When I bought my 97 almost 3 rears ago, there was some rust starting. Well fast forward 2 years and there was ROT. Front fenders, rad support, bed sides and one rear door.
The trucks dedicated use is towing my 20' deckover 14k trailer. And what better for towing than a dually, right?
SO I figured I would kill 3 birds with one stone
-Fix the rust
-make a stable trailer towing platform
-Have a one of a kind truck
The 97 CCSB is kind of a odd duck as it is. But it having a powerstroke and STICK made it even more odd
The 1st thing to get done was to replace the rotten spring hangers and shackles.
Then the truck failed inspection due to bad ball joints, brakes and axle u-joints,
SO a solid axle Dana 60 went in. When that went in, it was coupled with a Precision Metal Fab RSK, SD v code springs, and Bilstine shocks.
Next up was to repair the grinding 2nd and 5th gears. Trans came out and dropped off for a freshen. I put in a SMF w a Valair organic clutch. Also while the trans was down i put in a MBRP 3" DP and full 4" exhaust(what a POS, nothing fit right)
Gauges were also added to monitor the trucks vitals. The DP tuner was soon sent back now that I could see how HOT the truck was getting. Jody burned me some custom tunes for my specific application. It now tows at 1,100* grossing out at 21k climbing 8-10% grades
This summer I figured It was time to fix the body, since the mechanicals were taken care of.
Got a southern rust free rad support, fenders and rear door. They were sandblasted(to make sure they were rust free), primed with POR15 then topcoated in silver, The frame(and under side of cab) was powerwashed to get the remaining Zeibart off, then sandblasted, POR15, and topcoated w Valspar Lo-glare tractor black. A rear dually axle was also added.
Next up was the body work. The truck has just a couple car door dings, but some good scratches. Roof looked like it was in a hail storm as well.
The "complicated" part was making my SRW short bed into a dually. I bought Arrowcrafts conversion fender, but didnt care for how they had you mount them. I got them in place and cut the whole inner wheel well out(they wanted you to leave them in for support). I then disected a factory dually bed for the OEM supports and I had to make some of my own and Bonded them in place. Once the bed was preped for the fenders, It went outside, got sandblasted, por15 and topcoated with the valspar as well.
With the interior completely gutted, I sound proofed the cab. Used Lowes Peal and Seal and toped with 1/8" closed cell foam. Seats were shampooed along with the carpet
I never really cared for the silver and maroon(I hate red) so i changed it up a lil
here are some picks of the build. What do you think?
day I got it
Doing some hauling
Gutting the dana 60
Sandblasted
Old axle out
New axle in w 315s on 8" centerlines
Towing my buddies truck to carlisle
Adding cab lights
Gauges
maxxbrake trailer controller
Some steps
08 diff cover and Copper/nickel alloy brake lines
more towing
My 6 aluminum wheels. 4 Hotshots and 2 magnums(for inside)
Custom intercooler pipes