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#1 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
OK, some threads have been done in the past on the topic, but I want to throw a new twist on it... this is for everyone, but more for the flat broke crowd.
Many of us have a 3 day weekend coming up, and we might even get some quality truck tinkering time. Assuming you aren't doing booring crap like replacing the bolts that fell out of your fan clutch, you probably want to do upgrades, restoration, or simply, modifications. But what's a broke SOB to do? I was everyone to list favorite mods for under $50. I've always said, one man's budget bolt on, is another man's budget. A very common area that this is true is when someone wants a simple 2 inch drop. Guys come out of the woodwork saying how 'affordable' drop spindles are... or drop springs. I haven't priced them for a few years, but I think they are 200-ish and 100-ish for those 'affordable' pieces. Chopping the spring is free, and despite common opinion, perfectly safe. Now, lets set some ground rules for what is considered a $50 mod. Obviously, a person with a pole barn packed with a lift, $25,000 worth of tools, a plasma cutter and 220volt miller MIG welder can get anything done. They have the tools to take junk metal and turn it into a one off treasure. Same with the guys who can paint like Chip Foose. Lets keep this simple. #1... 50 bucks is 50 bucks. Not 50 bucks plus this $300 piece "I had laying around" Now a $300 piece that you scored for $50 on Craigslist or at a flea market is fair game. #2... Cheaper is always better.... free is best. #3... Hand tools only. If you used air tools to make/modify something, then it is out. HOWEVER... if it could have been done with hand tools, then it's cool and it is back in. #4... Lets keep it simple, something the average moron with little tallent (like me) can do. #5... a quick overview, or a link to step by step instructions is best, so this thread doesn't become a 30 page thread that you have to sift through to find that trick you need. With any luck, this will be a cool list of tips and tricks that we can refer to for years to come. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 05-28-2011 at 12:04 AM. |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Buckeye Arizona
Posts: 470
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Anyone call you a genius on the forum yet? :P
Great thread idea, hope to see it prosper and give me some ideas! |
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#3 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,005
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Andy- You need to post up the no-cost sidemarker french mod you did a while back. That was one of the best free cool mods I have seen in a long time.
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1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: a t w a t e r cali 95301
Posts: 10,713
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
i think if you found them for such a price buddy buckets would be the best mod for 50 or less if you could find them
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona
Posts: 1,626
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
I think this counts I hope, but on a 71 or 72 using the smooth 67-70 "no signal hole" bumper and using Visibolts (@ $30) for your blinkers. Very clean look.
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Dave aka "Wild" Current truck "Ida Mae" 71 K5 Blazer Former Trucks "Loretta" 71 Longbed (AZ) "Tanya" 69 Stepside (AZ) "Ferdinand" 71 Longhorn (SD) "Patches" 67 Panel (IA/ KY) "Rosita" 68 C30 (KY) Instagram @Wildforwheels @k5_klub @c10university Profile pic provided by Jeff Sundance |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 264
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
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#7 |
Master Procrastinator
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Grande Prairie AB Canada
Posts: 1,128
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
I'm in this is a great thread
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![]() 20 Duramax tow pig 68 2wd short stepper project 77 2wd short fleet beater 52 short project |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 299
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
$50 will get you some sandpaper, can of primer, can of black and a can of chevy orange.
Time will get you cleaning up your engine compartment. With some left over for a six pack of your beverage of choice and a bag of chips.
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1972 GMC Sierra LWB (Aquafresh) 1962 Cadillac Convertible 1962 Cadillac Sedan project |
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#9 |
Master Procrastinator
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Grande Prairie AB Canada
Posts: 1,128
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
$50 on eBay can do wonders, I got myself a full tail light and deluxe marker kit with lenses, bezels, and gaskets with shipping to canada for just under and although they are repro they look super nice and I traded the fleetside tail light setup for a case of beer. I find that patience and upping bids by $2.75 over a round common number can be just enough to steal an auction
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![]() 20 Duramax tow pig 68 2wd short stepper project 77 2wd short fleet beater 52 short project |
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#10 | ||
VA72C10
![]() Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Midlothian, VA
Posts: 25,269
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Quote:
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For a cheap facelift... On a 69-70 grille, clean it up and then mask off and re-paint the black and that really dresses up the front end. To take it a step further if it's dull....use drain cleaner to strip off the anodizing and then polish it and then paint the black and clear over all of it. One thing I like on a 71-72 with a cracked inner grille is to glue the pieces together and spray it with a satin black paint. Adds a custom look and hides the cracks. On a 69-70 grille, clean it up and then mask off and re-paint the black and that really dresses up the front end. On a 67-68 painting it white is a nice way to accent it if it's painted body color or repainting if faded...
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Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA. ![]() |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: south dakota
Posts: 1,892
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Rustoleum " Hammered texture ". .... it says on can.. " can be applied directly over rust''. I can attest to that.
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eat,work,spend,sleep,repeat. Last edited by prairewolf; 05-27-2011 at 05:41 AM. |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Glenville, Pa
Posts: 445
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Good thread. Lets hear some more.
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http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=355153 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CENTRAL,NJ
Posts: 586
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Great Thread! I bought a sanding disc.for my 3/8 electic drill,some Por-15 and did the bed in my 71,came to around 50 bucks,but gave me a lot of piece of mind!
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#14 |
Redefining LowBudget
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire
Posts: 4,538
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
I have to say the best $50 I have EVER spent on my truck was adding power brakes....Bought a used booster and bracket and its a simple bolt on
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1970 C10 CST fleetside 472 ....big dreams little cash... SunShine Syndicate.. ![]() Mikes Sandwich Fair Run OCT 8th 2011
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#15 |
Its a Truck Thing......
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 3,159
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Less than $25, you can get wiper delay that is simple to install and works well. I have used them in two trucks.....Love it.....
All you need is wire crimpers (or vise grips for those who prefer) and a drill to mount it. http://www.jcwhitney.com/windshield-...wx?filterid=j1 Smitty
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71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time |
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#16 |
Registered User
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Location: VA
Posts: 740
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
My Battery disconnect and Kill Switch.
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1968 SWB. GMPP 350/350 Turbo Trans, Edelbrock Performer & Carb. Hedman Hedders, Hooker Aerochambers Mufflers. Tuff Stuff Alternators. Remember, no matter where you go, There you are. Gary |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Sandersville, GA
Posts: 298
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
I'm subscribing to this. Great Idea.
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How 'Bout them Dawgs! ![]() '10 Traverse LTZ 03 Silverado Z71 ext cab 99 Yamaha Grizzly 600 72 C10 350/350 sportside bed. 68 C30 flatbed. 350 4-speed. "I've got a good memory, it's just short!" |
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#18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
if it is a moving part first spray the heck out of it with WD40 to clean out the old dirty petrified crap , they spray with lubriplate or other lasting lubricant for longer lasting protection
TOTAL COST ABOUT $10 a piece of sandpaper a wire brush needle nose plyers and some dielectric grease to clean up and tighten up electrical connections throw in ground wires from the bed to the frame and cluster to firewall TOTAL COST LESS THAN $5
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cali Central Coast
Posts: 5,191
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Quote:
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'67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD ![]() Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7 |
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#20 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: High Plains of Colorado
Posts: 2,485
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Here's one for the stepside guys....Radiusing The Rear Bed Rails.
I saw this idea and decided to give it a try. I used long radius 1-1/2" pipe elbows, $20 each. Last edited by lakeroadster; 05-27-2011 at 10:26 AM. |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 11,375
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Replacing the side markers that look like goldfish eyes for some van side markers total price $0.00 got them for free and two minutes of my time......
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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild |
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#22 |
Master Procrastinator
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Grande Prairie AB Canada
Posts: 1,128
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Quote:
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![]() 20 Duramax tow pig 68 2wd short stepper project 77 2wd short fleet beater 52 short project |
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#23 | ||
just can't cover up my redneck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 11,414
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
Quote:
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You can review the site's rules here. Quote:
Bad planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an instant emergency on my part.... The great thing about being a pessimist is that you are either pleasantly surprised or right. ![]() |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 76
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Re: Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)
My favorite so far has got to be the door panels. For $10 vinyl paint and $15 material they came up like new with only a days work. Even have enough material to cover my bench seat so once done I will include that in the $50 budget.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428373 Jay
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![]() ![]() ----------------------------------- { 1972 Chevrolet C-10 Fleetside, 350 V8, 5.7L. } ----------------------------------- |
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#25 |
Quit if it's not FUN!!!
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Indian Trail, N.C,
Posts: 864
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Budget throttle rod
I may have posted this inside another post, but here's my less than $15 throttle rod. (2) 1/4-28 Female Rods Ends (3.99/surplus), 12" of 1/4-28 all-thread ($3.49/Lowe's), Couple of jamnuts from the junk bin and a length of 1/4" rubber hose. Couple of quick bends for offset, cut to length, silicone the hose and slid it on. Add a few pieces of (new!!!) hardware, and bingo. PO had a piece of crap. Finally got rid of that.
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