1986 GMC S-15
- Thread starter Andrew_S
- Start date
Andrew_S
Observer
^Thanks for the good words guys.
givemethewillys, when it comes to mushrooming it's super easy to get started. Just pick a couple of mushrooms that are easy to identify (morels, chanterelles) and then start building your knowledge base from there. Trust me when we are out I see 10x the mushrooms I can't identify then the ones we can.
It's more the salt of and calcium chloride they spread on the roads here that will rust out a vehicle. Snow is just like rain, it doesn't really cause rust. I've just more or less accepted the fact the truck will gradually rust and get worse lol. I do have a subscription to our local car wash and go through it numerous times a week. It's got a ton of sprayers underneath that help knock off any of the salt. We also have fairly mild winters in the valley so it really doesn't see much snow in town.
quick little update,
A lot more of the same.
More of the local lakes have completely frozen over now.
and we've been getting a fair bit of snow
So naturally we've been doing a lot of ice fishing and outdoor activities.
I got started on my euro mount
The wifey giving it 100%
Picked out our christmas tree
We've been working on getting some fish in the freezer.
This more or less illustrates why I wouldn't want a full size truck.
givemethewillys, when it comes to mushrooming it's super easy to get started. Just pick a couple of mushrooms that are easy to identify (morels, chanterelles) and then start building your knowledge base from there. Trust me when we are out I see 10x the mushrooms I can't identify then the ones we can.
It's more the salt of and calcium chloride they spread on the roads here that will rust out a vehicle. Snow is just like rain, it doesn't really cause rust. I've just more or less accepted the fact the truck will gradually rust and get worse lol. I do have a subscription to our local car wash and go through it numerous times a week. It's got a ton of sprayers underneath that help knock off any of the salt. We also have fairly mild winters in the valley so it really doesn't see much snow in town.
Wow that must have been a heck to of a trip? We've been talking about doing a yukon trip for years. I'm in Kelowna BC down towards the Washington border.
quick little update,
A lot more of the same.
More of the local lakes have completely frozen over now.
and we've been getting a fair bit of snow
So naturally we've been doing a lot of ice fishing and outdoor activities.
I got started on my euro mount
The wifey giving it 100%
Picked out our christmas tree
We've been working on getting some fish in the freezer.
This more or less illustrates why I wouldn't want a full size truck.
Last edited by a moderator:
Andrew_S
Observer
Had a small oil leak and found it the other day when changing the oil.
Finally found a skid plate to cover the trans pan, more on this later.
Spent a bit of money on picked up this really nice 8" eskimo pistol bit auger.
and some more of the same
probably about the best tv I'll ever watch
Winter wonderland
Finally found a skid plate to cover the trans pan, more on this later.
Spent a bit of money on picked up this really nice 8" eskimo pistol bit auger.
and some more of the same
probably about the best tv I'll ever watch
Winter wonderland
TripLeader
Explorer
I just read through all 18 pages. Thanks for posting it all. Please keep sharing your "experiences."
Zen and the Art of S-15 Repair. We all love it.
Zen and the Art of S-15 Repair. We all love it.
Andrew_S
Observer
^ Right on, glad you enjoyed some of it.
quick little update.
I finally found the last skid plate to cover the trans pan.
You can see I've got everything covered except that gap in the middle.
It's not like we are bouncing over rocks constantly. However a few times I hear that clunk underneath and would start to panic when it got close to the trans for this very reason. These are all factory S10 skookum aluminum skid plates. I'll get the last one bolted up soon.
I overlooked this a while ago. This actually an adjustable TPS. I just bolted it on said done. I've been getting poor fuel economy and a stutter when accelerating from a stop. Just adjusted this to the right .5volts at idle and 4.5 at wot. Runs like a top now.
and some more ice fishing,
stayed for the night bite
The next day out we got a little to adventurous. Single track for 20 kms and 1m+ of snow off the packed track.
Super glad I had chains for all 4 this day. We were fine on the flats but as soon as you hit a hill without chains it just dug in and buried itself.
Nice thing about this situation is we were the only ones at the lake!
and we were rewarded
quick little update.
I finally found the last skid plate to cover the trans pan.
You can see I've got everything covered except that gap in the middle.
It's not like we are bouncing over rocks constantly. However a few times I hear that clunk underneath and would start to panic when it got close to the trans for this very reason. These are all factory S10 skookum aluminum skid plates. I'll get the last one bolted up soon.
I overlooked this a while ago. This actually an adjustable TPS. I just bolted it on said done. I've been getting poor fuel economy and a stutter when accelerating from a stop. Just adjusted this to the right .5volts at idle and 4.5 at wot. Runs like a top now.
and some more ice fishing,
stayed for the night bite
The next day out we got a little to adventurous. Single track for 20 kms and 1m+ of snow off the packed track.
Super glad I had chains for all 4 this day. We were fine on the flats but as soon as you hit a hill without chains it just dug in and buried itself.
Nice thing about this situation is we were the only ones at the lake!
and we were rewarded
Andrew_S
Observer
friggin gorgeous day
Terrible photo but we had to tug this old f150 out of the snow on our way down. He slid off the road and then his front driveshaft snapped trying to self recover. Always nice to help someone else out.
yellow perch have got to be one of my favourite fish to eat.
Another day that we were way to adventurous. Decided to hike 2 km into a lake with waist deep snow.
The sled floated on top. I definitely did not.
The wifey fell in the swamp. Well broke through the ice and got mud and water up to her waist on one leg.
Friggin slog. Pics don't do it justice.
Came across this cow moose on the way out.
A nut/bolt rattled out of my new KC lights shortly after getting them. They held the front lens cover together. I called and they sent out some new ones for free on their great warranty.
When I got the box I thought they had sent a whole new light at first....
That's all for now. I have 4 deliveries coming in the mail presently and am very excited to open them.
Terrible photo but we had to tug this old f150 out of the snow on our way down. He slid off the road and then his front driveshaft snapped trying to self recover. Always nice to help someone else out.
yellow perch have got to be one of my favourite fish to eat.
Another day that we were way to adventurous. Decided to hike 2 km into a lake with waist deep snow.
The sled floated on top. I definitely did not.
The wifey fell in the swamp. Well broke through the ice and got mud and water up to her waist on one leg.
Friggin slog. Pics don't do it justice.
Came across this cow moose on the way out.
A nut/bolt rattled out of my new KC lights shortly after getting them. They held the front lens cover together. I called and they sent out some new ones for free on their great warranty.
When I got the box I thought they had sent a whole new light at first....
That's all for now. I have 4 deliveries coming in the mail presently and am very excited to open them.
givemethewillys
Jonathan Chouinard
Looks like you're due for some snowshoes! Great pics, love reading your posts.
I'm in Washington, near Seattle, the trip was awesome, there are a ton of pictures in my build thread, but nothing like what you do!
Andrew_S
Observer
Worst part is we have some but just never bring them with us...
I might entirely disagree. That up north trip was the thing dreams are made of.
Some packages arrived this week.
The first one is a mix of that new engine build, some maintenance parts, and the new big brake upgrade.
Rod & main bearings, timing set, intake gasket set, frost plugs, pistons & rings, couple small tools for building the engine, T4 flange, and a couple balljoints w/ an inner tie rod and pitman arm.
Some new hypereutectic sealed power pistons,
I liked my other KC's so much I decided to get two more. These are pretty well the same except a spot beam pattern. I believe I purchased the last two pair of these in the world. KC discontinued the stainless housing recently. After calling over 20 different shops to try and find someone who stocked them I was finally able to scrounge up this pair.
I came up with this as the best way to wire these guys up all together.
My hats off to Superbrightled's. These splitter were I think $7 each. They are skookum as frig and make for such a clean install. I couldn't buy all the Deutsch connectors and do this myself for the same price. Even if I could, it surely wouldn't be even close to as nice of a finished product.
New big brake set up. The enclosed slide pins and dual piston caliper should help slow this thing down a bit faster. Just need to get my hands on a set of newer style spindles and I can slap these on. Waiting for a guy parting out his truck to actually let me come steal them from him.
Looking over some of the great quality parts I've purchased. I don't even know how you stuff fabric into the grease nipple? ac delco pitman arm.
New style invisible threads on this grease nipple....
I had two options today; the more important task fix all my worn out steering components (tie-rod, pitman arm, balljoint) 2, install the fun parts (lights)
So I did the lights
Testing to make sure my splitters are functioning properly.
Everything tucked back super clean with the turn signal harness. I could have just spliced the new lights into the harness but now if I ever have to remove the bumper I can just unplug all 4 lights and leave the harness in place on the core support.
All installed and ready to go.
I'll try and get some night shots here soon. The combination of driving with spots should be really nice.
More updates coming soon. I've been sick for two weeks with some nasty bug and am finally getting back to myself just today.
awe shucks! you're making me blush! Thanks, you're pics are awesome, I look forward to every post notification I get from this thread!
FWIW, the later model (3500/3900 VVT) engines use a timing chain tensioner, instead of a damper, does it offer a noticeable difference, probably not, but I'd rather the timing chain be forced into the sprockets than away. it is a bolt on to the 3100/3400/(LX9)3500.
Andrew_S
Observer
^ thanks for the great suggestion. I will almost definitely go that route over the stock slap reducer.
Been a long minute. A lot has happened. Here are some pics.
The old girl took a beating last year and the last of the old components and some of the new ones were showing some wear.
New inner tie rod
New pitman arm. Wish there was an easier way but you have to remove the entire steering box to do this job.
These impacts are one of the best tool investments I've made.
This princess auto puller is definitely one of the worst investments I've made... Broke the jaw clean off. Just love stopping a job mid way through because your tools are ********.
New arm on, sloppy old junk removed.
I finally got the newer style spindles off a local parts truck for a song.
So it was finally time for the big brake upgrade up front.
New style dual piston caliper next to the old guy. The best part is the newer style has enclosed slide pin and now hopefully I'll see some more even pad wear.
Old pads were cooked! Atleast one side was... These only had about 30,000km's on them.
Also replaced both flex lines while I was at it.
Pretty easy bolt on upgrade. New rotors, pads, spindles (used) and brake lines my grand total was $120. Hard to beat that.
old vs new
While I was at it I replaced one of the lower balljoints that I previously ripper the boot on.
This was right after I completely snapped off the zirc fitting inside of it..........
This is what true success looks like!
Been a long minute. A lot has happened. Here are some pics.
The old girl took a beating last year and the last of the old components and some of the new ones were showing some wear.
New inner tie rod
New pitman arm. Wish there was an easier way but you have to remove the entire steering box to do this job.
These impacts are one of the best tool investments I've made.
This princess auto puller is definitely one of the worst investments I've made... Broke the jaw clean off. Just love stopping a job mid way through because your tools are ********.
New arm on, sloppy old junk removed.
I finally got the newer style spindles off a local parts truck for a song.
So it was finally time for the big brake upgrade up front.
New style dual piston caliper next to the old guy. The best part is the newer style has enclosed slide pin and now hopefully I'll see some more even pad wear.
Old pads were cooked! Atleast one side was... These only had about 30,000km's on them.
Also replaced both flex lines while I was at it.
Pretty easy bolt on upgrade. New rotors, pads, spindles (used) and brake lines my grand total was $120. Hard to beat that.
old vs new
While I was at it I replaced one of the lower balljoints that I previously ripper the boot on.
This was right after I completely snapped off the zirc fitting inside of it..........
This is what true success looks like!
Andrew_S
Observer
Just wanted to add the truck stops on a dime now compared to before. Previously you had the pedal to the floor and the tires would just start to lock up. Night and day difference from before.
now moving on, I apologize this isn't the best representation of the quad kc's but holy smokes these things light up the night.
Normal high beams.
W/ Kc's. I still have to adjust the spots up more.
We took a little weekend ski trip out to revelstoke and hit up a lake on the way there.
We got some fresh snow overnight and had some wicked conditions the next day.
Great view from our hotel room looking at the peak of the mountain.
I doubt the pics will do this justice but revy has a crap ton of snow at the moment!
This is driving through a normal neighbourhood. I guess it's nice not to have to worry about closing your blinds?
Hit another new lake on the way home.
Bright red, Such good eating.
Another day, another opportunity to get out fishing. Almost turned into a self recovery mission.
If it wasn't for having 4 chains this would have been quite the mission.
now moving on, I apologize this isn't the best representation of the quad kc's but holy smokes these things light up the night.
Normal high beams.
W/ Kc's. I still have to adjust the spots up more.
We took a little weekend ski trip out to revelstoke and hit up a lake on the way there.
We got some fresh snow overnight and had some wicked conditions the next day.
Great view from our hotel room looking at the peak of the mountain.
I doubt the pics will do this justice but revy has a crap ton of snow at the moment!
This is driving through a normal neighbourhood. I guess it's nice not to have to worry about closing your blinds?
Hit another new lake on the way home.
Bright red, Such good eating.
Another day, another opportunity to get out fishing. Almost turned into a self recovery mission.
If it wasn't for having 4 chains this would have been quite the mission.
Andrew_S
Observer
Also got some stuff in the mail.
I've had to pull a number of people out of ************ spots this year and every time I did I found myself wishing I had a kinetic recovery rope.
I finally pulled the trigger and picked up this deal. If I'm remembering correctly it's rated for 38,000 lbs and I also picked up a couple load matched soft shackles. Snatching with bow shackles just kind of scares me.
Also picked up a valve spring compressor, ring gap filer, a special door spring tool, 2 sets of door pins and bushings and a new alternator belt. Oh and a complete front end press kit.
A little off topic, but I just have to plug this guy real quick. If you need a good sharpening stone check out dan's whetstone in arkansas (?). I picked this up off amazon and it's a mint stone. Huge in comparison to the other local crap I've previously purchased.
We took a trip to go visit my family back in Ontario. My little brother has amassed quite the collection of guns recently.
Trying to decide which ones to bring to the range.
Ontario is pretty much the ice fishing mecca in my opinion. So of course we got out a few times.
Fishing in BC is great but I really miss the multi species feasts.
Another day, out on Hay bay.
Some jumbo perch
We also spent a couple of days at my parents cabin that's fairly remote. Sled in during the winter with no cell service or power. All you have to worry about is keeping the fire hot and your beer cold. Which is fairly easy to do at -26*C.
I've had to pull a number of people out of ************ spots this year and every time I did I found myself wishing I had a kinetic recovery rope.
I finally pulled the trigger and picked up this deal. If I'm remembering correctly it's rated for 38,000 lbs and I also picked up a couple load matched soft shackles. Snatching with bow shackles just kind of scares me.
Also picked up a valve spring compressor, ring gap filer, a special door spring tool, 2 sets of door pins and bushings and a new alternator belt. Oh and a complete front end press kit.
A little off topic, but I just have to plug this guy real quick. If you need a good sharpening stone check out dan's whetstone in arkansas (?). I picked this up off amazon and it's a mint stone. Huge in comparison to the other local crap I've previously purchased.
We took a trip to go visit my family back in Ontario. My little brother has amassed quite the collection of guns recently.
Trying to decide which ones to bring to the range.
Ontario is pretty much the ice fishing mecca in my opinion. So of course we got out a few times.
Fishing in BC is great but I really miss the multi species feasts.
Another day, out on Hay bay.
Some jumbo perch
We also spent a couple of days at my parents cabin that's fairly remote. Sled in during the winter with no cell service or power. All you have to worry about is keeping the fire hot and your beer cold. Which is fairly easy to do at -26*C.
Andrew_S
Observer
There is something truly relaxing about isolation.
Got the eiger out for a rip.
Pretty tough conditions for walking. 60cm of snow with slush underneath. We made it happen though.
Had a super nice perch lunch the day we left.
Night fishing with a real good buddy from high school. Hot soup and a few burbot to take home.
The day before I left Ontario it was -20's and we got 50 cm of snow. Return to BC and we are getting 10+C and the tulips are coming up.
I was greeted to this on the morning commute. A good reminder of why we moved out here to begin with.
I picked up the new engine when I returned. The shop did an excellent job. Block was bored .20 over and honed.
New cam bearings.
Pistons pressed onto the pins/rods
Main journals on the crank ground and polished with the rod journals.
I've got 3 buddies that I've promised to help out with their trucks here in the next week or two and then I'm going to get back to my own stuff and should have some updates soon.
Got the eiger out for a rip.
Pretty tough conditions for walking. 60cm of snow with slush underneath. We made it happen though.
Had a super nice perch lunch the day we left.
Night fishing with a real good buddy from high school. Hot soup and a few burbot to take home.
The day before I left Ontario it was -20's and we got 50 cm of snow. Return to BC and we are getting 10+C and the tulips are coming up.
I was greeted to this on the morning commute. A good reminder of why we moved out here to begin with.
I picked up the new engine when I returned. The shop did an excellent job. Block was bored .20 over and honed.
New cam bearings.
Pistons pressed onto the pins/rods
Main journals on the crank ground and polished with the rod journals.
I've got 3 buddies that I've promised to help out with their trucks here in the next week or two and then I'm going to get back to my own stuff and should have some updates soon.