Bought a Sierra as Donortruck - now he stay

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
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Germany
About electrical windows of our Truck from our TMs:
The images are less quality also on Screen where you can enlarge the images
There is no longer a print version for the newer vehicle types. Everything is only stored in software programs which are also connected via the vehicle interface for troubleshooting.
For my old Volvos 88-98 had i used printed TMs and Microfishes, they had no OBD2 Interface just a small box where you could image a flashing code as troubleshooting know as OBD1😇
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Left Door Electrical wiring
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Right door
 

1FastBrick

Well-known member
Dec 1, 2016
2,541
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Junkyard
Yes, those look like the factory manual images from GM. They are still availible in book form and some have converted it to electronic format.
 

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
149
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Germany
I have the Software not a converted PDF version, it is not the same like in the past. However it was what we could achieve as source.
I would not do a frame off restoration without that.🙈
 
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Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
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Germany
Now we have all ordered for the rear-axle to go ahead, just time is rare these days
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only one package is still pending with the leafspring shackles and the parking-brake hardware kit
This should bring him on the rear end soon on his wheels
 

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
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Germany
We got the last order we need before christmas
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and we start with the rear axle today
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we translate the TM before we start as its easier for us to follow
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the new hardware kit had not the correct pins (longer) and clips - so we used the old ones. Also the lower spring seems not so solid
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Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
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Germany
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Could be under the truck if i had ordered the right leafspring bushings🙈. ETA for the new order Jan 13th
 
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Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
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Germany
The last rusty-crusty part
Needed 2 hours to separate all for sandblasting
I am not sure if i want use the sparewheelbracket under the truck again.
Renewed rusting is to be expected here simply due to the exposed position. I can't protect the whole thing, including the spare wheel, with underbody protection
Just clean up and thinking later what we will do with it
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Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
149
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Germany
Now we are preparing our list for the front axle
we want to use Kryptonite to rebuild the frontaxle
They advice me also a levelling kit for using bigger wheels, but this is not so easy here in Germany about the laws for roadlicencing.
I had ask Kryptonite if they have for their levelling kits an US Certification, but as you dont need that in the USA...
My first request on the road-licencing office was negative but after a bit of arguing they were already at least checking the facts of the case.

Can you tell me which wheels and tiresize is possible with a max. 3 inch Levelling kit?
Than i will give them all partnumbers and information from the used parts include the wheels and tires for a check.
 

DAVe3283

Heavy & Slow
Sep 3, 2009
3,727
296
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Boise, ID, USA
Since you have a GMC, you can run bigger tires than the Chevrolet. I run 315/70R17 tires on mine without a leveling kit.

You will have to trim the front bumper plastic so you can turn. There is a seam on the cab that I also had to fold over flat with a sledgehammer. But the suspension doesn't need raised, so you keep the ride quality and handling stock.

Sent from my FlashScan V2 using Tapatalk
 

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
149
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Germany
Since you have a GMC, you can run bigger tires than the Chevrolet. I run 315/70R17 tires on mine without a leveling kit.

You will have to trim the front bumper plastic so you can turn. There is a seam on the cab that I also had to fold over flat with a sledgehammer. But the suspension doesn't need raised, so you keep the ride quality and handling stock.

Sent from my FlashScan V2 using Tapatalk
Do you have a photo? The Tires must be covered here from the Fenders or using fenderflares if the tire is to wide. Cutting on bumper or trimming on the cab should be allow here as this involve not the stability or strength of frame and suspension. Below are the rim size which should gave no problem for roadregistration in germany if they are original GMC rims or aftermarket rims with a loadindex (how much weight a rim can bear) Unfortunately a lot of aftermarket rims have no loadindex.
Screenshot 2024-01-07 at 12-40-10 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD – Rad- & Reifengrößen LK Einpresstief.png
 

PureHybrid

Isuzu Shakes IT
Feb 15, 2012
3,493
474
83
Central OH
Yes thats the negative effect of any lifting
If you install a lift kit that lowers the front differential, and then uses a taller knuckle, it will ride just as factory. Only downside for your area would be overall width. With a lift kit your wheel hubs will be set wider.

Trimming a GMC bumper can be made to look factory. If you trim a slight curve nobody will ever notice
 

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
149
123
43
Germany
If you install a lift kit that lowers the front differential, and then uses a taller knuckle, it will ride just as factory. Only downside for your area would be overall width. With a lift kit your wheel hubs will be set wider.

Trimming a GMC bumper can be made to look factory. If you trim a slight curve nobody will ever notice
I will think twice and decide wise as i will not do the rebuild twice.
A roadlicensing for any rim/tire combination beside stocksizes will be difficult.
We was looking for kryptonite as it was an advice for a reliable brand. My question for a rebuild option to kryptonite was answered from them with this parts:
Ultimate 10
Swaybar ends
Levelingkit
Lower balljoints

Of course it is also possible to go with just the
Upper controlarms
Instead of the leveling kit
 
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Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
149
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Germany
I would like to add that a leveling or lift kit is not my goal. I am satisfied with the height and the suspension characteristics and it is and remains a work truck and not a show truck. I want to carry out the overhaul with high-quality and low-wear parts. A different tire size that can be driven without major changes is not out of the question for the look. The wider the tires, the greater the load on the steering and suspension. Which brings us back to the overhaul, where I will only take this into account when selecting the parts.

I am in the same Situation with the Chevy. I could use bigger tires but you all is surely well known the bad steering on that trucks. The Hardy-Steering is really bad. We have change in the rebuild on the u-joint Steering shaft but at least there is still the old Suspension configuration with one pitman arm which have to handle both wheels on a rigid axle. I am not sure if it is the right translation. The Truck have no independent wheel suspension like the Sierra. Overcross-Steering Systems only avialable with a lift-Kit... So we stay with 235/80R16 tires.

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2020 on one of the less rides before we decide to go in a frame-off-restauration
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Truck sat 15 years in our shop - the engine run but we failed always after a short time of IP Problems
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Towing is aweful - always disconnect the driveshaft and you need another Truck to tow...
Still a few month and he is back on the road as that what he was M1008 ExArmy after now 3 long years
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it is a full oldtimer restoration and all added parts like the lightbar, bullbar, Dacota digital, 4L80e ...are easy to remove as we have all original parts like Th400 and its driveshafts, original instruments, brushgard in our shop.
I bet he is the only one which have brand new factory status after a real frame off restoration.
Here you have only full oldtimer value if you have a 100% oldtimer restoration.
I would like to drive complete original but the light is very bad with that old H4 headlamps - the lightbar is really necessary at night - also if the headlamps are brandnew and the TH400 in additonal with 4.56 Rear axle was the dead of the engine. Engine is complete rebuild and should not be harm again just as here is the traffic on highways almost in high red area of rpm (Trucks 80 km/h usually on Highways with around 90 km/h. You be an obstacle for any other vehicle on the highway if you dont reach this speed. Also if any vehicle is allow on Highway which have a minimum speed about 60 km/h. All below are not allow to drive on highways.

The change on red color and civilian appearance was in 2000 for our metal company. We own the truck since 1996

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The truck was since 2005 in storage, we never could give him away.