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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 846
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Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Like everyone on this forum, I really like the looks of my Squarebody truck. One aspect I like to start incorporating more is modern features/functions into the older style without needing a $10,000 budget to do so.
Objective Starting a running list that tracks all the modern upgrades people are doing to their truck with a few requirements in order to keep them reasonable and keep the topic on point. Please feel free to recommend any ideas for additional requirements. Requirements: - Upgrades have to leverage existing parts from a 2000+ newer vehicle - Parts for upgrade need to be accessible through a junkyard picking Process Create a thread and document the following: - Parts required for the upgrade - Estimated cost of upgrade - Procedure on upgrade - Send me the link and I will add it to the list ---------------- Drivetrain - Upgrading to LS engine Exterior - Mirrors with LED turn signals Electronics - Upgrading alternator from 10SI to 12SI - Upgraded Junction block from 2 post block to 7 post block Lighting - LED or Projector headlights (huge upgrade) - J.W Speaker LED 8800 Evo II upgrade - LED tail lights Interior - Auto Dimming Mirror Upgrade - LED Courtesy Lighting - Purchased courtesy light kit from LMC - Added LED bulbs - Power seats ---------------- Do we think this is a good idea or do we think this will die off? I am all ears, just wanted to try something new.
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"Dixie" - 1988 Chevrolet V30 CC DRW "3+3" | 7.4L 454 (L19) | TH400 | 4" lift | 35"s "Lucille" - 1949 Chevrolet 3100 (on hold) Last edited by focusedontheprize; 10-31-2019 at 08:31 PM. |
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#2 |
Registered User
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 574
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
No transmission upgrades? Upgrading to an overdrive trans was probably one of the best mods I made for driveability.
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87 R30 CC Dually, TBI 454, NV4500, zero rust barn find 87 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 6.5 turbodiesel, 700R4 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 846
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
We can definitely open it up to the drivetrain!
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"Dixie" - 1988 Chevrolet V30 CC DRW "3+3" | 7.4L 454 (L19) | TH400 | 4" lift | 35"s "Lucille" - 1949 Chevrolet 3100 (on hold) |
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#4 |
Senior Member
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Location: Atlanta, GA.
Posts: 737
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Best thing I did was LS swap.
Love, love ,love that engine, trans, fuel injection.
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Jay Gesner Atlanta, GA 1985 C10 Long Bed 4X2 LS 5.3, 4L60E Father/Daughter Project |
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#5 |
The Peacemaker
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Kannapolis, NC
Posts: 783
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Some of the upgrades to modern style parts are not all that expensive new.
-LED turn signal mirrors - $125 pair -Projector or LED headlights (You can buy these about $100 plug and play for cheaper ones that are a huge upgrade to halogen OR you can find a newer wrecked Jeep Wrangler and poach them). -LED taillights $200-220 -Backup Camera's $100-400 or junkyard -Foglights - $120+ for LED or junkyard (Tahoe/Suburbans have some good ones that you can mount in the front air dam) - Power seats - Range in $$$ from $400-$2000 from Junkyards or new depending on just power or power with heat, ventilated, etc. Depends what else you are wanting as amenities. Overdrive is a good one. Other power accessories... really depends what you want.
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1978 Chevy 2wd Stepside aka "Audrey" Cordova brown with mandarin guts 79k original miles & being restored 1979 Chevy 2wd Short Wide aka "Emma-Jayne" Cordova brown with mandarin guts 2019 Chevy Tahoe LT Previous rides: -2002 Firehawk T/A, 2006 Trailblazer SS AWD, 2014 GMC Sierra RCSB, 1971 2wd Blazer, 1996 SNB, 1997 2dr 2wd Yukon, 2001 Silverado RCSB, 2011 Silverado Z71 4x4, 1982 2wd Blazer, 1997 2dr Tahoe, 1970 Chevelle SS, 1972 2wd Blazer, 1986 Silverado Stepside, 1995 S-10, 1985 Silverado SWB. |
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,926
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
An upgrade I did on my truck, was add more Courtesy Lighting ( under dash ). What I did was purchase a courtesy light kit from LMC. It contains 2 lights, which I added to the one light, under the dash. Added LED bulbs and walla! It is stuff you buy new, but I suppose you could get what you need from the junkyard.
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-che...tesy-light-kit
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FB Page for my Seats Belts https://www.facebook.com/73-87-Chevy...9439407476735/ Restoring Seatbelts: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809750 SOLD My 86 Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=654972 Past Restored Bench Seats:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=715398 PayPal link to pay for your items: https://www.paypal.me/TKCR |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 846
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Quote:
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"Dixie" - 1988 Chevrolet V30 CC DRW "3+3" | 7.4L 454 (L19) | TH400 | 4" lift | 35"s "Lucille" - 1949 Chevrolet 3100 (on hold) |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,926
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Yeah the original light is there in the center. The 2 I added are the ones just above the kick panels.
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FB Page for my Seats Belts https://www.facebook.com/73-87-Chevy...9439407476735/ Restoring Seatbelts: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809750 SOLD My 86 Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=654972 Past Restored Bench Seats:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=715398 PayPal link to pay for your items: https://www.paypal.me/TKCR |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Gwinnett GA
Posts: 1,803
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
If I woke up and somebody was putting a backup camera and some power seats in my 82 I would chase them off my property!
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1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh! |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: horseheads,ny rust belt
Posts: 2,794
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
i did a new L31 vortec and edelbrock pro flo 4 . it runs great and lots of easy tuning options .
still have my th400 . low mile unit and works good . i did the j.w.speaker led 8800 evo II led upgrade headlights and the res of the truck got swapped to led and i love all of them . now if i could redo this list i would do a 6.0/4L80 swap and be done with it . get me efi / and power / and the 4L80 for overdrive . but i am fairly happy with it as is so no plans for the redo mod . she is my work truck / beater truck so i just live with it . 1987 k30 5.7L / th400-203/205 doubler t-case combo / 4.10 gear / 255/85/16 ( 33.0" ) tire .
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77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: El Lago, TX
Posts: 1,668
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
I added a compass / temp mirror out of a later model. If you do a search, I got the idea and instructions how to do it on this forum. I’ll have to go out and take a picture.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 2,539
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
A few small things I have done:
Replace the 2 post Junction block with the 7(IIRC) post junction block from the 90's era trucks. If picking, get the wires from the donor truck as well. They have the proper terminal ends and most come with OEM fusible links. Swap the passive washer jug with one that has the built in pump from a 88-89 Suburban. Other models may work. Gets rid of the problematic(at least for me) OEM pump driven by the wiper motor. Replaced the 10SI alt with a later 12SI alt. (Later models in the squares came with the 12SI) Swapped out the straight wiper arms with the ones ending in a L. (Avoids the need for that weird adapter that often doesn't work correctly.) |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
*deleted*
Please carry on - K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 846
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Thanks everyone, added them to the original post.
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"Dixie" - 1988 Chevrolet V30 CC DRW "3+3" | 7.4L 454 (L19) | TH400 | 4" lift | 35"s "Lucille" - 1949 Chevrolet 3100 (on hold) |
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#15 | |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,950
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Quote:
The bright LED bulbs perk the floor lighting right up.
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1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials...
And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful. |
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#16 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: CO
Posts: 738
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Quote:
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79 Chevy 2wd BIG10 350 TH400 |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Yuma Arizona
Posts: 1,526
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
The very FIRST thing I did was have a brass plate engraved with my modis operandi for building my "restomod"! That, and keep the wife from bellyaching whenever she is in the passenger seat. Now when she starts, I just point at it and say Silent! This is from someone who drives a fully optioned 19 Volvo XC90 that literally drives itself.
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#18 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: hazard, ky
Posts: 1,674
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
i like stuff that doesnt distract from the stock look. so no huge screens or none of that garabage imo. led lights overdrive things like that are cool.
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#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cape Coral, Florida
Posts: 1,123
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Quote:
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1986 Custom Deluxe 10 1978 Caprice 2 door - sold 1937 Chevrolet 2 door sedan - project |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 2,539
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Don't really know. Found several during a Pull-a-Part run which is kind-of unusual as my normal luck is all the wiper arms are already pulled. I think the post ends are fairly universal. All the ones I found had the tubing for the 'on the arm spray' setup. Pulled that off as it was rotted and my trucks have the stationary spray nozzles. Whatever years/trim levels had the on the arm nozzles might be your pull target.
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: horseheads,ny rust belt
Posts: 2,794
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
around mid 80's they went to pin mount wiper ams over the flat tab adapter older stuff .
i just did a military blazer it had the old style and i swapped on a pin style extra set i had .
__________________
77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great. |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Woodbury, Ct.
Posts: 1,680
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
I added power door locks with no switches. Unlock or lock one door and they both unlock. Also has a remote that at the moment does not work since it got ripped out during my LS swap. I also removed the lighter and installed a dual USB port in it's place. Only had to drill the hole a little larger and it fit right in.
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Liberty, Mississippi
Posts: 671
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Just scavenged a remote, keyless entry module from a 98 that I will add to my 84 soon.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1573246529 |
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#24 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 574
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
I'll get the swap thread going. Basically this - 1987 with a TH400 and 4.10 gears and 454. 9mpg if I kept it down at 60mph. Pulled a NV4500 out of a later truck, sourced clutch/brake pedal box out of a late 80's square body, cut a big hole in the floor and stuffed it in. Makes for a WAY better driving experience. First 2 tanks were over 11.5mpg and that was with a 6K trailer and a lot of 65-70mph freeway.
__________________
87 R30 CC Dually, TBI 454, NV4500, zero rust barn find 87 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 6.5 turbodiesel, 700R4 |
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#25 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,950
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Swapped the 1976 column over to a 1985 donor.
It gave me delay wipers with the addition of a 1979 wiper motor and one more wire, cruise with a 1993 GMT400 cruise control box, and dimmer on the column. I used the floor dimmer switch to covertly interrupt the injection pump cutoff solenoid power. The tripod mirrors tore up the 1976 door skins so I used the 1985 doors with 1978 door panels. I took advantage of the Dumbo mirror re-reinforcements in the 1985 doors and used Power Dumbo mirrors from a 90's Gladiator G20 van mixed with arms and bases from the 1985 donor truck... the G van used a different angle on the arms. The 6.5L diesel and NV4500 were from a later truck. Did away with the 1998 fly by wire DS4 injection pump and put a DB2 injection pump from a 1993 on it. 1985 30 series pedals for the hydraulic clutch and hydroboost. I installed a 1+ gallon washer reserviour from a later model car or truck (I've forgotten what it came from) and extended the washer wires from the wiper motor and the washer feed line along the inner fender to the new pump. 1+ gallon of washer fluid and a pump that works reliably in a package that hid away nicely. Got bored with it once it was done sorry to say.
__________________
1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials...
And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful. Last edited by hatzie; 11-09-2019 at 12:29 PM. |
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