BigBlue02HD

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2012
663
339
63
Wow! I haven't been over here in FOREVER!!!!!

I realized.... I'd never even posted my "build thread" on my 99' RCSB Silverado Z71. :eek: so, here goes.....

Back in August 2013.... I bought my bro inlaws 99' RCSB Silverado Z71. It's a 4.8, auto, 3.73 truck, LS trim. He got a new Equinox for his growing family, and I assumed he had traded the RCSB in, but, I was wrong. I asked him about and he sold it to me CHEAP!

Morning after I bought it.... DIRTY! is the best way to describe this thing. He kept up on the maintenance it "needed".... But was never much for cleaning or it's appearance.

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So.... I started cleaning!
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Swapped in my extra 03-06' tails...
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Didn't actually know the mileage it had as the odometer display was out.... :crazy: knew it was high... So I tore into it after doing some research and watching a couple YouTube videos. Bad circuit board cold solder joint on the 7th pin. Cleared needles too while it was apart. Hooked it up, 193k! :eek:
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Had to fix the broken passenger handle anyway... So I smoothed and colormatch my old HD stocker set and swapped them in.
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Sandblasted and coated the stockers for now....
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Made some spare "brushed looking" Esky style handles with the wheel paint. Tried one, but didn't keep them on. Maybe someday?!?
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Swapped in my OEM mint HD parking lights, candied the stock tails, colormatched the bowtie and mirror caps, and full Adams PC correction. Also maxed the stock keys out....
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Time for some sound.... Knock off Flo-pro 1 chamber and 3" tailpipe.
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Craigslist score!!!! Mint HD hood, already pewter..... :thumbsup:
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Time for some added height and width.... Ford keys, 3" RCX blks, Bilstein 5100s, 2" RCX spacers.
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Craigslist, again! Looking for used 285s for stockers and stumbled upon these mint 17" FJs and used 295/70/17 Nitto TGs.
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Stockers vs FJs
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Toyota? No Toyota!!!
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Not bad, IMO!
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Huck

BIIIIG SQRBDY GUY
Jan 27, 2011
12,338
1,389
113
Gainesville, Ga
My buddy told me to check out your thread on GMFS not long ago, glad you brought it over here! Should come back more often lol

Sent from Tapatwat
 

BigBlue02HD

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2012
663
339
63
95 yr old man ran a red light on the way to work! Doh! I faired pretty well IMO against his tank 83' Caddy Eldorado! Got bumper, bumper cap, headlight, mount, grille, front fender creased....
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Colormatched stock broken grille to see how I like it.... And finished demoulding.
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Picked up two new TGs and a new Curt hitch....
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Tore down for a new oil pump, waterpump, t-stat, etc....
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New TGs on, new clear headlights and corner lights to replace broken ones from accident.
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Got bored and colormatched the upper cap..... Looking good now IMO.
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Big milestone....
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Tried HDs tows on.... ?!? Not quite big/wide enough IMO.
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Picked up stock pewter OEM flares....
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Added homemade 1" BL to give just a touch more height....
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Another Craigslist find.... Used 285 BFGs for stockers. Just to change it up for awhile.... And for Winter use.
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And.... That brings us up to the current status! More to come!
 
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ShredSled

NBS
May 9, 2012
621
0
0
41
Motor City
Like it better before flares and bfgs.


Can't believe you tore down that far for an oil pump and didn't slide in a small cam while it was apart!?
 

roundsy

RCSB and a Hoe
Jun 7, 2014
1,012
493
83
Ontario, Canada
I like the flares on it! Was there any other processes involved when you refinished your stock wheels, just blast and clear? My gmc 20s are in rough shape, need to put some tlc into them come spring time.
 

BigBlue02HD

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2012
663
339
63
Thanks! :shake:

I liked the tire poke without the flares.... No doubt! But, I have a couple dings in the wheelwells and rust bubbling in the rear wheelwells. I plan to keep my wheelwell repairs within the confines of the OEM flare outline so I don't have to repaint the entire bedsides at this point.

BFGs are just for something different for now. Wanted a spare set of "something" larger than the dinky 245s that were on the stockers. I'm not sure of my future plans for the FJs/Nittos... May separate and sell the FJs and use the Nittos on some aftermarket 17x9/10s in the Spring. May sell together and move onto something different all together... Not 100% sure at this point.... :hmm:

I really should've spent more time on the stockers IMO. I quickly blasted the factory coating to "blend" the oxidized sections and to etch the entire wheel. Then I painted them with Duplicolor wheel paint. They look good from a short distance... Far from perfect, but better, no doubt!
 

Khaos

Bed Dent Club Founder
Mar 24, 2012
20,378
1,566
113
Albany, NY
Loooove how simple yet good the truck looks! I've been following it here and there on gmfs and glad you brought it over here too.
 

ShredSled

NBS
May 9, 2012
621
0
0
41
Motor City
Thanks! :shake:

I liked the tire poke without the flares.... No doubt! But, I have a couple dings in the wheelwells and rust bubbling in the rear wheelwells. I plan to keep my wheelwell repairs within the confines of the OEM flare outline so I don't have to repaint the entire bedsides at this point.

BFGs are just for something different for now. Wanted a spare set of "something" larger than the dinky 245s that were on the stockers. I'm not sure of my future plans for the FJs/Nittos... May separate and sell the FJs and use the Nittos on some aftermarket 17x9/10s in the Spring. May sell together and move onto something different all together... Not 100% sure at this point.... :hmm:

I really should've spent more time on the stockers IMO. I quickly blasted the factory coating to "blend" the oxidized sections and to etch the entire wheel. Then I painted them with Duplicolor wheel paint. They look good from a short distance... Far from perfect, but better, no doubt!



Makes sense; flares are bandaids. I wish I could get some for my cab corners on the Sierra!

I'm almost starting to grow to enjoy a good solid budget project with some elbow grease and repurposed parts more than some of these high dollar catalog builds.
 

BigBlue02HD

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2012
663
339
63
Thanks! :shake:

I agree.... I don't wanna wait too long for the rust to grow anymore. I just plan to fix it and get the flares back over it to get me by. Maybe down the road I'll find another bed.... Do a respray. Or, hell, even a full color change! :hmm: I'd love to do Graystone Metallic.... :drool:

I agree also on the "budget builds".... It's what I enjoy most! Both doing and reading/watching about. I love nothing more than to take something others have "given up on" and bring it back. :thumbsup:
 

slicksierra

Feel some type of way
Mar 8, 2012
5,464
174
63
31
Central Jersey
Holy smokes I bet its not too much of slouch with the 4.8/auto and the 3.73's before the tires at least lol. Such a great transformation. I say sell the FJ's and get some nice 17x9/17x10 polished rims and HD front end of course! Looking great!