Low buck daily driver

[YBNORML]

I bought this truck to use as parts for my crew cab. The previous owner was the original owner and took great care of it. He spun a bearing in it last year, since he is a mechanic he pulled the crank, machined it and out new bearings in it. Although everything worked well he didn't trust it to pull his holiday trailer anymore. I picked it up for $1500.00.

Here are some details.

242,000kms, 5.7 Vortec/4l60E, cloth interior. Very decent body.

Once I started going over the truck I decided that it was way too nice to part out. I still plan on swapping the boxes but that's about it. The box on my crew is caved in behind the drivers wheel, I had new tires put on at Kal Tire and forgot to go back in to have the wheels retorqued and lost the wheel on the freeway, luckily only the truck was damaged.

I convinced the wife to let me keep it. I just had to promise to do it as cheap as possible.

Here's the basic plan.

Change up the wheels
Lose the canopy, add a tonneau cover
Mild lowering job
Buy as many parts used as possible, with the exception of safety type things of course. I just plan on keeping it simple and enjoy it.

[YBNORML]

Now that I have decided to keep it, I just can't leave it stock.

Picked up some 15" AE wheels.

[YBNORML]

Truck had a wooden box liner in it since new. What a complete PIA to remove. Good news is the bed is in incredible shape.

[YBNORML]

I decided the 15's were a little too old school for me. So I picked up a set of 20" AR Nova's. The clear on the wheels isn't in very good shape but the price was right, only $250. I put a set of 275/45/20's on them. I like them much better but now I really need to install the 2/4 lowering kit that I've had sitting on the shelf since I sold my last ECSB

Sold the canopy for $400 and ordered a truxedo soft tonneau cover.

So this is how she sits right now.

[YBNORML]

A pic of the crew that the box is going to go on.

[killthewabbit]

Nice score. You have a theme going...

[Longmire85]

You seriously can't beat $1500 for a well taken care of rig like that. Looking really good with the wheels too. What's planned for it after you lower it? It doesn't seem like you lack much passed that right?

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

Nice score. You have a theme going...

Thanks! If you are referring to the fact that everything ends up lowered, you would be correct. Too bad I live where there is snow 6 months of the year.

Originally Posted by Longmire85

You seriously can't beat $1500 for a well taken care of rig like that. Looking really good with the wheels too. What's planned for it after you lower it? It doesn't seem like you lack much passed that right?

Very true, it was a steal as far as I am concerned. I don't plan on much maybe some tint on the front windows and an alarm/starter. I really need to concentrate on my 68' and stop getting sidetracked

[Longmire85]

I hear you. "One of these days" I'll start working on my 77'

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by Longmire85

I hear you. "One of these days" I'll start working on my 77'

Agreed! This summer will be 15yrs since she turned a wheel under Her own power. It's been long enough.

[lolife99]

What's new with your blazer???

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by lolife99

What's new with your blazer???

Nothing. I'm annoyed with it. It has a tranny leak that's being stubborn so I banished her to her own special storage spot. Till spring anyways

I actually built the carport for the Blazer and my someday 29 coach project.

[YBNORML]

An inside shot. The 29' is still in my neighbors garage but eventually it'll end up behind the Blazer while I collect parts.

[YBNORML]

I've been cranking pretty hard on her for the last few days.

Things accomplished :

Removed 2 leafs from the rear spring pack. The P.O. Changed the stock ones to a set from a 3/4 ton. I added a set of 2" drop shackles. I also bought a set of 2" drop hangers but I should have read the ad better, turns out they are for a 3/4 ton not a half ton. And yes they are different. Oh well, no big deal. So I am on the lookout for a set of hangers. Bell tech drop shocks. I also added a set of helper bags.

Up front I just swapped the factory coils for a set of 3" drop coils. New shocks as well.

I also installed the Truxedo tonneau cover.

I snapped a quick pic in the shop. I'll take some better ones tomorrow.

[Palf70Step]

Glad to see you still clicking along with her. She looks good!

[YBNORML]

Took the boy to the local hill for some snowboarding today. Remembered that I hadn't taken any shots of the truck outside the shop yet. So I snapped this one quickly. As you can see, she needs to come down a bit in the rear or up in the front. I haven't decided which route to take yet.

[Palf70Step]

Like it!!

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Like it!!

Thanks.

[Hankster]

Def bring the rear down some more! Looks great though!

[Longmire85]

Yeah I vote on dropping the rear. Looks really good! Before too long you'll have a pewter collection. You could always buy the wife a pewter 4 door Tahoe or S10 Blazer and slam it lol. That's what I want to put my wife in anyways, she just doesn't care for the lowered rides. A pair like that would look sick in the driveway though! I have had the itch to build a street truck, as my 77' will be a very long and expensive rebuild. What I really want to get my hands on is a Pewter 95-98 RCSB, fleet or step, and Swap a 5.3 or 6.0 in it, and you know, the rest of the usual street truck goodies. Then throw that on a trailer and tow it with my matching color crew crab family slammer tow rig lol.....gawd!

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by Hankster

Def bring the rear down some more! Looks great though!

Thanks. Definately going down some more.

Originally Posted by Longmire85

Yeah I vote on dropping the rear. Looks really good! Before too long you'll have a pewter collection. You could always buy the wife a pewter 4 door Tahoe or S10 Blazer and slam it lol. That's what I want to put my wife in anyways, she just doesn't care for the lowered rides. A pair like that would look sick in the driveway though! I have had the itch to build a street truck, as my 77' will be a very long and expensive rebuild. What I really want to get my hands on is a Pewter 95-98 RCSB, fleet or step, and Swap a 5.3 or 6.0 in it, and you know, the rest of the usual street truck goodies. Then throw that on a trailer and tow it with my matching color crew crab family slammer tow rig lol.....gawd!

Haha, you think just like me. I actually bought the wife a 99' Tahoe. It was a 4wd but I planned on dropping it anyways. Problem was, she works at a hospital and has to park in a parkade. She had no issues getting in and out of the parkade but it seems like parking has become a lost art. She would park perfect, go to work and when she would come out, some a$$hat would be parked so close that it would take her 10 mins to squeeze out. After about 6 months the Tahoe was gone and there was an Escape in its place. Not my choice, but she loves it and that makes my life easier.

When my Shortbox is done I'm gonna build this for her.