1977 GMC CCDW build

[BigDooley77]

So last night I got down to the shop to work for awhile since the cable kit showed up finally. Found out how much the TPS bracket I made wasn't going to work lol so more cutting and some bending has everything working now. its too bad no one makes a cheap bracket for the QJet everything is $130-$150 on the market and I just don't have the funds lately. Still need to finish drilling the holes for the crossmember and finish up the linkage.

photo of the driveshaft Local shop needed the middle of the support bearing mount to the back of the transmission (37" with yoke in) then took out 1 inch boom 36" driveshaft with a new u-joint and slip yoke installed.

[BigDooley77]

Finished the linkage last night used a fellow members guide made short work of the task. Backed it out of the shop went around the block (quite a ways when you live in the middle of no where) it shifted flawlessly which just made my day! all the hard work is paying off finally. I still need to hook up the speedometer cable and Cable-X unit. I bought the unit used and the cable was cut so I need a new one. I also need to finish the tuning on the controller ( need to input the TPS information) assemble the last few pieces of the interior clean it all back up.

While on my drive I tested the seat heaters too wow that's a nice feature for an old truck! I will continue adding creature features my next project is adding Fog lights to a bumper I just picked up. I'm stuck on the switch I'm thinking about using the 89-91 suburban dash double switch fuel selector on one and the fog lights on the other then using the unused lighted section under the speedometer to have it illuminate Fog lamps when the switch is on.

I'm seriously thinking about adding power windows to the truck also.

[OutlawDrifter]

Any progress is a good thing!

[BigDooley77]

Unfortunately there was some issues with the trans of course... right.... buy used and the seller says its good its most likely junk. 3rd gear direct drive was toast its been a really cold winter so it took me some time to really get motivation by the time I felt like it we were in January. So I decided the best thing to do was send the transmission to a local guy its done now and back altos red eagle and kolenes to help strengthen it the rest of the hd2 kit installed (springs) along with new bushings etc. I should have it back in the truck this coming weekend then we can get back to the fun stuff.

[BigDooley77]

Transmission is back I didn't take a photo of it fully assembled but here's a photo of the case looking might darn pretty. I did get the transmission back in.

[OutlawDrifter]

We are getting extra winter up here in the northeast part of the state. Glad you are getting something accomplished!

[BigDooley77]

So on Saturday we installed the trans hooked everything up filled it up backed the truck out whew that's one movement. I pull out of the driveway and then turn onto the main road, it seems like its going fine so I put my foot down a little to make sure it will down shift and it hesitates then does it. I pull off the road turn around to head back it starts really acting up like it can't move its own power. Starts feeling like its in neutral I start loosing momentum so I stop at the bottom of the hill before my road I give it a minute then proceed up the hill its holding first gear and creeping up the hill but I can't depress the pedal otherwise it starts revving up again finally I get it home and park it I did notice on the controller it read ErH now the manual doesn't decode this so I called the manufacturer today they don't know what that code means. I believe I have figured it out ErH Error Ratio High which doing some searching seems to narrow it down to pressure switch which is brand new or the VSS which is very old. since my controller doesn't use the input sensor I'm going to swap the sensors and see if that eliminates the issues. I really hope it does I miss driving this truck.

here's it running out in the cold night air right after I backed it out.

[BigDooley77]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

We are getting extra winter up here in the northeast part of the state. Glad you are getting something accomplished!

I'm in Leavenworth county we got a bit of snow the other day but it pretty much fell off the screen for the weekend we did get rain on and off all day Saturday when I backed the truck out is was barely snowing (flurries) but the wind was brutal!!

I'm trying! I've had so many ups and downs that I'm really loosing motivation it gets harder to go back out each time it fails to meet the goal.

[BigDooley77]

well issue still occurring. maybe the tps is no good perhaps I need to lay down some coin on an aftermarket one.

[BigDooley77]

so it's taken longer than it ever should have but I found the culprit the stock settings on the controller had the 2-3 shift at 5,500rpm I moved it to 2800rpm shifted without issue. my homemade TPS worked just fine I did replace it with a accushift TPS because I was worried my homemade kit was intermittent or just poorly crafted but the symptoms continued. I had gone through so much because I figured my work would be the problem and not the computer programming since I used a base tune. but atleast I can drive it now I've waited so long for this day. So next on the agenda is rear tires then either paint and body work or chassis work I'm unsure yet I'm just happy to be driving it again.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by BigDooley77

so it's taken longer than it ever should have but I found the culprit the stock settings on the controller had the 2-3 shift at 5,500rpm I moved it to 2800rpm shifted without issue. my homemade TPS worked just fine I did replace it with a accushift TPS because I was worried my homemade kit was intermittent or just poorly crafted but the symptoms continued. I had gone through so much because I figured my work would be the problem and not the computer programming since I used a base tune. but atleast I can drive it now I've waited so long for this day. So next on the agenda is rear tires then either paint and body work or chassis work I'm unsure yet I'm just happy to be driving it again.

Good work! Sounds so frustrating. I also tend to think whatever I did must be the problem. Not always. I'll admit I really like the gray paint with the 1 year only ocher trim.

[focusedontheprize]

Anything new with the Dooley.

[BigDooley77]

A lot well kinda... yeah I did get 4 new tires for the rear 235/85/16 that broke the bank but she's semi safe at highway speeds (needs suspension cleaned up and items refreshed). 65 mph is just barely over 2k rpm. still having issues with the Abbot Cable-X speedometer convertor pain in the.... so I've been using my controller for a speedometer when I feel unsure. as seen in the previous photos the driver side fender was smashed in and the trim was destroyed along with the black hood deal well fb marketplace to my rescue picked up a new to me LH fender and hood dirt cheap in Saratoga Silver so the truck kinda matches now 50 shades of gray... I'll post some photos can't seem to get my mobile to upload.

what else... what else ah working on A/C I got an extension made hoping to pickup the rest of the supplies this weekend vac the system and charge it up.

I believe next on my list will be the on board air setup (York 210)

I'm still on the fence whether I want to start body work or the air stuff first

paint the truck it'll be pretty or do the air stuff and I'll want semis that I can't afford right now lol.

for sure things i'll start sourcing over winter 14 srw full float 6 22.5 alcoas

[BigDooley77]

shades

[BigDooley77]

rear shot

[BigDooley77]

some photos off the new TPS kit and the stuff I had to do plus taillight upgrade.


I removed the turbo mufflers and put on glasspacks against my better judgement I hate it I really want a deep sound but not loud maybe the turbo mufflers out to a bigger pipe??? what do you guys think??

[Mpiersd]

Gorgeous truck. Wish I'd seen this thread earlier, I was just back in Leavenworth taking care of some family business in May.

[OutlawDrifter]

Dynomax Ultraflows or Hooker Aerochamber mufflers.

Buy the biggest case you can get, it'll be "quiet" at cruise and let people know you're in town when you wood the pedal.

[BigDooley77]

So a few things have changed with the build over the last few months I had to back burner all projects for a bit while I worked towards my CDL which I now have and a much better job too.

A friend of mine had a Fitech setup he decided not to use so I picked it up off him so I took a few days and installed it on the 454 it does start a little easier I'm not seeing much mpg difference but indo see a better transition through rpms just feels smoother while driving.

I finished my LED lighting so the side markers are now LED boards kind of a nice touch.

also got a set of DG5 Stainless Steel West Coast mirrors installed them.

[BigDooley77]

forgot to attach the photos

[BigDooley77]

the hydroboost unit was leaking like a siv so I resealed the unit with a kit from Amazon. heres some other photos of things.

[focusedontheprize]

Truck is coming along nicely. How is the 4L80e been working for you?

[BigDooley77]

I love it! it was worth every penny it's really the only reason I get decent mpg with my truck without sacrificing rear gear.

[BigDooley77]

well its been awhile I've finished some other stuff (camaro build) and I've been just enjoying the truck in its current state. I know I keep saying of suspension and paint soon but I found a smoking deal on a 8.1l vortec 80e pullout and I grabbed it up so now I'm in process of starting that swap build up but this time I'm gonna do everything body, and suspension. I have a new Career and don't absolutely need the truck like I once did now it can be torn down and thats what I'm gonna do.

[SCOTI]

8.1 & the 80e? Nice. That's a good combo. Not diesel territory but still gobs of usable torque.