7. Before long I came to the realization that the entire wiring harness from the used '97 truck is different from my '91 truck, and I was inundated with wiring nightmares. Luckily I made some calls and found that the dash I had chosen was specific to '95 since it didn't have any airbags. Plus my truck had the engine computer behind the dash on the passenger side where newer versions had it under the hood, except for early '95 trucks. I didn't know if it would work exactly, but I called around looking for a '95 wiring harness with the computer behind the glovebox and the gauge cluster that went with it, all of which should arrive after this goes to print. Watch the Web site for a conclusion to the wiring dilemma. | 
8. Though I knew the wiring wouldn't have the truck done in time, I moved ahead with other parts like the doors. On the driver side I swapped on the door from the Red '97 Suburban while on the passenger side I had to swap the inner panel since the '97 door was all bashed in. This required swapping the cover panel and an inner support panel, and while the door was apart I replace the drive motors for the electric windows with new LMC units. | 
9. Next it was time for a new headliner. The LMC version has an ABS plastic backing that helps support the liner and it quickly goes up with some double-sided Velcro (having someone help makes this step easier). Then you just snap the A-pillar molding into place to hold it. Adding the new LMC sunvisors and dome light helped keep the headliner from falling down. New rear panels are no longer available so I will be looking in junkyards for matching panels for the rear as well since mine were cracked and broken. If the old panels had been in better shape or if I could find the correct color panels for the rear, I have some plastic paint, adhesion promoter, and prep made by Color Bond that also came from LMC Truck Parts. |
10. Keeping your beverages cold is a priority and this center console from Daddy Cool has a thermo-electric refrigerator set to 39 degrees F. Plus the front offers two deep bottle holders that have trap doors which drop the bottle down into the chill chamber below the armrest. The cool interior has a 6-gallon volume, while a smaller dry chamber is perfect for CDs, sunglasses, and so on. With a draw of 2 to 6.5 amps depending on outside temp, this center console will make the sled the perfect place to chill out. Unfortunately the mounting plate for the Daddy Cool didn't quite fit the curved floor hump of my truck, so a bit of fabricating will be required. | 
11. Next was the insulation and carpet. Though both are formed to fit the truck floor, neither has holes for the seat brackets and they both had to also be cut to clear the triple stick for my STaK transfer case. Another option I feel now may have been a better idea is the vinyl floor mat from LMC that already had some of the holes marked for cutting, and would repel mud better. I decided to go with a set of Husky Liners for the floors for easy cleaning. | 
12. Even though the new wiring isn't finished, I was able to stuff the new dash in and test-fit the stereo system I ordered from Crutchfield. Crutchfield, like LMC, has a great catalog and Web site, and the technical service and installation directions are excellent. I worked with them to decide on a Pioneer receiver with AM/FM and CD in addition to an iPod connection and a satellite radio adapter. I'll also be stuffing a new set of Alpine speakers in the doors. |
13. In the back of the cab I had two small Kenwood speakers that should have dropped right into the factory sheetmetal openings. However, some previous owner had opened those holes to accept a larger set of noise makers. This will be another spot some sheetmetal will need to be welded in to properly support the new speakers, but the original wiring is easily adapted to the speakers using Crutchfield supplied harness connectors. | 
14. The old bench seat in the Sled was comfy like an old couch, but also stained like an old couch, smelly like an old couch, and all around old like an old couch. I ordered up the narrowest rear bench from Corbeau in order to still allow rear storage at either side for a duffle bag, recovery tools, or camping gear and sleeping bags, but since the seat needs to be raised up a bit, a mounting bracket with legs will be fabricated. | 
15. Up front I chose the new Corbeau Baja RS bucket seats with mounting bracket and four-point red harnesses. The seats are comfortable yet supportive and allow driver or passenger to recline for that cool-kid driving style or to take an old guy nap. The suspension seat has side bolsters but they are not extremely tall for ease of access. |