2001 chevy dually

[catmandu]

kaOtyk, I love what you've done to that truck. Keep on doing more projects please, I find myself looking everyday for one of your build posts. This is the most interesting thread on RDP.

 

[ka0tyk]

I’m trying to remain calm... got the wheels back. One was flat. Put air in it and I hear hissing. Removed valve stem, pushed back the tire from the rim and saw this... they’re sending a new tire to me but cmon, why weren’t the tires just replaced when they were there? They put old tires on new rims... wtf. How do you keep a level head through something like this?

 

[E4L]

nice build thread

 

[outboard_256]

you have a new turbo, old set of wheels and tires, and no burn out video, WTF

 

[ka0tyk]

Alright back in business. New tire.

wheels on. Tires balanced. No vibrations.

Old wheels all cleaned up ready for sale

 

[merc_400r]

How does it ride with the new wheels and tires? Did the passenger tires make a big difference?

 

[ka0tyk]

How does it ride with the new wheels and tires? Did the passenger tires make a big difference?

the major difference is much less bounce. The old wheels and an empty bed used to bounce like crazy. Loaded it rode great. But even at mid 30 psi you’d feel everything. Especially on the 91 with the paved concrete sections. Check out the kids having fun in the back a long time ago with the original wheels on the freeway. (It didn’t ride like this 24-7 it just happened to be a bumpy spot)

also you can def feel the extra weight of the adapters and the width of the wheels/tires in the steering wheel. It takes more effort to turn.

Overall I’m happy with them. I think they def make the truck look more aggressive. I’m glad I didn’t go with 24s.

 

[ka0tyk]

Today’s upgrade. Bed lights. Led they just stick into bed rails. Stainless latching switch. So much better. With the tonneau cover it was always pitch black in the bed and couldn’t see anything back there.

 

[ka0tyk]

I originally switched all the lighting to led. Eventually they started flickering and some burned out. Just junk China quality. Bought replacements from ddm tuning, same place I bought all the leds for the exterior lights. Pricey but muuuuch better quality. A lot brighter too.

 

[ka0tyk]

Saw a bunch of posts raving about this steering dampener. Put it on, didn’t feel any difference over the Monroe that was on there. Oh well.

 

[catmandu]

Nice work, can you supply the place where you got the bed rail lights, I need to do the same.
Thanks

 

[ka0tyk]

Nice work, can you supply the place where you got the bed rail lights, I need to do the same.
Thanks

LED Truck Bed Lights Kit, LEDs Truck Cargo Pickup Bed Lighting Kit with Switch, | eBay

48 SUPER BRIGHT SMD LEDs - 2 x set of 4 lights, 6 SMD LEDs per light. They are very convenient truck, cargo, pickup bed lights, you can efficiently do your work or other things in the dark without holding a flashlight or relying on a portable light.

www.ebay.com

12V Latching Push Button Power Switch Stainless Steel Metal Waterproof w/ LED | eBay

12V Latching pushbutton power switch may be used in a variety of applications including cars, boats, motorcycles and electronics modifications Constructed of non-oxidizing, corrosion resistant stainless steel.

www.ebay.com

 

[catmandu]

Thank You

 

[just_floatin]

Saw a bunch of posts raving about this steering dampener. Put it on, didn’t feel any difference over the Monroe that was on there. Oh well.
View attachment 946633

Put the same steering dampener on my 2001 HD with full Cognito front end upgrades and a new gear box from GM. No notable difference compared to stock from the factory.

 

[ka0tyk]

Out with the old

In with the new

 

[ka0tyk]

Went for a ride in “sleepy hollow” in Torrance to check out Christmas lights. Tossed a blow up dog in the back as well on an inverter.

 

[ka0tyk]

Just another day at the beach.

 

[lbhsbz]

I'll take those old tail lights if you're getting rid of 'em

 

[ka0tyk]

I'll take those old tail lights if you're getting rid of 'em

damnit man I just sold em this weekend.

 

[ultra26shadow]

Today’s upgrade. Bed lights. Led they just stick into bed rails. Stainless latching switch. So much better. With the tonneau cover it was always pitch black in the bed and couldn’t see anything back there.

View attachment 946625 View attachment 946626 View attachment 946628 View attachment 946627

Do you happen to have the info on the parts? How are the lights holding up?

 

[ka0tyk]

Do you happen to have the info on the parts? How are the lights holding up?

the lights are super helpful. they're still stuck under the bed rails and no issues.

the ebay auction i purchased mine from has since been removed. but they're this style on amazon:

Amazon.com: LED Truck Pickup Bed Lights Kit, 48 LEDs Truck Cargo Pickup Bed Lighting Kit with Switch, IP68 Waterproof for truck Bed, Under Car, Rail Light Cargo- 8 PCS: Automotive

Buy LED Truck Pickup Bed Lights Kit, 48 LEDs Truck Cargo Pickup Bed Lighting Kit with Switch, IP68 Waterproof for truck Bed, Under Car, Rail Light Cargo- 8 PCS: Lighting - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I liked them better than the typical "strips" because theres bumps and such under the bed rails and i didnt have a straight shot to stick a long strip down the sides. not sure if you've ever tried to use the led "tape strips" but they dont bend around stuff very well.

19mm Latching Push Button Switches SPDT ON/Off Waterproof Black Metal 12V Ring LED with Wire Plug (Red): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

19mm Latching Push Button Switches SPDT ON/Off Waterproof Black Metal 12V Ring LED with Wire Plug (Red): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

 

[ka0tyk]

Still goin… debating a cam. Bp203 with some upgraded springs probably.

 

[PaPaG]

What an awesome build thread, thanks for the great entertainment, amazing looking truck...

 

[Nikwho]

the major difference is much less bounce. The old wheels and an empty bed used to bounce like crazy. Loaded it rode great. But even at mid 30 psi you’d feel everything. Especially on the 91 with the paved concrete sections. Check out the kids having fun in the back a long time ago with the original wheels on the freeway. (It didn’t ride like this 24-7 it just happened to be a bumpy spot)

also you can def feel the extra weight of the adapters and the width of the wheels/tires in the steering wheel. It takes more effort to turn.

Overall I’m happy with them. I think they def make the truck look more aggressive. I’m glad I didn’t go with 24s.

First of all, I love your truck! Great build! Second, you should talk to your little guy about climbing out of his car seat seat belt straps! He'd get all sorts of jacked up in a crash, half climbed out of his harness like that! Sorry, it's the Paramedic in me... can't help it. Just read your thread start to finish and I'm super jealous of your dually!

 

[ka0tyk]

New denso O2 sensors. So much faster than the old ac delco ones. Tuneup runs a lot better less fuel trimming with the turbo. New oil pressure sensor. Gonna send my gauge cluster out to be rebuilt with new stepper motors. New ball joints. New shocks all around. Took wheels off and polished em up. Whole car claybar correction polish and ceramic coat. New center light led under the tailgate.

looking intobetter stereo. Thinking an alpine halo head unit. 4 channel alpine digital amp. Single channel alpine and a jl 13tw5 behind the rear seats. Ditch my two kicker 8” subs under the seats. Whole cab sound deadening. Soon…

 

[ka0tyk]

Got the amps. I had a friend who had these and they are extremely small and work great.

 

[69GS]

That's a very nice truck sir.

 

[evantwheeler]

Got the amps. I had a friend who had these and they are extremely small and work great.

View attachment 1053060

That'll do! What are you doing for a box for the 13? Custom or is there an off the shelf solution? I have same era of truck with an off the shelf behind the seat box with two 10's, and they are OK, but at times wish I had more depth in the base. I know it's the box.

 

[evantwheeler]

New denso O2 sensors. So much faster than the old ac delco ones. Tuneup runs a lot better less fuel trimming with the turbo. New oil pressure sensor. Gonna send my gauge cluster out to be rebuilt with new stepper motors. New ball joints. New shocks all around. Took wheels off and polished em up. Whole car claybar correction polish and ceramic coat. New center light led under the tailgate.

looking intobetter stereo. Thinking an alpine halo head unit. 4 channel alpine digital amp. Single channel alpine and a jl 13tw5 behind the rear seats. Ditch my two kicker 8” subs under the seats. Whole cab sound deadening. Soon…

View attachment 1052869

I put an escalade cluster and bezel in mine. It kind of spices up the look compared to the stock one. I still need to calibrate for the speedo though, pretty sure I can do that with my HP Tuner software but havent driven the truck enough lately to have it bother me into doing it yet.

Who is rebuilding the cluster for you?

 

[Activated]

I don’t like red vehicles.
I don’t need a dually.
It would not fit in my garage.
If it’s ever for sale, I would have a hard time not trying to buy it.

Such a badass rig.

 

[ka0tyk]

I put an escalade cluster and bezel in mine. It kind of spices up the look compared to the stock one. I still need to calibrate for the speedo though, pretty sure I can do that with my HP Tuner software but havent driven the truck enough lately to have it bother me into doing it yet.

Who is rebuilding the cluster for you?

I thought about the Escalade cluster but it doesn’t match the surrounding panels like ac controls or the headlights. It’s nice but It just looks kinda out of place.

Yes you can tune tire size in hp tuners. It’s super easy to do their tire calculation and get the number and adjust. A word of caution… you’ll fail your next smog if you do it. A simple tire size changes the signature of your tunes code and CA dmv has started failing for modified tune. It’s dumb. You’ll need to save your stock tune, and reflash it back come smog time.

As far as my cluster there’s a guy on a Facebook group that does them as well as full led replacements for all my door switches, ac, and headlight switch. Not cheap though. Sigh.

 

[motormonkey]

How are you guys getting new clusters for the pre 2003? Or is it just the faces.

 

[ka0tyk]

How are you guys getting new clusters for the pre 2003? Or is it just the faces.

I think for my 01 I can only use an 02 Escalade cluster.

 

[motormonkey]

I think for my 01 I can only use an 02 Escalade cluster.

Let us know how you do it. I have a 01 2500 also and would like to do a swap. I've got the dreaded fuel gauge dropsy.

 

[evantwheeler]

How are you guys getting new clusters for the pre 2003? Or is it just the faces.

So I didn't actually replace my entire cluster because I didn't want the trouble of figuring out how to correct the digital odometer. I removed my factory cluster, removed the needles (took lots of photos of engine off, needle locations immediately after cold startup at idle, and needle locations at operating temp) removed the factory bezel and gauge faces, installed the escalade gauge faces and bezel, and re-installed the cluster. I had to adjust a couple of the needles after installing.

This is like the one I bought and installed in my '02:

00-02 GM Truck Escalade Speedometer Instrument Gauge Cluster 196,006 Miles | eBay

<body><p>00-02 GM Truck Escalade Speedometer Instrument Gauge Cluster w/ Trans Temp.</p><br /><br /><p>Genuine GM gauge cluster from a 2002 Escalade part # 15073350. </p><br /><p>Will also work in 2000-02 Sierra / Silverado / Tahoe / Yukon / Suburban / Avalanche with gas engine & auto...

www.ebay.com

Pretty sure I paid $150 or $180 for mine.


If you just need to repair one gauge, best to do what ka0tyk is doing and just send the cluster to someone and have it rebuilt.

 

[motormonkey]

So I didn't actually replace my entire cluster because I didn't want the trouble of figuring out how to correct the digital odometer. I removed my factory cluster, removed the needles (took lots of photos of engine off, needle locations immediately after cold startup at idle, and needle locations at operating temp) removed the factory bezel and gauge faces, installed the escalade gauge faces and bezel, and re-installed the cluster. I had to adjust a couple of the needles after installing.

This is like the one I bought and installed in my '02:

00-02 GM Truck Escalade Speedometer Instrument Gauge Cluster 196,006 Miles | eBay

<body><p>00-02 GM Truck Escalade Speedometer Instrument Gauge Cluster w/ Trans Temp.</p><br /><br /><p>Genuine GM gauge cluster from a 2002 Escalade part # 15073350. </p><br /><p>Will also work in 2000-02 Sierra / Silverado / Tahoe / Yukon / Suburban / Avalanche with gas engine & auto...

www.ebay.com

Pretty sure I paid $150 or $180 for mine.


If you just need to repair one gauge, best to do what ka0tyk is doing and just send the cluster to someone and have it rebuilt.

Awsome, I'll start looking for escalade cluster. Would be nice to find a place to swap and repair.
I like the escalade look.

 

[badluck24/7]

In with the new
View attachment 949066

What brand tail lights did you buy? I've gotten several ebay specials and they have not held up.

 

[ka0tyk]

What brand tail lights did you buy? I've gotten several ebay specials and they have not held up.

they're just an ebay/amazon setup. so far (a year later) they've been fine? also didnt have any problems with the LED's and cruise control like some others.

also was toilet web surfing and came across these LED's. brighter and look newer than the old yellow ones. even though i already had LED's in the original housings.

 

[CLdrinker]

Is this thing making boost and burning rubber yet?

 

[ka0tyk]

Is this thing making boost and burning rubber yet?

It makes 5-7 psi every day. I don’t really beat on it though.

 

[ka0tyk]

Pulled radio and cleaned up the harness and the wiring mess back there from previous owner(s). Ran 6 new rca cables and ditched all the speaker outputs. Not needed anymore. Mounted amplifiers fuse block, and breaker in engine bay. Ran main power to fuse block and smaller wires to amps. Two grounds. Running all new dedicated speaker wire to all doors. The JL sub is on its way and debating modifying a prebuilt box that is for two subs to just a single or building one myself. The prebuilt is nice in that there’s a notch to fit under the rear window trim etc and it fits perfectly, it’s just a dual sub box and I only want a single. Should be pretty easy to just chop the extra off and seal up that one side. It’s just expensive in comparison to a sheet of mdf. But I hate cutting it.

 

[ka0tyk]

Out with the old $29 speakers that came with it and I tossed a set of kickers I had sitting in the garage.

Then I picked up a jl 12tw3 in their own box. I’m happy with it. It looks like I’m only pushing it about halfway and it’s freaking loud. Maybe I’ll swap the 1.600 for a 1.1000.

 

[69hondo]

Out with the old
View attachment 949065
In with the new
View attachment 949066

were the tail lights a direct replacement? Just wondering because I have heard different things about it wiht 3 wire and 4 wire.

 

[ka0tyk]

were the tail lights a direct replacement? Just wondering because I have heard different things about it wiht 3 wire and 4 wire.

Yes direct. They also had the led ballasts built in. Without them your cruise control won’t work.

 

[ka0tyk]

Buddy (car club guy) funeral tomorrow. Excuse to clean up the car and meet up with some old friends.

 

[RiverCruiser]

Yes direct. They also had the led ballasts built in. Without them your cruise control won’t work.

View attachment 1074844

What band tail lights are those?

 

[ka0tyk]

Heading to donut derelicts tomorrow morning so spending tonight cleaning up.

 

[ka0tyk]

Been a while. Replaced the shifter with an anodized black billet unit. Relocated the tow/haul button to a monetary billet button on the dash. Changed the head unit to a 10” android unit.

New seat foam drivers and passengers side.

Replaced the “door checks” with updated versions. The old ones just scrape the arm and make a terrible noise.

New oil pan gasket and front crank seal. Motor is all dry now.

And lots of washing scrubbing and waxing. Sams spray wax does wonders.

Also one of my headlight leds changed color so I replaced the old 50w models with new 65w led units from ddm tuning. They’re insanely bright. So that’s led normal high and fog all 65w.

 

[JL95]

Love this truck

 

[Bobby_329]

This thing makes me wish my 01 dually was 2wd