It's late and I didn't proofread this, but here is a bit of an update. First off, something I've got to think about. I don't know why this hadn't crossed my mind before, but before I go full diesel frame swap and all- a 5.8L and a ZF5 swap directly in place of the 5.0L and the M5OD, same wiring, same accessory brackets, same mounts, same driveshafts, etc. Just swap the computer, which is a plug-in deal. No paperwork required.
And setting my engine ideas aside for a moment, today I reluctantly began addressing some water leaks. I say reluctantly because it's an issue I've been aware of, but I've been ignoring because I absolutely dread water leaks. This isn't fun work for me to do, it's not even fun for me to discuss it, but I want to document it so here goes.
Much like G Bodies, these trucks weren't exactly precision welded on a jig to begin with, and the two rounds of body work that has been done probably hasn't helped any. I did address a couple leaking areas when I installed the CB radio, and the leaks are now smaller than they were. They really only show themselves after a very heavy rain or pressure washing the truck, and the water always winds up in the same place- inside the door jambs underneath the sill plates. The sill plates have to be removed to even see the water. The carpet is never wet.
As I said I've been ignoring this for a little while but after a heavy rain last night, it's finally bothering me enough to repair it. I didn't have a lot of time to work on it today, so I pulled some of the interior trim and hosed it down with the goal of just finding the source of the water, which I think I've accomplished. And fortunately I don't think they are the result of any of my work. The first two leaks I found are very small, at the top corners of the windshield. The next one I found seems to be the worst one and it's around the lower driver's door hinge. I couldn't tell exactly what part of the hinge it's coming from because there is some foam in the cavity behind the hinge that needs to be removed, but I know it coming from the hinge area.
Side note on that foam, it is NOT the rigid pillar foam I used in the course of my repairs. If you remember, my neighbor did some of his own less-than-professional repairs toward the end of his ownership, and he used a lot of Great Stuff spray foam, which is what that foam is.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate tomorrow and I can do a little more on this.
