The Grinch

13982 Views 152 Replies 25 Participants Last post by Mostizzle, Jan 19, 2015

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · Nov 9, 2012

Just like the title states, I don't even have the dime yet, but I'm hoping to be able to tell everyone that I was able to pick it up and start driving it by this time next week.

I'm trading an 84 El Camino with a 350 and a 350 turbo tranny for a 98 reg cab short bed dime with a 2.2. The main reason for the trade is that I need something that is fairly decent for my commute of 80 miles one way. I don't drive the Elky, and my K1500 is killing me in fuel cost.

As the truck is right now, everything is stock. It has a few dents and dings from abuse in the dark green paint and the engine has well over 200k on it. It will probably need a freshening up pretty soon, but I know for a fact that it has a new thermostat and radiator in it. The tranny has the, as far as I know, normal in and out of overdrive issue when at speed, so I'm pretty sure that is going to have to be attended too pretty quick.

Plans for the build will be to lower it either 2/3 or 3/3, depending on where it sits when I get it. I'm probably going to run a set of early ZQ8 wheels, like the ones on the Camaros, until I can find a set of smoothies with white walls. Coker tires has a set with trim rings, caps, wheels, and 2" www for less than $2000, but that will be a ways down the road.

A set of cavi seats with a console will probably be added at some point.
Possibly a flat black paint job with some red and white pin stripping.

This will be a long process for me as this will be a commuter truck, and the fact that I have 2 kids with one more on the way will take up a lot of my time and money, so bear with me. Attaining parts will be another big hurtle for me, unless my rich uncle gets out of the poor house sometime soon.

I'll post pics of the dime as it sits as soon as the title is transferred to me.

So let the work and comments begin.

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plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #2 · Nov 29, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

I was finally able to get the 98 dime this past Sunday. It's definitely not a looker by any stretch of the imagination, but it's a place to start.

192,000 miles on the little tutu. Transmission has a little funky thing going on that causes it to feel like it's slipping out of OD while at cruising speed, but it gets me to and from where I'm going.

Here are a few pics from Monday after getting all the legal smegal stuff out of the way. Nothing was done to it these pics other than removing the diamond plate tool box from the bed.

So far the only thing that I've been able to do to it, due to time and money, is to put the rear view mirror back on and start debadging. I've been able to get the LS badges off, but before I go much further, I'm going to have to get an eraser wheel.

I have a set of leather blazer seats coming soon for the low, low cost of FREE, to replace the worn out 60/40 stockers. The biggest problem with the blazer seats is that they are tan and don't have a console.

Does anyone know if a set of 95 blazer seats will bolt directly in to a 98 dime with a 60/40 split?

Feel free to chime in with comments and suggestions.

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11

ahelm3

· #3 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

Sooooo Project: I already have a truck now.

They should bolt in but you're gonna have to weld two more studs for your passenger seat.

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

ahelm3 said:
Sooooo Project: I already have a truck now.

They should bolt in but you're gonna have to weld two more studs for your passenger seat.

Is that because they will be in the wrong place or for some other reason?

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

ahelm3 said:
Sooooo Project: I already have a truck now.

They should bolt in but you're gonna have to weld two more studs for your passenger seat.

Oh, and by the way, you're noma is close to the look that I'm looking at for mine.

ahelm3

· #6 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

Thanks man. But ignore what I said. I'm confusing my truck (original bench) and my dads (60/40) that have both had buckets in them. You should be able to bolt buckets in.

Slowlowandbangin

· #7 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

replace those door pins and bushings! that looks terrible lol

nice starting point, good luck

556mm

· #8 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

Looks like a nice starting point. Good luck with it and welcome to the site.

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

Nitemare said:
replace those door pins and bushings! that looks terrible lol

nice starting point, good luck

Thanks and they are already on the list. Probably going to pick them up today when I get the tranny filter and fluid.

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

556mm said:
Looks like a nice starting point. Good luck with it and welcome to the site.

Thanks.

I've been on here for a little over a month, picking up tips and tricks, learning a little over that time, and occasionally helping out where I can.

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

My next question to anyone is, is there a way to dye a set of blazer seat graphite to match my interior without going to somewhere like leatherique. I don't have the money right now for that, and I picked up the leather buckets today for free, but they are tan.

Slowlowandbangin

· #12 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

i would sell the tan seats and buy the correct color.

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

That will probably be the way I go. I've been searching all over and to have them recovered is way more than I want or need to spend, and dying them seems to be out of the question too.

Slowlowandbangin

· #14 · Nov 30, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

i got a set of cavalier seats for 90$ at my local yard. seat brackets were not a direct bolt on for me though, my 60/40 seat brackets required me to cut them up and weld them in some spots.

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 20, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

Well, I traded the blazer seats for a set of zq8 wheels, so now I'm looking to go a different route with the seats. I also picked up a set of 3" Belltech blocks with u bolts for $20. Now I'm trying to work.out a purchase of drop spindles from a fellow forum member.

Here's a pic with the wheels installed.

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Rain37

· #16 · Dec 22, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

Looks good. Keep up the good work. Should look sweet once you lower it.

s10kid17

· #17 · Dec 22, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

should look real nice when its lowered

blake293209

· #18 · Dec 23, 2012

Re: Project: Don't even have the truck yet.

plskthompson said:
Well, I traded the blazer seats for a set of zq8 wheels

:tup:
Awesome trade I would say.

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jan 10, 2013

Well, this past Saturday I finally got the trans re-installed and I must say it drives so much better. Using my 1/2 ton to drive to and from work took all the extra money I had for the week, but it has been worth it.

Sorry for the lack of updates to the guys that are following this but with a baby on the way that is taking precedence over the truck.

Sent from my Desire HD using AutoGuide.Com Free App

plskthompson

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 15, 2013

I went the jy today looking for an entry seat track for my full size and had no luck, so I walked around in the rain for an hour. I did pick up a pair of RF Punch P162Cs and a left tail light before I left though.

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