'96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

Well I finally found and bought a truck.

I'm not even sure of the nomenclature disignated for the model yet but I think it's a "1996 Chevrolet Cheyenne 1500 2wd"

Anyway, 5.0L Vortec rated at 255hp/290tq backed by a manual 5-sp with a towing package inside a 14-bolt rear end. Not sure of the axle ratio yet but it's making gobs of power at 2,000 rpm.

I'm first and foremost looking to replace the wheels and tires with something off a newer model like an '02+ if the lug pattern will work. I believe my lug pattern is 5/5. Next on the list is the bench seat. Junkyard buckets and console all together will cost $80-100 so it's a no brainer for comfort's sake to replace them. Hoping to do the same here and update by about 10 years.

Not sure it'll be much of a FE vehicle but I'm interested in some mods like grill block, front lip, maybe side skirts.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

The lug pattern is different for 2002. I have a set of wheels that I'm pretty sure would fit your truck but definitely do not fit mine. I was considering reaming out the holes since it's close but that's a nasty hack.

You should be able to get decent FE from that, by full size truck standards.

You can find your axle ratio, and loads of other equipment, by using the RPO codes (printed on a label in the glovebox), and possibly by feeding the VIN into a good VIN decoder. Axle-related RPO codes begin with 'G'.

Feed your RPOs into this: https://lonestarthunder.com/m_rpo.php
or feed your VIN into this: https://compnine.com/vid.php

The VIN decoder is really cool, it does more than just give you your RPO codes and equipment...definitely check it out.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

What you have is a Chevy C1500 with the Cheyenne trim package. 1/2 ton, 2wd. Wheels from an 88-98 1/2 ton (1500) truck should fit, or up to a 00 Suburban or Tahoe. I think even Escalade rims would fit, up to model year 2000.

Sounds like a nice truck. A full size truck with a 5 speed is hard to find. I wanted one when I bought The Beast, but there were none to be had in my area.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

Thanks fellas. Yeah it's for sure a work truck that's been owned by some people with slight mechanical capabilities. 212k miles on her and it appears lots of shade-tree mechanics have been involved in those miles!

It is what it is though, I'm happy with the deal I got and I've already fixed a few quirks that the previous owner (friend of mine) kept neglecting.... like the emergency brake not working!!

Biggest next challenge will be the tune up. The spark plug ends that are visible are badly rusted so I'm hoping they still thread out nicely. Also the fittings on the fuel filter are so rusted I couldn't tell if someone had welded the thing in or not. That should be fun. MAF sensor has leaves stuck down inside of it and grime, and I found a 30A maxi fuse blown but someone had wrapped a paperclip around the spades to keep it working. That's some funny stuff! It goes to AUX 2 so idk yet what that's for.

I realized the problem of owning so many cars the other day... the fuel will go bad in them after sitting for so long!

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

My fuel filter looked fine and I ended up having to dremel its nuts off. I hope you have better luck.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

Glad to hear everything's working out so far. So when are we going to see pics of the new adopted stepchild? ;)

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

I'll bet that hurt. I would cry.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

I could snap a few tonight I suppose. I want to get pics of the chicken strips on my bike for cat anyway plus I'll need some pics for the garage entry when that day comes.

I need like a 5 car garage. This 2 car crap isn't cutting it. I have 4 vehicles in my driveway!

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

I'd give my left fuel line nut for a 2 car garage. My steep driveway is loose stone. I work on cars in the muddy back yard because it's kinda flat.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

Friend of mine once bought a 78 Newport that had sat for about 10 years. It was in pretty good shape, but the gums and varnishes from that old gas soon built up on the valves. Ended up bending one or two push rods.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

Well my Z28 got fresh fuel back in Feb. and I'm still jogging it around town once a month trying to burn it all up, which is hard to do when the tags and insurance are expired... :(

Next time around I'll be adding some fuel stabilizer.

The miata has premium in the tank but it's been in there for 2 1/2 years. Probably just going to jumper the fuel pump this spring and open a fuel line and just dump all the fuel out. Walbro 190 HP pump at 110psi fuel delivery should make pretty quick work of 5 gallons.

Then there's the SL1 that's been sitting on E for 8 months. Guess I'll get to that in a few years.

lol I have an addiction, I know.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

The mystery continues.

I've yet to register/insure the truck so I'm still not sure WTF it is! I was certain it was a C/K 1500 but edmunds.com says they only came in 4.3L V6. So I click on C/K 2500 and there's a 5.0L option for regular cab like mine is, but the horsepower and torque are rated lower than what I researched and found for a 5.0L Vortec in a '96 Chevy pickup...

I gotta get to the bottom of this!

I bet it's a 2500 and the higher horsepower specs I read are inaccurate... but IDK, it'll light em up in 4th gear in the rain going 20mph with ease. Definitely lots of tq.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

Anyway, here's a picture.

https://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...4005_large.jpg

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

Seriously, that will eliminate all mystery (unless something doesn't match the results).

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

I'll have to do this tomorrow. I have yet to write down the VIN or even look at it.

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

Alright, I fed the VIN into that link and got all the info.

It is in fact a '96 C1500. Has the original type engine, 5.0L votec, and has always been a 5sp. Rear axel is 3.42, one wheel peel!

I filled it up about 2 weeks ago and been driving it a bit lately. Hoping to see at lest 16+ mpg out of it. Will probably be another 2 or 3 weeks before I need fuel again though.

I could not get the fuel filter off to save my life. I think I'm going to need to attempt the dremel technique. Scared though!

Re: '96 Chevy Cheyenne 1500
 

That really stinks.

Is your fuel filter equipped with female nuts that mate to male flare nuts on the fuel line? If so, you can do it the suicidal way that I did.

I cut into my fuel filter's nut, parallel to the lines, not all the way down to the threads. After weeks of spraying with PB Blaster and hammering and wrenching, those cuts relieved the tension enough to make it possible to remove them.

If you have the time and patience, I recommend doing it by hand with a file or using a dremel cutoff wheel very slowly in a drill, to avoid making sparks. If you can think of any less dangerous way to do it, please do that instead. Maybe a nut splitter can crack the nuts without damaging the fuel line?

Maybe there's some way to evacuate all fuel from the line and filter by running something non-combustible through the lines?