Anyone ever have a hard time converting a nice stock truck into their build?

[PowerdbyChevy79]

Gearvendors is a cool setup.. we had one in our 49 COE.. worked great.. but very pricey...

[KQQL IT]

Having recently done a 4L80 in my 73. The lockup converter was the game changer.
Almost like 5th gear with a mild stall.

And really showed how inadequate stock brakes are for 75 mph freeway speeds

[r8rs4lf]

Originally Posted by jocko

I may have missed it, but didn't see your SPID in this thread (maybe it's somewhere else). Am curious whether your truck was originally a custom two tone - like a 558 paint RPO? (asking because I see the paint divider trim, which doesn't really mean it was custom two tone, could have been conventional white too, but if it were a 558 Highlander swb, aye caramba batman, that's a nice combo. Cool truck no matter what the paint was).

SPID is here. 559 combo Med/Dark blue

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=862391

[connorm]

Originally Posted by r8rs4lf

I am giving the GV a serious thought. Is it just a straight bolt on besides having to shorten the driveshaft? Is there some type of crossmember needed?



My plan is to get rid of the pegleg and add a limited slip which wouldn't be a big deal swapping out gears at the same time. I just need to confirm that I have the 3.08's. If the GV unit is a bolt on thing then I will seriously consider adding that.

I went ahead and ordered my Coker WW's today. Went with 235/75/15. Should be here in a few days. I'll get them balanced and mounted and from there I'll make the decision on a drop.

I don't have any personal experience with the Gearvendors, but from the little bit of looking that I did it doesn't look like it. I would give them a call and see what they say.

I personally like the look of the 2.5/4 drop. You can tell it's modified, but it's not over done.

[HO455]

Highlander = COOL!
At least in my world. Keeping the original SPID and if possible the build sheet will go far when the truck eventually has to change hands. I'd bet there's someone looking for a stock short bed Highlander today and the same will be true down the road. Some vehicles are rare enough to return them back to stock. In the 67-72 world those are Cheyenne Supers and Highlanders.

I know Calvert Racing makes springs for Squarebodys so it's likely they have them for a 67-72 truck. If so that works likely solve your ride and horsepower issues.

I installed a Gearvendor in my Burban behind a T350C. I removed a T400, moved the crossmember forward and bolted it down. Tons of folks quote the list price on a Gearvendor as a deterrent but I've bought 3 used ones of them over the years and never paid more than $1200 for one. They are simple units that work well. I paid $900 for the one in my Burban complete with a T350 bolted to it. These days in the mad fevered rush to swap LS motors into everything it's not uncommon to find them used.

Gearvendor however does think that their adapters are gold plated so get one with the proper adapter or cheap enough to buy the correct one and resell the wrong one.

My Gearvendor swap starts at post 462 in the link. If you want more info on the Gearvendor PM me.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...diator&page=26

[r8rs4lf]

Originally Posted by HO455

Highlander = COOL!
At least in my world. Keeping the original SPID and if possible the build sheet will go far when the truck eventually has to change hands. I'd bet there's someone looking for a stock short bed Highlander today and the same will be true down the road. Some vehicles are rare enough to return them back to stock. In the 67-72 world those are Cheyenne Supers and Highlanders.

I know Calvert Racing makes springs for Squarebodys so it's likely they have them for a 67-72 truck. If so that works likely solve your ride and horsepower issues.

I installed a Gearvendor in my Burban behind a T350C. I removed a T400, moved the crossmember forward and bolted it down. Tons of folks quote the list price on a Gearvendor as a deterrent but I've bought 3 used ones of them over the years and never paid more than $1200 for one. They are simple units that work well. I paid $900 for the one in my Burban complete with a T350 bolted to it. These days in the mad fevered rush to swap LS motors into everything it's not uncommon to find them used.

Gearvendor however does think that their adapters are gold plated so get one with the proper adapter or cheap enough to buy the correct one and resell the wrong one.

My Gearvendor swap starts at post 462 in the link. If you want more info on the Gearvendor PM me.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...diator&page=26

Now you see my hesitance to do anything major to this truck.

[72c20customcamper]

My experience with a 700r4 and a high numerical rear is it pretty much sucks . My 85 has 3.23 gears in it and if it’s in overdrive at anything other than on flat highway at speeds (65-70+) it always hunting in and out of lockup . I’ve been thinking of adding a switch for the lockup so I can manually lock/unlock it . It’s rather annoying.

[PowerdbyChevy79]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

My experience with a 700r4 and a high numerical rear is it pretty much sucks . My 85 has 3.23 gears in it and if it’s in overdrive at anything other than on flat highway at speeds (65-70+) it always hunting in and out of lockup . I’ve been thinking of adding a switch for the lockup so I can manually lock/unlock it . It’s rather annoying.

Oh yea.. I always put a toggle switch on my lockups when i have 700's.. i keep i off under 50.. above that i turn it on and cruise..

[Steeveedee]

I put a 700 (4R) in a '68 Skylark I had, and it had a 2.73 axle. Rigged it right with the brake pedal switch. Got great mileage (18.5 in combined driving, with a mildly built 305 SBC), but I had to pull it out of OD on steep hills to keep it from pinging. Small price to pay. The guy I sold it to put a 3.42 posi and twin turbos on it. Cubic money, is all I can say. By then it had a stock BOP 350 trans in it, though.

[jocko]

Thanks for the SPID link - now I remember seeing it in the other thread - that is a very, very nice truck - and a custom two tone to boot! (flipped combo of the 558 I was guessing at) Love it!

[Dirt's72]

That is a nice truck! Locally here a few years ago a gmc shortbed highlander came up for sale. It was in rough condition. I went through the highlander thread looking for another gmc shortbed highlander and there werent any in the fifty some pages. I recall only seeing maybe two short bed chevy highlanders. I've seen so many nice original trucks converted to custom through the years on this forum. It is hard to watch. Especially when it happens to blazers. That tv show with the guy "the count" where they bastardized a beautiful original blazer was the hardest to see kinda made me sick. I have a couple short bed trucks one with leaf and one with trailing arms and do not notice any difference in the handling or ride. Both are original and handle and ride real nice. I will be adding a front anti sway bar to both.

[r8rs4lf]

Originally Posted by Dirt's72

I have a couple short bed trucks one with leaf and one with trailing arms and do not notice any difference in the handling or ride. Both are original and handle and ride real nice.

That's good to hear! I know the rear leafs aren't the best riding, but I also keep in mind that it's a truck, not a Mercedes.

Originally Posted by jocko

Thanks for the SPID link - now I remember seeing it in the other thread - that is a very, very nice truck - and a custom two tone to boot! (flipped combo of the 558 I was guessing at) Love it!

Yeah I actually don't like the two tone the way it came from the factory. I'm glad someone painted the top medium blue to match.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by r8rs4lf

Yeah I actually don't like the two tone the way it came from the factory. I'm glad someone painted the top medium blue to match.

It's the other way around - they either painted everything except the top medium blue to match the medium blue top (or just painted the whole truck medium blue) - 559 is medium blue top over dark blue body. Your gb door looks like dark blue in your SPID pic, which would align with the 559 code. What color is the rest of your interior sheet metal? It would have been dark blue originally. 559 paint code shown below:

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by r8rs4lf

Now you see my hesitance to do anything major to this truck.

Well, I guess that is the answer to the question. Your original plans seems to have already changed a bit.

So if you are regretting and changing those plans, which seems to be why you got this truck, it might as well be kept as is for now, as you may regret not sticking to the OG plans.

Nice Truck no matter what you do with it. Congrats on the purchase!

[r8rs4lf]

Originally Posted by jocko

It's the other way around - they either painted everything except the top medium blue to match the medium blue top (or just painted the whole truck medium blue) - 559 is medium blue top over dark blue body. Your gb door looks like dark blue in your SPID pic, which would align with the 559 code. What color is the rest of your interior sheet metal? It would have been dark blue originally. 559 paint code shown below:

Your'e right, I just looked at a pic I saved.

I'm assuming someone painted the whole truck as it looks to be maybe color sanded? There is one part on the inner bed rail where whoever forgot to sand and it doesn't look bad. I actually prefer the non shining paint.

The interior paint is dark blue. Somewhere along the line the interior was removed. They changed the dash pad and door panels to that bright blue and the bench seat got a cover. It doesn't look bad at all. I took a peek under the cover and I saw plaid, but I did not see any parchment.The only thing left from the original interior is the parchment sun visors and clips.

[r8rs4lf]

Originally Posted by 3drburb

Well, I guess that is the answer to the question. Your original plans seems to have already changed a bit.

So if you are regretting and changing those plans, which seems to be why you got this truck, it might as well be kept as is for now, as you may regret not sticking to the OG plans.

Nice Truck no matter what you do with it. Congrats on the purchase!

Thanks!

The truck will basically stay the same for now with just a few changes, but my plans on big HP will get done eventually after this motor goes out. Maybe I'll change it out sooner and sell this set up, unless of course it's the original motor and trans, who knows as I'm not there yet. It runs so good so I'm just enjoying it right now.

No matter what I won't do anything that can't be undone to return it to it's original state.

[Luke87gt]

I’m reminded of my time with Mustangs and supple/demand.

In the 1960s, the Fastbacks were the rare ones, everyone wanted them and today a Fastback is 2-3x the value of an equal condition coupe.

Then the Foxbodies came around years later. The coupes were the rare ones that everyone wanted and the hatchbacks were a dime a dozen.

It used to be that stock original C10 pickups were all over the place, cheap, plentiful. However in recent years the demand for these trucks has surged with people buying and building them to suit their own interest and desires. Fewer and fewer unmodified originals are left and the appreciation for this has increased.

Ultimately it’s your truck and you do what you’d like. However, keeping it as-is is becoming increasingly rare and valued.

With that said, I’m modifying mine to my liking LoL!

[jocko]

Originally Posted by r8rs4lf

Your'e right, I just looked at a pic I saved.

I'm assuming someone painted the whole truck as it looks to be maybe color sanded? There is one part on the inner bed rail where whoever forgot to sand and it doesn't look bad. I actually prefer the non shining paint.

The interior paint is dark blue. Somewhere along the line the interior was removed. They changed the dash pad and door panels to that bright blue and the bench seat got a cover. It doesn't look bad at all. I took a peek under the cover and I saw plaid, but I did not see any parchment.The only thing left from the original interior is the parchment sun visors and clips.

Thanks for checking, curiosity was about to kill this cat ! Enjoy whatever direction you decide to go, that's a gem.

[BRL]

OMG you guys, you haven't asked for my $.02 yet...what the...?

Completely stock, numbers matching and all that stuff is wonderful if you're Jay Leno and are a collector or something, but my truck is my truck and I'm keeping it forever and driving it until the wheels fall off so I'm making it how I want it now.

If it really bothered me to modify it (it wouldn't) I would sell it to someone who is willing to pay a premium for an original looking truck and get something I would want to make mine without hesitation.

I have spoken.

BTW nice truck.

[BRL]

Silly me I forgot to throw in a picture of my truck, it's not all original and I don't care.

[r8rs4lf]

Originally Posted by BRL

Silly me I forgot to throw in a picture of my truck, it's not all original and I don't care.

So that's what my truck would look like with shine. I like it!

I'm not really doing anything to hurt the originality of the truck. The interior was removed from a PO. Adding a drop minus a C notch and wheels can easily be changed back although I doubt I would. Maybe the next owner after I pass.

[3drburb]

I do like these threads.

I all honesty, you need to have a clear direction and motivation when starting these type of builds on a nice running truck to avoid turning it into garage furniture and nothing but a parts truck.

Please build what you desire and motivates you, 20 and 22 inch wheels, the drop you want with the notch, cuts and whatever needed to achieve your goals without thinking about anyone else or returning it back to stock when you are gone.

If it has already been repainted, maybe the interior has been changed by someone else before you, it's your time to put your imprint in it.

Have fun!

[mike16]

I cant tell if your serious.

[MS66]

Ooo, nice ride!! I always say, how many of these do you see now.

I do moderate upgrades that enhance handling(no slammed truck), and braking leaving it more original. How often do you need to drive freeway speeds for over two hours at a time? OD trans? Most folks think you HAVE to have OD to keep up with the Jones, baah!! Nope, these trucks have been down the road without OD for decades. Is that $$ you saved in gas worth the $$$$ you put into doing an OD conversion?
Personally, I take the road less traveled at speeds that I can enjoy the scenery, while driving my truck.
Leave it alone, do some moderate upgrades and enjoy that truck now!! Don't have it in pieces for the next 5-10 years doing it because of what the trend is, you'll end up with $$$$$ in it and not enjoy it as much as you can now.
Ride in it.
Oh BTW, the white stripe tires are killer!!

[r8rs4lf]

Originally Posted by MS66

Ooo, nice ride!! I always say, how many of these do you see now.

I do moderate upgrades that enhance handling(no slammed truck), and braking leaving it more original. How often do you need to drive freeway speeds for over two hours at a time? OD trans? Most folks think you HAVE to have OD to keep up with the Jones, baah!! Nope, these trucks have been down the road without OD for decades. Is that $$ you saved in gas worth the $$$$ you put into doing an OD conversion?
Personally, I take the road less traveled at speeds that I can enjoy the scenery, while driving my truck.
Leave it alone, do some moderate upgrades and enjoy that truck now!! Don't have it in pieces for the next 5-10 years doing it because of what the trend is, you'll end up with $$$$$ in it and not enjoy it as much as you can now.
Ride in it.
Oh BTW, the white stripe tires are killer!!