New DD/Hunting truck-Any suggestions???

[Hotrodrobert]

Here's the deal:
I am building a 76 4X4 shortbed for my favorite cousin and his oldest son. The son is to get the truck on his 16th BD. That is about a year and a half away.
The truck has great sentimental value and WILL be the truck we build. The kid learned to drive in this truck and is now very good at it but has no road experience yet.
Now the truck:
White 76 4X4 shortbed, stock 350 4bbl, 350 turbo, stock everything. It has receiver hitches front and rear and a good winch that can be used front or rear, and a good aluminum tool box in the bed. I has a bed held together only with paint and rusty fenders, hood, and doors, bad windshield and back glass, window mechanisms are very stiff, all rubber bad--------, you get the idea
Money is important but not critical, labor is mostly free, I have a lot of parts:
87 bed and dual tanks in excellent condition, front fenders, doors, hood and more from a 74 longbed, good electric windows and door locks from a 76 that is otherwise a rustbucket, a fresh 700R-4 built for 4wd that fits his transfer case, many SBC parts to make a really good near stock 350 or 383 with headers, new radiator, etc. and a lot more (small turbo??)
Can do a 5.3LS but have no parts for that.
Suggestions, mods, hunting mods, etc. are needed. Thanks!!!!

[Hazieview]

If you get a new back glass make sure it has a beer window!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hotrodrobert]

Come on guys, I need real advise and a "beer window" is not helpful for a 16 year old. I does have and probably will get a new sliding window in the back.

[jimboh247]

I'd suggest keeping it as stock as possible.What he needs is something reliable that looks decent.

A 16 year old + high performance= big trouble. No matter how "mature" a kid is, he'll get on it (cause you know you would!) Stock is a whole lot easier to keep out of the ditches!

No lift kits, turbos or anything like that. Keep it simple.

Keep the exhaust manifolds, they don't leak nearly as much as headers.

I'd wouldn't mess with the power windows and door locks. Manual all the way!

I'd also do a rustoleum paint job. Inexpensive, and easy to fix if you scratch it in the woods.

[Hotrodrobert]

Thanks JimBob!! That is the kind of help I am looking for! I am leaning toward the stock rebuild 350, good Q Jet, but I might use Thorley Tri Y headers as I have had great success over the years with mileage, power, and NO LEAKS with the right gaskets and bolts. I think I would like the 700 over the 350.
No lift kits or huge tires planned now.
Anyone else??? I really appreciate real advise and I know I am old and out of touch.

[softballnrd27]

A 4.8 or 5.3 swap would be good. Fairly cheap and will be reliable as well.

[Hotrodrobert]

Originally Posted by softballnrd27

A 4.8 or 5.3 swap would be good. Fairly cheap and will be reliable as well.

Thought about that. I know these are better in every way than the old genI engines, but do you think they would be worth the extra cost of the EFI, adapters, etc.???

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by Hotrodrobert

Thought about that. I know these are better in every way than the old genI engines, but do you think they would be worth the extra cost of the EFI, adapters, etc.???

If you have money to burn they're worth it. If you already have a good running SBC I suggest keeping it. They're simple as dirt, parts are everywhere and really inexpensive (compared to LS motors). I would suggest keeping it because like you said, he'll be 16 when he gets it. If something goes wrong, a SBC is a good platform to learn about because they are so simple to work on. I think it would be better for him in the long run to start with something simple. Just my two cents, because I wish I would have. I started off with an EFI vehicle and never learned anything about cars until I got this old Chevy. I'm so glad I did, too.

[Hotrodrobert]

Thanks for that. I probably will stay with the 350 just fresh, maybe Vortec heads and Eddy intake.
CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW BETTER!!! I will listen!!
Any suggestions for interior and suspension mods (Mild only!!)

[Zebb]

My idea of a hunting rig is dependable! It's gotta start and work perfect when it's time to hunt. Also maybe think of something custom to hold guns. I'm not a fan of putting my rifles in the back window. I always wanted to make something for behind the seat to hold guns when I got someone else with me. We track deer so we use gps sometimes when we are in the truck looking for tracks or using the truck for leapfrogging the track. So a gps unit on the dash somewhere comes in handy.

[old Rusty C10]

for a hunting truck, id be looking for military brush guards and the hooks they use that will come in handy for the woods.. also id install a winch, a back rack and a cross rails tool box..

[Hotrodrobert]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

for a hunting truck, id be looking for military brush guards and the hooks they use that will come in handy for the woods.. also id install a winch, a back rack and a cross rails tool box..

Thanks!! I have a good heavy duty aluminum cross rails toolbox and a winch that can be used front or rear mounted on a receiver. Any recommendations on where to start for the hooks? What do you mean"back rack"?

[motornut]

back racks i've seen keep things from goin threw the back window
get a carb that won't flood on an incline
skid plates
prob want dual batts,winch and some other stuff can drain a batt quick
like BIG lights
tremclad paint for sure lol i can vouch for red lol
you can find the camo designs here too
keep it simple ,no fancy stuff that would leave you walking away.....

[Hotrodrobert]

Thanks Motornut. We will be using a Q Jet-the best carb on an incline, or EFI, maybe TPI.
I like the dual batteries and skid plates idea.