[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

I got the rear end all squared away yesterday. New axel seals,brake backing plates, wire wheeled and painted the housing and new pads and rotors.

 

Next is the drop kit!

 

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

Thats very cool! They made them supercharged for only 2 years in the SS trim 04 and 05. I've had the car since I was 17, I won't ever get rid of it haha.

I got some more goodies for the truck! Full belltech 2in drop kit,brakes all around,new rear backing plates (mine are rusted) and since I have to remove the axels to so those I will replace the seals at the same time.

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

On 8/8/2020 at 4:16 PM, dcairns said:

You have really done a great job on your SS.  But what is that supercharger in the truck bed?  looks a bit small, like V6 sized... 

Thank you! It is the stock engine from my 2004 Impala SS

[what rear brakes does the SS have?]

The AWD SS has dual rear piston and RWD has signal to my understanding. There is only 1 dual rear option. Dual piston is 330mm rotors single is 335mm

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

I recently bought a new house so the SSS has been put to work! 

But of course after a long day of hauling she got a good detail

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

On 7/21/2020 at 11:12 AM, 04SSCONick said:

I Ordered the same tail lights, they look awesome. Love that they have the stock look but with LED. I'm not a fan of the headlights and tail lights that are all import styled.

I agree! They almost look like they could be stock.

Minnesota winters were not kind to the rear bumper. But its all fixed now!

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

On 7/3/2020 at 10:21 PM, dcairns said:

All that fresh paint, I think you have one of the best looking SS's out there at the moment ;D

Thank you very much!

On 7/4/2020 at 1:00 PM, 04SSCONick said:

Great Looking SS! I'm about to do a Cam Swap this weekend. After I get the motor built i'll be doing the same as you and getting the outside cleaned up as well.

Thank you! Cam swap would be awesome. My goal some day is to supercharge mine.

I got alot done over the long weekend. 

I started with getting my bedliner in. It is a raptor liner. The product itself is great but the tools they give you to spray it on are junk IMO.

Next I purchased another truck to drive through the winter because I sold the other truck I took the box off  and it just so happened to have a MINT interior! So i swapped over most of the good pieces I needed. (front and back seats) Now I need to do something about the headliner.

Before

Both interiors taken out

All nice now!

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

3 hours ago, dcairns said:

I like the look of the LED tail lights.  They look a bit like the previous generation, sleeker.  My stock tail lights are starting to de-laminate, so I will have to replace them someday.  Those LED tail lights would be a fun choice ;D

Where did you get them?

I agree! They don't stand out too much but are a bit more modern. I got them on Ebay for $90 they were plug and play.

 

Box is on and all cleaned up. I love it!!!

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

On 6/18/2020 at 7:44 AM, IndySilveradoSS said:

Looks great! Mine is the same shape as yours was, love seeing the transformation, gives me motivation for mine..lol

Thank you lol!

On 6/19/2020 at 12:44 AM, Ericss2 said:

Very nice man keep up the good work

Thank you!!

Got everything back on including the cladding, I need to give it a wash but I love it!

It has come a long way in the 3 months or so I've had it

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

On 6/16/2020 at 1:20 PM, someotherguy said:

Nice work giving that truck the love it deserves...

I had to put a bedside on mine too, but because it had been crashed (bought the truck from CoPart auction) - I got the GM "complete" bedside with the inner panel too, because the taillight housing was crunched just enough that my body shop guy needed it.   He still separated the inner/outer and didn't use most of the inner piece, but that also retained my spray-in liner, dude did an awesome job.

The LED tails are cool, I did the ones that sort of mimic the late model with the "bracket" but later decided they looked a little too ricey for my taste, and went back with TYC copies of the originals, and filled 'em up with really bright projector style LED's.  Also did the 3rd brake light with an OEM lens and LED's in it.  Takes a little experimenting with different brands/models of LED and resistors to make everything play nice on a GMT800 truck but so far, so good on mine.

Richard

Thank you! I have seen your thread great job on the build I would love an Intimidator some day! I hope these LED tail lights are fairly plug and play but I'll keep everyone posted lol

 

Getting closer!!

Painted!!

Just set on there for now. Still needs cladding and such. I am also doing a spray in bedliner

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

Bed is off!

I took this opportunity to clean up the frame

Its not flawless but much better than it was.

Also the box got primed and is ready for block sanding today!

And I picked up some sweet LED tail lights

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

9 hours ago, MotorCityGuy said:

Very nice looking build, you're putting a lot of work into it and it's paying off. I'm also getting some rust around the fenders, getting that "fixed" this summer. 

Thank you!

 

Soooo the rust free box I got had a dent on the driver box side which i was aware of obviously, however It was also full of bondo so I elected to put a new GM box side on it. On the plus side this box is absolutely flawless in terms of rust

 

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

I got a set of weather techs and detailed the interior last weekend

But the big news is the donor truck is at the shop ready for the box to be taken off and get ready for paint!

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

I used this truck to tow a truck I bought at a salvage auction, I have to say it pulls fantastically

 

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

On 5/23/2020 at 10:10 PM, dcairns said:

Looking good!   Like the exhaust exiting before the rear tire ?.  Back in the day, I volunteered my SS for a test fitment for a Magnaflow exhaust.  It gave it a nice growl, but the highway droning drove me crazy, so I went back to stock. I hope your's does not have that drone to it.

Thank you! I have always like it in that spot on the SS's. There is some drone but its not terrible 

On 5/24/2020 at 2:03 PM, DrLove38 said:

Dayum Dude,

You don't mess around. That's a lot of work and parts and it's turning out really good.

Thanks! haha I've wanted one of these for years I just can't wait to get it where I want it to be

On 5/26/2020 at 7:57 AM, WantaSSS said:

glad to see a SSS saved!  Too many around MN rusted.  People here just treat them as a regular ol truck. Good job on the work done so far!  Where did you have the paint/ body work done? I am neighbor over east in Blaine.

I know its sad, not to many nice ones left here. My dad runs a body shop in Monticello!

On 5/26/2020 at 9:14 AM, someotherguy said:

I spy aftermarket clear reflector headlights/signals, give 'em a good look-over and see if you can't seal them up pre-emptively.  I had the same ones and they started getting moisture inside and it wrecked the plating in the signal reflectors in a big hurry.  Then the clear peeled on the headlights.. I don't recall if they started getting wet inside or not, too.  I saved them in case I ever get the balls to bake my OEM replacements open and swap the clear reflectors out.

Your truck's coming around nicely!

Richard

I have read that, thanks for the heads up. Thank you!

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

I was able to find a "shopman" bowtie, always liked them!

I also finished my magnflow side exit exhaust

 

Then the biggest update, I purchased a whole truck that is from down south so it is totally rust free. I am going to take the parts I need off it for my SSS then just drive it as a beater.

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

On 4/27/2020 at 11:36 AM, matslp488 said:

Looks bad ass... I like that color ?

Thank you! Me too, its my favorite on these!

On 4/27/2020 at 10:31 PM, dcairns said:

Looking good !  Nice detailing on the engine!

Thanks!!

Was a beautiful weekend so I gave it a good detail

 

Next on the list of projects is NGK plugs,MSD wires and and exhaust. I already have some of the parts.

 

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

All back together!! I am so happy with how it came out! Next is a box

Also got a "Vortec Max" cover and did a quick clean of the engine bay

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

Hopefully will have it fully assembled this weekend!

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

Well going alittle further that I had originally planned this early into having this truck but, the fenders I bought from Texas didn't match quite which turned into basically painting the whole cab since I am at it so now it will only need a box. I also have a aftermarket intimidator spoiler getting painted too.

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

On 4/13/2020 at 12:26 PM, Tim713 said:

Looks nice! Where are you located? I have an 03 SS in Waconia, MN

Thanks! I am in Maple Grove

On 4/13/2020 at 2:09 PM, dcairns said:

Well, if you have the budget, I can highly recommend a supercharger   I have had the Magnacharger Radix on my truck since new and it really wakes up the truck. I think they don't make this exact Radix now, but a redesigned version is on their website.  

 

That is my goal eventually haha, just not sure when.

I got the grille back from the shop yesterday! Now just waiting on the headlights in the mail.

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

On 4/11/2020 at 11:56 AM, dcairns said:

Congrats on getting your dream truck!   That is some major work you are doing!  They must use a lot of salt on the roads in Minnesota. I have never seen that much rust on an SS. But then I live in Southern California. 

Any plans for upgrades?

Thanks! Unfortunately they sure do but it will be fixed! For now just rust repair and a drop kit but I'm sure it will go from there haha

[2003 SS- Building my dream truck]

Hello, I picked up this 2003 SSS about a month ago. It has 115k miles 1 owner. I have wanted one for many many years and was finally able to get one! It does need some TLC.

First thing was a good detail

Then I did some tint which is a must!

Also fixed the missing tailgate handle bezel

Time for rust repair and a 06 front end swap

Now for the big stuff. I found a 2006 HD hood locally I then purchased some rust free fenders out of state which I am currently in the process of installing, just waiting on the grille to get painted

Fenders are rough

All torn apart

Here is how she sits now