Junk-Yard Shopping list

[gferris5]

Hey Kids-
I saw the other junk-yard thread and I thought it would be cool to make a list of items we usually look for when we go to the junkyard. If you have some thing and you want to keep it a secret--say you know of a yard in Barstow that has 50 ZL1's sitting in a climate-controlled locker for sale for $50 each, no one is going to fault you. Other than that, let's start a list of things that we can consult before making yard trips.

Here's how I think it could work and be useful. Say, for instance that we are looking for a certain rear-end. Saying: "get a rear-end" isn't that useful. BUT, if we say: Look for late 70's bronco's because they came with high pinion Dana 44's. Use the same format for transmissions, engines, anything. Having a compiled list could come in handy. I will try to edit this post to update with the items as they come in. Shouldn't be that long. What I'll do is update the list from people's posts, but if you want more details, you should read into the specific posts where that item is mentioned.

Some useful items would be:
1. Front ends to use for disc-brake swaps, years, models, what to snag.

2. Years for tilt columns.
-chevy vans

3. Years and models for different transmissions (this might not be worth it)
-81-87 Chevy half tons and vans with manual tranny,many had the desirable A833/NP440/MY6 overdrive 4 speed tranny

4. Bench seat models and years--if different from the obvious.
-dodge buddy buckets can be easily adapted to our trucks.
-bucket seats from chevy lumina minivan, $40, sit at perfect height just drill some holes

5. Engines
-454 and trans from a '74 Caprice Classic 4-door

6. Electric radiator fans.
-mid 80's Taurus electric fans

7. Odds-and ends, such as filler necks for doing gas-tank relocations, sway bars from beefier models, Under-hood lights, handy wiring for stuff, etc etc.
- A-C controls from 65-66 impalas are same as our trucks
-early GM cars with metal e-brake handles that are chrome,screw on type.
-early GM cars with metal,chrome A-C balls same size as our trucks
-speedwarning buzzers from early GM cars can all be made to work on our trucks.
- sway bars from 73 up 2wd and 4wd GM trucks.
-van AM/FM radios (not identical, but close).
-GM van side marker lights.
-rear license plate buckets,73-87 trucks,73-91 blazers, will fit our trucks.
-6 cylinder p-s from chevy cars/trucks.
-Power steering from 73-8? about $50 (get bracketts, check for worn outness)--out of other trucks
-sway bar from 84 chevy dually, mount frame to swaybar brackets (make sure to get these when get sway bar) $25
-Radiator Dimensions are the same as the Aluminum units in '89-'93 Chevy Trucks, not sure if the Flow is the same though.
-camaro tachs
-mid 70's 6 cyinder novas and, pull the electronic distrubutor AND external coils

8. Rear Ends
-any chevrolet/GMC dana 44/10 bolt front differential will fit our trucks-60-87 on trucks and up to 91 on blazers and suburbans.

Okay, have at it! We'll see if this is a good idea or not.

[Bob Moore]

I love this board and 67-72 trucks. It's my hobby. I don't golf, hunt, ski, etc. Over the years I have discovered several interchanges from sources most would not think of. I use some of them to make money for my hobby. I won't share those. Some of the others are so obvious(to me at least) and also to board members because they are discussed all the time on the board.

As I said, I like the hobby but I don't want to give away my tricks and secrets. I will add to some interchanges if I know a different way but to give away sources that are mine(?) ain't going to happen.

I hope this works and I will participate to help the hobby but I don't want to sound like a jerk and give away secrets.

[Brad]

Hmmmm, sounds like a good idea to me- I'd do it when I went to a jy depending on my time alotment.

[RedZ71]

what i want to know is... how do you go about locating junkyards. is there a good resource for learning how to find junkyards in my area?

[jerry moss]

#1- A-C controls from 65-66 impalas are same as our trucks
#2-early GM cars with metal e-brake handles that are chrome,screw on type.
#3-early GM cars with metal,chrome A-C balls same size as our trucks
#4-any chevrolet/GMC dana 44/10 bolt front differential will fit our trucks-60-87 on trucks and up to 91 on blazers and suburbans.
#5-speedwarning buzzers from early GM cars can all be made to work on our trucks.
#6- sway bars from 73 up 2wd and 4wd GM trucks.
#7-van tilts (i think we all know this one).
#8-van AM/FM radios (not identical, but close).
#9-GM van side marker lights.
#10-rear license plate buckets,73-87 trucks,73-91 blazers, will fit our trucks.
#11-dodge buddy buckets can be easily adapted to our trucks.
#12-6 cylinder p-s from chevy cars/trucks.
this is some of the stuff i look for when i'm out "yardin", i'm sure others will add to my list.

[gferris5]

Hey, this is a great start! I'll edit those into my first post and we'll keep going from there. Hey, no problem keeping secrets; we all know you figured out how to graft on a Kia Rio front-end, but I'm not going to expose you here--Kidding! I'm kidding! Anyway, for those who wish to participate, let 'er rip. Also, if you see a secret exposed, it's not my fault. Our little club here is, I think, probably a lot smaller than we think.

As to how to find a junk-yard, go to a local parts store and ask around (they may not give you the whole picture--like finding a good surf spot) or just use the ol' Google engine and look for salvage yards. You'd be surprised how many are out there, you'll also be surprised how many Dodge Caravans there are. Am I the only one who's noticed this?

I'm totally willing to put work into this thread, provided there is interest from the community.

Cheers,
gferris5

[Shane]

Originally Posted by gferris5

... you'll also be surprised how many Dodge Caravans there are. Am I the only one who's noticed this?

i thought i was the only one that had noticed it. damn things are EVERYWHERE!

[RedZ71]

i can see this thread becomming a sticky!!

[gferris5]

A sticky would be cool My hope is that it is useful enough that we can all have it as a good resource for those of us who can't call up ECE or First Year when we need a little part, and also for those of us who love junkyards. I've been known to spend birthdays at junkyards, but I'm weird like that.

[Bob Moore]

Another good source for junkyard locations is the phone book. We probably have 4 or 5 pages of ads for yards. Most are local but several are up to 150 to 200 miles away.

[OlChev67]

bucket seats from chevy lumina minivan, $40, sit at perfect height just drill some holes

really thick dont know size off top of head, sway bar from 84 chevy dually bolt in, but gotta mount frame to swaybar bracketts (make sure to get these when get sway bar) $25

power steering from 73-8? about $50 (get bracketts, check for worn outness)

3 spd tranny $50 bought as a core but looks perfect inside. drives well.

random bits and pieces. priceless

[Shaffer4]

probably a well known secret, but when Swapping a motor from a Donor vehicle, make sure to check around for things that might be useable.

For Instance, I got my 454 and trans from a '74 Caprice Classic 4-door (kinda regret tearing her apart; she was a nigh on perfect Dealer Display Model; Loaded with every feature).

Anyways I found that the Radiator (the truck lower Rad mounts are a bit narrow, but it works) and upper Radiator mount bracket fit perfect, mind you I had to put mounting holes in the core support to fit it, but It looks cleaner than the two factory mounts (and the single ford bracket and bailing wire that held the Rad that came in the truck... a FORD unit... with the lower port on the opposite side from the Water pump... It had a 4 or so foot Lower Rad hose... 2 spliced together. )

I believe I wound up using an '80's BB Suburban Lower Rad hose for the Swap. (long Water pump)



Also in checking around the Radiator Dimensions are the same as the Aluminum units in '89-'93 Chevy Trucks, not sure if the Flow is the same though.

[gferris5]

got'em!

Thanks gents, this is coming together nicely. Great pics too! Hey OlChev67--What did you get that tranny out of?

Keep it coming!

[Green Machine]

Look for 81-87 Chevy half tons and vans with manual tranny,many had the desirable A833/NP440/MY6(called by all those names) Overdrive 4 speed tranny. Be sure to get the bellhousing too as some trannys had kind of a Chrysler pattern, some were Chevy, earlier models more likely to be Chevy pattern I think. Also grab the shifter, it is a factory Hurst model.

['68 longbed]

great help guys! I don't mind telling you I'm totally going to leach off of your experience!!

i'll have to contribute to the site to make amends!! ;-)


rear sway bars?
my front end on my '68 long bed stepper isn't terribly loose but you can tell that rear end is throwing around.

any chance there is a taller geared rear axle in a late model "somthing" that has all the correct hardware? like coil spring buckets, etc. that could be a direct bolt in?

[hgs_notes]

what about camaro tachs?

mid 80's Taurus electric fans

[Luvlegs]

up to something mid 70's 6 cyinder novas and ??? - I've pulled the electronic distrubutor AND external coils (usually mounted on the side of the block) - if you remember, get the bolts that the coil mounts on... they are like threaded rod with a nut in the middle - one end holds the side plate on the block, then the coil slides on and then another nut (I had to make mine).

[gferris5]

And we're back...and totally updated. Keep 'em coming. Anybody wanna give us the run-down for disc brakes? Or am I going to have to go into the FAQ's to get that out of there?

[68K20 x Drill]

Get an HEI distributor, and a self regulating alternator.
a '75 Cadillac 4 row radiator dropped right into my truck with only mild enlargement of the bolt holes in the upper brackets
I've been looking for good window weatherstrips for years ;(

[70c10]

Mid 80's S-10 Blazers for door weather stripping. It usually looks like new because it's good quality.

[OlChev67]

Quote" gferris5
Hey OlChev67--What did you get that tranny out of?"

I know its a little late, but the tranny was just sittin on a shelf, one of the guys said it was out of an old chevy truck and it looked like the same as mine.

[gferris5]

ah, well a little ingenuity never hurt! Use what you can. I found a junkyard with 3 of our style trucks in it and they're near complete! But I'm going to keep that one a little one of my secrets...we all have ours.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Ttt

[odog]

Always have to keep an eye out for the twist tow hooks off a 72. I have yet to find any in a junkyard, but I always look. Its kinda become a habit.

[70cst]

GREAT Thread guys ...