cooki3mnster's build - The Black Pearl

[cooki3mnster]

Unfortunately no updates on the Yukon lately. Had to spend my extra Yukon brake money on brakes for the wanna be racecar. Took it out to a show this weekend and the brakes feel like they are grinding. Need to swap pass side rotors and pads to get ready for the Run Through the Canyon coming up in 2 weeks.

 

[adventurenali92]

Those headlights came out fantastic! Those projectors look bad ass in the housings! Nice work!

 

[cooki3mnster]

Finally an update! Yesterday I did the NNBS brake upgrade. Loaded the new calipers with EBC Greenstuff 7000 pads, and matched them with EBC dimpled and slotted rotors, with Classic Tube Stainless brakes lines. I was unable to replace the center rear brake line because the spare tire is stuck and I can't get it to drop down. Still going through the bed in process but the brake feel is great. I will say after seeing the swamp water that came out of the brake hoses while bleeding it is time for a full brake flush.

 

[adventurenali92]

Brakes look sick! I always like seeing the size comparison between the GMT800 rotors and the GMT900 rotors.

 

[cooki3mnster]

Thanks! After seeing the GMT900 rotors the GMT800 ones look so small and wimpy. After putting about 200 miles on them over the past 2 days I am thoroughly sold on the upgrade. The GMT800 brakes really fill out the wheels I have and look so good. Now I really need some 20's to show them off properly.

These are the part numbers I used:

EBC S3KF1195 - Front rotors and Brake pads kit
EBC GD7214 - Rear Rotors
EBC DP61635 - Rear Pads
Bracketed Calipers from O'reilys - 18B4918A, and 18B4919A
Classic Tube Stainless Brake lines - SBH6057

All told I am in to this swap about $1,100. The EBC components hands down being the most expensive part. The pair of calipers was about $200, and the brake lines were $179. If someone wanted to they could easily get this done for between $300-400 by getting parts from a junkyard/U Pull it. If its time for brakes I HIGHLY recommend the swap.

 

[cooki3mnster]

Hey Guys!

Back with a bit of an update, I have started converting the switches in the Black Pearl to white LEDs. So far the steering wheel, and rear windshield switch are done. I'm waiting on a new desoldering tool to show up so I can to the rest of the switches. I'm also oredring parts to modify/rebuild the gauge cluster. I found DougAmiller's post about changing the EEPROM programming to allow for the use of the Trans Temp gauge and there is some great info there. I have an EEPROM programmer from an old Edelbrock EFI system I used and it "should" work.

I went to the local Pick n Pull to find a 5.3 for a rebuild and for a swap in to the Chevelle. While I was there I also scored an Escalade Rear Glass hatch with third brake light and a pair of appliques and got them for $80! Got them sanded down with 600 and sprayed with high build primer. Need to run over to the local Finishmaster and get some paint and clear to match the truck. I will have to send out the third brake light for repair, only have the LEDS work. I found a guy back east that will make the repairs on the brake light for me and I'm super stoked on it.

I did find that my rear defroster and rear wiper were not working. I did some troubleshooting and found some butchery in the rear hatch to body wiring. I scored a replacement harness and wiper motor at PnP. Now the wiper is working but the defroster isn't there is a break acorss the traces and no continuity. Luckily I scored that Esky glass and that tested good.


Other than all that have been driving the Pearl everywhere. I even got 17.72 mpg out of the old girl over Thanksgiving!

 

[Rocket Man]

Hey Guys!

Back with a bit of an update, I have started converting the switches in the Black Pearl to white LEDs. So far the steering wheel, and rear windshield switch are done. I'm waiting on a new desoldering tool to show up so I can to the rest of the switches. I'm also oredring parts to modify/rebuild the gauge cluster. I found DougAmiller's post about changing the EEPROM programming to allow for the use of the Trans Temp gauge and there is some great info there. I have an EEPROM programmer from an old Edelbrock EFI system I used and it "should" work.

I went to the local Pick n Pull to find a 5.3 for a rebuild and for a swap in to the Chevelle. While I was there I also scored an Escalade Rear Glass hatch with third brake light and a pair of appliques and got them for $80! Got them sanded down with 600 and sprayed with high build primer. Need to run over to the local Finishmaster and get some paint and clear to match the truck. I will have to send out the third brake light for repair, only have the LEDS work. I found a guy back east that will make the repairs on the brake light for me and I'm super stoked on it.

I did find that my rear defroster and rear wiper were not working. I did some troubleshooting and found some butchery in the rear hatch to body wiring. I scored a replacement harness and wiper motor at PnP. Now the wiper is working but the defroster isn't there is a break acorss the traces and no continuity. Luckily I scored that Esky glass and that tested good.


Other than all that have been driving the Pearl everywhere. I even got 17.72 mpg out of the old girl over Thanksgiving!

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Whoever reworked that harness was no good at wiring repair. Hope they didn’t work on any other wiring.

 

[cooki3mnster]

Whoever reworked that harness was no good at wiring repair. Hope they didn’t work on any other wiring.

So far that is the only hack job I have found wiring wise. I’m just happy I got rid of that fire hazard

 

[adventurenali92]

Let’s in the steering wheel switches look good! Nice score on the esky hatch and light!

 

[cooki3mnster]

Let’s in the steering wheel switches look good! Nice score on the esky hatch and light!

Thanks! lets hope I never have to take those switches out again. Talk about a PITA.

 

[adventurenali92]

Thanks! lets hope I never have to take those switches out again. Talk about a PITA.

I’ve done it a couple times. It’s not bad if the wheel is off the truck. Lol. But PITA if the wheel is mounted in the truck

 

[cooki3mnster]

Small update! I finally ordered some new front seat covers from lseat.com and some replacement foam for the drivers front seat. Really excited to get the seats wrapped and some more support.

 

[cooki3mnster]

Update time! Finally got the seat covers from Lseat. The look great but the color is a little off compared to the old ones. The Lseat ones are lighter and more yellow than the OEM covers. That being said for $379 shipped for both front covers and all the bits I am thrilled. I also went ahead and replaced the drivers bottom seat foam as t was sagging quite a bit. The improvement in comfort is huge. I'm going to put it to the test this weekend on a trip to Grass Valley to pick up a soft top for Wife's Jeep. Also scored a pair of tow mirrors for $100 a couple days ago. They need a good cleaning but I love the way they look. I'll get a shot of the completed seats after work today.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Update time! Finally got the seat covers from Lseat. The look great but the color is a little off compared to the old ones. The Lseat ones are lighter and more yellow than the OEM covers. That being said for $379 shipped for both front covers and all the bits I am thrilled. I also went ahead and replaced the drivers bottom seat foam as t was sagging quite a bit. The improvement in comfort is huge. I'm going to put it to the test this weekend on a trip to Grass Valley to pick up a soft top for Wife's Jeep. Also scored a pair of tow mirrors for $100 a couple days ago. They need a good cleaning but I love the way they look. I'll get a shot of the completed seats after work today.

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That might've been the color of your seats when they were new.

 

[Rocket Man]

That might've been the color of your seats when they were new.

I don’t think so. Mine were 18 years old when I bought the new bottoms from Richmond and the new ones looked real close before I cleaned the old parts with Scrubbing Bubbles. Afterward you couldn’t tell the difference. Those unfortunately look like the wrong color.

 

[cooki3mnster]

I don’t think so. Mine were 18 years old when I bought the new bottoms from Richmond and the new ones looked real close before I cleaned the old parts with Scrubbing Bubbles. Afterward you couldn’t tell the difference. Those unfortunately look like the wrong color.

Yeah, the swatch they sent me initially looked really close to the OEM color but the finished product was a little too light. That being said I'll probably end replacing the rest of the covers over the next year or so. I'm just happy to have non torn covers and new foam. It's so much more enjoyable to drive now.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Yeah, the swatch they sent me initially looked really close to the OEM color but the finished product was a little too light. That being said I'll probably end replacing the rest of the covers over the next year or so. I'm just happy to have non torn covers and new foam. It's so much more enjoyable to drive now.

What's your old/replacement color code? Your color code is on a tag in the ds headrest, just raise it up and unhook the clasp under it. It's on a white tag.

 

[adventurenali92]

I replaced the lower leather on both my front seats and did the up foam underneath Ed my drivers seat a couple years ago and I agree it makes the seat SO MUCH more comfortable!!

 

[cooki3mnster]

What's your old/replacement color code? Your color code is on a tag in the ds headrest, just raise it up and unhook the clasp under it. It's on a white tag.

I think it’s “Dark Shale”

 

[cooki3mnster]

This pic really shows the color. It’s definitely lighter but I kinda like it. The quality is really nice and for under $400 to get both sides I’m not mad at it.