The project has a new name.. "Tribute"

[MidwestSS]

Ok,
For years now, you may have said to yourself "why is Mike doing all this to his truck?', or "I dont understand him, he's putting alot of money into that truck".. well, there has been a reason.

10 years ago, I was both thrilled and honored that my sisters me buy Dad's truck from his estate. I loved that truck. To me, it was the only every day used item that gave me a, well, link to my Dad. I was horrified when I wrecked it downtown. But,I got it repaired. I was even more horrified and, honestly, depressed for a long time when Eric wrecked it. Again, I had it repaired. But, I still loved the truck.

In 2004, my wife showed me the SS truck. I wasnt convinced to get it, as I didnt want to get rid of Dad's truck. It took a week of her convincing me to be serious about buying it. I was very upset with myself for making the decision, and when signing it over to the dealer, I was seriously on the brink of tears.

See, I didnt get jewelery, or anything really tangible when my Mom died. When my Dad died, and I bought the truck.. to quote my wife,"Your Dad gives you his blessings".. and I think she meant Dad was proud of me, and that meant a lot to me.. hence my depression over the old truck.. I know.. Im sappy and sad, but it's just how I am.. When I bought the SS, my wife once again said "Your Dad would be ok with it. He knows what you've been through with the old truck, and he would tell you to do this". Not totally sure, we went ahead with it.

Since then, I've been working a little at a time to make the truck a little special, something Dad would really have been proud to see. I've had my fair share of issues with the truck, but now, after almost 5 years.. I can finally say I've achieved this. I had a tribute plate made, when I thought the time was right. It's now on the truck.. and I have this feeling of "wow. its finally there". I was even misty eyed when I put it on the covers.

Look below. Look under the "Silverados SS"



To show it in its place.. and now you can see why I've done all the things I've done.
I can finally say the Truck is done. No more, unless I have a repair..



The truck IS done.. until I build a new engine next year to make sure the truck lasts well, "forever".

Let me know your thoughts about your sappy, hung up, Mikey

Now, to continue the build info.. last year I had a number of tranny's installed. We also put on new headers, and cats. This year, a new billet stall installed. We had some parts painted, to help get to this point, a new spoiler installed. We had new GM rims put on. We just recently had the carpet replaced, and the audio upgraded.

I CANNOT thank all of you enough for helping me get to this point. My Dad, truely would be proud of this truck. He would sit down , and cuz Dad was Dad, hand me a beer. In lieu of a beer, I broke my diet, and had a Coke for him.
The list is long.. but I'll make sure I dont leave anyone out.
Danny
Mike Frazier
Chris St. Aubin
Ashley
Wifey
Tony @ Collision Revision
Rusty
Carl
Greasey
Brobrad for his supporting words
Midnight Rider for his supporting words
Jaison @ third|shift studios!
RaysB4u for his support.
MungMan for sending me various parts
SSPOSSE for his , and his son's help
Melissa@np
CanCan
Mean05
Moze for his help with the clutch fan
TurboMic, and all the people on LS1 truck that have helped.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

[mean05]

Very Welcome Mike and that plaque is sweet!

[Melissa@NelsonPerformance]

Awwwww Mikey!! no need to thank me.. We family, thats what we do!!!

[Frenchy]

I like it, a lot.

[MidwestSS]

Thank you!

[sierraman]

congrats on a job well done

[Aphotic]

yeah man, good job!!!! looks great too!!!

[11 6.2]

Great job man!!

[lo-lyf]

Looks great bro, I'm a bit of a sentimental guy myself, only not towards my father, I love him as my father but thats about as far as it goes. I consider my mother's father to be my "dad". He always supported me in no matter what I did and was always there to listen and help with my problems. I can go on forever about a certain incident that changed the way I feel about my father but I dont want to drag myself down. Long story short, my 80 lwb chevy was my Jelly's(thats what we called my mom's dad). This was the truck I learned how to drive in and have had tons and tons of fond memories of me and my Jelly going to work on his rent houses, DQ, and so forth and so on. I had always asked that be my first truck, Well at 12 Jelly gave it to my dad free and clear with the promise that he would re-paint it and give it to me as my first truck. All went well, truck got repainted and got a new interior. At 14 that worthless POS sold it to my loser half-brother(who had already completely destroyed 3 vehicles) because he needed some cash. I didn't speak with my father for 3 whole months until I finally said "I will never forgive you for this..." I continued that statement with a long line of obsenities. long story short, not even a year later the truck was sitting in a field with a busted front windshield where it was continuously raped of parts by my half-brother and one of his friends. I finally rescued it at 16 and brought it to my shop which I regretably share with my father where it has sat since because I want to save the build until I can go all out on it. That's the short version, whew!

In other words, I am glad you have something that you can enjoy and I am glad you had a good relationship with your dad. Congrats on the build and I dont know you or him but I am sure he would be very proud of you and the truck.

[MidwestSS]

the last 4 years of his life, we didnt get along, or talk much. .but at the end, we made it all good.