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

[DieselSlug]

Fingers crossed for yah.

 

[Will L.]

That makes a big difference on those wheels. They look brand new.

 

[GM Guy]

Do you have a temp guage on the trans? maybe its fluid temp related? Never hurts to put a pair of FAST coolers on.

 

[88gmctruck]

I've thought about coolers, haven't bought them.... I originally was going to get a gauge but I didn't want the added cost, plus my 0411 PCM can read a trans temp value so I just need to wire a sensor up to the PCM and can look on my scanner.

 

[88gmctruck]

Welp, when I was poking around with the front end I noticed my shocks are about shot. After a bit of reading what people with campers liked, the Rancho 9000 adjustables seemed to be a popular choice. They were on sale, have a $100 rebate and lifetime warranty.... so that is what I ordered.

The old ones were leaking, rears were super worn and soft, and one front wouldn't compress or rebound at all.

Also got the rear wheels polished. Gotta love some shined up aluminum.

 

[Ed HD]

I bet it rides and drives a lot better? I know our Duramax was like a new truck with the Bilsteins.

 

[88gmctruck]

It rides better yup! Although set on firm without the camper is a bit jarring.

 

[Twisted Steel Performance]

Could that size tire be run without the lift, enough clearance ??

 

[88gmctruck]

Ehhhhh it kinda needs the front clearance, I rub on the right side mud flap when i turn hard.

 

[btfarm]

Dayumm those wheels look great

 

[88gmctruck]

Thanks Mike!

 

[88gmctruck]

2 weeks ago I took a sunday drive up to check out my camp spot on the lake, which, unfortunately was under water. Still was a good opportunity to get some photos of the dually.

The last weekend I went and had my big 'ol party in the woods trip. Ended up being about 120 people this year, live music, a DJ, hot tub and lots and lots of booze. Was a great time.

Here is our core camper crew. Don't mind the RAM.

This year, I actually had someone else drive up my 88 to play around with. So for the first time in a long time I had the red truck out to play a little. I can't wait to start giving this thing some lovin'

 

[Will L.]

Looks like a fun time!
Now, I'm no expert of camping by the lake, but generally if your camp spot is under water tour a little to close...

 

[88gmctruck]

Looks like a fun time!
Now, I'm no expert of camping by the lake, but generally if your camp spot is under water tour a little to close...

Well, this lake is actually a reservoir and we have had an extremely high volume or rain and snow this year, so the level is higher. I'm also going this trip about 4 weeks earlier than I have in the past. Typically i'm not even near the edge of the lake by the time I camp there.

 

[Will L.]

A resivour I get.
What is this rain and snow stuff you speak of...

One of the funnest little camping spots infound was down on Lake Mead, some dirt road on map. I get down there and there was room for 5 rigs, and 6 are there already,1 blocking the road. I hopped out and walked up to ask how long everyone was staying - just in case I get lucky.
Most of them are there together, and they welcome us, but "No good spot for tent or truck".

Then a mom yells at her teenager to stay away from the island. I look and I see a new little island about 20" above the height of the receeding water of the Lake (long term drought). Its about 20'x30'. And the kid walks belly to chest high across from it back to the swimming area.

I ask whats up with the island and she said all the kids got in a fist fight over the island so none of the kids are allowed to go to it. Hmm. I kick off my boots and walk across to it and back. "Mind if i park there?"
Dude goes "youll ruin your car, that water is 3' deep."

Guess where we camped that night.
I've went back about 4 times since. Lake filling back up and "hummer island" is now good for scuba gear.
Hope to find something like that again, that was fun.

 

[88gmctruck]

A resivour I get.
What is this rain and snow stuff you speak of...

One of the funnest little camping spots infound was down on Lake Mead, some dirt road on map. I get down there and there was room for 5 rigs, and 6 are there already,1 blocking the road. I hopped out and walked up to ask how long everyone was staying - just in case I get lucky.
Most of them are there together, and they welcome us, but "No good spot for tent or truck".

Then a mom yells at her teenager to stay away from the island. I look and I see a new little island about 20" above the height of the receeding water of the Lake (long term drought). Its about 20'x30'. And the kid walks belly to chest high across from it back to the swimming area.

I ask whats up with the island and she said all the kids got in a fist fight over the island so none of the kids are allowed to go to it. Hmm. I kick off my boots and walk across to it and back. "Mind if i park there?"
Dude goes "youll ruin your car, that water is 3' deep."

Guess where we camped that night.
I've went back about 4 times since. Lake filling back up and "hummer island" is now good for scuba gear.
Hope to find something like that again, that was fun.

HAHA that is excellent. Those are the types of places I like to find, where people go in and basically are surprised you got something in there. Like offroading with the camper..... Although 3' of water wouldn't work well with my truck.

---------------------

Was a long, long 4-day weekend for me. Spend a huge chunk of it doing some upgrades to the dually.

First off, I bought a new CB. Uniden Bearcat 880CHR. The CB that was in the truck previously came from the 88 but since it's been out a little more I decided it should go back. This CB is a bit larger than what I was using, but I made it fit only blocking 1 power outlet which is no big deal to me. It has lots of options, including 7-colors of backlighting.

While I was messing around inside I fixed a few burnt out LEDs in the dash. This thing is looking more and more like a cockpit.

I also, FINALLY found the console front block off plate!

But most of the weekend was spent plumbing my onboard air and firestone airbag controls. I've had all this stuff for years and have just neglected to install it.

Instead of using the tiny 1/2 gallon firestone tank, I opted for a 6 gallon tank I had.

Finding a mounting solution took a little bit of time, but I managed to fit it behind the passenger side front rocker panel. I used some angle to mount to two existing bolts up front (for some d-rings I had installed in the bed) and to the wheel well support bolts in the rear.

Then I had to run the lines

And mount the airbag controls.... Another hard part. I almost went with them in the center console but decided against it. Under the dash was not and option as there was just no good space left. I opted to mount them at the suggestion of 83GMCK2500 in the side of the driver seat. Some might give me flack for mounting them where I can't see the gauge, but think about it: airbags are kind of a set it and forget it kinda thing. Level your truck and you are done. IMO it's advantageous to be able to stand and look at the truck while leveling, instead of sitting in the cab. Ran all my wiring and plumbed the lines up under the seat, and wired everything up to the factory fuse block. Running a factory relay in the underhood fuse block, off the 30-amp Aux B post.

Last piece of the puzzle was the pump, which is a small guy for now. Later I'll upgrade to something that runs a little better, hopefully I can run some air tools off it. It was mounted under the driver seat, under the truck. I ran the intake up into the boxed section of the frame to keep crud out.

Another little project I had set aside and hadn't installed, was a set of 4-note Cadillac horns. I decided to install them behind the bumper, and made a plug in pigtail for them. Had to make sure the idiots can hear me.

Now, those who pay close attention to details may have noticed 4 air lines, one of which was a large 1/2" that connected to an electric solenoid on the top of the tank.......... Yeah.....................

So, my father gave me a set of Nathan Air Chime K3 locomotive horns.

These aren't generic air "Train horns" but are actual, legitimate horns used on trains. We will just say, they are quite noticeable. These won't get used too much, mostly just for screwing around when i'm not driving, or when the Caddy horns aren't quite enough.

 

[Will L.]

Nice- all around. I like the airbag gauge location, like you said not a daily used gauge and that is a clean install.

On the horns underneath, I have a friend that mounted his there and picked up a easy trick to keep the mud and dirt to out. He took a couple old socks, slipped over and zip tied them on.

You might find you want to move your quick connect fitting up easier to reach. Once the onboard air starts getting used to air up other's tires, kids bikes, air blower to dust out the interior, etc. most people find it gets used way more than you ever expected. Carrying a 25' coiled airhose helps.

 

[ak diesel driver]

the one in my dumptruck is right at the seat. kinda like your controls

 

[88gmctruck]

Nice- all around. I like the airbag gauge location, like you said not a daily used gauge and that is a clean install.

On the horns underneath, I have a friend that mounted his there and picked up a easy trick to keep the mud and dirt to out. He took a couple old socks, slipped over and zip tied them on.

You might find you want to move your quick connect fitting up easier to reach. Once the onboard air starts getting used to air up other's tires, kids bikes, air blower to dust out the interior, etc. most people find it gets used way more than you ever expected. Carrying a 25' coiled airhose helps.

Thanks for the tip on the horns! I figured they wouldn't do too bad being mounted facing rear, I almost mounted them forward but decided against it.

Nice- all around. I like the airbag gauge location, like you said not a daily used gauge and that is a clean install.

On the horns underneath, I have a friend that mounted his there and picked up a easy trick to keep the mud and dirt to out. He took a couple old socks, slipped over and zip tied them on.

You might find you want to move your quick connect fitting up easier to reach. Once the onboard air starts getting used to air up other's tires, kids bikes, air blower to dust out the interior, etc. most people find it gets used way more than you ever expected. Carrying a 25' coiled airhose helps.

Thanks for the tip on the horns! I figured they wouldn't do too bad being mounted facing rear, I almost mounted them forward but decided against it.

I thought about moving the air chuck but, we will see how much it gets used. I have a generator and a 120v compressor that i use for the quads and airing tires up, this would be much more emergency use.

And yup, I keep a coiled hose with me

 

[Ed HD]

Looks good! How many miles do you have on the beast now?