Bought a Sierra as Donortruck - now he stay

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
196
172
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Germany
That wire on the headliner is probably for the rearview mirror. The higher trim levels have the temperature and a compass in the rearview mirror. If all the wires are present, you might be able to upgrade yours by getting the rearview mirror and adding the temperature sensor at the front of the truck.

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Thanks, sounds interessing
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Here is the plug better to see.
I will check if i found wiring diagrams to this option
 

DAVe3283

Heavy & Slow
Sep 3, 2009
3,781
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Boise, ID, USA
Here's the pin out for the inside rearview mirror. See if those pins/colors match.

I don't see a connector like you have for the roof marker lights, but I might be looking in the wrong section of the manual.
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Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
196
172
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Germany
Did it have the overhead console?

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No, this is just a basic model. Standard cab, no leatherseats, rubbermate on the floor, manual AC, small left and right manual doormirrors without turnsignal, no electrical window but i was glad to find a LBZ Duramax in Germany....
 

countrycorey

Trust Me I'm an Engineer
Jan 30, 2010
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LA
No, this is just a basic model. Standard cab, no leatherseats, rubbermate on the floor, manual AC, small left and right manual doormirrors without turnsignal, no electrical window but i was glad to find a LBZ Duramax in Germany....
Gotcha. Could be the plug for an overhead console, for the map lights?

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Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
196
172
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Germany
Maybe i can figure out with you all what it is. Unfortunately here a no possibility to got used parts from donortrucks as we have no more scrapyards here. All vehicle go in an industrial recycling or oversea (for example Africa). And US Fullsize Trucks are rare here. Additional i learned from my research of parts that not all is interchangeable in the same Buildyear. Thats why we think reupholstery the seats with leather than try to find a used leather interieur.
 

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
196
172
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Germany
Go on this saturday by removing the rear window.
We used this tools

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they done a good job

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Couldnt got the windscreen out as the dashpad still sit in. I couldnt find all clamps and bolt. Looking today at home in the TM-Software and found out there a hidden clamps in the passenger handle 🙈
We will go on next weekend.

In our absence Fedex deliver the cabcorner from LMC
Shown a good quality

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and with 1,15 mm thicker than usual sheetmetal for vehicles here

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Glue in the windows will be done by a professional shop. I have not enough expierence for this job. I want a prooved proper sealed window.
 

DAVe3283

Heavy & Slow
Sep 3, 2009
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Boise, ID, USA
I really enjoy reading about the restoration and seeing the little differences over there vs over here. Looks like you are making good progress and doing a very thorough job. Thanks for keeping us updated!

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Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
196
172
43
Germany
I really enjoy reading about the restoration and seeing the little differences over there vs over here. Looks like you are making good progress and doing a very thorough job. Thanks for keeping us updated!

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Dont think that all go here the same route like we do. We rebuild for ourselve and want a reliable truck. That mean always it can't be the fast, easy and cheap way. The regret is later if you miss steps/jobs just to reach your aim earlier and easier.

We hoped not to strip all out but deep inside we knew it will be necessary and you can notice it very well on all the hidden bad spots behind all plastic and covers...

I am curious, where do you see differences?
 

DAVe3283

Heavy & Slow
Sep 3, 2009
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Boise, ID, USA
I am curious, where do you see differences?
Just little things, like your comment on the sheetmetal for the repair part being so thick compared to normal. Though that might be a truck vs. car thing more than US vs. Germany thing.

The rest of the differences make sense, as the parts are hard to get over there so it makes sense to refurbish where we would replace. But we do the same on older (1980s) Mercedes cars (especially the diesels), which are still popular, but hard to get parts for. So we refurbish things that are probably very cheap to replace over in Germany.
 

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
196
172
43
Germany
Just little things, like your comment on the sheetmetal for the repair part being so thick compared to normal. Though that might be a truck vs. car thing more than US vs. Germany thing.

The rest of the differences make sense, as the parts are hard to get over there so it makes sense to refurbish where we would replace. But we do the same on older (1980s) Mercedes cars (especially the diesels), which are still popular, but hard to get parts for. So we refurbish things that are probably very cheap to replace over in Germany.
Funny i always forget the Chevy and GMC are Trucks.
For us in Germany a Truckdriver licence start on 12to Trucks. All other is Delivery Vehicle and can usually drive by cardriver licence. So in my mind our Pickups are not Trucks 😅. That explained the thickness of sheetmetall. I never done bodywork on Trucks.

We have no more scrapyards. All what is good for sale will be industrial recycle and than offered. The price is much higher as in the past where you look on scrapyards for donorvehicles, but the parts are not better. They are just on a shelf to grab, no more disambling by yourself. There are no more good deals here. And new parts, yes Mercedes should be easier to got here, but not really cheap. And Mercedes now keeps spare parts available for only 15 years after the end of a model series. Our former Volvos both 945series 1992/1998 gone as we dont got more replacementparts. A daily driver need to be repair in time and not if you got by chance a rare part which prevent roadworthyness. We made in over 40 years car and truck maintenace the expierence manufactores parts are more reliable on VW, Volvo and Mercedes (the brands we had and have in that time). So we look usually also on the Chevy and GMC parts to got manufactored replacement or recommondated better parts.

I am really glad that Squarebodies still so popular in the USA. It was easy to restorate our Chevy. Not all with manufactored parts but also with reliable aftermarket products. Not bad for a 41 year old Truck.
And also for the Sierra isnt it a problem to got parts, just the shipping costs prevent sometimes a good deal.
 

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
196
172
43
Germany
After found the clamps from the passenger handle was it possible to slip of the dashpad without cracks or other damage.

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Fortunately we dont need to remove the Airbag. In Germany only certified professionals are allow to remove or exchange airbags. Thats why also the steering wheel sit still in place. We will now cover the area before we go on with the body work
 
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Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
196
172
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Germany
We have start 8 day holidays, so we can go on with the Sierra instead fly to the "Maledives" :ROFLMAO:

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There is a lot of glue to remove

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also on the glass

taking both door apart and found, like expected surface rust

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but nothing on the bottom

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Does anybody know where i can got this stickers new?

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the best tool i ever bought in this project

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all parts sorted and marked for an easier mounting later

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i will check which is cheaper new metalrails or sandblasting, they have a lot of surface rust

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Found under the rails again a "Lucky Penny" in German Glückpfennig

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It remind me always to check deeply your vehicle before give it away... maybe it hide things which are important for you to stay with it.
 

1FastBrick

Well-known member
Dec 1, 2016
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Junkyard
In the USA we have a few different companies.
https://www.ecsvin.com/ I found a video showing what a customer received.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIMgS92tgXY


I have also found these as well but I am unsure how the quality is.
 

Phoenix-LH

Active member
Aug 19, 2022
196
172
43
Germany
After removing all gluerests from the windowframes start on the cabcorners. Tve drainholes on both sides was a long time clogged. Rust bite over the time through all sheetlayers.
Today open both corners to have an overview of the damage.

Driverside

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Passengerside

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Not that bad for a 19years old truck out of any rustprotection and care
 
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TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
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Mid Michigan
You have no idea. Look at trucks that have lived their whole lives in Michigan. Rockers and cab corners rust from the inside out on these trucks.