2002 Chevy Extended Cab Build

1/8/07

It has begun!!  After several months of thinking and daydreaming I have started on my truck build out.  The gear going in is all Diamond Audio, with a lineup like this:

Diamond D6 1500.1
Diamond D6 600.4
Diamond Hex 6,4, tweet
2) Diamond D6 10's
Wrangler Dual battery tray and H.O. alt. (230 amp)

Eclipse 8454 Deck

I only get a few hours a week to work on this project, so the updates may be a little apart.  I'll have an upper console similar to the previous one with the exception of having two huge amplifiers up there.  So far I've pulled the headliner nine times, and it isn't any fun doing so.  The power wire run up there was not simple either.  I've welded up an amp rack and mounts in the truck, and started rough framing my ideas, things always change, so you may see a few things disappear, but hopefully most of it will work and I'll run into few snags along the way.  Enjoy the pics until the next update!!

Link to Photos Here

-Ryan

1/16/07

I didn't get a whole lot accomplished this week it seems, a lot of staring and thinking.  I managed to get most of the lower console frame welded up, the most difficult part is keeping things straight since the truck is so off center.  It was a lesson in geometry for sure.  My goal is to make the top of the lower console appear to only meet in the front and back.  If I can pull that off I'll be happy.  If you're wondering what the green fuzzy enclosure is, it was the only thing I had laying around that was the height I needed.   Stay tuned till next week.

Link

1/25/07

Upon the many hours staring at this thing, I managed to get a few things accomplished.  One of the main challenges in building this is the length of all the pieces.  I want to make sure I don't build something I can't get in or out of the truck.  The last picture from the previous update shows the upper frame to the lower console.  I managed to get that to fit in there and I have started rough framing in the design of the sides and top.  I'm trying to make enough room for my monkey arms and a cup holder or two.  I just picked up an extra rear seat today so I can start getting that all figured out, fun times ahead.

Link

2/16/07

To say the least, I've been busy lately, and there isn't much to show this time, I started on fabricating the rear seats, which consisted of two whole seats cut down and welded together.  I'm still gonna have to figure out a good upholstery place to do my stuff for me.  I also started on the deck mount and cupholder area, I'm in the process of building the brackets to hold the deck where I need it, it's a pain trying to work on that.  Well, hopefully by next week I'll have some good pictures along with more stories.

Link

3/27/07

Did I say week?? I meant month.  It's been hard trying to find time to work on the truck let alone update this site too.  I've added some foam and worked on getting some little things done.  I got the cupholders in and some foam in for shape.  I've come up with a final design for the armrests, and started to play around with a bit of lighting.  The lower console has got some more attention as well as the upper console, I want it to hang down a bit to allow for some lighting.  Trying to keep similar themes with both the upper and lower consoles.  Thats about all I have for now, I still have to resize some pics, but I put a few more up and will try to get some more soon.

Link

4/4/07

Got Some of the upper console done and ready for some fiberglass fun.  Put in my rear view camera at the end of the upper console, thought it'd be nice there.  I laid down some foam and got it close to my desired shape, I then masked off the truck and laid a bit of glass, which is where i leave for now.  Gonna have a busy week/end, so I don't know when I'll get more done.

Link

4/24/07

Having issues loading up pictures.  I've been making some headway as of late, did some behind the scenes work on getting my rear seats more secure and various panels mounted.  I've added some foam and fiberglass to the lower console, and have started to smooth it out.  The main focus these last few weeks has been the center console, and what a pain it has been, but the end is in sight :) 

Link

5/23/07

Man o man, I'm slacking on getting things updated around here :) The seats are off to upholstery, most of the panels are ready for upholstery, and most of the parts have primer on them, although I have yet to sand them.  The current pics cover up to the start of upholstery.  I have the upper trims finished and ready along with the amp rack cover.  I may start to wire some of this weekend.