This thread will document the modifications, updates and general information of my newest vehicle build.

I picked the truck up Saturday December 22nd, about a 200 mile drive each way from my house. I had been searching for nearing a year and had hit the point I was starting to make compromises just to get started on a build. I went and looked at a couple of compromise trucks, and luckily they were all in fairly poor shape, so I didn't buy any of them.

Last week I randomly stumbled upon the exact truck I had been looking for the whole time. I went and took a look at it and after a little negotiation, took it home.

The details are as follows:
2003 Silverado 1500 RCSB W/T
Olympic White Exterior
Dark Charcoal Interior
5.3L Engine
2WD

The miles are high, but that was kind of the idea as the goal is to eventually replace about everything in the truck. Everything runs as it should and after a little bit of love it will look good as new. That is when the fun parts will start making their way onto the truck.

The first plans are:
Deep Cleaning.
Remove Vinyl, badges, moldings.
Remove all traces of bed cover.
Paint Touch-Ups, etc.

Now, onto pictures. First things first, let me say I will be removing the hideous vinyl decals as soon as I find a few spare moments.

Right after the 200+ mile drive home, excuse the dirt.

 

What's the plans?

 

For now, get a 4L80 swapped in with a nice converter and throw some boost at the stock motor. Will probably start with a Magnum 76. I will start building a 370 so when the stock 5.3 goes I can swap in the 370 and will probably go S480.

Wanting to just start with a decent power (600ish) street truck that will launch like a monster.

 

You need to keep the vinyl decals man! Those are DOPE

What are you doing with the exterior besides what you listed? Stock exterior sleeper? Should be a fun build! GL

 

I also plan to change out the front bumper, put a roll pan on the rear, matching white spray in bed liner. Not relly "exterior" changes, but I also plan to change the wheels and do a 2/4 drop.

 

Well, the original plan for the night was to get home from work and start to work pulling the decals, badges, etc. Our Subaru decided to have a tire problem, so that didn't pan out. By the time I got home, I only had the time and motivation for a small project. So that leads us to this post.

I had some left over matte black vinyl from a previous project and my front bowtie was in need of some love. Not to mention how hideous gold badges are in my opinion. So I got started.

Badge still in the grill:


A few of my supplies:


Sanded down with 1500 grit and rinsed with denatured alcohol:


All wrapped up:


I got it all buttoned up and put back on the truck. It looks good and adds a little bit of pop to the front in my opinion. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of it back on the truck, but I will try to snap one tomorrow.

 

I agree 100%!!!

 

I keep telling you man, we will peel them off mine and slap them right on the side of your Camaro. No charge!

 

Nothing major happening yet. Hoping to get some stuff done this weekend. I did go ahead ans schedule a dyno next Thursday so I can get a baseline for the build. So look forward to those earth shattering numbers and possibly video.

However, picking up a few small maintanence parts tonight. Intermediate shaft, Plugs, Fuel Filter. So there will be some pics of progress on that. I am also planning to get those awful decals pulled and maybe a little bit of paint correction work done.

 

should be another cool turbo project added to the site. always look forward to these threads.