2001 GMC Sonoma 4x4

[Dougnuts]

Awesome, what a great start. Subscribed.
In addition to how reliable these can be, you've got to love how cheap they are to maintain. You're kids going to get one hell of a first truck to enjoy that also comes with a great story. Looking forward to watching this progress.
What are the vehicles did you have to choose from?

Thanks Andrew! I went back to the beginning of your S15 build the other day and thought it sounded very similar to my start.

I'll see if I can dig up pictures of the other cars. Most were inaccessible in the junkyard, and some already belonged to my uncles.

I also inherited a '95 K1500 4x4, but it wouldn't crank and the rear wheel was seized up. Not sure if I will end up actually taking that on some day or not. It was just a 4.3L with 4L60 that my Grandad bought from somebody when reverse went out. Cab corners were rusting out and the paint was getting rough.

My parents got a 2001 1500 2wd Ext cab with 4.8L and 90k miles. Its super nice and clean.

 

[Dougnuts]

Last night, I did a few more polishing passes on the roof, put on a coat of wax, and installed the new 3rd brake light lens. The clearcoat blemishes don't look as bad in person, but I did get some blue wax on order, to see if I can get them to blend in a little.

 

[Dougnuts]

Here are pictures of the K1500:

 

[Dougnuts]

My uncle got this car. He really wanted it so I didn't try to get it.

 

[Dougnuts]

After additional development of my paint polishing skills, I was confident enough to document paint repair on my YouTube channel. I'm still apprentice level, but the results were fantastic.

Doing YouTube is way outside of my comfort zone, so if you folks would be so inclined to like and subscribe, I'd be very grateful.

 

[Dougnuts]

Just found that I took a picture of the polished portion of the bed side. The reflection of the pad is the money shot, for me. It's far from perfect, but it's so much better than it was.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Just found that I took a picture of the polished portion of the bed side. The reflection of the pad is the money shot, for me. It's far from perfect, but it's so much better than it was.

Beautiful work!. Stop on by if you get bored

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Here are pictures of the K1500:

My dad has had a '92 GMC that is pretty similar in layout. He added a liftgate and keeps the thing around for a work truck. It is far more useable as a work truck than pretty much anything newer, bed is easily accessible and is huge. Plus despite the low bed height and being easy to hop in and out of because it isn't huge it is still 4wd... what a concept?

For hauling brush to tractor tires it is his go-to. He's had it 30+ years, unfortunately the frame is starting to give up on him.

If you could buff that N off the tailgate it looks pretty solid otherwise...

 

[ThundahBeagle]

My dad has had a '92 GMC that is pretty similar in layout. He added a liftgate and keeps the thing around for a work truck. It is far more useable as a work truck than pretty much anything newer, bed is easily accessible and is huge. Plus despite the low bed height and being easy to hop in and out of because it isn't huge it is still 4wd... what a concept?

For hauling brush to tractor tires it is his go-to. He's had it 30+ years, unfortunately the frame is starting to give up on him.

If you could buff that N off the tailgate it looks pretty solid otherwise...

Yes sir. Thise GMT-400 types really hit the nail on the head. Ove had 3 and loved them all.

 

[Dougnuts]

Today I removed the tint on the passenger window, which was so badly bubbled that it was difficult to see out of. Such a tedious job!

I used the heat gun to soften the adhesive.

Then I used a razor blade to scrape the adhesive off.

After a while, I finally got it all.

 

[Dougnuts]

Here are a few more pictures of the K1500. I couldn’t remember if it was a '94 or '95, but now I see it’s a '94. My texts from last month say the same. I prefer this dash, as it reminds me of when I was younger.

This will be a major project, obviously.

Right now, I'm picturing an LS swap and a really nice blue and brown interior.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

This is the dash I had in all my gmt400's as well. Didnt much care for the 95 and up dash. With 94 and below, I could drive with my left foot up on the dash between the square gauge cluster and the window, in the depression with the tall skinny vent.

I loved the square headlight switch. Ambers on. Headlights on. Tall switch in the right to shut both off. A switch unlike any other. Unmistakable.

That 4x4 shifter: right between the days of needing to get out and turn hubs, and the push button on the fly days. Simple yet mechanical.

The 5.7 liters of this time were almost unkillable throttle body injection engines