New guy with new toy!

[78BO]

Hey fellas,
The name is Bryan. I just bought a 78 Chevy Bonanza (never heard of that one but it's on the side of it).
Here is a few quick pictures, if I remember how to post them.






Here is my last build. 06 Jeep wrangler unlimited. 4in lift, 456 gears, Detroit locker in front, OEM LSD in rear, SYE and CV shaft, Warn rock sliders 33in BFGs with 15x10s. This was my toy and DD but with the gas and the square body 16mpg isn't doing me any good. I'm looking to build the truck for a DD and shooting for low to mid 20s in the MPG range.
Stock, but that didn't last long.







Even my boy likes the jeep, but he'll have a hard time getting behind the truck!

[sjarrett71]

Welcome to the board. I had a 78 Bonanza a few years back. I'm not sure what trim option it is but I know mine was pretty bare bones.

[78BO]

Yep, there isn't much to it. It HAD a/c, but the last owner took it out when it broke. Other then the tilt wheel it's got nothing. But I like that. Not much else to go wrong. So far the plan is to rebuild the front suspention and do a small 2in drop in front and 2-3 in the rear. Then I'm going to have a shop go through the wirering to clean it up (any ideas for a good shop would be great!) then I'll start on the engine, trany and last the rear diff. Once it's road worthy I worry about the body and paint. I figure to get it running where I want it will take 2 yrs unless I can unload the jeep before then.

[boatpuller]

looks like a good one to project.what's the plan?and welcome aboard.

[babyJay]

Welcome, from central Indiana. I had a 79 bonanza at one time.

[78BO]

Originally Posted by boatpuller

looks like a good one to project.what's the plan?and welcome aboard.

Thanks, well like the my last post it's going to be my DD one day so it won't be an all out strip truck but it'll have some balls for sure. I've been looking at summit and they seem to have a nice 350hp that's seems reasonable. It's been 13+ yrs since I've had a chevy to build so I don't know how much it'll cost to build the 350 in it. I havent check the VIN to make sure but the guy I got it from said it was a 350. I might just go out and have a shop redo the bottom end and buy a top end.

[motopatzo]

Welcome! Nice Bonanza and good job on the Jeep

[Grande Rojo]

Nice truck hav e fun with it. I've got a wrangler also. I just put a lift and
33's on it this weekend.

Welcome to the site!

[78BO]

Thanks much guys.

Rojo, what gears you going with? I have the 4sp auto. When I put the wheels and tires on it dropped my RPMs so low I couldn't use the O/D. By going with the 456 gears I was able to bring the rpms back up to factory levels and now I get the same mpgs as stock.

[seanconnery]

Welcome from Baltimore, MD

[84 400]

Welcome fro New Hampshire