Project Progress: 88 StX 4x4 w/ Buick 3.8Turbo powerplant swap

[Uncle Gump]

Man... I was beaten and bruised when I put VW cylinder heads in the dish washer. I can't imagine what the wife woulda done if I used the couch as a work bench.

Looks good...

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

Man... I was beaten and bruised when I put VW cylinder heads in the dish washer. I can't imagine what the wife woulda done if I used the couch as a work bench.

Looks good...

Just placed on the couch to take pics. The wife is currently upstairs sewing his seat covers using Eddie Bauer seats as the basis. (Has no idea the AC tubes went thru the dishwasher last week.) He has interior parts on the dining room table, kitchen table & living room floor. I have wiring harnesses on the floor in the basement. It's currently 18deg F outside and the truck is in the driveway. Thanks for the praise- he's worked hard on this

 

[Roert42]

Man... I was beaten and bruised when I put VW cylinder heads in the dish washer. I can't imagine what the wife woulda done if I used the couch as a work bench.

Looks good...

First time the wife came to my house when we were dating, had half a Chevy 3800 on the kitchen table using an old pizza box to catch the oil, other half was on a tarp on the floor.

For whatever reason she didn’t runaway screaming.


Not much out there with more will power then 17 year old with driver’s license and no wheels.

One brother spent the whole summer trying to get that old 3800 back together. Other one spent the summer stripping a truck to the frame to weld up the rust.


This is an awesome project. Sure it will turn out cool.

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

First time the wife came to my house when we were dating, had half a Chevy 3800 on the kitchen table using an old pizza box to catch the oil, other half was on a tarp on the floor.

For whatever reason she didn’t runaway screaming.


Not much out there with more will power then 17 year old with driver’s license and no wheels.

One brother spent the whole summer trying to get that old 3800 back together. Other one spent the summer stripping a truck to the frame to weld up the rust.


This is an awesome project. Sure it will turn out cool.

He has wheels- my peg-leg 94 Dakota Club Cab Sport- but it isn't a Finger Lakes Friendly winter truck.

 

[Danny74]

He has wheels- my peg-leg 94 Dakota Club Cab Sport- but it isn't a Finger Lakes Friendly winter truck.

Finger lakes? Howdy neighbor Southern tiere guy right here.

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

Howdy,m Danny74! I grew up in Montrose, but live in Stroudsburg, PA. Our son is at Ithaca College now.

 

[bobbywalter]

Howdy,m Danny74! I grew up in Montrose, but live in Stroudsburg, PA. Our son is at Ithaca College now.

damn....i am in montrose all the time.

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

More progress toward a March '24 deadline goal when my Dakota runs out of inspection: Pictures below

Interior & Engine assembly moving along.
Carpet just laid out to 'relax' from the shipping box= not fitted yet. We have to locate the shifter and 4wd selector lever locations to start.

Seat covers are coming along- the top of the driver's is finished and pic will come soon.

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

Current status- just a little crampled..... Plumbing and front brakes today!

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

Current status- just a little crampled..... Plumbing and front brakes today!

brake lines, D-Block, Bled & Brakes are DONE!

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

Transfer case rebuilt, sealed, installed. Fuel feed lines and filter installed. Seats being assembled w/ custom (-mom- sewn) Faux- Leather & Demim covers and heated panels.

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

Transfer case rebuilt, sealed, installed. Fuel feed lines and filter installed. Seats being assembled w/ custom (-mom- sewn) Faux- Leather & Demim covers and heated panels.

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

Registered today to HOPEFULLY have this running and inspected to join the TRS crew at the Carlisle All Truck Nationals...
Also insured and has PA plates now- Just gotta finish and inspect it next week....
Fingers crossed....

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

Well, Electrical issues have kept us driveway bound. Still working thru those challenges, but about 95% bolted together as of now.
Updated pictures:

 

[HadASplash/XLTSC]

Had to take a pair of small breaks to travel south to visit family- Updated progress:

Brand new windsheild for PA inspection is installed, but we Have some electrical issues right now. No horn, Dome light, front turn signals or running lights in the valence (might be an LED issue there) and only fender running lights (no side turn signals). Engine turns over, sometimes. Still working on grafting the GM HEI/Ignition into the FORD harness. It HAS Brake lights, taillights, headlights, fogs & rear Hazzard lights. Posted in the 2.9 Engine forum on a trio of 'unconnected wires' in the harness by the driver's firewall....

Gotta get this electrical finished up by the 22nd so he can get it inspected and take it to the Finger Lakes of NY when he goes back to college 8/24 (NO pressure....)