The Mint Bastard

[_Auzzy_]

So this is the new tow pig!!

2000 chevrolet K2500 - 130K
7.4L vortec
NV4500
Tcase???
14 Bolt rear

Picked it up cheap but he needs some TLC.

Drive train wise it needs -
*both cv axles
*both front axle seals
*coolant leak from intake manifold
*runs like crap
*exhaust needs completely redone
*driver side front hook got ripped out the frame and damaged it.
*front shocks
*pitman and idler arm
*check alignment

Then there's crap I'm gonna do for my own self:

Exterior -
*wanting a bed for it
*grille needs replaced
*fix driverside lazy eye headlight
*driver side front fender
*fix some hack wiring
*new wheels
*rough country leveling kit and N3 shocks

Interior -
*replace vinyl floor with carpet/floor matting
*new fitted seat cover
*new stereo system
*sound deadening galore
*all led lighting

Motor -
*HPTuner it
*egr delete
*upgrade injectors
*full tune up
*HD water pump
*HD fan Clutch
*optima battery

Anyways so far I've got it home, cleaned up, and a bunch of stuff ordered!




After some time on our friends HPTuner program we determined that the running rich and crap like was due to a vacuum leak, not the fact the people before cut out the cats. Computer determined that they are closed off anyways.

It needed the intake manifold pulled anyways so full gasket set for the top end it is!

First thing got the engine bay cleaned, and started removing small things.



Got the throttle body off, gonna clean the hell out of this thing. Might replace the IACV, its pretty dirty from sucking on the crank tube.





Shots of the coolant leaks. Common spots, stupid quick connect for the heater hose and the back of the intake manifold.





So got the top end apart, found a couple pinched gasket spots on the upper piece of it and also found the bad spot in the #8 cylinder coolant seal.






Then while all this is apart we noticed something funny. The #8 cylinder intake valve valley was dry as could be while the rest had some gasoline residue still there till the air dried it but showed wash patterns. The #8 showed very minimal signs of pushing any fuel out. Now these motors are known for the fuel consumption. After some research we found that there's a new injector from Bosch thats better on fuel usage in the lower and offers better performance on the higher end. Switches from a 6 hole design to a 4 hole with not tuning etc, known as the "black knights". So for now I'm waiting on them, got the fuel pressure regulator replaced in the mean time.




Stay tuned for more big block action

 

[_Auzzy_]

Little update. Still waiting on injectors for now, but the motor work is done till they show.

New intake gaskets
New valve cover gaskets
New thermostat
New water pump
New lower hose
New belt
New tensioner
New idler pulley
Cut off the dumb heater hose quick connect in favor of a classic barb
Cleaned up valve covers and painted
Egr delete done

 

[YROC FAB.]

 

[I Lean]

I appreciate you taking pics of this process, for my entertainment.

 

[_Auzzy_]

Pic dump!

So got the injectors in, motor returned, egr deleted, etc etc etc

The Black Knights!


Motor back together and runs damn smooth!


F these fuel wasting punks

 

[_Auzzy_]

On to the gross ass interior!

Definitely seen some dirt in its life.








All cleaned out and floor surface rust eliminated!



Next came sound matting!

Floor


Doors




Drivers window didn't roll up for crap, come to find out the rollers were shot.



So Cory whipped me up some out of old skidplate material.

 

[_Auzzy_]

To the stereo!

As much as I look an old scratchy sound cassette player blaring away, I wanted something up with the times.

Amazon deck with Boss Phantom series everything else.

Two tweeters between visors
6.5s in the door
4x6 behind the seat
6x9s behind the seat
8inch sub
1000watt 4 channel amp







Doors and tweeters in the headliner are done, waiting on the boxs for the 6x9s and sub. Tried putting the 6x9s in where the 4x6s are but there's not enough room behind it.

So on to the deck

Good ol mouse nest


Deck installed. Dash cam and back up cam ready, etc etc




Power wire ran for sub! 4 gauge oughta be good nuff.





Amp wired in, carpet down, etc.

 

[_Auzzy_]

And final product!

Husky floor liners, oreilly seat cover, dash cover, everything super cleaned






Then of course a MFG custom polished shifter and brass T handle for the NV4500



And the finishing touch

 

[_Auzzy_]

On to the under carriage!

First stop, front suspension! Needs bof wheel bearings, bof cv axles, one lower ball joint, and the frame fixed.

Sadly I didn't have the wheel bearings or ball joint...mostly cause I didn't know I needed them.



So on to the frame repair! Some redneck shenanigans happened i imagine.



Bent it back and welded it up



Drilled out the mounts and hooks, went from 12mm to 1/2" and painted. Welded the passenger side seam too just cause.

 

[rholbrook]

Love it

 

[zgfiredude]

The mint tow hooks really are a nice touch!

 

[Rot Box]

You’re not messing around Cool truck!

 

[_Auzzy_]

Aight, been up for awhile now lol

Got exhaust done
Both front wheel bearings
Lower ball joint
Tape checked alignment
Torqued everything
Checked all fluids
Etc.

Any who pic dump. Exhaust first.

Ghetto ass crap removed..





Someone least had good intentions at one point. Found some exhaust doughnuts in the cab during my cleaning



Anywho, the downpipes already stepped from 2.5 to 3 inch so I decided to roll with that and do 3 to the muffler to a 3 tail pipe.











After all this got the front end done up nice and tight etc

 

[Noahfecks]

Iff'n you keep fixen stuff yer gonna have ta take that shitbox emblem off there

 

[Greg]

Flowmasters were MADE for big blocks!

 

[Jesser04]

Had that same exhaust on a 97 454 it was so loud when I deleted the cats. Awesome but loud.

 

[_Auzzy_]

Now for its maiden

 

[I Lean]

After looking at @Jesser04 and your last pic.....I kinda think the Mint Bastard needs a dually rear axle.

 

[YROC FAB.]

When austin said he had been up for awhile, what he meant is that he was awake for 23hrs putting the interior back together, then doing the exhaust, then ripping the front end apart, then eating breakfast with me waiting for the parts store to open to rebuild the front end, before finally taking a nap and then towing to sand hollow with it for the first time. Crazy bastard

 

[BeepBeep]

Now for its maiden

View attachment 131653

The shadow in front of the bumper looks like Mjolnir. 🤘