99 Silverado - Project "Dumpster" Update 7-15-2013 "De-dumpsterfied"

[mrclean]

I figured I most as well post this here to if anything give all you some laughs . This isn't a high $$$ build, it isn't a super nice build, but it should be interesting. My plan is this: build a truck I can use to haul things with during the week, have fun driving/playing with on the street on the weekends. I've seen a few different builds of these trucks online and it seems pretty cool in theory. I'm starting with a 99 Silverado reg. cab short bed 2wd with a 4.8L and auto trans. Everything is bone stock and the drivetrain is in good shape. The body however is not . The only straight panel is the tailgate . First things are to take care of some of the easier fixes to make it a little more enjoyable to drive. Next I will be concentrating on the body and panel replacements. Somewhere along the way I will be looking into programmers, exhaust, intake, and other hop ups along the way. Any advice that you guys might have on what are good for performance upgrades I greatly welcome. In hindsight I would have chosen a truck with a better body but the price was right on this thing and this is what I have to work with now.

The pictures below are what it looked like when I first bought it. Since then I have replaced the wheels/tires to all the same kind/size, replaced the grille and broken lights, and replaced the broken rear taillights with 03+ silverado taillights. Also, the right front wheel now longer leans.

Lastly, the "dumpster" name comes from the fact that the previous owner said that the kid he got the truck from literally hit everything with this truck. The last "big" thing he hit was a parked car and then a dumpster. Being that the truck looks like it belongs in a dumpster, thus the name.

First day




What it looks like now:

[KORNBREAD]

Looking a lot better already.

[burl]

flatbed it!

[Newbie]

Nice! Good luck with build!

[mrclean]

Well it looks like this project is taking just a little change of direction.  2 days ago I ended up buying a 99 GMC Sierra Reg. Cab step-side box with a 5.3 in it with a better body and more options.  This will save me a TON of work.  Quick stats: 99 Sierra with 5.3, auto, PW,PL, Cruise, AC, Trailering Package, etc.  Runs and drives great.  It needs a drivers fender, hood, Grille, Headlight, and bumper.  Besides that, the body is pretty nice.

Current Pixs:

[BUDGETBOGGER03]

clean truck

[mrclean]

Well I know it's been a while since I updated this and I'm sorry (life threw me some curve balls).  Above is how the truck looks today.  It's now my daily driver/street toy/hauler.  I pretty much went through the truck front to rear. New front bumper, hood, grille, lights, driver's fender, mirrors, both window regulators, gutted the interior (SUPER NASTY inside), blower resistor, radio, etc.  The outside was treated to new brakes, u-joints, and 06 Yukon wheels/tires.  I literally finished it up 2 weeks ago right before a 3 hour trip to Lewiston while hauling a quad.  It did great!  I pulled down 20-22mpg on the trip.  All in all I'm very happy with it.  I have a programmer for it that is next on the install list as well as some new exhaust.  Clean up the body and I'm calling it done.