which generation body to use?
 

I am considering building a full size chevy truck for my next toy. i already own a pump gas big block that makes about 700 hp and a matching t400.
what is the 'best' year to look for? right now im looking for a 95. i like the 80s bodys also, but the older stuff is hard to find rust free.
considerations for 'best' are parts availability, weight, and chassis strength since id prefer not to have a cage.
thanks for any insight.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

Go with an 80's Better looking then 90's and lots of aftermarket to lighten it up.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

We cant answer this one with out everyone disagreeing...... but we will anyway.... The best late 60s early 70s ..... 80s are a great truck just never cared for them much and i dont have a good reason... Early 90s would be my second choice. great lines tons of parts used and after market... I think you need to pick the one "YOU" want to stare at in your driveway every day

Re: which generation body to use?
 

by best i mean from an engineering standpoint. looks wise i like them all so whatever is lighter, easier to work on, etc is the information im looking for.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

they are all pretty much the same weight. about the same to work on. and parts are readily available for all of them.the aftermarket has it covered pretty well in all year ranges. basically i would just look for a truck that you like the looks of with a decent body and go from there. if your planning 700hp the stock drivetrain wont be used anyhow

Re: which generation body to use?
 

I think another thing you should consider is the rear suspension on them. Which one will serve you better? There's not a bunch out there for the leafspring trucks other than caltracs or junk it and go with ladder bars/4link. From what I've been reading, the older trucks don't need much to make their stock suspension(truck arms?) work well.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

67-72 definately have the advantage with the rear suspension setup. you can go pretty damn fast with just a set of coilovers and have the truck still hook. Be prepared though because your gonna be close to getting a different answer from everyone that answers lol. its just gonna be personal preference for the most part

Re: which generation body to use?
 

the one thing everybody is gonna agree on is buy a chevy the rest is up to you. take your time and do your research and go with whats in your budget, how much work you want to put in to it and what kind of truck you want street/strip or full blown drag truck.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

Id go early 90's with caltracs If i had to choose full size . Lots of aftermarket stuff and they are cheap to buy . I think they might have an edge areo wise , but that's just opinion . Emmisions testing might also be a factor , if it is 67-72 would be my next choice . Im partail to the chevy luv also .

Re: which generation body to use?
 

What do you want to do with it? What is your budget? How much do you want to modify?

Re: which generation body to use?
 

i want to just drive it around and play on the street. the goal is to modify the least amount as possible. ideally ill be throwing in my big block, t400, headers, exhaust, and ditch all the ecu, abs, probably the ac and heat too, if it ends up being too complicated to keep. my big block has an electric water pump so that will complicate belts.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

I'd buy a 63 to 72 just for the body style and the trailing arms.



If you do buy something with leafs Cal Tracs are the bomb.


Welcome to the board.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

From what I've seen, the 67-72 work pretty well with the stock suspension or little modification. They are also the most expensive generation to get into right now, but they hold their value well.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

67-72
Higher Cost
4 wheel drums (on most)
potential for more rust
better rear suspension if equipped with the trailing arms
most feel they look better
no emissions stuff

73-87
lower cost
front disc brakes
higher number to choose from and more junkyard parts available
emmisions stuff to worry about/pull out

88+
not to familiar with, but I don't think there that much different then the 73-87 as far as suspension. I don't like the interior all that much.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

I second that X2^^

Re: which generation body to use?
 

Actually, from an engineering standpoint, aside from the torsion bar front end, I would argue that the 60-62 frame is the best. Reason being is it has an x-frame built in to it where the later coiled rear trucks (63-72) don't. If your willing to try and get a later front suspension to work on it or even go mustang 2, the chasis stifness will be there. With that though might come some aditional weight.

The 60-72 rear suspension is very forgiving and fairly easy to set up/work with and works pretty well. Nothing beats a 4 link, but if you don't know how to set it up for varying track conditions, you could be in for a lot of trial and error. The next step would be a ladder bar, and that's more or less what is under the 60-72's..

One thing to consider is the later you get in body style, you could be adding unneeded weight in air bags, new saftey stuff, ect. That though is somewhat a double edged sword. Safety is something to think about to.

Re: which generation body to use?
 

I would go with the square body for the reason of parts availability. I have swapped front cross members between a 72 and a 74. Would it be possible to install a 72 coil spring cross member in a square body to take advantage of the coil spring rear end?

Re: which generation body to use?
 

you can get a kit or retro fit the stock trailing arm rear suspension to a square body if you want to.