Mike's 03 Sierra projects

[mike528]

Got the truck payed off last June and no intentions of getting a new one anytime soon so time to fix this one up the way I want it. I've always liked the road armor style bumpers but never cared for the price tags. Found move bumpers and for $50 more than a premium chrome only replacement after shipping I got the basic kit. Adding my own pre runner bars using the jd2 model 32 bender I got last year. I will also be doing a new back bumper from scratch as well as some running boards and a headache rack and welding in new rockers and cab corners. I will post progress as I move along.

Here is the current progress.

 

[38 Dodge Coupe]

Looks great. nice job.

 

[mike528]

Got a little closer last night. Need to do a little more reinforcing for the receiver than add the pre runner hoops.

And resolve some clearance issues.

 

[Stooge]

looks good! did you add the hitch in yourself or was that part of the kit? Whats going in all of the extra slots and that center space, winch?

 

[mike528]

I added the reciever myself. They can include it but it's extra $$. The center opening is for a 20" light bar and the ones on the wings are for the smaller pod lights.

 

[mike528]

Made a little more progress on it before work today while my helper napped. Relocated the tops of the light mounts since the lights where taller anyway and it also took care of the clearance issue with the core support.

Just need to figure out how I want to do the pre runner bar

Woke up just in time for cleanup

 

[8man]

I liked the work on the bumper, then I saw the real help getting it done. Good job, and that helper is a keeper!

 

[mike528]

Went back over after work and finished it up. For the most part. Just need to clean up the welds around the small light holes and she's ready for paint.
Some reinforcing for the different sized tubes.

And the pre runner bar.

 

[mv213]

What a great looking bumper! I checked their website, I am bummed that they don't offer one for a Nissan Frontier 4x4.

 

[BPJOOP93]

I didn't go to more yet. How many mounting points are there?

 

[mike528]

6 bolts. 2 in the top factory mounts, and 4 on the bottom/ inside of the frame using the 4/6 of the tow hook bolt locations

 

[countryroad82]

That's a nice bumper for the cash there! I've got a winch bumper that came off an old truck we had at work (was headed for scrap) and plan on making it work on my 06 Sierra, along with a few other things that need done to the truck. I'll bookmark that page as that's awesome!

 

[mike528]

Here's a better shot. Just working on some finishing touches before it goes to powder coat.

Got half way through hole #4 for the chicken lights before work with the step bit and my m18 finally released the magic smoke. We're pretty hard on them at work, this is my second one in 5 years.

 

[ADSR]

Bumper looks great!

 

[mike528]

Got the last 4 switches in from otrattw today and discovered that they are of way better quality than the ones I got from Amazon so I'll be replacing the other 3 next week.

This part is taking more time that welding the bumper itself, not even counting the planning stages of wiring and making it look good.

 

[jimkinney]

Nice bumper, but shouldn't the lettering be backwards? That way the person in front of you can read it in their mirror and get out of the way.

I also like your clean up help. Mine is 19 and I can't get him to clean up anything.

 

[gte718p]

I'm confused by the wiring. I'm assuming one row of jumpers is for the switch and the second row of jumper is power distribution. It looks like some of the wires coming out of the switch are bigger then the jumpers. That doesn't seem like a good idea.

 

[mike528]

All of the wires are 16awg ancor marine wire. None of the switch wiring is high amp load. All of the lights and air compressor run off of relays and 10awg wire. The black is ground, one set of red is the interior lights for the bottom of the switches and another is for the switched power for ones that use that.

 

[mike528]

Got them tidied up a bit and got the Deutsch connector end on it.

 

[NKlamerus]

Looks great, I've got something similar running in my 05.

Hard to get a good photo without sunlight.

Having the digital voltage guage makes all the difference. Run straight to the battery.

Powering a backup camera, light bar relay, and 4 backup lights.

 

[ovrrdrive]

You do nice work... I wouldn't have any issue letting you work on any of my stuff. Looks great!

Makes me think I need to start working on a bumper cut file. I like that design and have almost the same truck in the driveway. That's really beefy... Is it 3/16"?

 

[LXCam]

Looks really good OP. Now all you need is a little more tire and it'd look sick!

 

[mike528]

You do nice work... I wouldn't have any issue letting you work on any of my stuff. Looks great!

Makes me think I need to start working on a bumper cut file. I like that design and have almost the same truck in the driveway. That's really beefy... Is it 3/16"?

Thanks. Yes it is 3/16

Looks really good OP. Now all you need is a little more tire and it'd look sick!

I've been watching for a nice used set of wheels and tires locally. Hoping to find a set by the end of the summer. Would love to find a good deal on a set of bmf novakanes

 

[mike528]

Had a few minutes today to work on the switches and harness. Cut the back out of the pocket in the console and started on the rest of the harness to the relays and power sources in the dash.

 

[mike528]

Slowly progressing. That 100' spool didn't last long.

 

[mike528]

Got the harness through the firewall and started on the fuse/relay panel. The air compressor will be getting relocated when battery #2 is added.

 

[mike528]

Why does wiring always seem like it takes for ever to get done?

 

[mike528]

Bumper goes in tomorrow for powder coat. Blew a brake line Saturday and found a bad wheel bearing while working on the brakes so no new progress on the wiring this week. Too busy at work to get much progress done on anything at home this week. Damn 12's.

 

[mike528]

Made some progress today after it stopped raining.

Looks like I'll be going to napa Monday morning for 2 new calipers.
I'll be doing the wheel bearing here shortly.

 

[countryroad82]

That's one of the biggest issues with GM brake lines.

 

[mike528]

The one over the gas tank went out a couple years ago at a stop sign on the way to work, fortunately it's not a busy intersection. That line was just regular sections from napa. The ss lines are from the kit for dad's truck that I'm supposed to be installing on his this summer.

Wheel bearing went a lot better than I was expecting, came right out

 

[mike528]

Got this pic from my cousin today after it came out of the oven. Unfortunately he called too late for me to pick it up today.

Picking up the 2 reman calipers from napa in the morning and will hopefully have it back on the ground before I go to work tomorrow. Then just need to finish the wiring.

 

[mike528]

Got the brakes back together and somewhat working. Crossthreaded a fitting and had to get a different pump. The one that I got used from eBay uses a different plug, anyone know if I can just change the plug out on the truck or if I can swap the pump/controller on the housings?
The bumper is back on and I have the outside 2 lights working. Will try to get the rest done before the end of the night.

 

[Stooge]

The bumper looks great on there and Im really like the switch plate taking the place of the lower cubby in the center console!

all that red wire looks confusing!

 

[mike528]

Thanks. All that red wire is why I'm glad I snatched up the old wire labeled they where throwing out at work. It's a little quirky but it was free and came with about a half dozen replacement cartridges. If you think that's confusing these where my projects over the last month installing 2 new machines at work. Don't have a pic of the main panel where all of the wires went to.

 

[mike528]

Here's a better pick of the bumper with all of the 3/4" lights in the bottom. Just need to ground 2 wires on the bumper and run the power to the fuse block. Should be done by the end of my lunch break.

 

[mike528]

Here the finished switch panel. Still need to replace switches 1,2,&4 with ones from otrattw to match the other 4. And the camera doesn't do the light output justice.

 

[badss98]

nice bumper, wire job looks great,

 

[75149]

Got the last 4 switches in from otrattw today and discovered that they are of way better quality than the ones I got from Amazon so I'll be replacing the other 3 next week.

This part is taking more time that welding the bumper itself, not even counting the planning stages of wiring and making it look good.

Looks nice.... tag

 

[mike528]

Got the pics updated. Here's a shot of the running lights.