Favorite modification? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Longhorn Man · 01-23-2005, 07:30 PM

What is your favorite modification you have done to your truck?

Not just looking for the high end stuff here...HEI may be my favorite...but since I have never had to mess with points, I really don't know what I missed out on.

Even though I've only put 10.5 miles on the longhorn so far, I am lovin that caddy torque...I'm thinkin that is my top mod.
Lets hear what you have.

shortymac83 · 01-23-2005, 07:33 PM

well, probably the best mod that I"m planning with my truck is swapping in a 292 with a 4bbl, headers and 9.5:1 compression. Either that, or highway gears, so I can actually keep up with traffic.

Tx Firefighter · 01-23-2005, 07:34 PM

Definitely HEI swap for me.

I've never bought a set of points for my vehicles. I refuse to spend money on the things. By the time any of my vehicles need a new set of points/ condensor, I'll swap to HEI.

Longhorn Man · 01-23-2005, 07:36 PM

Yeah, the furthest I've ever gotten with points is from the seller's house to my house...and both times was with a chain, so in all reality, i have NEVER driven on them.

Tx Firefighter · 01-23-2005, 07:40 PM

My father in law laughed at me awhile back because I gave him a Mallory Dual Point distributor for SBC.

What he thought was funny was when I told him "The only thing worse than a set of points in a distributor is two sets of points in the same distributor". He got a real kick out of that. He also got a free distributor.

71gmcfanatic · 01-23-2005, 07:43 PM

This is my favorite mod, brand new gm 350 crate. Nothing special but it is stone cold reliable.

ebfabman · 01-23-2005, 07:51 PM

Blazer tank install, 67 chevy style body on my 72 (no marker lamps or trim)

JayDubBlazer · 01-23-2005, 08:00 PM

either the crate engine or the mp3 player

Mudder · 01-23-2005, 08:03 PM

gas tank (31 gallon) Blazer tank/ 4wheel disks/ autometer guages

jhwkns · 01-23-2005, 08:04 PM

Good question Andy...I'd have to say suspension.

BowTie Billy · 01-23-2005, 08:14 PM

I lived with points in my 62 Impala and my 70 Z28-HEI lets you drive without the constant tinkering-Never really thought about it but great question.

Sweet72 · 01-23-2005, 08:26 PM

For me it was power brakes with a disc/drum setup one heck of a difference! Power steering is a close second, unless you have 16" biceps.

Exille · 01-23-2005, 08:27 PM

The removal and overhauling of my original 350 w/ 450k+ miles

SCOTI · 01-23-2005, 08:33 PM

After driving my 6cyl 67 for several years, it wasn't reliable or secure in wet weather. Fast forward several years (in time & mechanical experience) to when I purchased my 68, one of the first swaps I did was factory disc brakes & HEI.

Night & day difference! The discs are much more consistent & the HEI has never given me even a hint of trouble. I wish I would have done both mods to my 67 back then. Second to those changes is HD gas shocks & a front sway bar w/poly bushings.

Next on the list for the 68..... V8 + auto OD swap.

me3 · 01-23-2005, 08:33 PM

Ill just be happy to get her done this year.

Brainchild · 01-23-2005, 08:40 PM

I took the points,and junky 2 bbl off and swapped on an aluminum intake (factory jobber) and a qjet,and an HEI some 8 mm wires.Made a world of difference in performance.That and the tilt column.

roj2323 · 01-23-2005, 10:06 PM

so far this is my favorite modification:

shaving the extra steel around the crossmember not only makes it look cleaner but it also doesn't hold water anymore. now i'm sure i'll have even better mods in the future but that's what i got so far.
ondrew
humm i wonder if the 355 one peice rear seal engine counts?

1969 GMC · 01-23-2005, 10:13 PM

Hm, I didn't have to do a lot to my truck while it was my DD, but my favorite aesthetic mod would definitely be ditching the 3 original cracked and faded hockey puck marker light lenses for some of the newer style (2 of the originals were already gone and replaced when I got the truck). I also got to see what color my truck was when it was brand new, due to the perfect paint under the marker light's rubber pads.

Ditching the crappy AM/FM/8 track that was in the truck and putting a radio delete in the hole cleaned the dash up alot. Then adding my Pioneer CD player in the GB gave me some awesome tunes, so its up there too.

lukecp · 01-23-2005, 10:17 PM

Any one of these:

1. Flowmaster exhaust and headers
2. 200 watt Sony CD player (in my Saturn now though...)
3. Edelbrock 1406 carb
4. Modified gauge cluster with a tach and aftermarket oil/water/volt gauges.
5. Ditching whimpy skinny 235/75-15 tires for beefier 255/60-15's

mr402 · 01-23-2005, 10:21 PM

I'll also give a stong vote for the HEI. One of the best/easiest mods I ever made. Edelbrock intake and carb helped a bit too (along with a rebuild). For cosmetics, powder coating the factory 8 lug rims in the brightest white I could find and adding polished GMC 3/4 hub caps.

Huck · 01-23-2005, 10:26 PM

Andy, favorite is a interesting category---HEI for reliability, positraction for traction, sway bar for handeling, 8" ralley wheels for handeling, new crate 350 for reliability, Original AM/FM for looks, Buckets & console for convenience, Headers-edelbrock carb==for performance---the el-cheapo aftermarket windshield washer pump mounted under the hood, or maybe the blue halogen headlights from Ricks'. The 5 speed is cool but for the cost---a 700R4 might have been a better solution.

Eddie H. · 01-23-2005, 10:26 PM

For me It would have to be swapping the original anemic 307 for a mildly built small block 400. Power steering and power brakes would come in as a close second and third as far as making the old girl much more driveable.

ChrisK10 · 01-23-2005, 10:31 PM

I haven't really done many big mods to my truck, but I would have to say that installing a CD player has been by far the best!

69K10 Tank · 01-23-2005, 10:35 PM

Right now i'd have to say that power steering is number one on my list, espically after the original manual box locked up on me in an intersection...that was interesting

**tnblazerk5** · 01-23-2005, 10:39 PM

lets see ,,,,, built 327 ,hei dizzy , headers , turbo 350 trans , power brakes , front disk brakes ,crager ss mags(they are used but better than nothing) ,yet to be instaled, front and rear sway bars , 71 bucket seats and console , tilt , wood grain glove box door and ash tray and gauge dash (lookin for woodgrain 70-71 door panels) ,theres more but cant think of them rite now

and just draging the truck out of retirement last year (it sat for 10 years in my driveway,didnt touch it)so everything i have did in the last year has got to be the best ones

01-23-2005, 07:30 PM	#1
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Favorite modification? What is your favorite modification you have done to your truck? Not just looking for the high end stuff here...HEI may be my favorite...but since I have never had to mess with points, I really don't know what I missed out on. Even though I've only put 10.5 miles on the longhorn so far, I am lovin that caddy torque...I'm thinkin that is my top mod. Lets hear what you have.

01-23-2005, 07:33 PM	#2
shortymac83 hmm... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Culver, Indiana Posts: 1,631	well, probably the best mod that I"m planning with my truck is swapping in a 292 with a 4bbl, headers and 9.5:1 compression. Either that, or highway gears, so I can actually keep up with traffic. __________________ 1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88 1967 Chevy C-10 stripper www.fcrperformance.com - wanna go...faster? talk to FCR.

01-23-2005, 07:34 PM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Definitely HEI swap for me. I've never bought a set of points for my vehicles. I refuse to spend money on the things. By the time any of my vehicles need a new set of points/ condensor, I'll swap to HEI. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-23-2005, 07:40 PM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	My father in law laughed at me awhile back because I gave him a Mallory Dual Point distributor for SBC. What he thought was funny was when I told him "The only thing worse than a set of points in a distributor is two sets of points in the same distributor". He got a real kick out of that. He also got a free distributor. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-23-2005, 07:43 PM	#6
71gmcfanatic Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 101	This is my favorite mod, brand new gm 350 crate. Nothing special but it is stone cold reliable. Attached Images __________________ 1971 gmc 3/4 ton, 350, t350

01-23-2005, 07:36 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yeah, the furthest I've ever gotten with points is from the seller's house to my house...and both times was with a chain, so in all reality, i have NEVER driven on them.

01-23-2005, 07:51 PM	#7
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,489	Blazer tank install, 67 chevy style body on my 72 (no marker lamps or trim)

01-23-2005, 08:00 PM	#8
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,885	either the crate engine or the mp3 player __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT

01-23-2005, 08:03 PM	#9
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	gas tank (31 gallon) Blazer tank/ 4wheel disks/ autometer guages

01-23-2005, 08:04 PM	#10
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	Good question Andy...I'd have to say suspension. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

01-23-2005, 08:14 PM	#11
BowTie Billy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7	Points Well Taken I lived with points in my 62 Impala and my 70 Z28-HEI lets you drive without the constant tinkering-Never really thought about it but great question.

01-23-2005, 08:26 PM	#12
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	For me it was power brakes with a disc/drum setup one heck of a difference! Power steering is a close second, unless you have 16" biceps. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

01-23-2005, 08:27 PM	#13
Exille Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Placerville Posts: 91	The removal and overhauling of my original 350 w/ 450k+ miles

01-23-2005, 08:33 PM	#14
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,031	After driving my 6cyl 67 for several years, it wasn't reliable or secure in wet weather. Fast forward several years (in time & mechanical experience) to when I purchased my 68, one of the first swaps I did was factory disc brakes & HEI. *Night & day difference!* The discs are much more consistent & the HEI has never given me even a hint of trouble. I wish I would have done both mods to my 67 back then. Second to those changes is HD gas shocks & a front sway bar w/poly bushings. Next on the list for the 68..... V8 + auto OD swap. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-23-2005, 08:33 PM	#15
me3 hart Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: hell nebraska Posts: 115	Ill just be happy to get her done this year.



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01-23-2005, 08:40 PM	#16
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	I took the points,and junky 2 bbl off and swapped on an aluminum intake (factory jobber) and a qjet,and an HEI some 8 mm wires.Made a world of difference in performance.That and the tilt column. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

01-23-2005, 10:06 PM	#17
roj2323 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somewhere Posts: 985	so far this is my favorite modification: shaving the extra steel around the crossmember not only makes it look cleaner but it also doesn't hold water anymore. now i'm sure i'll have even better mods in the future but that's what i got so far. ondrew humm i wonder if the 355 one peice rear seal engine counts?

01-23-2005, 10:13 PM	#18
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	Hm, I didn't have to do a lot to my truck while it was my DD, but my favorite aesthetic mod would definitely be ditching the 3 original cracked and faded hockey puck marker light lenses for some of the newer style (2 of the originals were already gone and replaced when I got the truck). I also got to see what color my truck was when it was brand new, due to the perfect paint under the marker light's rubber pads. Ditching the crappy AM/FM/8 track that was in the truck and putting a radio delete in the hole cleaned the dash up alot. Then adding my Pioneer CD player in the GB gave me some awesome tunes, so its up there too. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

01-23-2005, 10:17 PM	#19
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Any one of these: 1. Flowmaster exhaust and headers 2. 200 watt Sony CD player (in my Saturn now though...) 3. Edelbrock 1406 carb 4. Modified gauge cluster with a tach and aftermarket oil/water/volt gauges. 5. Ditching whimpy skinny 235/75-15 tires for beefier 255/60-15's __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

01-23-2005, 10:21 PM	#20
mr402 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Elmira, Oregon Posts: 449	I'll also give a stong vote for the HEI. One of the best/easiest mods I ever made. Edelbrock intake and carb helped a bit too (along with a rebuild). For cosmetics, powder coating the factory 8 lug rims in the brightest white I could find and adding polished GMC 3/4 hub caps.

01-23-2005, 10:26 PM	#21
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Favorite Modification Andy, favorite is a interesting category---HEI for reliability, positraction for traction, sway bar for handeling, 8" ralley wheels for handeling, new crate 350 for reliability, Original AM/FM for looks, Buckets & console for convenience, Headers-edelbrock carb==for performance---the el-cheapo aftermarket windshield washer pump mounted under the hood, or maybe the blue halogen headlights from Ricks'. The 5 speed is cool but for the cost---a 700R4 might have been a better solution.

01-23-2005, 10:26 PM	#22
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	For me It would have to be swapping the original anemic 307 for a mildly built small block 400. Power steering and power brakes would come in as a close second and third as far as making the old girl much more driveable. __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

01-23-2005, 10:31 PM	#23
ChrisK10 1971 C20 Custom Camper Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ames/Shenandoah, IA Posts: 1,435	I haven't really done many big mods to my truck, but I would have to say that installing a CD player has been by far the best! __________________ '71 Chevy C20 Custom Camper, 454, TH400 '97 GMC K1500 5.7L

01-23-2005, 10:35 PM	#24
69K10 Tank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Olypmia, Wa Posts: 49	Right now i'd have to say that power steering is number one on my list, espically after the original manual box locked up on me in an intersection...that was interesting __________________ Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war 69 K-10, 350, sm465, T221, 33" BFG A/T, drums all around (soon to be discs)

01-23-2005, 10:39 PM	#25
tnblazerk5 User #12137 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: kingsport,upper east tenn Posts: 11,598	lets see ,,,,, built 327 ,hei dizzy , headers , turbo 350 trans , power brakes , front disk brakes ,crager ss mags(they are used but better than nothing) ,yet to be instaled, front and rear sway bars , 71 bucket seats and console , tilt , wood grain glove box door and ash tray and gauge dash (lookin for woodgrain 70-71 door panels) ,theres more but cant think of them rite now and just draging the truck out of retirement last year (it sat for 10 years in my driveway,didnt touch it)so everything i have did in the last year has got to be the best ones

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