Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

So I wanted an extra truck to try to save some of the wear and tear on my 2005 GMC sierra. I found this rough 1992 k1500 shortbed 5 speed on craigslist one day for $700, emailed the owner and eventually had a call back. I found out the truck was in running and moving condition, supposedly had the motor rebuilt at some point in its life, and some sort of transmission work. I never believe the stories.

So I went to look at the truck, found it in ROUGH shape. bald front tires, pitman arm DEATH wobble, dash in 25 pieces in the bed with wiring everywhere, window regulators messed up and left down in the rain so the interior and carpet stank. Worked a deal a good bit lower than the asking price and I drove the truck home with no dash and seat that weren't bolted down.

So I've had the truck for about a month now working on it when I get time/space. So far I've replaced a few body panels as well as the dash and seat with used junkyard units. Converted to a bench seat in the process. Repaired the headlight switch wiring, replaced the pitman arm, and done a lot of pressure washing/cleaning. Right now I sit with right around $700 invested total. Time to start having some fun.

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

More pics:
1. nasty carpet before pressure washing
2.. crunchy fender
3... front end with 2wd suburban bumper grille and lower valence with cutouts for towhooks
4.... First test drive and wheeling session :ww:


The plan from here is continue to redo the suspension and fix wiring and do loads of maintenance, 3" body lift, build some tube bumpers, budget paint job, etc. stay tuned!

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Nice work! Should make a good truck.

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Nice progress, looking forward to following along.

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Thanks Gentleman! I'm having alot of fun with it so far.

Big Daddy Bear i read through your W/T thread the other day and subbed as well! should be a fun build!

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

I think it will be too, but it is going to be a slow build as time permits. Until I can get it broken down enough to move inside my small work area, I have to work around the weather as well, glad summer is coming!

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

I couldn't have said it better myself. I currently live in a townhouse with HOA and havent had a shop to work on my bikes and trucks out of for about 2 months now, so I work on them in my 2 designated parking spots and grin at the glares from my neighbors :smoke:

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Cool project and you have an awesomely low buy in price to boot! I'm looking forward to the transformation!

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Thanks mingoman!

haven't got much done on the truck this week between work and rain everyday, but managed to get some new turn signal/running lights in! they're plug and play LED lookalikes

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Another fun little update:
found a light bar with 4 lights on facebook for $25! slid it in to test fit and it fits great! pretty stoked, i've been wanting one since i got the truck since i felt like it would complete the look, and finally found one that wasnt $250! onto the pics:

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Truck is looking good.

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

I like the rollbar and lights. Looks like the truck from urban cowboy

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Recently i've found some more time to work on the blue truck, and suffered some more setbacks. Got a set of used tires for the front, made a new side exit exhaust, put in some new radiator hoses, belts, etc. Then I took the truck to emissions and, surprise it failed.


So, aside from a new cat, what else can I do to get this truck to pass emissions? I was thinking rebuild the throttle body, new fuel filter, regulator, etc. Appreciate everyones feedback here please!

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

What did it fail emissions for?

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Fresh plugs, wires, air filter, set the timing to stock spec, etc. make sure the basic tune up stuff is fresh. Check that the air filter pre-heater is connected and working. If it has air injection, make sure it is hooked up and working. Put a fresh tank of gas in it. Check that the stock 195 degree thermostat is installed. Go drive it for a good 30 min before taking it to test to make sure everything nice and hot. The catalytic converter has to be hot to work. If you have to wait in line for 15-20 min to test, everything cools back down, so try to go when they aren't busy and you can get right in.

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

On the right track here. Burn the gas as completely as possible to lower emissions. Replace distributor cap and rotor too. And probably the coil. Use low octane fuel for the test.

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

awesome. Thanks for the nudge in the right direction. I've got some parts on the way, will update you guys when progress comes!

Re: Betty the Budget 4x4 92 RCSB
 

Well she passed!

I put a new rotor, cap, wires, plugs, and cat on the truck, timed her up, and she passed emissions with flying colors so we're legal in the sense that we have tags now! just no headlights or brake lights :lol:

So that leads me to our next Saga of repair: the lighting circuit.

i've replaced the headlight switch and the wiring going to it. There appears to be power here. I've also checked at the stop fuse, power here as well, and the brake light switch seems to be functioning properly too. I can get the high beams and parking lamps to come on, as well as the parking lamps and the license plate lamps in the rear. I'm pretty stumped here, so could anyone give me a diagnostic procedure here to help me figure out what my issue is?

lastly: can anyone ID this plug under the dash?