What is the best upgrade? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**'70_402** · 02-25-2004, 07:17 PM

What do ya'll think is the best upgrade for the money?

Engine?
Brakes?
Suspension?

gr8scott51 · 02-25-2004, 07:23 PM

Didn't we have one like this before? something like top 5 alterations?

Lots of folks voted for the power disc brakes. Power steering is sweet if you are using arm-strong steering now.

scott

oh yeah, sway bar, too

krue · 02-25-2004, 07:41 PM

power brakes is a good bang for the buck and also fairly easy to do.

speesh · 02-25-2004, 10:52 PM

brakes, because crashing sucks!
been there, done that....

ChevLoRay · 02-26-2004, 12:11 AM

I did the suspension, first. It needed disc brakes, and it needed to be lowered. The control arm shafts and bushings were worn, as were the ball joints. The engine ran good, and the tranny was in good shape. This was in the fall of '01. I haven't done anything else to any part of it, short of replacing the battery and the heater blower motor. It still starts, rides, drives and stops real good. I'd like to put a new engine in it....and a 700R4. But, it still runs and drives and probably will for a long time....with the same engine/tranny combo.

In my opinion, if you can't drive it and enjoy the drive, nothing else that you do will have any value, including paint and interior, as well as the engine/driveline. If it feels good on your butt, you won't mind getting off of your butt to do something that it needs. If you don't like driving it, you won't want to spend money on it and you should just go ahead and sell it.

*botboy* · 02-26-2004, 01:20 AM

I consider myself fortunate that my truck came equipped (factory) with power steering, power brakes, and tilt column.

The first things I've done to my truck (not necessarily in this order) mostly because they're cheaper:
Sunpro Tachometer - I want to know if my automatic isn't shifting when it should
Electric fan - few less parasitic HP, slightly better mileage
New rear coils - one was missing when I got truck, helps with ride too.
CD Deck - Makes for better driving experience
Cab corners - When its this cold out and you don't have cab corners, it definitely improves driving experience! As well as several other rusty/bent body panel replacements.
100 Amp 1-wire alternator - cleans up engine bay (less wires no regulator) less flicker, more power for stereo above, brighter headlights.

Things I'm planning on doing:
NV4500 (Probably just a SM465 for now). Slightly better mileage, less likelihood of failure (compared to an auto), better burnouts. And I like bangin thru the gears.
Posi rear end - for better hookups and a better chance of getting out of my icy driveway
Headlight relays - brighter lights, less flicker, longer lasting dimmer switches
IRS - (way down the road) for better cornering and daily non-hauling driving

kaycee · 02-26-2004, 01:21 AM

HEI

bigvinnie · 02-26-2004, 02:14 AM

ditto on HEI.... set it and forget it...
disc brakes would also be a good return on your investment...

67_SS396 · 02-26-2004, 02:36 AM

The best upgrade? Big Block!

Then I'd consider upgrading the brakes.

However, with my daily driver, the best upgrade so far was a front sway bar. It still has four wheel power drums which is plenty for stopping. It just takes a little longer than the rest of the soda cans on the road.

Sweet72 · 02-26-2004, 04:26 AM

I'm with gr8scott51, krue and speesh on this one. Power disc brakes if ya don't have 'em. Goin' real fast is cool, but not being able to stop before you hit the car ahead of you really sucks!

02-25-2004, 07:17 PM	#1
'70_402 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Pampa, Texas Posts: 1,553	What is the best upgrade? What do ya'll think is the best upgrade for the money? Engine? Brakes? Suspension? __________________ https://www.ebay.com/itm/29620574751...mis&media=COPY

02-25-2004, 07:23 PM	#2
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	Didn't we have one like this before? something like top 5 alterations? Lots of folks voted for the power disc brakes. Power steering is sweet if you are using arm-strong steering now. scott oh yeah, sway bar, too __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

02-25-2004, 07:41 PM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	power brakes is a good bang for the buck and also fairly easy to do. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

02-25-2004, 10:52 PM	#4
speesh Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Posts: 318	brakes, because crashing sucks! been there, done that.... __________________ 57 suburban(sitting in the driveway), 2 69 C20 longbeds (sitting in the field ) and a 2003 8.1 Suburban Endeavor to persevere. "All of a sudden, I'm the old timer!" Some old timer on American Pickers.

02-26-2004, 12:11 AM	#5
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	I did the suspension, first. It needed disc brakes, and it needed to be lowered. The control arm shafts and bushings were worn, as were the ball joints. The engine ran good, and the tranny was in good shape. This was in the fall of '01. I haven't done anything else to any part of it, short of replacing the battery and the heater blower motor. It still starts, rides, drives and stops real good. I'd like to put a new engine in it....and a 700R4. But, it still runs and drives and probably will for a long time....with the same engine/tranny combo. In my opinion, if you can't drive it and enjoy the drive, nothing else that you do will have any value, including paint and interior, as well as the engine/driveline. If it feels good on your butt, you won't mind getting off of your butt to do something that it needs. If you don't like driving it, you won't want to spend money on it and you should just go ahead and sell it. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

02-26-2004, 01:20 AM	#6
botboy Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Delano, MN Posts: 630	I consider myself fortunate that my truck came equipped (factory) with power steering, power brakes, and tilt column. The first things I've done to my truck (not necessarily in this order) mostly because they're cheaper: Sunpro Tachometer - I want to know if my automatic isn't shifting when it should Electric fan - few less parasitic HP, slightly better mileage New rear coils - one was missing when I got truck, helps with ride too. CD Deck - Makes for better driving experience Cab corners - When its this cold out and you don't have cab corners, it definitely improves driving experience! As well as several other rusty/bent body panel replacements. 100 Amp 1-wire alternator - cleans up engine bay (less wires no regulator) less flicker, more power for stereo above, brighter headlights. Things I'm planning on doing: NV4500 (Probably just a SM465 for now). Slightly better mileage, less likelihood of failure (compared to an auto), better burnouts. And I like bangin thru the gears. Posi rear end - for better hookups and a better chance of getting out of my icy driveway Headlight relays - brighter lights, less flicker, longer lasting dimmer switches IRS - (way down the road) for better cornering and daily non-hauling driving

02-26-2004, 01:21 AM	#7
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,449	Engine HEI __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

02-26-2004, 02:14 AM	#8
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	ditto on HEI.... set it and forget it... disc brakes would also be a good return on your investment... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

02-26-2004, 02:36 AM	#9
67_SS396 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Blue Ridge, Tx Posts: 1,172	The best upgrade? Big Block! Then I'd consider upgrading the brakes. However, with my daily driver, the best upgrade so far was a front sway bar. It still has four wheel power drums which is plenty for stopping. It just takes a little longer than the rest of the soda cans on the road. __________________ Fawker Fab three seater rock crawler buggy 498 BBC/SM465/203/205 doubler, propane, 5.13's, 42" PB Rockers '66 C10 - The new hot rod '77 3+3 Dually - 12 valve 4wd conversion tow rig project '28 Ford 2 door sedan street rod RevLimit Offroad "Hang on beer, we can do this."

02-26-2004, 04:26 AM	#10
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	I'm with gr8scott51, krue and speesh on this one. Power disc brakes if ya don't have 'em. Goin' real fast is cool, but not being able to stop before you hit the car ahead of you really sucks! __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

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