Rocket Man's 2008 Bagged CC Silverado Build AKA "THE MACHINE"

[kbuskill]

Exactly. I always have to make myself step back even when I have time. Otherwise I’ll just keep plowing ahead even if I need to redirect myself down another path. Which usually ends with me getting pissed off and failing or doing something I’m not happy with later and I always end up redoing it anyway.


So I was thinking and due to the tight area at the back of that dash hole I think I’ll drill holes all around the perimeter, making each one join with the one next to it and remove the rectangle that way, and then use my die grinder to clean up the edges. I have done that with aluminum a lot at work, cutting door hinges into storefront frames in the field. Those had to be perfect, and it was nice flat soft aluminum, but I’m sure I can do an acceptable job on this slightly rounded steel.

So I'm guessing that metal piece is relocated on the Esky?

This is the first I have heard of anyone having this issue with swapping the Esky cluster into a non-Esky.

I am certain you will figure it out, you have certainly overcome much more difficult situations with your rigs.

 

[Rocket Man]

So I'm guessing that metal piece is relocated on the Esky?

This is the first I have heard of anyone having this issue with swapping the Esky cluster into a non-Esky.

I am certain you will figure it out, you have certainly overcome much more difficult situations with your rigs.

I guess so. I don’t think anybody else uses the original connector. I looked at every parts list and every website I could find and couldn’t find one anywhere. If you use the plain style I had originally ( I bought the diagram, pins and connectors from @NathanJax so maybe that’s the only one you can buy) it fits because it lets the wires lay flat against the back of the cluster. Unless you go to a wrecking yard and cut the connector off a donor vehicle. The difference is probably 3/4” of extra clearance needed.

 

[iamdub]

So I was thinking and due to the tight area at the back of that dash hole I think I’ll drill holes all around the perimeter, making each one join with the one next to it and remove the rectangle that way, and then use my die grinder to clean up the edges. I have done that with aluminum a lot at work, cutting door hinges into storefront frames in the field. Those had to be perfect, and it was nice flat soft aluminum, but I’m sure I can do an acceptable job on this slightly rounded steel.

Would this simplify it?

 

[Rocket Man]

Would this simplify it?

View attachment 350920

Sure. You gonna buy me one? Wait… I just zoomed in…Central Pneumatic… HF…. Search… $38? Pretty cool tool. Hmmm.

Edit: I just realized I don’t have to pay to have the cluster programmed so I saved $90 there. Plus I’m sending the body controller back to Amazon so that’s $75 back. I got off pretty cheap on the fix for my mistake so I’m gonna get that tool tomorrow. I might never need it again but if I do, I’ll have it. I have the air recip saw that I bought 20 years ago and I’ve used it a few times so I’ll probably find a use for this one. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Rocket Man]

It’s done, cluster is in and working. That air cutoff tool was about worthless, it’s so weak it barely cuts through plastic which is what I used it for. I ended up drilling a bunch of perimeter holes and using my air recip saw to get the majority out but at the top it curved backwards so I ended up using the whatever it takes method which involved clamping it with vice-grips and bending back and forth until it gave up and broke off. I used a did grinder a bit too. I broke the only saw blade I had right as I was finishing with it. I added some closed cell foam behind it because the top mounts aren’t in the right place for the cluster, just the bottom ones. There was always a small gap at the bezel and now the cluster gently pushes against the bezel I made, keeping the gap tight. It actually looks a bit cleaner than before.

 

[Rocket Man]

You know, now that I think of it, it’s probably not necessary to cut that hole for the plug IF you make your bezel to fit afterwards. The bezel I made ( remember you have to use parts from the Esky bezel and parts of the LTZ Silverado/ Tahoe bezel and epoxy them together. It involves trimming the back part of the Tahoe bezel where it meets the curve of the Esky cluster) was built for how the cluster used to fit with the other plug. So when I went to install my bezel that I had spent 20 or so hours to make, it was about 1” too wide at the top the way the cluster was sitting with the bigger plug. So in theory, you could make your bezel to fit the narrower gap. I just wasn’t going to mess with that one I made, it took forever to build it and make it look perfect plus I went through at least 4 Esky bezels and 4 Tahoe ones.

 

[iamdub]

It’s done, cluster is in and working. That air cutoff tool was about worthless, it’s so weak it barely cuts through plastic which is what I used it for. I ended up drilling a bunch of perimeter holes and using my air recip saw to get the majority out but at the top it curved backwards so I ended up using the whatever it takes method which involved clamping it with vice-grips and bending back and forth until it gave up and broke off. I used a did grinder a bit too. I broke the only saw blade I had right as I was finishing with it. I added some closed cell foam behind it because the top mounts aren’t in the right place for the cluster, just the bottom ones. There was always a small gap at the bezel and now the cluster gently pushes against the bezel I made, keeping the gap tight. It actually looks a bit cleaner than before.

Glad it's done!

That sucks about the cutoff tool. After using a few different Central Pneumatic cutoff tools (just not extended), I had higher expectations for it. Either that one was defective or it's why there's the ~$40 ones then there's the ~$200+ ones. No in-between. I've been binging on Hot Rod Garage and an extended cutoff tool seems to be a favorite. I'm sure it's one of the expensive ones, though. You have enough compressor?

 

[iamdub]

You know, now that I think of it, it’s probably not necessary to cut that hole for the plug IF you make your bezel to fit afterwards. The bezel I made ( remember you have to use parts from the Esky bezel and parts of the LTZ Silverado/ Tahoe bezel and epoxy them together. It involves trimming the back part of the Tahoe bezel where it meets the curve of the Esky cluster) was built for how the cluster used to fit with the other plug. So when I went to install my bezel that I had spent 20 or so hours to make, it was about 1” too wide at the top the way the cluster was sitting with the bigger plug. So in theory, you could make your bezel to fit the narrower gap. I just wasn’t going to mess with that one I made, it took forever to build it and make it look perfect plus I went through at least 4 Esky bezels and 4 Tahoe ones.

Dat deep look, doe.

 

[Rocket Man]

Glad it's done!

That sucks about the cutoff tool. After using a few different Central Pneumatic cutoff tools (just not extended), I had higher expectations for it. Either that one was defective or it's why there's the ~$40 ones then there's the ~$200+ ones. No in-between. I've been binging on Hot Rod Garage and an extended cutoff tool seems to be a favorite. I'm sure it's one of the expensive ones, though. You have enough compressor?

Yeah, plenty of compressor. The thing starts slowing as soon as you lightly touch anything. It cuts plastic but even that’s slow, I really had to baby it. I might take it back and swap it out for another to see if I just got a lemon. My air saw worked great, and I know it takes a ton of air. You get what you pay for,I’m sure. I’ll still keep it, if you need to cut plastic or super thin metal in a hard to reach area it will be great.

 

[iamdub]

Yeah, plenty of compressor. The thing starts slowing as soon as you lightly touch anything. It cuts plastic but even that’s slow, I really had to baby it. I might take it back and swap it out for another to see if I just got a lemon. My air saw worked great, and I know it takes a ton of air. You get what you pay for,I’m sure. I’ll still keep it, if you need to cut plastic or super thin metal in a hard to reach area it will be great.

Thanks for being the guinea pig. I'm always looking at them when I go there but, unless I have a need for it at that moment, I don't get one. I definitely won't get one if I have to spend the big bucks to have one worth bringing home. I've made it this far without...

 

[Rocket Man]

Thanks for being the guinea pig. I'm always looking at them when I go there but, unless I have a need for it at that moment, I don't get one. I definitely won't get one if I have to spend the big bucks to have one worth bringing home. I've made it this far without...

I might just return it, idk. I hate having a great idea of a tool instead of a great tool. I’ll give a replacement a try first I guess.

 

[iamdub]

I might just return it, idk. I hate having a great idea of a tool instead of a great tool. I’ll give a replacement a try first I guess.

No worries if you do or don't. I'm gonna do like I always do and look for a deal on Marketplace for a used quality brand. Searching everywhere between New Orleans and Houston

 

[Rocket Man]

No worries if you do or don't. I'm gonna do like I always do and look for a deal on Marketplace for a used quality brand. Searching everywhere between New Orleans and Houston

Good idea, I might give that a try. Do you have any cheats on enlarging the search area? All I can do is expand it to 100 miles or enter specific cities. It would be nice to have a search that covers half the country like search tempest does for Craigslist.

 

[iamdub]

Good idea, I might give that a try. Do you have any cheats on enlarging the search area? All I can do is expand it to 100 miles or enter specific cities. It would be nice to have a search that covers half the country like search tempest does for Craigslist.

You know how often a used quality tool is better than a new cheap tool. I posted about it elsewhere, but I scored a ~$90 DeWaLT Grinder for $40 today from Marketplace.

I'm still very new to FB- just a few months and only use it for Marketplace. So, if there is a cheat, I don't know about it. I used to daily CL and/or Search Tempest. Not since Marketplace. I should stop in, though.

I just manually search where I'm gonna be working that day. I'm headed to Pasadena and Houston this weekend, so I'll be checking those markets between here and there.

 

[alpha_omega]

Try and App called “offer up”. My wife said it’s similar to the FB one you guys were talking about.

Parking inside (which I do) would also go a long way in prevention. UV-reflecting windshield tint and, if it exists, a conditioner for the plastic just like what's available for leather seats to keep them soft and pliable.

Parked mine inside it’s whole life and when I didn’t a window visor was put up even though I have UV-tint. Dash still cracked.

^Stories like this^
Make me never want to unplug anything, EVER. It is my luck a simple repair turns into a week long event. Probably because I don’t have a spare vehicle.

A week, to a month, almost done a year later…it happens to the best of us.

The "trick up my sleeve" came through. Ordered the dash this afternoon for $483.60. It's coming from Michigan, so it'll be about a week.

That was the one I planned on ordering! Kidding…glad that good ole MI could help out.

 

[Rocket Man]

The "trick up my sleeve" came through. Ordered the dash this afternoon for $483.60. It's coming from Michigan, so it'll be about a week.

Mind sharing this trick? How the hell did you get one for $483.60 shipped @iamdub ?

 

[iamdub]

Try and App called “offer up”. My wife said it’s similar to the FB one you guys were talking about.


Parked mine inside it’s whole life and when I didn’t a window visor was put up even though I have UV-tint. Dash still cracked.

A week, to a month, almost done a year later…it happens to the best of us.


That was the one I planned on ordering! Kidding…glad that good ole MI could help out.

Whale... shít. I had this whole plan to get a new windshield, tint it (for UV reflection, not make it dark), research what type of plastic the dash is made of and what chemicals I can apply to it to keep it fresh, add additional support and reinforcement, etc.

I guess there's a warehouse in Flint? That's where it shipped from. A dealer supply warehouse perhaps?

 

[iamdub]

Mind sharing this trick? How the hell did you get one for $483.60 shipped @iamdub ?

It wasn't so much as a "trick". I guess I should've said "ace up my sleeve". A friend of mine (Jeff) asked his dad, a service manager at a local Chevrolet dealership, if he could help me out and he did. So that was my ace that came through.

 

[alpha_omega]

It wasn't so much as a "trick". I guess I should've said "ace up my sleeve". A friend of mine (Jeff) asked his dad, a service manager at a local Chevrolet dealership, if he could help me out and he did. So that was my ace that came through.

I like new friends, especially dads who know managers with connections at Chevy dealerships and GM warehouses.

 

[Rocket Man]

Well f**k. I did my usual grocery shopping this morning and as I was backing into my driveway the truck suddenly stopped going in reverse. I’m in the middle of the road and wondering if I just lost reverse so I put it in drive and pull forward and try again. Nope wouldn’t back up. I pulled forward again, out of the middle of the road and kinda on the side so people can get by. I tried reverse again and nope. Then I try to pull forward more and nope. Wouldn’t budge so I figure I’m out of the way so let’s look under it. As soon as I go to the passenger side I see the problem. The tie rod must have broke I’m thinking because that wheel is supposed to be pointed straight ahead.