Low buck mods - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PanelDeland · 01-01-2004, 04:14 PM

OK gang I've got 4 days off and am low on $$ after the Holidays.I need some low buck truck projects(under $100.00) to keep me entertained and get me motivated.

I sleeved the wiring(about $15.00 for clamps and sleeving) a few weeks ago.I did a Krylon interior(old School) makeover on the cab last spring.
I did the engine compartment paint and cleanup.
New window hardware and software(fuzzies and felts)

So what ideas on low buck upgrades ect. can you guys give me and the other $$$$ challenged BB members?

**Ironhorse** · 01-01-2004, 04:25 PM

Just a thought but I installed one of the reel/corded under hood lights on my 71 4x4 last year. Found one in a parts yard, $10 pull it myself. Really easy install, two wires, hot and ground. Fit really nice on firewall between heater box/blower motor. Course, my truck is a non A/C firewall. Total time for install was about 45 min. to an hour plus two cold beers.

dinnut · 01-01-2004, 04:40 PM

got a tach? how about a radiator cover? box around battery?

cdowns · 01-01-2004, 05:30 PM

a couple of cans of oven cleaner and a trip to the do-it-yourself carwash will run about 6-7 bucks clean what's dirty underneath, like the rear axel or front crossmember and if you want to be a real big-spender get a can or so of rustoleaum and paint the rear axel or the bottom of the box
you can also check your vaccume hoses and if needed replace and/or reroute them
changed your air filter lately?
have you checked the brakes lately?

BUXMAN66 · 01-01-2004, 06:42 PM

a real cheap resto is installing a new glovebox...only $10-$12 bucks.......all of the 5/16"fender bolts that are used on the core support...(holddowns on the rad., corner support brackets,the hood latch support and the hood latch spike) these all take the same length 5/16"x18 x3/4L bolts i changed all of mine over from a hex socket head s/s bolts, to button-head allen head(3/16") s/s bolts.looks cleaner ,don't need to grind of the stamping marks on the head of the button-head bolts...... just some ideas on sumpthin' to dick around with.

da-burb · 01-01-2004, 07:08 PM

The one thing that always amazes me is a dash cluster clean up. Give TimC a call and order up a dash bezel and a new lense. Pick up a can of flourescent red/orange paint and repaint the needles. Dust the faces of the gagues and re-assemble. Looks like a million bucks and it should be shy of a hundred bucks by $20 give or take.

Ackattack · 01-01-2004, 08:04 PM

you could always clean and polish stuff. Examples: wheels, bumper, bottom door sill plate, handle, mirrors, and the list goes on and on.

Maintenance things, or try work out any bugs....like I need to hook up my kick down cable. Just haven't gotten to it.

sactoC10 · 01-01-2004, 08:16 PM

toothbrush, steel wool, polishing compound, clean the seat belts...some cans of brake and/or carb cleaner, hose down the appropriate places... there is always something!

Longhorn Man · 01-02-2004, 02:39 AM

I could always find something needing done on my rig that I don't even need to spend any cash on...just labor.
junk yards can net a whole buch for less than a bill that would keep you busy.

You could install a glove box light.

Hooter · 01-02-2004, 02:44 AM

wax the interior paint, armour-all the tires, can't think of anything else right now

01-01-2004, 04:14 PM	#1
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Low buck mods OK gang I've got 4 days off and am low on $$ after the Holidays.I need some low buck truck projects(under $100.00) to keep me entertained and get me motivated. I sleeved the wiring(about $15.00 for clamps and sleeving) a few weeks ago.I did a Krylon interior(old School) makeover on the cab last spring. I did the engine compartment paint and cleanup. New window hardware and software(fuzzies and felts) So what ideas on low buck upgrades ect. can you guys give me and the other $$$$ challenged BB members? __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

01-01-2004, 04:25 PM	#2
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,340	Just a thought but I installed one of the reel/corded under hood lights on my 71 4x4 last year. Found one in a parts yard, $10 pull it myself. Really easy install, two wires, hot and ground. Fit really nice on firewall between heater box/blower motor. Course, my truck is a non A/C firewall. Total time for install was about 45 min. to an hour plus two cold beers. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

01-01-2004, 04:40 PM	#3
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	got a tach? how about a radiator cover? box around battery? __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

01-01-2004, 05:30 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	a couple of cans of oven cleaner and a trip to the do-it-yourself carwash will run about 6-7 bucks clean what's dirty underneath, like the rear axel or front crossmember and if you want to be a real big-spender get a can or so of rustoleaum and paint the rear axel or the bottom of the box you can also check your vaccume hoses and if needed replace and/or reroute them changed your air filter lately? have you checked the brakes lately? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

01-01-2004, 06:42 PM	#5
BUXMAN66 go bucks! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MIAMISBURG OHIO USA Posts: 803	a real cheap resto is installing a new glovebox...only $10-$12 bucks.......all of the 5/16"fender bolts that are used on the core support...(holddowns on the rad., corner support brackets,the hood latch support and the hood latch spike) these all take the same length 5/16"x18 x3/4L bolts i changed all of mine over from a hex socket head s/s bolts, to button-head allen head(3/16") s/s bolts.looks cleaner ,don't need to grind of the stamping marks on the head of the button-head bolts...... just some ideas on sumpthin' to dick around with. __________________ '68 swb 1/2t 350/350th '86 lngbd 3/4 TON parts getter '49 gmc 1/2 t 5 window 350/350th '96 gmc sonoma sle ext-cab. hey it's a 4cyl. 5 spd and good on gas y'know?

01-01-2004, 07:08 PM	#6
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	The one thing that always amazes me is a dash cluster clean up. Give TimC a call and order up a dash bezel and a new lense. Pick up a can of flourescent red/orange paint and repaint the needles. Dust the faces of the gagues and re-assemble. Looks like a million bucks and it should be shy of a hundred bucks by $20 give or take. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

01-01-2004, 08:04 PM	#7
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	you could always clean and polish stuff. Examples: wheels, bumper, bottom door sill plate, handle, mirrors, and the list goes on and on. Maintenance things, or try work out any bugs....like I need to hook up my kick down cable. Just haven't gotten to it. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

01-01-2004, 08:16 PM	#8
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	toothbrush, steel wool, polishing compound, clean the seat belts...some cans of brake and/or carb cleaner, hose down the appropriate places... there is always something!

01-02-2004, 02:39 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I could always find something needing done on my rig that I don't even need to spend any cash on...just labor. junk yards can net a whole buch for less than a bill that would keep you busy. You could install a glove box light.

01-02-2004, 02:44 AM	#10
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	wax the interior paint, armour-all the tires, can't think of anything else right now __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

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