88GMCtruck's 99 6.5L Towpig slow build.

[bk95td]

Door illumination wire is brown in 95+ trucks, FYI.

Thanks for posting about the diodes, Barry. Did you ever figure out the mirror functions, I can go pop the cover off and give you a pinout if you'd like.

Yes, I have all the schematics for the 94 factory power mirror wiring. The connectors I got from the junkyard don't have enough pins in them. The connector is right. I'll have to see If I can rob pins out of another connector somewhere. After I put the harness in my 95 back together:nonod::mad2:

 

[83GMCK2500]

Now to loosen up the bed bolts and get it squared back up with the cab.

 

[3500GMC]

IIRC, LEDS need some resistors to limit voltage too?

 

[88gmctruck]

Yes, if you were to build your own you would have to use resistors to drop the voltage. Anything automotive LED will already be properly wired for 12v.

 

[88gmctruck]

Yes, I have all the schematics for the 94 factory power mirror wiring. The connectors I got from the junkyard don't have enough pins in them. The connector is right. I'll have to see If I can rob pins out of another connector somewhere. After I put the harness in my 95 back together:nonod::mad2:

Yeah, i used the 8 cavity connector for mine and used all of them. I added 2 for signals in there as well, so it was all in one plug.

Now to loosen up the bed bolts and get it squared back up with the cab.

Gonna need your assistance on that one i'm sure.

So, I spent the afternoon doing the boring, tedious stuff that I've put off awhile, well, cause it's boring, well and the weather has been cruddy most days.

Spent about 3 hours laying under the truck, inspecting "stuff."

The good:
- Checked the oil. It was full, black and all diesely. Hasn't been using any in the 1,500 miles I've owned the truck!!!
- Transmission is full, golden honey colored, and smells like Syntorque (thank god some idiot didn't change it and refill it with standard gear lube). I also noticed the transmission sports both PTO cover sticker and the red tag on the fill plug saying to refill with GM fluid.
- Transfercase was full of nice red ATF.
- Both diffs were full of clean gear lube.
- Exhaust has been replaced at some point with 3", although it's standard exhaust shop bends. The soot trap is long gone. Crossover is stock.
- 3 rear u-joints have been replaced at some point with new sealed units. Fronts are original
- Greased all the steering components and balljoints. They were all crusted in grease, which to me indicates they have been regularly serviced in the past.

The bad:
- First thing, the low coolant light came on last night for a moment, so I topped it off. It's orange and looks clean still. I searched around everywhere I can see, and can't seem to find a leak.
- Driver's exhaust manifold was missing bolt at crossover flange, and was leaking. Replaced with a new anti-seezed stud and nut.
- Transmission is weeping at the input shaft retainer
- Front diff is weeping at case half, typical
- Oil cooler lines are weeping at 3 of the 4 crimped connections, typical

I know I'm a bit paranoid about the possibility of this truck having a cracked block or blown head gasket, but the low coolant is scaring me. First thing I did when I bought the truck was check the upper radiator hose on cold start. It doesn't build pressure, it doesn't produce water vapor from the exhaust (except when it's freezing out obviously), the oil is black, the coolant is orange..... yet I can't find any leaks in cooling system.......

I'm wondering if the huge variations in temperature we are having around here are paying tricks with my mind.... When I bought the truck we were in the mid teens, then it went up to about 50 for a week, then down to negatives for a few days, and now back to the 40s..... I know the coolant recovery tank is tiny compared to the block and radiator, i'm just wondering if between the odd temps etc, and possible air in the system, that it's playing tricks on me. I looked all over that thing for coolant, every hose, the waterpump, freezeplugs, etc, and nothing looks to be weeping that I can clearly see. The heater fitting into the thermostat crossover looks to be BRAND new. It's possible it's weeping where the thermostat housing crosses over the valley at the block, it's difficult to see in there.

Well, It's topped off for now. I guess I'll keep driving it and see if it looses coolant again, hopefully the outside temps stay fairly consistent.

 

[83GMCK2500]

So, I spent the afternoon doing the boring, tedious stuff that I've put off awhile, well, cause it's boring, well and the weather has been cruddy most days.

Spent about 3 hours laying under the truck, inspecting "stuff."

The good:
- Checked the oil. It was full, black and all diesely. Hasn't been using any in the 1,500 miles I've owned the truck!!!
- Transmission is full, golden honey colored, and smells like Syntorque (thank god some idiot didn't change it and refill it with standard gear lube). I also noticed the transmission sports both PTO cover sticker and the red tag on the fill plug saying to refill with GM fluid.
- Transfercase was full of nice red ATF.
- Both diffs were full of clean gear lube.
- Exhaust has been replaced at some point with 3", although it's standard exhaust shop bends. The soot trap is long gone. Crossover is stock.
- 3 rear u-joints have been replaced at some point with new sealed units. Fronts are original
- Greased all the steering components and balljoints. They were all crusted in grease, which to me indicates they have been regularly serviced in the past.

Good stuff. I would have thought that exhaust was stock...I'll be danged. How'd I do pressure washing under it?

 

[88gmctruck]

It's pretty clean under there now, no mud at least. Still some crusty old oil on the t-case and transmission, and soot on the driver's side from the exhaust leak.

I think I want to get back under with a brush and simplegreen and try getting more of the crusty oil out of there.

 

[83GMCK2500]

Sweeeeet. I know I had mud in my ear and I was cold and wet when I got done.

 

[88gmctruck]

Did a little repair and modification last night. The front compartment had a broken hinge, so I repaired that, then modified for this 67-76 center console emblem, just to be unique and bring a bit of nostalgia into the truck.

About to head outside now and put the console back in, then I think I'll be doing a few trailer related things, taking the whole shebang out next weekend camping!

 

[88gmctruck]

Had to finish the trailer wiring, so truck was at least infront of it today. :lol:

Put the console back in.

I also fixed my underhood light (wire was broken) and added a reel light.

 

[tanman_2006]

I wish I had the time and money to make my trucks that nice, I can't wait until I get out of school.... Your firewall mat is still in good condition, mine are all mostly gone or laying all over the engine.

 

[HighSierra86]

I wish I had the time and money to make my trucks that nice, I can't wait until I get out of school.... Your firewall mat is still in good condition, mine are all mostly gone or laying all over the engine.

haha I was thinking exactally the same thing on the firewall insulation. I have yet to own a truck with a nice firewall. Even my 06 the mice got into it and tore it apart.

Those reel lights are a beautiful thing arent they? If you have ever pulled one all the way out they reach just about all the way to the back of the truck. Very handy to have

 

[tanman_2006]

My 95 gasser has one and it will reach to the back bumper to assist in spare tire removal in the middle of the night. :thumbsup:

If it didn't look like such a pain to put in new firewall mats I would try to track some down. I will just wait until I pull one of my engines.

 

[OrionThade]

My 95 gasser has one and it will reach to the back bumper to assist in spare tire removal in the middle of the night. :thumbsup:

If it didn't look like such a pain to put in new firewall mats I would try to track some down. I will just wait until I pull one of my engines.

I have yet to find one. I would love to replace it when I pull my motor here in a couple of weeks. Might have to do with some silver sound deadening mat.

 

[bk95td]

When Bobbie Martin did his sub build last year ,I thought he said he got one of the last ones in the country.
Mine all look crappy.

 

[HighSierra86]

When Bobbie Martin did his sub build last year ,I thought he said he got one of the last ones in the country.
Mine all look crappy.

I was going to say the same but you beat me to it I had remembered reading that and being dissapointed that finding another new one would be near impossible. I dont think I have ever even seen an aftermarket mat either

 

[mangus580]

David - do you think you could get some pictures of the mirrors from the drivers point of view? It would be nice to see how well they function.

 

[88gmctruck]

David - do you think you could get some pictures of the mirrors from the drivers point of view? It would be nice to see how well they function.

Next time I'm out in the truck i'll snap a pict for ya, they work great with the trailer.

Well, I misjudged my original hitch purchase and ended up having to buy a straight out hitch. IDK where I got my measurement idea that I needed a 3" lift hitch but the new one is about an 1" lift and works perfect. I also ordered one of the longer ones, so that I can fully open the tailgate on the truck while the trailer is attached.

Once that was settled, I set about giving it a maiden test pull and to set the trailer brake controller. The difference towing with this truck is astounding. I know the trailer is back there, but the truck pulls it so much better. The additional weight and length of the truck makes the ride so much smoother and feels much, much more stable and in control than it did with the 88. And I can actually hold speed in overdrive with a head on wind! I have no idea what the mileage will be like still, but we shall find out this weekend.

Nice little dusk shot of the rig all lit up.

 

[tanman_2006]

I need to find a smaller trailer like yours, I have a 1986 Shasta Fireball 32 footer. Not good for pulling behind my flat bed.

 

[88gmctruck]

This trailer is about right for me really. I've had 4 people and 2 large dogs sleeping in it multiple times, and have had about 12 people in it during the day when it was raining. It gets a little tight sometimes. The nice thing about it, at least when towed with the 88, is it is a good size to get into some tight/difficult areas.