2000 Chevy 2500 – Donald D.

In February this year, we bought a used extend cab and stripped it clean and rebuilt it with much care. We took advantage of the accessibility and added much strength to the stock confinement. In June, we stripped and removed all parts to the bare frame and that is when we really made it right. The frame was in wonderful shape, so we descaled it and then, added much reinforcing steel, installed the new cross rail tubes, and reconstructed the ones we couldn’t’ buy to replace with schedule 40 pipe of the correct size. After purchasing a new receiver hitch, we modified that to include supports from the hitch to all cross members of the frame, including the gas take cross member. We added new set up to the new rear bumper where it attaches to the receiver hitch. We put all new lines of all systems and rebuilt the front and rear axles, including all new brake system bearings and seals. We rebuilt the top end of the 6L engine from the lifters up and reused the original intake. We revamped the electrical system to accommodate mirrors that we added from a Cadillac Escalade with fold, heated, puddle lights, and chromatic mirror dimming. We introduced diodes and relays to get map lights to come on when the interior lights light up upon the door opening. We added a rear light from a Tahoe, so the map light and interior light activates the same as the front. When the doors are closed, the map light can be lighted up independently. We wired in a light from the center console compartment that came with a plunger switch when the lid is opened. We added a heated windshield fluid unit under the hood that delivers 125 to 135 DeGreenia fluid for 5 seconds of spay time with a 20 sec. recovery cycle. All the doors have been restored or replaced to rust-free condition and we bought new front fenders. The entire body has been treated with POR and it’s covered with bed liner in the areas that don’t require a smooth finish paint. We have decided to paint the truck two-toned with the main color, a Dark Hunter Green and the secondary, Ancient White with the fender flairs painted white. There are many other modifications to this 2000 2500 to mention. It has been a wonderful learning experience for both my son and I. We are near the end as we are completing prep for paint. I can’t wait for our next project. This is the 8th truck my son has built from the frame up.