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. |
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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. |
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Speed me a letter at the following address: |
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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 --------------------------------------------->> |
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Favorite Links: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Guy's Poetry Corner Guy's Freedom Page Benton County Search & Rescue |
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This page is under permanent construction |
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Engine on stand Engine installed The Mill the Costs |
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