need ideas - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

aidans70 · 03-20-2012, 09:40 AM

So I am fairly new to these trucks and am looking for advice on what are good mods to do to my sons 70 gmc. I already know I want to change from drums on the front to disc's and from 6 lug to 5. what would be my easiest and cheapest options for this? I have a chance to get an 88 donor truck for the front end but what about the rear axles? also I have found a 327 for it and a turbo 400 tranny. what other ideas do you guys have?

71swb4x4 · 03-20-2012, 09:44 AM

Drum to disc is a great one. Others are to add a front sway bar, install an internally regulated alternator instead of the original external, HEI instead of points, and do the headlight relay conversion. I am sure there are tons more, those are the ones that came to the top of my mind. They are all good practical modifications that help imrove the day-to-day drivablility of the truck. Most add a measure of safety too.

Edit:
drum to disc: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444815
drum to disc again: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=35042
swaybar: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=72338
headlight relay: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=293913
headlight relay again: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=182351
more headlight relay: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=92228

And a great place to spend a bunch of time: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php?f=220

aidans70 · 03-20-2012, 10:02 AM

what about junk yards? are there any good ideas for parts from other trucks that help improve these trucks?

PanelDeland · 03-20-2012, 11:27 AM

Sway bars,71-87 IIRC disc brakes,later engine,OD tranny core,serpentine belts systems are all good JY mods.The 88 will have different width front suspension.GM built a lot of interchangability into their vehicles so many pieces can be swapped from later trucks and even some from cars.

Dingfodgy · 03-20-2012, 12:28 PM

Depending on the end result desired some lowered spindles and/or springs can help handling and appearance. Relocating the fuel tank under the bed is nice. Power windows, AC and sound-proofing will improve driving comfort alot. If you and your boy aren't over 6'2" a set of 40/20/40 seats out of a 2001+ Silverado is a great improvement. Tilt column and 15" steering wheel is quick and easy. Plus all the other mods those before me have mentioned.
Really, there is a seemingly endless list of upgrades you can do either as bolt on or with some fab work to modify these trucks. It all comes down to what you want when it's all said and done and how deep them pockets of yours are!

Coley · 03-20-2012, 12:32 PM

From a drive comfort point of view, the first thing I would make sure I had in my truck was a tilt wheel.
Ever since I had one in my original/first '72....that has been the first upgrade I've put in all my trucks since, at least when they didn't have one from the factory.
Unlike a/c or other options, which I appreciate, I find I use this one every time I get behind the wheel. and always notice its advantage.
Great investment and upgrade!!!
My two bits.
Coley

03-20-2012, 09:40 AM	#1
aidans70 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: calgary, alberta Posts: 15	need ideas So I am fairly new to these trucks and am looking for advice on what are good mods to do to my sons 70 gmc. I already know I want to change from drums on the front to disc's and from 6 lug to 5. what would be my easiest and cheapest options for this? I have a chance to get an 88 donor truck for the front end but what about the rear axles? also I have found a 327 for it and a turbo 400 tranny. what other ideas do you guys have?

03-20-2012, 09:44 AM	#2
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: need ideas Drum to disc is a great one. Others are to add a front sway bar, install an internally regulated alternator instead of the original external, HEI instead of points, and do the headlight relay conversion. I am sure there are tons more, those are the ones that came to the top of my mind. They are all good practical modifications that help imrove the day-to-day drivablility of the truck. Most add a measure of safety too. Edit: drum to disc: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444815 drum to disc again: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=35042 swaybar: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=72338 headlight relay: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=293913 headlight relay again: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=182351 more headlight relay: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=92228 And a great place to spend a bunch of time: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php?f=220 __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Last edited by 71swb4x4; 03-20-2012 at 09:52 AM.

03-20-2012, 10:02 AM	#3
aidans70 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: calgary, alberta Posts: 15	Re: need ideas what about junk yards? are there any good ideas for parts from other trucks that help improve these trucks?

03-20-2012, 11:27 AM	#4
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: need ideas Sway bars,71-87 IIRC disc brakes,later engine,OD tranny core,serpentine belts systems are all good JY mods.The 88 will have different width front suspension.GM built a lot of interchangability into their vehicles so many pieces can be swapped from later trucks and even some from cars. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

03-20-2012, 12:28 PM	#5
Dingfodgy Lemme show you something!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: St.Helens, OR. Posts: 876	Re: need ideas Depending on the end result desired some lowered spindles and/or springs can help handling and appearance. Relocating the fuel tank under the bed is nice. Power windows, AC and sound-proofing will improve driving comfort alot. If you and your boy aren't over 6'2" a set of 40/20/40 seats out of a 2001+ Silverado is a great improvement. Tilt column and 15" steering wheel is quick and easy. Plus all the other mods those before me have mentioned. Really, there is a seemingly endless list of upgrades you can do either as bolt on or with some fab work to modify these trucks. It all comes down to what you want when it's all said and done and how deep them pockets of yours are! __________________ '67 CST-10 LWB ("Crusty") SOLD '67 GMC SWB ("Murdock") 2000 K1500 Suburban ("Betty") '95 BMW 325i ("Joy")

03-20-2012, 12:32 PM	#6
Coley Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Victoria, B.C Posts: 3,794	Re: need ideas From a drive comfort point of view, the first thing I would make sure I had in my truck was a tilt wheel. Ever since I had one in my original/first '72....that has been the first upgrade I've put in all my trucks since, at least when they didn't have one from the factory. Unlike a/c or other options, which I appreciate, I find I use this one every time I get behind the wheel. and always notice its advantage. Great investment and upgrade!!! My two bits. Coley __________________ ....for some men, there is experience, skill and effort....for the others...there is visa and UPS LOL 1966 Chevy 1/2 ton (Florida- Red/white) 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton (California- Blue/white) 2005 Chevy Silverado HD2500/Duramax 2000 Dodge Ram 1500



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