Top 7 truck upgrades???

[gotmud]

So what in your opinion is the top 7 upgrades \ updates to do on a truck like ours....and Why????

[>X<]

#1 has to be front anti sway bar

relocating tank to rear?

[gr8scott51]

Doesn't matter how good it runs or drives, if you're not comfortable, you're not going to drive it very far. A seat that supports the back is wonderful.

scott

[Tx Firefighter]

1. Power disc brakes. Manual drum brakes aren't much fun to drive. Do the 71,72 rear axle and 5 lug pattern all around while you're at it.
2. Power steering Again, manual steering can be a chore to drive. Your gear box is probably worn out anyway.
3. New linkage bushings in column shift trucks If everyone did this, there would be way fewer floor shifters put in.
4. New fuzzies and tracks for door windows. Keeps the windows from rattling
5. New cab and core support mounts The truck sits properly on the frame without sagging. Worn core support bushings will cause all kinds of mystery squeeks and cause the front sheetmetal to fit all crooked.
6. Repair of heater control if it's broken Every non AC truck I've ever had came with a broken control. Old Air Products makes the kit to repair them permanantly for cheap.
7. New hood hinges so the hood fits right again. Ever notice how when you close your hood, the hood sits too high in the back, by the cowl panel? It's worn hinges causing it. You can sometimes adjust is better, but new hinges are needed to make it right. GM dealer for this to get the best ones.

Runner up:
New set of high quality shock absorbers After one drive you'll be glad you spent the money. KYB comes to mind for me.

and

A good set of performance minded radial tires Personally I like 275/60/15 BFG T/A Radial on 8 inch rally wheels. Use either 5 or 6 lug rallys, depending on which bolt pattern you decide to run.

[weasel29gm]

1) Late model seat.. 2) Late or a/market wheel.. 3) Good sound system..4) AOD tranny.. 5) 300- 350 hp sb.. 6) solid color.. 7) ralleys in 15's Cragers or Torque Thrust 's in 16 or 17's... This is if your buildin' one not if you have a nice stock or low mileage ride.

[SWEET7T]

1. Power Discs
2. Hei distributor
3. Seats
4. Power steering if you don't have it.
5. Adjust/new hood hinges so it looks right
6. Exhaust
7. And I agree with TX Firefighter: "New fuzzies and tracks for door windows"

8. Sway Bar!!!

[Tx Firefighter]

This is a very good thread. All new 67-72 guys should read it.

[lotik]

not to high jack the thread or anything, but tx firefighter, what kind of car is that in your avatar? 54 chevy? i like it alot and i want one.

[Tx Firefighter]

"hi-jack on"

Yep, 54 Chevy...





"end hi-jack"

[gotmud]

Tx good logic! Havent heard of the bushings for the tree but mine probably needs it. Gets stuck every now and then whcih causes me to have to man handle it back into 1st gear.

Is there a favorite seat swap? Ive got the origional bench and though its kind of kul to be origional it leave comfort to be desired. I think Ill fab some mounts and use it as a couch in my garage.

Im good on the hinges but seems the rubber bushings are mising so the hood sets to the rights slightly.

Your dead on with the fuzzy and windows moldings I need that bad. Is that what will get ride of the road noise or are there other "SIMPLE" and cheap things to do without doing a whole cab insulation routine. The cab has rubber mats only now but has the origional firewall and tank shields.

I think the 5lug is about a year out but Im wanting the power stearing quickly. I think with that Ill be able to get my 105lb wife to grap on and go for a ride....

[Mudder]

Relocate gas tank
Disk all around
Lift and larger tires
autometer guages
updated stereo
free flowing exhaust
visor
lots of ponies
14 bolt rear

[724x4a/cchevy]

Considering how bad of gas mileage these trucks get, Fuel injection is probably the number 1 needed upgrade!! Comfertable seats are a must too.

[ACES]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned upgrading the bikini model on the hood of their truck. ha ha

[rn2fine]

- HEI
- Headers
- Single wire internally regulated alternator
- Disc brakes
- TH700R4
- Nice stereo
- Bucket seats

[PanelDeland]

I don't think there's a loser in the list yet.
Window tracks and fuzzies will help wind noise and rattling a lot, but the insulation in the cab will make it even more worthwhile.

[jhow66]

1.-new 6cly. engine
2.-new 283 engine
3.-new 307 engine
4.-new 327 engine
5.-new 350 engine
6.-new 502HO crate engine (present engine)
7.-new 572 crate engine (wish list)

[dinnut]

power discs (im in the process of collecting all the parts right now)
antiswaybar (when im done with the discs)
power steering
new weather stripping
comfortable seat
and of course HEI

[mr402]

All the posts list some pretty dang good mods for our trucks. I'm going to place a late model seat at the top of my list though. Was rear ended in my 71 GMC w/stock seat (ie. no head rests). Over 1 year later I still have problems w/my neck. The neck injury caused hearing problems as well. Keep those head rests in mind when doing an upgrade!

[Mike C]

This IS a good post! And Tx Firefighters list is excellent. Especially if you consider this a "top 10" list. I'm actually happy with my factory seat, BUT it is the full foam seat, not base seat. Here is my recipe for a 67-70 daily driver truck (71-72 already has discs!) that is in good condition (seals, suspension, paint, etc.)

#10 complete instrumentation, factory or aftermarket.
#9 window felts
#8 Cab insulation and new carpet, maybe some Dynomat
#7 HEI (I ran TWO sets of points in my Jimmy from 1987 until 1999!)
#6 Front sway bar with urethane bushings
#5 Nice stereo, DON'T cut the bototms of the doors, but hack the dash!
#4 New shocks, I have been VERY happy with ProComps
#3 NEW radial tires (& cool wheels!)
#2 Power steering

And the #1 best mod for a 67-70 Chevy GMC trucks?

Power disc brakes, no doubt about it!

As you have seen there are LOTS of ways to improve your truck without spending lots of money. And another example of why you should buy more truck up front. Mine came with PS, PB, AC, full foam, sway bar, new radials, etc. Saves lots of time and money so you can move to other mods. Put the HEI up top, new exhaust, even better tunes, etc.

[Palf70Step]

I'd have to go with

1. Seat swap
2. Steering wheel change
3. HEI
4. Wide wheels and tires
5. Swaybar
6. Bezel/Guage upgrade
7. Tank relocation

Oh yeah...honorable mention......Remove rust!!!!

[Blue_71]

seat
HEI
chrome wheels
lift
big tires
big engine
bigger big engine
headers
manual steering or 81+ power steering

[Cat Fuzz]

OMG, no one said anything about FUZZY DICE for the mirror!!!

[gonebad2]

Do the "go" before "show" improvements first
1) Install an HEI or some other sort of Electronic Ignition. This will improve combustion which in turn will provide better gas mileage and performance.

2) Upgrade the exhaust system. No matter what your truck looks like, it's way more enjoyable to drive when you're listening to the nice throaty rumble of the flowmasters.

3) Check all of the belts, and hoses. Let's face it......Noone wants to see a 67-72 on the side of the road spewing antifreeze. Replace the bad ones, it's real cheap insurance.

4) If it's not a 71 or 72, add disc brakes in the front. Thirty five years ago there wasn't the volume of traffic we see on the road today. After you update the front to discs, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

5) Add a set of three point shoulder belts. These are a safety must and the prices have come down on these since they were first introduced to the 67-72 parts catalogs a few years ago. If three point shoulder belts don't interest you, at least put one on the passenger side. If you have an accident, believe me, your passenger will thank you.

6) New windshield. This is especially true if you live out west. It's sandy and dusty out here and the wind blows alot in the summer. Sometimes it's almost impossible to see when you're driving into the sun because the windshield is pitted so badly.

7) Heat and defrost system. Take the whole heating system out and rebuild it. It is a relativly low cost rebuild that really improves the overall winter driving experience. Most of the effort on this one is good old fashioned elbow grease. I have been amazed at some of the items I have pulled out of a heating system that is 35 years old. New gaskets, hoses, seals and a heater core makes a huge difference. Plus you will no longer need that old t-shirt or sock to wipe down the condensation on the inside of the windshield as you drive through the school zone holding that cup of coffee.

This was a fun thread to contribute to....I would worry more about getting the basics working than adding the high dollar stereo system with the purple neon lights that flash to the beat of Fifty Cent.

[MrGoodpliers]

Man, I think at least one person has said each of the things that come to mind for me, but here goes:

flowmasters
put the manifolds back on
sound deadening
shoulder belts
inconspicuous tunes
wheels/tires
drop it (no negative camber)
slick paint (in a factory color scheme)

[Kas68c10]

Nice to see that most of what I have done what seems to be in the top ten. Equally glad that pulling the engine is not common in the listings !
I think the top ten will vary depending on use of the truck !

1. 3 pt. seat belts - safety first
2. pwr disc brakes -safety first
3.pwr steering- for a daily driver,a must
4. HEI- really helped the idle
5.o/d- for mileage
6.sway bars- for handling
7.carb-Weber is much better than the old monojet
8.seat-for comfort
9.headers
10.gas tank
Want to put a/c in also, not sure where that would fit,and I didnt consider the stereo as a real modification