If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Hi all. I'm looking to get ideas for my 1987 Silverado. I'll be starting the tear down process around 6 months from now. But I like to have my parts already on hand. So I wanted to stop by and get some ideas for a 2wd street truck.

What would you add to a square body if you were going to do a resto mod truck? In this scenario, you don't care about originality much. Also, I'm not looking for things that would've appeared on normal models, like power windows. I'm looking for things these trucks never had. Or vast improvements to their original equipment. For example, adding automatic power windows to a truck that came with regular power windows. So you don't have to hold the button down. Or a full sound deadening suite, even if it costs $1,500.

What would you do? One of the things I'm thinking of adding, just for my own use sometimes, is a hidden winch on the front. A winch that is in stealth mode somehow. I'm also going to move the fuel tank to where the clock is in the gauge cluster, and put an RPM gauge where that big fuel level gauge is.

So what all would you do?

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

A modern HVAC system. Not the stock system made better, all new and efficient system.

Tinted windows so the AC doesnt have to work so hard.

Modern stereo. Small amplifier, excellent speakers, bluetooth.

Modern/updated suspension. Anti-roll bars, new bushings, maybe tubular control arms with coilovers.

LS swap of some kind with everything done well with quality parts.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Why would you want a winch on a 2wd?

If lowering is in the cards, 4 link rear from DSE, No Limit, or Ride Tech among others. From suspension from DSE if you really want to make the truck handle. If you just want improved handling, what TrailerTrash recommends above is a great path. I would add frame bracing in there, too. I'm a huge proponent of bracing chassis if you desire improved handling.

Better headlights should be considered. Upgrading the wiring so it's safer and provides better power to the power components.

If more power is wanted out of the engine, LS swap with high flow cats. There is zero reason to remove catalytic converters from a modern engine.

Better brakes preferably from a later generation truck so you can get new pads or calipers later without issue. Baer makes brakes that use factory pads from other cars so keep that in mind, too.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

The truck in my signature is what I'm building. It's definitely what you would call a restomod! Most of the modifications are in the drivetrain of the truck to make it as useful and dependable as possible. I don't have much use for AC, stereo, or fancy interiors. I just want a solid functional truck that gets the job done, looks cool, and is fun to drive.

If money was no object, the only major things I would change on my build would be to use the 6.6L direct injection L8T engine, purchase a new TR4050 manual transmission, and switch to a LH-drop Dana 60 front axle.

For a restomod, give considerable thought to how you can increase the usefulness of the truck. Can you make it nice enough, economical enough, and dependable enough to replace another daily driver? You'll enjoy the truck more if you're driving it to work every day, compared to just letting it sit in the garage.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Well, I can think of three. They take up space, they add cost and they make for a more complex system.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

I thought of another good one: LED lights in the bed. Running the length, underneath. That way there's always plenty of light at night.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Here is what I would do to my square bodies if I was doing a build like this:

-Updated power window harness with one touch settings
-Heated seats
-Better head lights, but not the annoying LED that look awful and blind everyone else
-better door seals
-sound proof floors and inside of doors
-better wiper delay system
-COMFY supportive seats
-wing window delete
-wireless charging pad in console, also better console
-big brakes w/ anti lock feature
-third tail light for the dummies behind you
-keyless entry and remote start
-and of course modern stereo/speakers/bluetooth

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Modern 4 wheel ABS.
Seats that fit you in the cab.
If you are going with a computerized engine setup, might as well go with a 5 or 6 speed overdrive transmission.
Limited slip type rear end.
Behind the seat storage setup.
If you are into the smartphone thing, a place to hold the phone with charging setup.
2nd the sound deadening stuff and sound system setup. Make sure the receiver can handle bluetooth connection + flash drive/USB port.
Wait on the dash/gauge setup until you have decided what motor/trans you are going with in case you need spots for check engine and/or ABS lights.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Personally inwould keep it simple.

Install full interior, but with added fat mat or the like.
More modern style of bucket seats.
Blazer or Suburban center console. To hide USB chargers.
LS or preferably a LT engine.
17" or larger wheels.
Factory style door panels with out carpet on them.
Fold out touch screen nav stereo.

My take on resto mods is that you add in modern styling touches, but keep the interior stockish looking. If I wanted my truck to look like a new truck threw up in it. I would get a new truck. Plus modern engine, and trans. Made to look like it was factory installed.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Auto headlights, thinking of putting on my c10.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Id like to say, my number one mod would be the headlights. I put a set of JL Speaker LED headlights in the truck and what a difference. Yea they look different, but the safety aspect of having them is paramount in my book.
Second is a modern driveline, can't beat fuel injection with better mileage (we all need that now)
Third would be a coil over suspension with a new steering box.

Bubba

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

How would this be accomplished? Maybe somehow there's a way to get bigger thicker door seals. Like you'd see on some BMW's.


Thanks I'm getting a lot of good ideas here! Some of the suggestions I'd already intended to do, but there's some I hadn't thought of. So far from this thread I'll be adding:

1. Auto headlights
2. Bigger better ABS brakes
3. Center console with wireless charging built in
4. Heated seats
5. Some better storage system behind seats and maybe underneath
6. 5 or 6 speed overdrive transmission
7. Limited slip... didn't some of these trucks already have that? Mine is 1987 if that helps


I'm making a big list for when I begin building the truck. If you add these things it makes old classics much more pleasant to drive.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

So far the list sounds like my build intent.

3/4 ton 4wd, straight 6 250 w/ throttle body fuel injection, 4L60E from 1994 for fuel economy and no annoying cables but no PWM lock up. NP241, 3.43 axles with a torsion posi in the rear. No lift kit, nice Michelin tires on the stock 16" rims.
Stepper motor cruise of a 1994. PW/PL, bluetooth radio, Vintage Air. Truck was a no option special. Vinyl or leather bench seat, these are most comfortable seats I have ever owned.
Lots of sound deadening. Rubber floors because washing mud out of carpet is a PITA and I'm lazy.

basically making a nicely equipped truck using later model components. Don't need anything fancy. If I wanted fancy I'd buy an Escalade, ort a Denali.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

How would you install ABS into an older truck? The only way I'm aware of is to do a complete chassis swap. I haven't heard of any aftermarket or retrofit-friendly ABS systems.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

For my 1981 C10 I've had since I was in high school (long time ago), my favorite things I did with my version of what you're talking about were

Seats - installed Recaro Specialist M seats in place of the bench. I actually fit now (I'm 6'6"). Supportive and comfortable too.

Vintage Air - I never had factor air in this truck so this was huge for comfort.

New Chevy Performance 350 crate motor- hydraulic roller with Vortec heads, First Fuel Injection intake and Holley HP ECU. About 365HP/420 lb/ft

Suspension- POL tubular upper and lower control arms, sway bars, new Alcan leafs in the rear made to my specs, and traction bars.

Dakota Digital HDX guages.

Modern stereo.

LOTS of sound deadening.

Did plenty of other stuff too.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

I did the retomod thing with my '85. Since it was a Custom Deluxe, it was pretty basic. The only items it had were A/C and stereo. So I had to add some things.

• Power Windows
• Power Door Locks
• Viper Alarm with keyless entry
• Tilt Steering Column
• LS Motor and OD trans (no motor or trans when bought)
• Cruise Control
• 90 Cheyenne seat with headrests (told the wife that the back window was the headrest. Didn't go over well)
• Tire pressure monitoring system. (wife likes to drive on flat tires)
• Retrosound Stock fit radio with Bluetooth, Alpine Amp, Rear 6 x 9 speakers (because I like Rock and Roll LOUD)
• Lizardskin outside and inside, Carpet, Carpet on doors, Headliner, foam behind door panels, carpeted back wall panel. (Road noise and so I cant hear Hip Hop in the next car)
• Rear Step Bumper with reverse lights (so I can see when I back down the driveway at night.
• Wheelwell chrome trim, tailgate band
• New Boregeson steering box (wandered from lane to lane on interstate)
• Nissan Altima rearview mirror with auto dimming, compass and Home link.

Things I wish I did:

• Bigger front Sway Bar, add rear sway bar so it doesn't feel like it will flip over during a turn.
• Rear Axle with better gear ratio and a posi. 1 wheel peal in rain sucks.
• Head light relays, Power Window relays. because power through switches kills voltage
• Find a Cruise Control, wiper stalk that would last for longer than 3 months. @Help parts. #crappyparts
• Tinted Windows. Neck and arms get hot in Georgia sun. R134a needs all the help it can get.
• Trans cooler & Receiver Hitch for towing
• Left patina alone, new paint attracts scratches that break you heart
• Found the original owner and asked for the Title. He died during COVID. Now just a Bill of Sale.

I guess they are right when they say your project is never done!

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

The specifics of this thread won't apply to you much, but it shows the process of adding a junkyard sway bar to a truck that didn't have provisions for one to start with. You don't need to buy a specialized kit to make it happen. https://www.silveradosierra.com/thre...2500hd.733077/

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

I had to replace mine with Help parts and it's still going about 8 years later. You couldn't read anything on the old one, it was all worn off. You might just try identifying what keeps breaking, and replacing that particular part yourself. Put better guts in it.

As for the posi... isn't that mainly a racing thing? Well these days anyway. I always heard that limited slip was designed to overcome problems in the rain. Less unwanted peeling out and less slipping and sliding. So less wrecks.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

And with EFI you are likely cleaner without cats than a carburetor truck was with cats. I have an '83 K20 that I swapped to Tune Port fuel injection. I have dual exhaust with Walker hi-flow cats but since my County has stopped Emissions Testing, I would not have put them on if I was doing again today.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

I thought my '87 "was" a restomod.

It has fuel injection, air conditioning, power steering, power disc brakes, and an overdrive transmission.

It felt like a modern vehicle wrapped in vintage Sheetmetal to me.

Manual locks and windows, vinyl flooring, and a vinyl bench seat were all that were required for me to drive the wheels off it. Drove it like that for 30 years and 200k miles.

;)

K

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Available optionally as RPO G80.

All you had to do was check the box on the order form.

K

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

G80 would have been great but the GM employee that bought it new did not opt for it. I got Posi and Limited Slip mixed up.

As far as the stalk, I have had different problems.
1st was the set button popped out and could not be replaced
2nd was the wiper part stripped out, spun around and would not engage wipers. Replaced stalk and wiper switch, just in case.
3rd just happened. The cruise switch is stuck in the off position and will not let it engage. If I try any harder to slide the switch, it will probably break.

I have bought these from Advance Auto and they come with a "Limited Lifetime" Warranty. This means they will replace it ONCE during the lifetime. Bought 1st and 3rd ones, 2nd was warrantied. Getting tired of tearing column down to replace.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

The things I would do if I let my imagination go wild would be air bags on all 4 corners, a newer dodge ram multi function tailgate, heated steering wheel, steering wheel controls, rear back window slides down, 6 din radio in dash, better HVAC controls and some larger 16" wagon wheels.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

Is Advance Auto selling the Dorman brand part? I've always had good luck with Dorman electrical components.

Re: If you were building a restomod which modern improvements would you add?
 

I didn't see anyone mention cup holders! (How can you forget the cup holders!?) ;)