1997 C1500 Autocross Build

[TheJakeLSX]

I thought I'd start a build thread here on pro-touring since you guys seem pretty cool and very helpful. My truck is a 1997 C1500. I started this build september 2012 after my 1992 C1500 burnt to the ground June 2nd 2012. I had my white 1992 for 11 years and did all the work myself, then one day driving (hot rodding) down the freeway the driveshaft went and pierced my full tank of gas lighting the truck on fire. I stopped and tried to get to my fire extinguisher which was right behind my seat and as i reached for it a big ball of fire came out of underneath the truck. I got severe second degree burns on both arms and severe second degree and some third degree burns on my legs. I was in the burn unit at the hospital for 2 days and spent 2 weeks out of work healing up. I got my insurance check a couple months later and decided to rebuild. I found a super solid, completely rust free 97 in dallas texas for $500 so i bought it and had it shipped up here to big lake mn.






I started by pulling the box and all the rear suspension and un needed brackets off the back half of the frame. I then bought a universal ridetech triangulated 4-link, a 8.5" 10 bolt from an impala ss, UMI upper control arms for an impala ss, and also 2 QA1 Proma-star double adjustable coil overs.




I also pulled the old 4.3 and 4l60e out of the truck and anything else under the hood and also the front clip. Then i spent hours sanding, priming, and then painting the frame.


I pulled the built 5.3 out of the burn white truck and was very surpised that it was still good, all new seals and gaskets and a fresh coat of paint and it was ready to go in.

I went on to lowering the front a lot, getting the rear suspension all done, and some more motor work. I also put the burnt front slip on for some character. Now the truck is getting completely repainted so itll be as nice as the white truck was if not nicer. ill just post all the pics and youll get the idea of all the work ive done.



















Thanks for checking out my build, ill post more as I go!

[drktrrs]

Very cool truck. Really sorry to hear about your burns and glad it wasn't worse for you than it was but in a way almost seams like the fire was the start to a good thing.

[astroracer]

Sorry to see what happened to your '92. That had to be a VERY sickening feeling let alone dealing with the burns. Glad you recovered.
I have one question to ask about the '97... Did you put in driveshaft loops?

[TheJakeLSX]

Good question! I did right away, front and rear loops.

[TheJakeLSX]

And it's also got a fuel cell mounted behind the rearend now instead of the stock tank that runs along side the drive shaft.

[astroracer]

And it's also got a fuel cell mounted behind the rearend now instead of the stock tank that runs along side the drive shaft.

Good move! Beautiful truck!

[JAG.]

definitely glad to hear you survived that situation, that was bad all around and could have been a lot worse. But you're ok and now the truck is turning out just fine from the looks of it so well done! it's great work so far, you should name it the phoenix ;) keep us posted

- JAG

[TheJakeLSX]

More pictures of the truck so far. I got all thee interior died black and also got all my new NT05's mounted.





Some you guys may have seen these pictures in the truck section but for those of you who havent seen them yet. these are pictures that Truckin Magazine took during the Truckin Throwdown at Holly LS Fest.

[wfo guy]

Good story. Good work.

[Typhoon1015]

Sorry to hear about that fire, the all white looked tits.

I saw the truck at ls fest and at the cantebury MOWOG this fall. I didn't get a chance to swing by and chat though.

I had the 66 Chevelle there.

Looking forward to more progress on this.

Are you planning next years Auto-X schedule yet?

[TheJakeLSX]

Yeah typhoon I remember seeing your car at Ls fest Canterbury Park and I think at car craft. I love you're car I gotta get a ride someday! Next year I plan on going to proving grounds, car craft, as many autocross events as I possibly can and maybe a domestic Sunday at goodguys nationals in Des Moines. I wish I could make it to Ls fest next year but I've got a wedding that same weekend.

[TheJakeLSX]

What do you guys think? Should I keep the burnt front right fender on for another year or until I get sick of it. Or buy a new fender and paint it orange so the truck will be all new and orange? I kind of want to keep it on there just cause it looks kinda cool, gives it character, is a conversation starter, and has a cool story to it. Just curious what your thoughts are.

[rchaskin]

I'd leave it. You can run it harder with rough paint.....LOL

Just curious, what does the new truck weigh?

[TheJakeLSX]

I weighed it at Ls fest and it was 3620 with me in it and I weigh 200.

[rchaskin]

3420 is way lighter than I thought. I like it.
Now, it needs a clutch......

[TheJakeLSX]

When I got the money is definitely getting a t56. It'll happen someday, its in the plans for sure.

[Badbowtie383x]

Anything happen in the past few years.

[eric.s.t]

Hello, new here and ive been building my own truck and ive been studying this thread quite a bit for a while. I really like the setup you have here!! im not sure if im missing it somewhere but im looking for that exact model of rear coil over you have.... do you have the part number for the Qa1.... ive tried calling them and they want the exact weight of my truck but I don't have that available right now .... so I figure I could use something like that to start with and then go from there ...