LB7: b16gsr 2004 LB7 3500HD Regular Cab Flatbed Dually build thread

b16gsr

b16gsr

Member
Jan 3, 2014
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LS MO
Since last fall I have been hunting for a regular cab SRW or DRW 3500HD Duramax to replace our aging '68 C10 plow/salt truck. I had scoured Craigslist, been to several auctions watching truck sell for crazy high. Mr. callie454 helped scouring Craigslist in his area feeding me leads, bturner helped in his area as well. Everything was crazy priced for the truck and I wanted a truck with some options, I had given up hope and came across a Craigslist ad over the past weekend that looked promising.

After a ton of bulls*** and hoops I finally got the the right guy and landed a steal of a deal on an '04 LB7 4X4 3500HD Dually Regular Cab with a flatbed on it. With a 188k miles and being a rare LS (power locks, windows, electric 4X4 and keyless) cab and chassis truck I worked quickly. It came off a chemical spraying (weed control for railroad and county roads) fleet out of southwest KS and really was never worked too hard.

I had wanted a DRW after seeing a truck my buddy had sent me. (credit to jernst88)



Plans for the truck aside from a serious detailing:


  • replace injectors
  • full service including trans service, oil change, diff service
  • 06-07 Hood and Grille
  • colormatch tow mirrors and handles
  • clear headlamps and bumpers with LED's and HID's
  • lower valance replacement with fog lamps
  • pull flatbed fix rust and fill in holes, add rear panels for lighting, build better headache rack, repaint, add numerous LED's and redeck with CCA
  • add gooseneck ball
  • add salt spreader, buy new plow and install
  • install full console and find leather seats in good shape
  • redo headliner in charcoal and color match all the bezels and tabs
  • interior LED's
  • pillar pod with gauges
  • EFI Live
  • 4" lift of somesort
  • 22" Alcoas with 35" Toyo MT, Nitto Trails, or Atturo Trail Blade
  • wrap the exterior in something different
  • tint the windows
  • WeatherTech mats

That's the tentative plan, things will change as I go along. Really wanting to make a nice reliable plow truck/daily driver/tow rig.


Here are some pics from the Craigslist ad:















After a good cleaning last night on the exterior, I added new Michelin wipers, removed the broken vent visors and the Silverado badges.







 
b16gsr

b16gsr

Member
Jan 3, 2014
504
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LS MO
Ironically the Cab and Chassis do not have 3rd brake lights:



Interior is filthy and needs serious attention.







Couple pics in the lights.





Went for a little drive and rolled into this.

 
duramax hd

duramax hd

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Feb 27, 2009
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That's going to be a sweet build. I'm digging the lifted 22.5 wheeled truck you posted. What did you pay if you don't mind me asking?
 
clrussell

clrussell

pro-procrastinator
Sep 23, 2013
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When you pull that flip console out to swap for a full console let me know! I've been searching for one! Plus you being in kc area means I could have it picked up.
 
b16gsr

b16gsr

Member
Jan 3, 2014
504
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LS MO
clrussell said:
When you pull that flip console out to swap for a full console let me know! I've been searching for one! Plus you being in kc area means I could have it picked up.
Click to expand...

It is a broken unit that is why I am replacing.

Hernpj01 said:
nice find!
Click to expand...

I thought so as well, after thinking I was going to have to spend $10-12k for a truck, thinking I will be in that total on this one.

a few parts are on the way:
-clear headlamps and bumpers
-LED's for the bumper lights
-upper bumper cap
-lower valance replacement
-OEM Style fog lamps
-06 grille shell in all black which will be painted and the mesh left black
-hood is at the painters

Cosmetic stuff is easy at this point.

Need to order the mirrors and smooth handles so he can paint all at once.
 
b16gsr

b16gsr

Member
Jan 3, 2014
504
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LS MO
Score of the day. I had been looking for the OEM winterfront upper and lower for the truck with not much luck, everyone wanted $100+ for one. Stumbled across a NOS one on eBay for my $35 best offer plus $12 shipping.









Also some of the other parts have landed, and my graphics guy is working on the wrap.

Headlights, trying to decide on retrofitting.



Fogs


Upper bumper cap


Lower valance
 
Y

yellowchevy

Well-known member
Sep 9, 2010
1,926
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Louisburg, KS for now
Looks good Nick:thumb:

Where did you get those clear head lights and turn signals? Mine are yellowed pretty bad and I need some new ones. I've been looking at different ones off of ebay but don't want to crap ones that the lens seam pops after a year.

Yellowchevy
 
CarolinaHD

CarolinaHD

Member
Feb 8, 2011
969
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NC
That's a sweet build you got going on. I'd like to do something similair but I don't have as much in the toy fund as you :D I just picked up your trucks twin this week

00k0k_kXRDmFzKrZm_600x450.jpg



Looking forward to see how it turns out
 
b16gsr

b16gsr

Member
Jan 3, 2014
504
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LS MO
yellowchevy said:
Thanks Nice :thumb:
Have you gotten anything from them before?

What conditioner do you use for leather seats? I'm wanting to detail our Tahoe. I thought I read somewhere that Murphy's oil soap worked well.

Yellowchevy
Click to expand...

Have not bought from them, but had the smoked version of these lights on my LLY. They are good.

I use Lexol and have heard Leathertique is the best.
 
Y

yellowchevy

Well-known member
Sep 9, 2010
1,926
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Louisburg, KS for now
b16gsr said:
Have not bought from them, but had the smoked version of these lights on my LLY. They are good.

I use Lexol and have heard Leathertique is the best.
Click to expand...

Thanks,
I've got smoked LED tail lights so maybe I should do smoked headlights too. How were they at night, didn't notice any difference?

Yellowchevy
 
b16gsr

b16gsr

Member
Jan 3, 2014
504
1
18
LS MO
CarolinaHD said:
That's a sweet build you got going on. I'd like to do something similair but I don't have as much in the toy fund as you :D I just picked up your trucks twin this week



00k0k_kXRDmFzKrZm_600x450.jpg






Looking forward to see how it turns out
Click to expand...


That's a great looking truck although I never understood why they did the mirrors like that on them.

What's the plan for it?? Looks like a long wheelbase truck correct??
 
CarolinaHD

CarolinaHD

Member
Feb 8, 2011
969
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NC
b16gsr said:
That's a great looking truck although I never understood why they did the mirrors like that on them.

What's the plan for it?? Looks like a long wheelbase truck correct??
Click to expand...

Me either, now there's holes in the door if I take them off... It has an 11 foot bed which is really nice.
For the moment it's just getting a good cleaning, some led lights for the bed, and I'm making metal bed rails. In a few months I'd like to do an 06 front end swap and respray it.


And eventually a clutch and tune.... It's never ending haha
 
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