Need Help With The Wife...show Me Your Trucks!

[cstanley]

ok, here's the story. getting ready to restore the old girl, and i'm gonna do it right this time. problem is the wife...not that she's not into it. in fact, she's too into it, so i'm asking for help.

i would like to restore the truck for pleasure, not the show circuit. this means i want the truck to look like it just rolled off the showroom floor, but i want 33 years of technological advances at my disposal.

she wants the truck restored to the same condition, minus any upgrades. she believes that a stock truck is absolutely the bee's knees. herein lies the problem. she doesn't think that the truck can be upgraded in a fashion that retains it stock appearance.

obviously, safety upgrades are a must, but need not interfere with appearance, ie: disc brakes added to the rear, and perhaps larger calipers all around - this is a no brainer.

but...and this is where you guys come in, if you've actually read this far, i would like to show her some pics of trucks that have had modern conveniences put in, but still appear stock. i need to prove to her that it's possible (she's not a gearhead, and my explaining just won't do.)

i'm talking about things like Putter's windshield wiper modules, engine bays, wheels, ride quality improvements (while still appearing stock) and, a subject of great soreness between us, upgraded comfort stock-style seats. i currently have a very comfy seat that isn't stock, and she hates it (she never had the pleasure of riding on the original for ten years!)

any help?

anyone sympathize?

[cdowns]

go to the picture section plenty of ammo there

[farside847]

Any excuse to post pics

New stock truck ralley wheels with Radial TA's. Also new dual exhaust.


Stock semi custom bucket seats


Center buddy seats flip down/flip up with gas tank cover.


New stock rubber floor with sound killer.


Aftermarket grill and H4 headlights


Putters intermitant wipers


Chrome seatbelts out of a 70's cutless


Power booster brakes


Cheap mans hidden radio


so much fun, so little time!

[matthufham]

insulate the cab better than stock with dyna mat or brown bread, and maybe put a gas tank under the bed. upgrade the stereo to a look-a-like version and hide some speakers somewhere.

[dennislbrooks]

you saw my blue 67. if your wife is from a state that begins with an O, T, or M ---- well good luck


4 wheel disc, old-air, pwr steering and brakes, 350 crate, hydroboost, soon to get tilt, and 10 inch wheels on back

[texascowboy593]

Here's mine with a Just Dashes custom dash and stock bench seat etc...

[powell72]

Do what I did.....help her build her own!


""

[truckdude239]

my truck

[truckdude239]

more

[texascowboy593]

hey truckdude. If it was 2-3 yrs ago, I would swear that was my primer gray truck and you stole it! Thats how the red one looked.

Nice trucks everybody!

[71/454]

hey texascowboy593 where'd you get the dash/3 guage pod?

[N2TRUX]

Does it have to be a 67-72?

[special-K]

I agree with your wife.Stock trucks cruise great.The were the "New Breed" and still are.They could use o/d and maybe a cd player hidden somewhere.Other than that....





I know,wheels`n`tires,but you get my point.

[mrein3]

I'm far from done but I have upgraded a bunch of things on my truck.
It was a 4 option on the glove box sticker, 3-speed manual, 4x4, long wheel base truck.

Now it is an automatic (th350), new engine (383), new carb, converted to A/C (not done with that yet).
I added aftermarket cruise control. A friend of my dad's re-did the original seat.

All I got left is paint. I started that last fall with the hood and one fender. The fender replaced a banged up one.

All-in-all fixing one of these is pretty cheap compared to other "restores" you can do out there. I paid $100 for a used, straight fender. All I had to do was close the trim holes with the welder, prime, paint, and good as new. I don't want to know what it would cost to replace a fender on my Chevelle.

Except for the tach in the bezel and the aftermarket cruise I used all original parts I picked up. Most of those parts came off the parts board here. My goal is to have an original looking truck with more modern items like AC, cruise, and maybe even power windows and locks some day.

[jsbgump]

Here's a couple of mine

[john@thepier]

If she's into trucks as much as mine, she'll probably be needing her own some day. Here is what my wife and I made for her. Its all her's and I only get to drive it if I ask with a pretty PLEASE!!! JOHN

[texascowboy593]

71/454 You can goto justdashes.com and get it there

[PanelDeland]

Wait a min,All these replies are good but you may need to go about it in a different way.Two options I can mention are.
(1)Show her the restored model A's T's and up to early 60's vehicles and their pricing.Try to get her a ride in one with no ac,stereo,power steering or brakes.Make sure it's a august day(I been to Dallas).
(2) Agree with her then make sure the truck you "restore" is a big block,auto tilt wheel,electric window,AC,PB,Ps,and chosen bed legnth unit in an original 50th anniversary edition.
Either way she should start to get the idea that upgrades are good.If not that 50th edition sure looks good.

[cstanley]

thanks for the help everyone! luckily, i'm starting with a fully optioned '72 cheyenne (well, no tach or vacuum) and most of the creature comforts are there. i'm more concerned with the "hidden" mechanical and electrical component upgrades. when it's all said and done, she'd never know the difference from what should be original and what's upgraded.

nice trucks everyone!

[Already Gone]

Get a copy of the March 06 "Classic Trucks" magazine, its on newsstands now. There is a short box 67/68 Gold & White CST that I think has the combo of old & new you want. In fact they call it a "Rodstoration" with the blend of original body style and modern mechanical upgrades and creature comforts.

[LUV2XCLR8]

I am far from done, but if you want to show here what your going to
go through, click on my siggy "PIC'S" link and get comfortable, I have
180 Pic's to date on "GQ", and I still haven't painted it or finished my
interior, you can also look at the BLAZER sticky's for 2WD & 4WD

[67ChevyRedneck]

Can't go wrong with an LS1 and WS6. That'll give ya a modern powerful fuel injected motor and OVERDRIVE. You could aslo use the 4L60E if you want an auto. Won't be able to tell its under there till you pop the hood, but expect to spend thousands on this swap (motor, tranny, computer and harness, and computer reprogamming.) OR just toss in a nice "built" 350 with a 700R4 or some other 5 spd OD tranny. You can do a lot to these trucks and they will still appear completely stock on the outside.