Recent upgrades to 33 year old GM rig: NV4500 and hydroboost brakes

[Larry]

With winter comes new projects and upgrades for project truck Bigassgas. Years past brought an 8.1L conversion, winch bumpers, lockers, etc. This year it was time to upgrade the transmission from an old dump truck direct drive SM465 4-speed to a more modern NV4500 5-speed with overdrive. While it was in bits it was also a perfect time to address 33 years of rust accumulation on the interior floor boards as well as the terrible braking power. Also upgraded the stereo, instrument cluster and had the seats reupholstered as well as many other things. The next project for my buddy and I are to rework the rear bumper to move the spare tire outside and make room for fuel cans as I will be taking delivery of a new Phoenix pop-up camper in March. Can’t wait for that!

Interior shots before teardown


Old SM465


Cleaned up NV4500 next to old SM465.


Interior in shambles while swapping in hydraulic clutch pedals and master cylinder


NV4500 and NP205 installed. Had to shorten the rear shaft and lengthen the front


Rust repair complete and prepped for Rhino lining


After Rhino lining. Used Dynamat, insulation and a heavy duty rubber floor mat over the top of the Rhino. Interior is nice and quiet (except for the noisy NV4500 we just installed…errr)


Hydroboost brakes. Can finally stop now this big heavy beast now! (the hydraulic lines look close to the metal brake lines in the picture but there is actually plenty of clearance)


Behind the seat storage thanks to a generious Chevrolet HHR rental car for making such a kind donation.


Had pockets sewed into the seats for additional storage. The center fabric is 2010 Silverado/Sierra


Final interior


Alas! 5 speed!


The complete collection of project pictures are here

[Eaglefreek]

That is one sharp looking rig. I'd be afraid to drive it anywhere.

[Jnich77]

Sharp truck man!!!!!

[OTR]

Looks good!!!!

[ratkin]

Nice!

[silvElise]

That is quite the cleanup! Your truck looks amazing

[ExpoMike]

Very nice!!! Seen it on a couple other boards too and just love the color combo and how clean it is. Nice job.

BTW, are you looking to get rid of those seat covers you had in the first picture? Also maybe those floor mats too. I may be interested for my M1010 project.

[Cody1771]

hey man, where did you get those seat covers? they look really nice

[blakeape]

Beautiful truck, I have a hammered 1987 4x4 crew cab 1 ton that someday I would love to give a little LS and NV re-power to. Probably won't happen anytime soon as the 465 and TBI 350 don't seem to have any plans of croaking soon. Keep the pics of that beauty coming!

[Larry]

Thanks everybody.

Eaglefreek, the paint looks show quality in these pictures but up close and in person it is loaded with desert pin striping. No dents anywhere though…

The seat covers are Cabela’s Trail Gear

XJ Mike,

The color is actually a Pontiac Montana minivan color that a buddy and I sprayed on 13 years ago. We picked that color, as it was the closest color he had in stock that matched the interior. It was a $120 and case of beer paint job. Turned out nice too

I’m going to hang on to the seat covers for our summer desert trips (we tend to spill a lot of beverages bouncing around out in the boonies) and the Husky mats for another square body style truck I have lying around.