DarkCharisma's build thread.

[DarkCharisma]

**Update 9/8/2009 - Bodylift being installed.**
**Update 9/9/2009 - More BL progress. Scroll down to posts #7 and #9**
**Update 9/10/2009 - BL Done and 315's installed. Pics below, post #12**

There's some serious changes for the truck coming up soon. She crossed over 200kmi. and I want to thank her appropriately.

While I'm aware these threads usually turn into pipe dreams, I'll keep the speculation to a minimum.

I have a 14bsf but I may throw some deeper gears in it before I put it in.

There's also a full set of SealedPower pistons/rings sitting here for an eventual rebuild of the 5.3L.







Engine plans include:

* 212/218 113 LSA Lunati cam
* LS6 springs
* All new seals, oil pump, gaskets and head studs.
* 2600RPM stall


Aesthetic plans include:
* Charcoal seats
* Black carpet
* Black dash
* Suede headliner
* Locking box
* Gun rack



I'd put up my plans for the 4x4 stuff but it changes so frequently that I'd just end up like Trey and hem-haw for months.

Recent pic. Suggestions?




So far as far as mods go I have:

Wheels, clear corners, limo tint, blue LEDs in my HU, K&N filter, built 4L65e w/ Transgo/servos/heavy bands/etc, Wait4Me tune, Magnaflow muffler and a steering stabilizer, 3" BL, and 315/70R17 Big-O AT tires.

[Gopedxr]

Nice truck. The plans should be good. I am thinking long tubes and a black bear tune : )

[88Silverado25]

I say paint it black. It is a good looking truck, I really like the wheels but there is something happening I dont really like and cant put my finger on. Maybe its the chrome mirrors? I cant really talk though it looks way better than mine lol.

[DarkCharisma]

The last set of bolts I needed to put the BL on showed up Friday. I'll start putting the lift on Tuesday, tires hopefully shortly thereafter.

If anybody needs to part together their own BL but is having a hard time finding bolts, go to :

www.mcmaster-carr.com. They have appropriately sized bolts (12x1.75x180mm, 12x1.75x100mm and 14x2.00x100mm)for 3" BL's as well as 2" BL's (Don't have mm measurements on those, sorry).

Originally Posted by 88Silverado25

I say paint it black. It is a good looking truck, I really like the wheels but there is something happening I dont really like and cant put my finger on. Maybe its the chrome mirrors? I cant really talk though it looks way better than mine lol.

I've considered painting the mirror caps. The picture is really bad, shows when it was dirty and loaded down with some mulch. So I'll get some others later, and try photoshopping the caps white to see if it looks better.

[Lobsters]

I think its the whitewall facing out...kinda clashes with the rims. I love a clean white truck.....paint up the grill shell, bumper cap and valance. Tahoe z71 valance would looks pretty damn good on it. The painted mirror caps would look nice as well. I tried to tear my mirrors apart not too long ago and ended up breaking $hit so I just ended up with sport mirrors and painted those.

[DarkCharisma]

Bodylift in process of being installed. I'm done for the night, but figured I'd post pics of what I did so far. Just the bed. Took me about... probably an hour and a half dicking around with those stupid blocks and waiting for my brother to come help me.


<crappy picture removed>

I'm buying some AA Batteries tomorrow so I can use the better camera. Sorry for low quality.

[DarkCharisma]

Good afternoon folks.

Got the rear bumper put on. Just waiting for some help to get it adjusted properly. I can see why it's not rated for towing--two of the original mounting points don't get re-attached. Thats' OK though, I have like a Class 5 hitch/receiver or whatever anyway.



Front clip is off.



Front bumper off.



Height difference between front and rear. I'm going to Wal-Mart later to possibly pick up some Krylon and motor oil, so I may get some cheap black vinyl and make some gap guards.



I have all of today and tomorrow to get it done, so I am making sure to go slow and get it done right.

Sandwich is done--Time to get back outside.

[Gopedxr]

Some nice houses!

[DarkCharisma]

All the lift blocks are installed. I now need to:

Adjust rear bumper
Add front bumper brackets
Install front bumper
Add steering extension
Add slack to my non-working e-brake
Re-attach clips for wires, hoses and lines
Attach front clip


Passenger side blocks being added;


Passenger side done;


Driver's side done;


I think I am done for the night. Thanks to Mom and Dad for letting me stay here for my weekend, and to Dad for letting me use his tools and air compressor.

So far it does NOT look like I need the shift extension or anything. Steering extension, maybe. Right now it's neither here nor there as far as adding extension or leaving it be.

[V6rado94]

Looks good

[DarkCharisma]

Originally Posted by V6rado94

Looks good

Thanks!

[DarkCharisma]

It's done!

Side shot, lift completed with 33" BFG AT's.



Corner shot;



Tires done being installed at my fav. shop;



Back home;



Glamour shot;




All in all it was not a hard task to accomplish, but I WILL buy a complete kit and hire a friend the next time I do it.

[Al_96Chevy]

lookin nice man, clean truck!


i would candy the tails and chrome or color match door handles.

[V6rado94]

Looks good

[mgmZ71]

3" doesn't seem like it would make that much difference until you see a before/after shot. Nice work man.

[1LOW4X4]

Looks great Charisma. White handles and losing the badges would be nice.

Do you ever just walk outside in the morning and just stare at those mountains? You are one lucky guy, living where you do.


I'd love to live in the mountains. One day I just might.

[DarkCharisma]

Originally Posted by Al_96Chevy

lookin nice man, clean truck!


i would candy the tails and chrome or color match door handles.

Thanks a lot! I'm very happy with it. Tails will most likely be tinted eventually, but I have been throwing around the idea of candying them. Colormatching thr door handles is a must, I agree. Maybe that'll be my next project...

Originally Posted by V6rado94

Looks good

Thanks a lot! I appreciate it.

Originally Posted by mgmZ71

3" doesn't seem like it would make that much difference until you see a before/after shot. Nice work man.

Tell me about it! I was WAY surprised when it rolled out with those 35's on there. Talk about being giddy like a kid on Christmas. Thanks.

Originally Posted by crewcab06

Looks great Charisma. White handles and losing the badges would be nice.

Do you ever just walk outside in the morning and just stare at those mountains? You are one lucky guy, living where you do.


I'd love to live in the mountains. One day I just might.

Yep, handles will be whitened for sure. Badges, meh maybe. If I do get rid of them though 1500HD badges are going in it's place.

Yes I do, actually. It's breathtaking when they're snowcapped. I think you'd like Fairview. Mountain living at it's best. It's right up that canyon you can see in the pictures, and about an hour east.

[Underpowered]

looks good chad. but i think it would look better with a more aggressive tire, or at least a tire with some sidewall meat to it. but i like it

[DarkCharisma]

Originally Posted by Underpowered

looks good chad. but i think it would look better with a more aggressive tire, or at least a tire with some sidewall meat to it. but i like it

Thanks! Agreed, but I got these 35" AT's for a steal ($100 for the set, good tread on them still) and I don't like how MT's handle in the snow, which will be here WAY too soon for my liking.

[LndscpIllusion]

Looks wicked. 35's were definitely needed after that body lift imo. Personally I'd just keep the handles black, but def paint the mirror black or white. Oh and a really cheap an easy way to make the truck look better... Paint the inner fenders and the fender wells black. Makes the truck look that much sharper.