1992 K2500 Overland Work Truck Build

[duckarolltape]

testing

 

[duckarolltape]

I just picked up a new to me 1992 k2500 with a NV4500 transmission and SBC 350, so i figured that i should start a build thread to keep me motivated and maybe learn something from all of you. I don't have any good photos of it yet… sorry. Tomorrow when i get the new 255/85r16 KM2s installed ill make sure that i share the love.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Sounds like an interior swap from a 95-99 is in order, the earlier interiors are just plain blah. I miss my 95 k2500 diesel.

 

[duckarolltape]

Lol. I never thought in a million years I would say this, but.... it's kinda growing on me. I found a touch screen that will fit on the factory stereo location, so I won't need to relocate the deck into the center of the dash. Besides. There are a million little things I need to do before I do a dash swap

 

[duckarolltape]

I just picked up a new to me 1992 k2500 with a NV4500 transmission and SBC 350, so i figured that i should start a build thread to keep me motivated and maybe learn something from all of you. I don’t have any good photos of it yet… sorry. Tomorrow when i get the new 255/85r16 KM2s installed ill make sure that i share the love.
Old truck by kyle mccarty

My whole goal with this truck is to have something reliable that i can use as a pickup and explore all the trails possible without having to worry about being stranded or scratching the paint!

My first reliable wheeler i had was a 2006 LJ Jeep. It was a lot of fun but i couldn’t haul much around. I went of a 1500 mile dirt road trip from the bay area thru Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Arizona. That kinda gave me a kick and then the Overland bug bit me.

DSC_1810 by kyle mccarty
DSC_2371 by kyle mccarty

Then about two years ago I traded my Jeep in for a 2014 Silverado. I was able to haul **** but every time i scratched the paint id get sick to my stomach and those truck payments could have been a mortgage payment. So about 2 months ago i sold the truck and went on the search for something that was already beat up, a manual transmission and CHEAP!!!

DSC_6913 by kyle mccarty
DSC_6900 by kyle mccarty

Those two pictures are in the Eastern Sierras off of 395 just south of mono lake. I think it was Laurel Lakes trail. Anyways those rocks chipped lots of paint off some fancy rims and i was praying that i didn’t smash a rocker panel!

So anyway back to my Turd.
⁃ 1992 chevy k2500 old PG&E truck 187k miles
⁃ NV4500/NP241c
⁃ 14 bolt semi float with 3.73 gears
⁃ small block 350 replaced around 137k miles

Future plans to get it drivable and comfortable
⁃ replace all radiator and oil cooler lines
⁃ new serpentine belt
⁃ 195* thermostat
⁃ new temp sending unit
⁃ flush and replace fluids
⁃ replace door hinges and handles
⁃ convert AC to R134a
⁃ replace headliner
⁃ new windshield
⁃ figure out the misfire around 2500 RPMs in 3rd gear
⁃ 255/85r16 tires with full-size spare
⁃ alignment (lifetime guarantee from firestone)
⁃ odyssey battery
⁃ weather stripping
⁃ 120 amp alternator

Actual build goals
⁃ factory black fender flares
⁃ black mirrors off silverado or sierra
⁃ Dana 44HP or ball joint Dana 60HP SAS on coilovers
⁃ flat belly skid plate
⁃ hidden winch behind factory bumper
⁃ tall skinny 35s
⁃ tool box with inverter mounted inside
⁃ 110v outlet in cab/truck bed
⁃ cargo basket mounted above bed
⁃ raspberry pi multimedia stereo/navigation
⁃ USB ports in cab clean factory install like my 2014 truck
⁃ LS 6.0 swap
⁃ projector headlights

Anyways thats where my head is at. I’ve been a long time lurker on your website and I’m hoping that i can contribute and get some help also.

 

[duckarolltape]

Today has been a good for the k2500 and bad for my wallet.

I got some tires on this rig!!! They are 255/85r16 BFgoodrich KM2's. TALL AND SKINNY. I think they fit just rite after I cranked the torsion bars 5 times before heading to the tire shop.
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I also bought the lifetime alignment from firestone for $180. I can bring the truck back every 6000 miles and get it aligned for free. That will help out a lot with this IFS and 4wheeling it, or when I do my SAS swap.
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While waiting for the tires and alignment I walked over to a stereo shop to get some ideas for a decent setup. Because I won't be using a typical stereo deck I'll need a 4channel amp with equalizer to run USB to RCA into the equalizer. So for the time being I can just plug my phone into the equalizer and have a good stereo while I build my CarPuter.

Also last night I unboxed my Raspberry Pi and played around with writing code in Linux and trying to install Kodi so I can have a multimedia operating system on the computer for a touch screen. Let's just say I need practice at programming and maybe some more patience. Hopefully I can figure this out!
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On the way home from firestone I stopped by another stereo shop and left with a full Alpine system.... DAMNIT!!!
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-ported alpine 8" sub/box
-45w x 4 little Alpine amp
-4 x 4" Alpine speakers

Ill run my JL 500/1 amp for the sub

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Might want to add an alarm system as well with all of that audio gear to protect.

 

[duckarolltape]

Common man, I live in San Jose, Ca.... I don't think a single car stereo has ever been stolen before in this city. Lol.

And that's a thought. But I don't have a flashy dash. I think I'm good. Hopefully. Maybe one day I'll get an alarm. Rather just have a GPS and find it along with the thieves.

 

[UHAULER]

Nice find with the manual trans. I like the old dash better than the 95-98.

 

[duckarolltape]

Nice find with the manual trans. I like the old dash better than the 95-98.

Yeah it's really starting to grow on me. I'll like it more when I delete the radio and install a cubby. And delete the casset player for another cubby. But it's very simple and utilitarian.

 

[duckarolltape]

Got a little bit of this stereo stuff done today. I ran my power cable into the cab threw an existing grommet next to the AC thingymajigger. some people route it to the drivers side, but that seems like a lot of cable running all over the place. anyways here are some photos of the progress. I should have it all buttoned up tomorrow.
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I mounted all of my amps and the equalizer on a piece of wood about 16”x11” to keep the install nice and clean. once i know everything is working ill probably wrap it in some carpet.
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so when i find a secure clever way to mount this behind my seat i should only have to tie it into the power wire i ran, run a ground to the frame and then find a good remote wire to use because I’m deleting the factory stereo, then on the equalizer ill have a headphone jack running up between the seat, but I’m thinking of using a bluetooth module for streaming my media. and i will just control the volume from my phone.

And to make it clear I'm not some car audio guy. Just killing time and waiting on all my parts from rock auto to show up. but a man needs his music and i refuse to mount a deck on this funky dash board.

Anyways Thanks for looking.

 

[duckarolltape]

Today I got the stereo roughed in, but I'm not finished with it. Just gonna listen to it for a while before I go even further with the CarPuter.
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The amp mount still needs Capet so the MDF board isn't exposed. But I'm gonna do that another time. I've pulled it out and reinstalled it one to many times. Another time would kill me lol. but its cool only having a headphone jack. its pretty simple and not flashy.
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I'm also only running rear 4x6 speakers. I couldn't get them into the dash and when I listened to it it's good enough, so I'll go get some money back for those.

But it sounds great!!! Lots of bass for a little 8 inch sub, and it doesn't take up 'too much space' I think I can live with it and still be able to put gear behind the drivers side. 12v charging streamlight, first ad kit, axe, shovel, maybe some other odds and ends.
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I also ran a RCA cable to the dash so I can use a ISimple RCA to lightening adapter with 12v wires to hook into the fuse block so it will charge my phone while I play music threw my equalizer without a head unit.
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overall i think i have like $350 dollars in this stereo system and i could saved money if i bought it all online. and i already had the JL audio amp laying around. but most head units cost that much

And I got some parts from rock auto while I was doing all of that stuff. It's not everything I'm waiting on but it's a start.
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[duckarolltape]

I didn't get much done today. Just cleaning up the garage after my stereo install.

But I did dig threw my old knaack box and realized it would be the perfect candidate for a truck box. While going threw it I found lots of LED lights I bought years ago for another truck ( footwell lighting, truck bed lights under bed rails and a light strip for under the hood) FREEBY.... ZIP, ZERO, NADA!!!!
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So I tossed it into the truck, made sure everything fit and drilled some holes into the bed (after fighting with dull bits I finally got to use my new drill doctor) and locked it down with some 3/8" bolts.
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Then I started test fitting my hi-jack in the bed thinking of a cleaver way to mount them.
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I also need to make some brackets for my chainsaw to be supported inside of tool box.
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Thanks for reading along, I should have lots of work to do when more stuff shows up from rock auto.

I need to flush all the fluids and replace belts, hoses and the thermostat before this weekend. It's gonna be this things maiden voyage into the woods for my buddies bachelor party.

 

[buellconvert]

I am definitely following along on your build, I just recently picked up a 1995 Chevrolet K1500 myself and I am doing a lot of the same things right now. Luckily my A/C is already r134, it wasn't functioning when I bought it, but a brand new replacement HVAC control panel fixed that right up, unfortunately 1995 is infamous for the controls to go haywire.

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[buellconvert]

Mine isn't quite as beefy as yours though, I only have the 5.0 and the NV3500, but she sure is a blast to drive and only has 123,000 miles!

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