Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks

[focusedontheprize]

Like everyone on this forum, I really like the looks of my Squarebody truck. One aspect I like to start incorporating more is modern features/functions into the older style without needing a $10,000 budget to do so.

Objective
Starting a running list that tracks all the modern upgrades people are doing to their truck with a few requirements in order to keep them reasonable and keep the topic on point. Please feel free to recommend any ideas for additional requirements.

Requirements:
- Upgrades have to leverage existing parts from a 2000+ newer vehicle
- Parts for upgrade need to be accessible through a junkyard picking

Process
Create a thread and document the following:
- Parts required for the upgrade
- Estimated cost of upgrade
- Procedure on upgrade
- Send me the link and I will add it to the list


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Drivetrain
- Upgrading to LS engine

Exterior
- Mirrors with LED turn signals

Electronics
- Upgrading alternator from 10SI to 12SI
- Upgraded Junction block from 2 post block to 7 post block

Lighting
- LED or Projector headlights (huge upgrade)
- J.W Speaker LED 8800 Evo II upgrade
- LED tail lights

Interior
- Auto Dimming Mirror Upgrade
- LED Courtesy Lighting
- Purchased courtesy light kit from LMC
- Added LED bulbs
- Power seats


----------------

Do we think this is a good idea or do we think this will die off? I am all ears, just wanted to try something new.

[DieselSJ]

No transmission upgrades? Upgrading to an overdrive trans was probably one of the best mods I made for driveability.

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by DieselSJ

No transmission upgrades? Upgrading to an overdrive trans was probably one of the best mods I made for driveability.

We can definitely open it up to the drivetrain!

[Wgesnerjr]

Best thing I did was LS swap.

Love, love ,love that engine, trans, fuel injection.

[DieselSJ]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

We can definitely open it up to the drivetrain!

I'll get the swap thread going.

Basically this - 1987 with a TH400 and 4.10 gears and 454. 9mpg if I kept it down at 60mph.

Pulled a NV4500 out of a later truck, sourced clutch/brake pedal box out of a late 80's square body, cut a big hole in the floor and stuffed it in.

Makes for a WAY better driving experience. First 2 tanks were over 11.5mpg and that was with a 6K trailer and a lot of 65-70mph freeway.

[BabyBlue]

Some of the upgrades to modern style parts are not all that expensive new.

-LED turn signal mirrors - $125 pair

-Projector or LED headlights (You can buy these about $100 plug and play for cheaper ones that are a huge upgrade to halogen OR you can find a newer wrecked Jeep Wrangler and poach them).

-LED taillights $200-220

-Backup Camera's $100-400 or junkyard

-Foglights - $120+ for LED or junkyard (Tahoe/Suburbans have some good ones that you can mount in the front air dam)

- Power seats - Range in $$$ from $400-$2000 from Junkyards or new depending on just power or power with heat, ventilated, etc.

Depends what else you are wanting as amenities. Overdrive is a good one. Other power accessories... really depends what you want.

[TKCR]

An upgrade I did on my truck, was add more Courtesy Lighting ( under dash ). What I did was purchase a courtesy light kit from LMC. It contains 2 lights, which I added to the one light, under the dash. Added LED bulbs and walla! It is stuff you buy new, but I suppose you could get what you need from the junkyard.
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-che...tesy-light-kit

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by TKCR

An upgrade I did on my truck, was add more Courtesy Lighting ( under dash ). What I did was purchase a courtesy light kit from LMC. It contains 2 lights, which I added to the one light, under the dash. Added LED bulbs and walla! It is stuff you buy new, but I suppose you could get what you need from the junkyard.
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-che...tesy-light-kit

This is next on my list. I also didn’t know you had 3 lights under there. I always assumed 2. Thanks for sharing this.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

This is next on my list. I also didn’t know you had 3 lights under there. I always assumed 2. Thanks for sharing this.

Yeah the original light is there in the center. The 2 I added are the ones just above the kick panels.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

If I woke up and somebody was putting a backup camera and some power seats in my 82 I would chase them off my property!

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by TKCR

An upgrade I did on my truck, was add more Courtesy Lighting ( under dash ). What I did was purchase a courtesy light kit from LMC. It contains 2 lights, which I added to the one light, under the dash. Added LED bulbs and walla! It is stuff you buy new, but I suppose you could get what you need from the junkyard.
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-che...tesy-light-kit

You can get those from any square that's equipped. I had floor lighting in a 1974 C10 Custom Deluxe with three on the tree and the inline 6. It was pretty much the only optional stuff other than the 8' fleetside bed, rear step bumper, and spare tire. One of the prior owners probably added them IIRC the SPID didn't have the option listed.
The bright LED bulbs perk the floor lighting right up.

[Dead Parrot]

A few small things I have done:
Replace the 2 post Junction block with the 7(IIRC) post junction block from the 90's era trucks. If picking, get the wires from the donor truck as well. They have the proper terminal ends and most come with OEM fusible links.

Swap the passive washer jug with one that has the built in pump from a 88-89 Suburban. Other models may work. Gets rid of the problematic(at least for me) OEM pump driven by the wiper motor.

Replaced the 10SI alt with a later 12SI alt. (Later models in the squares came with the 12SI)

Swapped out the straight wiper arms with the ones ending in a L. (Avoids the need for that weird adapter that often doesn't work correctly.)

[Keith Seymore]

*deleted*

Please carry on -

K

[68longhorn]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

A few small things I have done:
Replace the 2 post Junction block with the 7(IIRC) post junction block from the 90's era trucks. If picking, get the wires from the donor truck as well. They have the proper terminal ends and most come with OEM fusible links.

Swap the passive washer jug with one that has the built in pump from a 88-89 Suburban. Other models may work. Gets rid of the problematic(at least for me) OEM pump driven by the wiper motor.

Replaced the 10SI alt with a later 12SI alt. (Later models in the squares came with the 12SI)

Swapped out the straight wiper arms with the ones ending in a L. (Avoids the need for that weird adapter that often doesn't work correctly.)

What wiper arms fit?

[Dead Parrot]

Originally Posted by 68longhorn

What wiper arms fit?

Don't really know. Found several during a Pull-a-Part run which is kind-of unusual as my normal luck is all the wiper arms are already pulled. I think the post ends are fairly universal. All the ones I found had the tubing for the 'on the arm spray' setup. Pulled that off as it was rotted and my trucks have the stationary spray nozzles. Whatever years/trim levels had the on the arm nozzles might be your pull target.

[sweetk30]

around mid 80's they went to pin mount wiper ams over the flat tab adapter older stuff .

i just did a military blazer it had the old style and i swapped on a pin style extra set i had .

[focusedontheprize]

Thanks everyone, added them to the original post.

[nekkidhillbilly]

i like stuff that doesnt distract from the stock look. so no huge screens or none of that garabage imo. led lights overdrive things like that are cool.

[Rich84]

I added power door locks with no switches. Unlock or lock one door and they both unlock. Also has a remote that at the moment does not work since it got ripped out during my LS swap. I also removed the lighter and installed a dual USB port in it's place. Only had to drill the hole a little larger and it fit right in.

[Rich84]

Originally Posted by Rich84

I also removed the lighter and installed a dual USB port in it's place. Only had to drill the hole a little larger and it fit right in.

Update: I had to disconnect the USB port because it was causing a parasitic draw for some reason. Now I'm stuck with a hole that is too big for my lighter.

[sweetk30]

hook it back up on a relay thats triggered key hot . so when the vehicle is off its off .

[truckin 79]

I wanted to add some led lights to the speedo gauge cluster to brighten it up for driving at night. I know someone here has done that but forgot who had a write up for this. This is far down the line though

[sweetk30]

that can be done but also dont forget the chrome spray paint trick for the gauge housing and cover backside . this helps a lot also .

[44th Miss Inf]

Just scavenged a remote, keyless entry module from a 98 that I will add to my 84 soon.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1573246529

[superdav]

Originally Posted by 44th Miss Inf

Just scavenged a remote, keyless entry module from a 98 that I will add to my 84 soon.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1573246529

let us know how this goes with a thread, I want to do this