 

[88gmctruck]

Hi, My name is truck. GIVE ME ALL YOUR MONEY.

As I've mentioned, the clutch in this truck was driving me crazy chattering, sometimes has weird pedal feel, and the transmission was leaking some. So, I pulled the transmission. Mind you, the clutch was replaced when I bought the truck and rebuilt the transmission. But, seeing as this is my tow rig and well, i like my things working proper, so I order up a Centerforce II clutch and pressure plate, and GM performance throw out bearing/slave cylinder. Then out came the transmission, clutch and flywheel. The pressure plate and flywheel have bad hot spots, and the clutch disk is separating in a few places. During all this, I realize that my OE flywheel doesn't have enough material for an aftermarket clutch. So, a GM performance flywheel was ordered. I also decide to replace the rear-main seal, so it was ordered as well.

Now, on to the transmission. To re-seal the trans you have to separate the tail, front retainer and top cover.... with the front retainer out comes the input shaft and BOOM disaster.

It had a new input shaft and main shaft, along with all bearings and synchros. Well, the main shaft and input shaft have wear I'm not pleased about, so It's getting replaced so might as well do the bearings again............ Mind you right after I rebuilt the 4L60E in my 02 GMC..... I'm doing things like this. A week and a half prior to a long distance trip to Idaho with the truck and camper, while towing my father's Jeep....

Last night I was pricing 2015 Sierras.....................

 

[btfarm]

What fun would it be to have a new truck under warranty that somebody else would work on... ? Booooorrrrrringgggggg...

 

[tanman_2006]

Where did you get your parts last time?

 

[88gmctruck]

What fun would it be to have a new truck under warranty that somebody else would work on... ? Booooorrrrrringgggggg...

True. But I also hate doing things twice. And hate finding more things wrong.

Where did you get your parts last time?

A semi-local place. TB Trans in Deer Park Wa. My uncle who rebuilt transmissions used them for a long time, and they have good prices.

 

[88gmctruck]

Tore it down, built it back up. lets hope this go-round lasts.

New clutch. I ordered the Centerforce II, but they were out of stock and didn't tell me (growls) so I ended up talking my way into the dual friction for the same price. This has a bit more meat to it than the AC Delco Unit.

So, got it all together, and let me tell you, what a world of difference. I think the combination of the centerforce clutch and the GM Performance slave cylinder really made all the difference. Been prepping the truck for a big trip camping as well. Recent work such as:

Rebuilt Transmission
New clutch
New slave cylinder
Clutch hydraulic flush
Brake fluid flush w. DOT4
Coolant flush, replaced with 3M synthetic coolant
Full Lube of suspension/steering & u-joints
Oil change
New steering stabilizer
New rear-main seal


Lets hope the ol' girl is up to the task of camper and trailer with quad and CJ5 up over the cascades and the rockies.

 

[btfarm]

Looks good. You could have saved a few $ by resurfacing the flywheel.

 

[88gmctruck]

Actually i couldn't. See the size difference in the clutch lining and the flywheel surface? As well as the pressure plate. Higher performance aftermarket clutches utilize more area. My early flywheel on my 88 is solid like the new one, but my later oem one wasn't.

 

[ak diesel driver]

You'll like that dual friction, takes a little getting used to. I found mine to be initially grabby and then act like a stock clutch

 

[88gmctruck]

Works great so far. The gm performance slave works so so so well. Clutch is effortless

 

[GM Guy]

looks great!

I think I said it before, and I will say it again, You sir, can flat get stuff done.

Type in the GM part number on the fluid on ebay, and there is an outfit re-selling it in 1 gallon or 2.5 gallon jugs.

Do you think there was a chance it was a heat related failure? Do you have a temp guage on it? Gear Tech HD and FAST Coolers both offer some good looking PTO coolers.

 

[trouttrooper]

I think I said it before, and I will say it again, You sir, can flat get stuff done.

X2. I'd still be trying to locate all my wrenches and he's up and running again.

 

[88gmctruck]

looks great!

I think I said it before, and I will say it again, You sir, can flat get stuff done.

Type in the GM part number on the fluid on ebay, and there is an outfit re-selling it in 1 gallon or 2.5 gallon jugs.

Do you think there was a chance it was a heat related failure? Do you have a temp guage on it? Gear Tech HD and FAST Coolers both offer some good looking PTO coolers.

Thanks! Last go-round I ordered a 2.5 gallon jug from Midwest Trans (filled mine and a friends). I didn't have the time to wait for them to ship it on this go-round once I realized the trans was messed up. I did find Amazon has it for $17/quart with free prime shipping. Not bad at all, considering.

X2. I'd still be trying to locate all my wrenches and he's up and running again.

HAHA I like to get things done that's for sure. Heading out for a dune trip here soon. St. Anthony Idaho.

Haven't decided if I'm going I90 through Montana and down, or if I'm going through Boise and Pocatello. Might do the latter, seems to be less elevation gain overall. Plus if I were to break down near Nampa guess who I'm going to call HAHA

 

[GM Guy]

If you want an effortless drive, I84/I86 is the way to go, especially eastbound.

 

[88gmctruck]

Good to know. I was leaning towards I84/I85/I15 personally. Then i'm only climbing to a max of about 5k elevation. I90 you hit close to 5K then 7K before going back down into Idaho... My uncle thinks I84 was rough and goes up I90... I think less hills = easier......

I forgot to respond to your comment about the coolers. I've been looking at them, I think the extra capacity more than anything would be worth it. My father is convinced I should install a pump and external mounted cooler for it....... which.... yeah. Might have to happen just because.

 

[trouttrooper]

HAHA I like to get things done that's for sure. Heading out for a dune trip here soon. St. Anthony Idaho.

Haven't decided if I'm going I90 through Montana and down, or if I'm going through Boise and Pocatello. Might do the latter, seems to be less elevation gain overall. Plus if I were to break down near Nampa guess who I'm going to call HAHA

Good to know. I was leaning towards I84/I85/I15 personally. Then i'm only climbing to a max of about 5k elevation. I90 you hit close to 5K then 7K before going back down into Idaho... My uncle thinks I84 was rough and goes up I90... I think less hills = easier......

The silver beast is always on standby if needed

If you're going to St. Anthony don't do I90. What part of I84 did he think was rough??

 

[88gmctruck]

I will let you guys know how the trip goes. Leaving this afternoon.

And I have no idea where he thought was rough. *shrugs*