Most/Least Favorite Modifications/Upgrades

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Sure, check out my posts to the thread below. Go to middle I have a bunch of pics and a bit of verbiage.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=751538

Here's a link from that thread. I think in the thread above there is a doc or link to ordering the correct one.

https://www.ariesautomotive.com/part/204036-2


j

Thanks!

[Terrysch]

ttt

[rpmerf]

What is an air fuel gauge?
What are you calling wideband on the fuel gauge?

My current setup uses an old (1980s) 1 wire oxygen sensor and a narrowband air / fuel gauge. This is good for determining lean / stoich / rich, but it gets less accurate the further you get from stoich. My main issue with it is how lean is lean and how rich is rich? I look at charts online, and get a handful of different answers. If I knew what jets and rods I have now, I could just go up / down 2 and see how well it works - what the gauge reads and how it feels. My carb was rebuild and the jets and rods aren't marked, so I don't know where I am starting. I want to get some exact number, switch out with some jets and rods I have laying around (that I know are not right for this setup), and compare results. From there I should be able to figure out about what I have and how much it needs to change.

I am moving to an older (~2008) wideband setup from a project car that has been sitting. These are designed to be very accurate from 10.0:1 - 20.0:1. With this setup, it will display the exact Air / Fuel ratio. The controller I have can data log when connected to a laptop. I plan to use an 80's GM MAP sensor to detect manifold vacuum, have it measure RPM from the coil, and the AFR from the wideband sensor. This way I can look at logs to determine my AFR at different RPM and throttle positions.

The narrowband air/fuel gauge can be assembled for about $65 - $5 bung, $20 sensor, and a $40 gauge. Wideband is more like $200 for a basic setup.

The relayed headlights are as the other threads have shown. I didn't use a kit. I used some relays from the junkyard. I've done this with at least 2 different vehicles.

[typerr]

Most Favorite:
1. Front Sway Bar
2. 5/6 drop
3. Craftec bed cover
4. Replaced rear step bumper with stock chrome bumper.

Least Favorite:
1. Front Disc Brakes - Spent hours bleeding, bleeding, bleeding... Turned out to be a tiny bit of air trapped in master which had been bench bled twice already.
2. 5" round side mirrors. Broke a 5x7 mirror so switched to round, will go back soon.

[Terrysch]

to the top

[Barnfind46]

My favorite mod was when I got rid of the old rear end with 5. something gears in my 68' C-20 and went with a 14 bolt with 3.73 gears. Totally different truck!

[BC10]

Favorites:
1. Redhead steering box
2. Front sway bar
3. Meatier tires on rallyes, 255 70 15
4. Moog coil springs, front and rear
5. 3.08 to 3.42 rear diff

Least:
1. Smaller tires, rode like crap with less meat on them
2. Peep side mirrors, couldn't see squat, and when I did, everything was shaking, looked cool though
3. Body work, I should of left it patina

[custom10nut]

I’ve tried to keep my truck mostly stock,but most of the upgrades have been with Factory option parts (Tach, Tilt column, headliner, Bucket seats/console, and front sway bar, just to name a few).
That being said:
Favorite upgrades:
Coil over shocks on all four corners
Electronic Conversion Module to replace the Points, and keeping the Factory appearance.
Installing a factory Cargo light on the back of the cab, but made it a Third Brake light, by using two bright Red LED bulbs, and wired into the brake light system.

Future favorite: Putting an EFI system on to replace the Carburetor.

Least Favorite:
Not having enough room for a couple more trucks.

[Andy4639]

Most favorite:
Buying a 71 C 10 and building it like I want it!

Least favorite:
Having people tell me that's not how they would do it!

[sick472]

Favorite upgrades (or additions).

1.) 72 steel bed to wood conversion with bedside and tail gate inner wood panels.
2.) Custom DIY bedside edge protectors
3.) Wooden interior components.
4.) Under bed spare tire hanger.

Least Favorite upgrades to perform...

1.) Drive shaft mods to accommodate the Pontiac 400. Most due tothe fact that there is not a decent shaft builder near me and the logistics are a pain to get them to KC and back along with the needed info to get them right...it was a cluster.
2.) Stainless brake and fuel lines. This takes alot of practice and the expensive line working tools.

[j_cst_10]

My current truck is a result of my past mistakes.

Favorite upgrades:

- Cummins Turbo diesel w/5spd manual in 72 C20

Least Favorite upgrade:

- 4/5 drop on my 70 CST/10

It took me years of truck ownership and many hours in the garage to realize I didn't like lowered half ton truck!! Turns out I like HD stuff. News to me.

[sfont66]

This was a great thread years ago, now that changes have been made to my truck, my favorite mods have changed.
Have yours?

Current most favorite modifications:
Ls swap
T56 Magnum 6 speed


Least favorite thing is not really a modification, it’s the rust
I’ve replaced the inner and outer rockers, and passenger side fender cup (typical)
I may need to do a roof skin, the seam sealer has been cracked and mostly missing for years

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Not an upgrade, I just restored the A/C, thermostatic air cleaner and choke warm-up, and hub caps, and love it. It's very cool to see the air cleaner damper in operation.

[body bolt]

My '71 Custom Deluxe.

Likes:
not cut up, mostly original
emission controls still work (for me a sign of being well cared for)
Factory A/C
350/350
PS/PB
wood floor
tinted glass
Stuff I did::
HEI
internally regulated alternator
replaced Quadrajet with Holley 4360 Economaster

Not favorable:
Replacing the Quadrajet with the Holley. That carb works very well but I prefer original where possible.
Fuel consumption

[wesmigletz]

Originally Posted by j_cst_10

My current truck is a result of my past mistakes.


Least Favorite upgrade:

- 4/5 drop on my 70 CST/10

It took me years of truck ownership and many hours in the garage to realize I didn't like lowered half ton truck!! Turns out I like HD stuff. News to me.

I made the same mistake with the 70 2wd K5 I'm building. Went with a QA1 front end, blown LS drivetrain, and am in the processing of having a late model Camaro independent rear installed. As soon as I started the rear, I realized I ruined the Blazer for what I wanted to build.

The QA1 and LS are easy enough to undo, but I think I screwed the pooch with the rear.

[Joyridin]

Most:
L83 engine & 6 speed auto trans
A/C
Full power leather bucket seats

Least:
Crappy Flaming River tilt column
No-Limit Engineering front end that keeps eating bushings

[RonWT]

1) favorite: converting to power steering and power disk brakes,

2) least favorite: going through hood hinges trying to get the hood to fit and sit like it should.

[coldrider]

Favorites:
LS Swap
Tru-trac posi
Altman Door Latches

Least:
Fighting to remove the 3rd u-joint from power rack and pinion steering

[Sheepdip]

Best Mods No Particular Order:

1976 1-Ton 14 Bolt Cab and Chassis 4:10 Rear Differential

1976 HD 1-Ton Front Disc Brake Set Up

GearVendors Overdrive Tachs 1950 @ 55

Gooseneck Hitch

Converting to 175 Amp Internally Regulated PowerMaster Alternator, And Losing about Another 5 Pounds Of Wire In The Process Of An Almost Complete Rewire From the Firewall Forward.

Champion Aluminum Radiator With Dual Electric Fan System That Performs Flawlessly Without A Hint Of Over Heating Even On 110 Deg. Days, Windows Up, A/C On.

I Have No Worst Mods, They Are All Good.

[BROWN 70]

70 gmc came with drum brakes. changed to 72 discs and 1.25 sway bar. huge!!!!! difference. now I do like the remote spare tire lift. chuck

[Already Gone]

Looking over my list I've done 35 changes/upgrades to my truck since I bought it in 2014. There is not one change I do not like but one I wish I hadn't for practicality purposes. I pulled the bench and installed buckets and console and although love the buckets and console as I said for practicality I should have kept the bench seat.

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Looking over my list I've done 35 changes/upgrades to my truck since I bought it in 2014. There is not one change I do not like but one I wish I hadn't for practicality purposes. I pulled the bench and installed buckets and console and although love the buckets and console as I said for practicality I should have kept the bench seat.

Either way a nice looking truck. I have had the thought of bucket seats with a console pass thru my mind.... and practicality always wins.

Right now me, the wife and Molly Dawg ride just fine on the factory bench seat.
If I went to bucket seats the wife would have to stay home!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Other then restore, I think my favorite is for 30 years EVERYONE short my painter and his wife said DONT PAINT IT OCHRE. Those left say glad it was, whatever. My mom said it was proof im colored blind. She'd ask me, what color do you see..... ha. My least favorite of the project was a write up on the subject. More time on that and researh than building it. That and little wires flying off dremmel brushes.

[mm1077]

Most :
-Progression Ignition Distributor upgrade
-3.07 to 3.73 gear swap (around town)
Swapping from Thumpr cam that was in the truck when I bought it to the xe268
-Sound deadener
-my ‘temporary’ rattlecan paint job- I actually kind of like it and I get a lot of compliments on it : ).

Least:
-Adding AC - I should’ve just spent the $$ on 700r4 upgrade instead . I don’t even use the ac that often even when it’s hot and really like the 3.73s everywhere except over 60mph
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[68 C10 Driver]

Most favorite:
Lizard Skin sound and thermal coatings
Unity spotlight
65 El Camino steering wheel
Under dash A/C unit
Easy Latch upgrade
Moved gas tank to under the bed
Hydraulic Clutch
Muncie M20

Least favorite:
Having to remove the dash for rust repair
No others at the moment, but I am still working on my build.