{Project} Beandip's Daily Driver

[beandip]

well, i have been on the forum for awhile and never started a project thread so i guess here it is.


First off i DO NOT like to cut corners or half ass anything, if i do it just bugs me until i do it right.

OK, I bought my 2000 GMC Sonoma 2.2L 5 speed Ext. cab 3 years ago for $7,000 and it was worth every penny. now this is my daily driver, but i treat it as if it was my show truck which i guess is a good thing. i plan on keeping this truck for as long as possible! the first day i cleaned EVERYTHING and found $5 in the jump seats, i gave it a good detail, inspected the frame, engine compartment, everything.


what has been done.

Exterior
-polished headlights back to factory shine.
-LED light bar
-LED license plate lights
-2/4 Belltech drop
-Silverstar bulbs (HI/Low)

Interior
-Polished stock shifter to a mirror shine
-12" blue cold cathodes under the dash
-5X LED dome light
-Power washed carpet back to factory color
-20% tint all around
-Blue LED gauge lights

Audio
Crossfire CFA-402
MTX 5500 Series 15"
Pioneer 5900 IB Deck
2.41³ft. box with false floor.

Engine Compartment
-Polished ECU
-Polished A/C accumulator
-Polish ABS controller
-Cold air intake
-Complete engine tuneup

Exhaust
-Flowmaster original 40 series
-Magnaflow high flow cat

here is when i first got it.

it was in very excellent condition, only a dent by the rear bumper.



pic of said dent.



well anyways after awhile and after hours searching the forum i decided to drop my truck. i really wanted a 3/4 but the springs didnt drop me 1" but 2" and caused horrible tire rub and having new tires (less than 500 miles) i didnt want to mess them up so i kept the 2/4 and loved it.

parts used.






cutting the bump stop brackets off




I grinded everything nice and smooth.


quick spray of black paint to prevent rust, also my way of getting the axle to line up with the block.....hey it works lol.


after getting those bump stop brackets out it knocked alot of dust out.



after measuring everything and making sure everything was spot on, pinion angle good, i was done!

no "chevy lean" for me, i guess its because i have a GMC
driver's side front


passenger side front.


Gotta watch for those steep driveways.


all done! for now...







well enough of me chatting here are some more pics in no chronological order.....yes i am a pic whore.

Sub box with false floor


Intake


My polished ECU
BEFORE (accumulator is polished)



After (still need to touch up a few spots)




LED Gauges


Pioneer deck


Interior lighting


LED license plate lights
stock bulb left, led right.




yup, the plate is visible alright.



LED dome light





OK now fast forward to today and how my truck looks like now. yeah not much change on the outside.





soon to come is some real SS mirrors from summit, they should be in today so i took my door panels off in preparation.

not only did i take the door panels off, but i also cleaned them with armor all since they were dusty (first time taking them off). Even though you will never see it i still would like them to be clean underneath.





now I am going to get the mirrors painted but first i need to go to a couple of shops to get a quote on paint. if its over $120 or so then i will roll with black mirrors for awhile, either way they are 100X better than those DUMBO ears my truck has now.

Pic just for fun, 4th of July i put a smoke grenade in my bed and had a buddy take pics.




So that is my truck as of today and what i have done to it, im very proud of owning my truck and will keep modifying and adding things to it.

-Jonathan

[krayzkajun]

very clean!!

[Driveway Kustoms]

wow man clean truck, i have a lot of the same ideas, check out my thread [ProjecT] WhitE SheeP

[beandip]

I got my mirrors in

Installation took an hour mostly because my window bug deflector was under the mirror's base, a dremel with a cutoff wheel took care of that, now you cant even tell i cut the bug deflector.

I also went to get an estimate for painting them (at the dealership) Pewter and turned out to be about $50 or so. Im not in any rush so i guess i can roll with black mirrors for a month or two more.

Best part is now the wind doesnt blow in my face at all when i have the windows down, with the Dumbo ears i could never enjoy having my windows down, unless i folded the mirrors down.

So here are the pics

Excuse my truck, i work at night so i got bugs all over the windshield.

[AK49BWL]

I want your truck
except for the 2.2.. that I could do without

[blazerida88]

nice and clean






































except for the windshield

[Merritt]

i've already copied your truck with the tint, now i'm gonna have to steal your idea and cut the ventshade so it doesn't go under the mirror, the only thing your truck needs is some nice rims, it's so clean

nice work

[beandip]

NUUUuu sealing my ideas

here is a pic of how it looks, the ventshades were installed by the previous owner so they are a tiny bit off. (hardly noticeable) so the cuts were different on each side. the driver's side mirror needs to come up a 1/16" though for it to be perfect. i might just go outside to fix that because its bugging me but its really not a big deal. its still 100% better than having them go over the vent shades.

driver side


passenger side



well since the last pics i took wasnt so clean i got some new ones after a good wash.

[chevyguy]

clean truck

[beandip]

Small update, nothing big but i re-sanded down the ECU. last time i only had 800 grit with me and after polishing with a dremel it still had tiny scratches. this time i wet sanded with 1500 grit and it took care of that.


2 hours later and here is the finished product....almost. I still need to take the ECU out so i can polish the backside of it too, but for now its good enough.

I have to get some pics in the sunlight but these will do for now.




like i said small update, right now im mostly detailing the crap out of it. im not sure what im going to do next, if you guys have any ideas post them up

[lee-mill]

clean truck, bag it for the next project

[Tanner.]

i agree.

[rmoore911]

very nice and clean. . .i prefer the simply done trucks over the full on customs that i see threads on all of the time. . .

did you ever get that dent fixed in the bed of the truck?. . .some asshole put a dent like that in mine a couple years back, i've just been too cheap to fix mine. . .

[beandip]

Quote: Originally Posted by lee-mill

clean truck, bag it for the next project

Im debating if i should bag it or not, if its done right i wont have very many problems but as of now im lacking the money for it and im still thinking why should i? i know it will be fun but im not sure what my actual plans for this truck is going to be. what i do know is i want it to be a showroom detailed/clean truck but at the same time be a daily which i know those 2 dont go together very well.

Sometime in the future im planning on getting an envoy bumper, painted door handles and mirrors, fresh paint, billet grille, and a good set of 18" rims and thats pretty much all the visual add ons i will get unless i decide on something else. Interior is a different story and i have yet to decide what to do. I have ideas but they are not set in stone.

Quote: Originally Posted by rmoore911

did you ever get that dent fixed in the bed of the truck?. . .some asshole put a dent like that in mine a couple years back, i've just been too cheap to fix mine. . .

nope, for the 3.5 years i had this truck the dent is still there, sometime i am going to get it fixed but its not on top of my priority list, but first i need to get a quote to see how much it even is, then i will decide how soon i will get it fixed.

[kevdog]

I love the polished accessories under the hood! Awesome work man, I can remember when you first lowered it.

[OneLowSdime]

very clean bro

[yz85608]

u should put up a how 2 on the ECU
im working on mine right now

[beandip]

I will do a HOW-TO sometime but i have an update!!.....sorta


my flex pipe finally gave out, the connection between the flex pipe and flange was loose and was leaking and rattling so i went to get a new one installed (kept the old one too).

the new one i have is the redesigned one with the flex joint down by the starter. that was $150 i wasnt expecting to pay so there goes my plans on getting STS pulleys this week . i could get them anyways but this project is going to be slow and steady.

[2k2indigoxtreme]

Ya, id like to know how to polich out my ecu, thats a super nice looking addition

[sadistic2.2]

yes note on polishing ecu please

[beandip]

well if i do a HOW-TO i will need to include pics, since mine is already polished i cant do that but here is a quick write up. if i ever polish my friend's ECU then i will do an official HOW-TO with lots of pics.

1. Wet sand with 600-800 grit until the surface is smooth and free of all pits, using a Popsicle stick helps getting into tight corners.
2. Wet sand with 1500 grit
3. then polish with blue magic with a Dremel tool with a felt polishing wheel and this helps to get in the corners . you should be able to get the dremel polishing kit at walmart for about $10. you do not necessarily need to use a dremel but it makes the process soo much easier.
4. apply polish to the wheel, and the surface you are polishing.
5. polish with dremel
6. wipe down and repeat step 4 and 5..

That should get you started. Whenever i get the time i will also polish the thermostat housing and if im REALLY bored i will see if i can polish the transmission (if it can be polished) but all those corners are scaring me.

[yz85608]

wheres the thermostat housing?

[beandip]

Quote: Originally Posted by yz85608

wheres the thermostat housing?

Wow, you just read my mind.

well i will...

1. answer your question
2. show my update and answer that question


Today im off so i decided to do some more polishing . today's polished item is the Thermostat housing.

it didnt take long, maybe an hour. I just wet sanded with 1500 grit to get rid of all that crap that has accumulated over the years to make polishing easier then i broke out the trusty dremel tool.


(damn water spots on the ecu )




Oh yeah



up next is that damn valve cover. polishing it will be a PITA. I really dont feel like taking it off just to polish it but at the same time i really really want to. It depends on how much free time i have. i might just see if the throttle body will polish, if it does then thats going to be polished before the valve cover.


after the valve cover and throttle body gets polished i think thats about all i can polish under the hood, too bad the A/C compressor cant be polished

[yz85608]

u should see if the wiper motor can be polished.

[beandip]

Hmm, you mean the actual motor housing? or where it connects to? maybe both


well first i have to check if the housing is steel or not, i tested the part it connects to and it will polish. now i just need to take it out but it seems it would be a pain to do, but is possible.

I guess thats a project for next week because i have to go to work tonight (10pm-7am)

[Merritt]

Quote: Originally Posted by beandip

Hmm, you mean the actual motor housing? or where it connects to? maybe both


well first i have to check if the housing is steel or not, i tested the part it connects to and it will polish. now i just need to take it out but it seems it would be a pain to do, but is possible.

I guess thats a project for next week because i have to go to work tonight (10pm-7am)

Do you get an hour lunch? I work from 11-7:30 and they give us 30 minutes for lunch.

[beandip]

I haven't checked my thread in awhile....

yes i get a 1 hour lunch, but dont get paid for it.

today is my Friday night (technically since day=night for me) but im not sure what else i am going to do to my truck, on top of this its going to rain all week.

[ogb83]

nice clean truck! i have a question about your intake. i read your posts on it, but cant find it on ebay. i did find one similar to it tho, let me know if it is the same as yours. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...=p4506.c0.m245 it looks the same to me, besides the color.

[beandip]

Quote: Originally Posted by ogb83

nice clean truck! i have a question about your intake. i read your posts on it, but cant find it on ebay. i did find one similar to it tho, let me know if it is the same as yours. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__99-04-CHEVY-S10-PICKUP-BLAZER-2-2L-4CYL-COLD-AIR-INTAKE_W0QQitemZ360095032251QQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20Truc kQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewI tem?hash=item360095032251&_trkparms=72%3A543%7C39% 3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245 it looks the same to me, besides the color.

yes its the same one but different color.


also while im here, im getting my tailgate shaved tomorrow (handle relocator should be here tomorrow from SD), pics soon to come.

[beandip]

Well i got some work done on the tailgate today, the guy with the welder wasn't at his house so we couldn't borrow his welder so i have to wait till tomorrow.

The kit was from SD and fits perfectly

instead i installed the handle relocator and rattle can'd it flat black (only temporary because i may be getting a spray in bed liner)

sorry for the cell phone pics, i forgot my camera at home. (not bad if i say so myself)

Here it is cut out




Installed
I may pop rivet the relocator in place, should i or leave the screws? a small problem i had was the driver's side latch would not retract as much as the other side, well i bent the rod inside the tailgate slightly making it shorter and now both rods fully retract.


scratched up in this pic but i repainted it.



and just for fun i mocked up the filler plate with a magnet, funny thing is the filler plate is raw steel yet it blends in well.

[orangesonoma]

man this thing is screaming for some 20 inch chrome iroc wheels!

clean .. i like how you are doing the polising work..looks good

[Woody22]

Quote: Originally Posted by orangesonoma

man this thing is screaming for some 20 inch chrome iroc wheels!

clean .. i like how you are doing the polising work..looks good

haha i agree with the iroc idea. would look sick.

[fluX]

Thing is clean man!

[beandip]

Also forgot to add it to my project thread but i obtained some ZQ8 swaybars for $100 at a local yard.

handling was improved like day and night. i also got some poly endlink bushings with the new swaybar, old ones were 116K old.

I really want to re-do the frame sometime, i dont like the look of frame and want it flat black or glossy. i may just re-coat it after i strip the old stuff off with a power washer. this truck has never seen salt though .



Rear sway bar of course, i have it perfectly centered and when i mean perfect, i mean it. i really need new shocks though, what i have on there now is monroe sens-a-crap shocks. DT shocks soon to come.

[beandip]

i finally got it done.

A buddy of mine did the welding but i did the body work.

honesty for the first time ever sanding bondo i did a good job, the tailgate didnt warp and is completely smooth even when you hold it up to a florescent light.

everything was sanded down to factory primer/metal.

not many progress pics though (meh cell phone pics)


first layer of bondo, still rough and alot of sanding to do.



getting better but still more sanding to do and i need to get that bondo away from the clear coat.




This is how im rolling now, i kinda got carried away with the primer but i dont want to roll around with scratches everywhere. it really doesnt matter im getting the whole gate painted. I still have to take the relocation handle off and spray on the backside of the filler plate to prevent rust.

when i get the tailgate painted most likely the mirrors and door handles will get painted as well.

(i hate cell phone pics in low light)

[minitrkingking]

I really didn't know that stuff could be polished but it looks awsome. How did you wet sand the ecu? Did you have to take it out and does water hurt it? I am just kinda worried because I've already fried one with a power cable and they're hard to find.

[beandip]

Quote: Originally Posted by minitrkingking

I really didn't know that stuff could be polished but it looks awesome. How did you wet sand the ecu? Did you have to take it out and does water hurt it? I am just kinda worried because I've already fried one with a power cable and they're hard to find.

just get some 800 grit and sand it with water. get a spray bottle and mist over the metal. (refer to post #21 for more info)


the ECU should be water sealed so you shoudnt have a problem. i left mine in while i polished it but i need to take it out to fully polish it.

[beandip]

well, Do over time. the guy who welded up my tailgate also spread a layer of body filler for me, little did i know he spread it over the clear coat (scratched up). i figured it out after i remember i did not further sand it down after he welded it nor did i remember him doing it.

so i took everything down back to the original filler plate, and yes bare metal all around. i re-spread the body filler and waiting to go back to start sanding.

like i said i hate doing things half-ass.

[Merritt]

Quote: Originally Posted by beandip

like i said i hate doing things half-ass.

I like your attitude!

[Buddha..]

You know an E-fan would look good in there...

[HofinaterSS]

i gotta try to mount my rear sway bar like that. mine rubs the shocks..

[Merritt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Buddha..

You know an E-fan would look good in there...

x2

[rockyroad217]

wow i missed this thread..trucks nice and clean man..how much you charge? lol

[beandip]

Quote: Originally Posted by rockyroad217

wow i missed this thread..trucks nice and clean man..how much you charge? lol

how much i charge to clean it? bout' tree fiddy



Well, i dropped the tailgate off to a local paint shop yesterday, $250 to get it painted, not bad i guess. today around 4:00 PM im going to pic it up and have pics later.

while waiting for the tailgate i rewired my headlights with 10 gauge wiring and all i can say is WOW! i didnt do my high beams but damn my low beams are soo bright now, even brighter than my high beams. next week i may do the high beams but since most of my driving is at night i can really take full advantage of my silverstars.

of course ALL connections were crimped then soldered, then heat shrinked for a reliable setup. right now i accidently did the quad beam mod , i guess im suppose to ground the negative from the factory low beam headlight wires to get them to switch off when i turn on my high beams on.

so as of now, when i turn my high beams on the low beams stay on, really its no problem since the low beams are using the relay harness i made and the high beams use the stock wiring (for now). i hardly use my high beams anyways.

also i had a little trouble getting the relay to work. its funny really because i left my driver side untouched and i half ass rigged the wiring just to test the relay harness, i heard the relay clicking but the driver side didnt turn on?? well turns out my silverstar just happend to go out . it was over a year and a hafl old so i had to run to the auto store to get another. if you look at this pic below you can barely see where the filiment broke.

all in all this mod didnt cost much and improved lighting greatly, i recommend everyone getting rid of that crappy stock wiring.

Items bought
Self tapping screws $1.79
2x 8ft 10 gauge yellow wire $4.99
8ft 10 gauge black wire $4.99
2x Terminal ring (pack) $4.99
30 A inline fuse holder $2.99
Bosch type relay $3

Total $27.74

Beefy wiring , when the HOW-TO said the stock wiring can be used for bread ties they were not kidding.




Here is where the filament broke, when my passenger side blew 4 months ago the whole filament melted. big pic but i re-sized the crap out of it. i love my camera, here is the full un-resized version if your want to see a Silverstar bulb up close.

Click for full sized version---> http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...-bulb-HUGE.jpg

[yz85608]

so did u ever see if the wiper motor can be polished?

[beandip]

Quote: Originally Posted by yz85608

so did u ever see if the wiper motor can be polished?

Sorry, never got around to seeing if it can be polished. though i am going to take off the throttle body to give it a good cleaning as well as seeing if it could be polished which i believe it can be.

[AK49BWL]

doin hella nice on this project.. needs a new page tho, so many images the page jumps all over the place until it's loaded

[beandip]

Quote: Originally Posted by AK49BWL

doin hella nice on this project.. needs a new page tho, so many images the page jumps all over the place until it's loaded

that is what the esc key is for lol. But yes a new page would be nice.

[PurplDodge]

Quote: Originally Posted by beandip

Sorry, never got around to seeing if it can be polished. though i am going to take off the throttle body to give it a good cleaning as well as seeing if it could be polished which i believe it can be.

it can be polished, but i woldnt do it with the stock one. go and get a pontiac quad 4 throttle body

[01cherryreds10]

I never thought how well upgrading the headlight wire size would also decrease the resistance and actually show a noticeable difference. Good thing you did it because now I want to do it!