My New 88 Crew Cab

[blazing816]

Well it finally happen bought me a Square Crew Cab. It is a 88 3/4ton 2wd with 350, th400, 4.56 gears. But it will soon be going under the knife. I have to decide where I want to go with it. Was going to convert it to 4x4 but might just wait and do that as a separate project because if I o a crew 4x4 it will have a Duramax and Allison in it.

So when it goes under the knife it will be getting a Gen IV 5.3L and a 6l80e tranny. Converting the rear end to 3.73 and keeping the whole thing 3/4ton. May lower a little or might leave it where it is (already level right now) since it is a 3/4ton. Probably converting it to short bed, which I personally like the long beds, but for a 2wd and something I will not be keeping forever (so building it to sell better) and most people cannot get enough of the crew short bed. And of course all new interior, will have captain chairs with jump seat/console in front and probably new back seat. Got to find four power doors, because roll up windows in a crew is no fun. I want to keep stock gauges and everything to look stock with "hidden upgrades". It will be a SLOW build as I have a 8 month old and a new promotion at work.

But let me know what you think and any ideas, can never have enough ideas. Thanks.

Day after I bought it, but on my cover and rims and tires (tires on it were the worst dry rot I had ever seen and still holding air).


Engine how a bought it, valve cover had to breathers and no oil baffles and was spraying oil out like crazy when pressurized.


Change valve covers to some with baffles and added a PCV valve:


And fix the front brakes, both calipers seized, no pad left and inner part of disc was about as thick as an envelope:

[LTZ C20]

Nice! What company did you use for the front brake parts?

[blazing816]

All came from NAPPA, I can look and see what company I used, do not remember.

[LTZ C20]

Ok. I was just curious, they look good in the pictures, I need to do mine soon.

[roundhouse]

Replace the rubber flex hoses too

They swell up inside with old age


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[LTZ C20]

Roundhouse, yea I knew that, I was just curious as to what brands makes a product that is good quality for these trucks. I know some products are better than others depending on where they came from.

In his picture, the pads and rotor appear to be of good quality.

[blazing816]

Yeah if you know your RPO code for brakes take it with you. There were 3 different type of brakes on these 88 r20 and got wrongs one the first had to exchange them. I thought they looked good too, but for these truck I have been going more and more to NAPPA cause they seem to still be able to get good parts for these. Mind you I need to get new dust caps....put it all back together and said, "well that looks like shoot now." But easy fix.

[blazing816]

This is kind of the look I am going for (not my truck):


I was originally thinking about dropping it 2/4 but I want to keep it a 3/4ton so I do not think it would look right, so think I am going to save my money and put it towards the 5.3L and 6l80e and conversion to short box (since that is what most people want in a 2wd crew). Because once I find the right priced 4x4 Crew here in the snow belt or get another 2wd crew and convert it (which will probably be the way I go because I plan on use non-stock axles anyways), then this baby will be moving on.

[zieg85]

nice find, especially in your neck of the woods

[blazing816]

Yeah that is why I jumped on it, got it for $1500 and only has clear coat peel, not really any rust. Just need to make it a little more highway/daily friendly, 3-speeds and 4.56 gears just do not cut it for highway or even daily roads out by me that are 55 (or if you ask locals 65).

[zieg85]

My extended cab has the same, I hate driving it over 45

[LTZ C20]

That red one looks great, simple and clean.

[blazing816]

That red one looks great, simple and clean.

Exactly why I save photo. It is what I want mine to look like, simple clean and dang near original on the outside. Then have the reliability and performance of newer engine and tranny hiding under the hood.

[blazing816]

Nice! What company did you use for the front brake parts?

These are the calipers (just got mine without pads, could find that part number):
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Caliper-w-Pads-Hardware-Left-Front-Remfd/_/R-CTS1422072M_0487442364

Pads for sure, ultra-premiums:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Pads-Front-Ultra-Premium-OE-Semi-Metallic/_/R-RBPUP728AM_0319806980

Hub/Rotor assembly:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Rotor-Hub-Assy-Front-Premium/_/R-NB_4885679_0148362676

[LTZ C20]

Not bad at all. I'm going for a somewhat similar look but kinda different. Those brake parts looks pretty good, thanks for the link. I'm also considering switching to hydraboost.