BLACK THUNDER roars in Arkansas
Hi! I'm Guy, and this is a page about my 1983 GMC Jimmy 4 x 4 which I brought back from the dead and have turned it into a one of a kind killer, I sometimes refer to as 'the Black Hole' since it has sucked money into some void somewhere. 

I'm not what you'd call a 4 wheeler, really, just wanted a good rig for my Search & Rescue missions (see my BCSAR page below), and for deer hunting here in Northwest Arkansas and for the occasional bad weather.
This is my 83 Jimmy 4 x 4.
I  bought it for $1000.  It was really trashed out.  Started rebuilding it from the tires up.
I'm leaving the body alone for now, as I don't want to advertise it as something worth stealing.
Speed me a letter at the
following address:
mantracker@snakebite.com
Background:  Rear end was shot, which is all too common among average 4 x 4s.  I could have gotten by for $900, but decided to add pos-i-trak (which blew me away, 'cause I thot' all 4 bys had it.  Wrong! )  Another $300 for that.

Front end had worn parts, discovered the power steering sector box had been replaced with a salvage 79 C10 pickup box, which caused me some problems when replacing the pump.  Tranny is a TH 350.  Transfer case  is an NP203 (which is not supposed to be stock for the 83).  Both seem to be in good shape, no slipping, etc.  Changed the fluid 3 times to get the tranny  flushed good, and so far seems to be strong.  Changed to manual 'Warn' hubs.  Changed all the u joints.  Learned NOT to let the rig roll AT ALL when shifting into or out of 4 wheel.  Found out the hard vibration at speed was the drive shaft.  Took it to a drive shaft shop and found out it was 105 thous off.  I can't believe it stayed in there.  Fixed it and it mic'd at 8 thous and now it drives down the highway like a caddy.

The orignal seats had been replaced with salvage and weren't on the original mounts, although I had the mounts.  I could barely see over the dash.  I fabricated new steel that would make a transition between the 'new' seats and the 'old' mounts.  Now I can see over the dash.

First thing to do was replace all the rubber seals on all doors, windows and joints.  Then I completely re-did the inside, including a couple of rust holes.  Put down aircraft insulation and indoor/outdoor carpeting.  Re-insulated and paneled the walls.  Fixed window motors, new door hinges.  Replaced the inside door panels.  AND more for safety and security, I replaced the ATO fuseblock (from Painless Wiring) and replaced/repaired many small wiring details while I was at it, including getting the heater to work (needed a resistor) which is handy on frosty mornings.

Then came the motor!!  Click at right --------------------------------------------->>
Favorite Links:
Guy's Poetry Corner
Guy's Freedom Page
Benton County Search & Rescue
This page is under
permanent
construction
Engine on stand

Engine installed

The Mill

the Costs