Hey guys,

I've got a 3.0L v6 extra cab pickup. In this thread I will document the build out. Here is my list of potential upgrades:

- 2 way car alarm with remote start
- power window conversion
- power door lock conversion
- stereo upgrades (mids/subs, bluetooth, etc)
- tube front bumper
- rock rails
- tube rear bumper

Here's how it looked when I bought it:

 

You had me at power door lock conversion.

I like manual everything else but power door locks are just one of those things I want. I find that I just dont lock my doors when I have to do t manually. But with tube doors on for most of the summer anyways I'm not really worried about it for now.

 

My truck came with manual windows, but one of the window regulators was broken, so I decided to swap in power window regulators. While I had the door ripped apart, I wired in some power door lock solenoids too.

I got the window regulators with the motors from rockauto.com for about $80 a piece.

Wiring the driver circuit for the motors takes 4 relays, one for each direction (up and down) on each window (drivers and passengers). I used two single pole double throw switches to flip each relay. Here is a picture of the relays to drive the windows wired up:




For the door locks I used 2 relays, one to lock both doors and one to unlock both doors. Here is the relay block with all six relays for driving power windows and power locks:




I had to cut away some metal inside the door and bolt on a mounting bracket to hold the door lock solenoids. I paid $40 for each one from a local stereo shop. Here it is mounted in the door:





And a closeup of how it drives the locking mechanism up and down:




And to control the door locks, I got a Python 5904P 2 way car alarm:

 

Started building out some tube rock rails. There will be 5 spuds on each side supporting the base rail, and a second tube with more spuds will be welded off that one.

Here are some before pictures of the frame








Started by grinding away the paint on the frame for the placement of the 5 plates on each side that the spuds will be welded to







Here are the front and rear spuds installed








And here is a shot of the base tube welded to the front and rear spuds

 

Nice truck you have there. Are you going to install any after market bumpers?

 

Janos01, thanks for the question, I didn't want to post them here because I posted them in another thread a couple days ago, but I guess it makes sense to keep them in the build thread.

I did a tube bumper that can be bolted on, will probably redo the same design with some thicker tubes to match the rock rails.

Here is the base for the bumper



You can see it hugs the driving lights



Added some side supports



And a hoop for the radiator, as well as a hoop for the rigid light bar




Because the stock turn signals were in the original bumper that was removed, I added some 12v amber LED strips to the backs of the support tubes for turn signals

 

Nice work. I really like the LED light strips for the the turn signals. I'm stink at wiring but would love to know how you set that up.

 

Sick man. I wish I had the time to make some for my 92. Trucks clean man. If you're close to az lol I want that bumper!

 

Thanks man, the wiring is actually really simple to do if you get LEDs rated for 12 volts. I got a 4 pack on amazon of 12 inch amber 12 volt LED strips for $12. If you get LEDs rated for 12 volts, you don't have to wire any resistors, the LEDs will wire directly into the power lines from the turn signal. I just turned the turn signals on and used a multimeter to figure out which wire was positive and negative, then crimped the LED strip directly to the wires.







Later on I'll probably drill some holes into the tubes and wire brighter LEDs, but I feel better driving around now with working turn signals.

 

Thanks man. Luckily, I happen to be located in phoenix. If you want one we can work something out, I'm already building two more for other people. Let me know.

 

Very nice Truck you have there. Every time I see a 3rd gen.....it makes me miss all the ones I used to own.

Nice job on the wiring for the Regs and Locks. I used to have PWR windows but got rid of them. Funny how some people want/like different things.


I like how you have the sliders hugging the body. Very nice and tight.


Lookin good.

 

Solid Axle Acquired. Its off an 85 so it has the factory lower gusset. Should be a fun swap.

 

Cutting off all the extra brackets









For the steering stops, I followed Wheelie Pete's bombproof steering stops guide:


and placed 15/16" nuts inside the stops and filled it up with welds. Then welded a plate onto the top and bottom of the steering stops



Now its ready for a top gusset

 

what size tires and lift were on here when you bought it?

 

Pretty sure that's stock height and 31x10.50r15 tires..

 

Coloyota1023 nailed it, stock suspension on 31s.

 

Upper gusset front plate tacked on



top and back plate tacked on



Closeup showing how thick the top plate is



Upper gusset welded up

 

CB Radio Install

Using a midland 1001LWX, I installed it into the ash tray area, it fits nicely.




I used an 18 foot antenna cable and soldered the connector on after I had run the cable through to the antenna mount





I ran the cable under the carpet to the storage compartment under the rear seat, and looped up the extra cable there





I routed the cable out through the rubber plug in the back of the cab and snaked it between the cab and the bed through a hole I drilled in the back of the bed





And finally to the antenna mount that I drilled directly through the bed liner

 

Progress looks awesome! Great Job. Big fan of your build.

 

Red, I dunno if you got my message..I work off 83rd ave and bell in Peoria