Should I mod/rod my truck or not? - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Gary Lee · 03-08-2005, 09:11 AM

I'd leave it looking factory maybe some lower coils, but keep the basic factory look since it is so nice already... Put a slightly worked V-8 in, and enjoy... a resto-mod!!!

67ChevyRedneck · 03-08-2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty

I really want to smooth the firewall, drop a new V8 engine and manual tranny into it, lower it, bag it out, roll some 18" or larger stock on it and tinker with the gears. I also want to smooth out the firewall, shave some things on the body, add power locks and windows, remove the bench seat and add buckets, rework the sound system, add more gauges, add PB, PS and tilt steering, add A/C and .... hehe, I've got a long list.

You answered your own question.

BUT I wouldn't do it right away. You've got a truck WAY nicer than most people here, including myself, and I wouldn't tear right into it right away. Drop in the I-6 you were talking about, you can upgrade the brakes in a weekend, and drive the piss outta it until you save up enough to build 'er how you want to. Enjoy it first. If you tear it down it will take twice as long and cost twice as much as you think it will to get it back together. Very nice truck....drive 'er for now!

GreyHoundSteve · 03-08-2005, 10:39 AM

I wanted to chime in and share my truck buying/building experience with you. When i bought my truck i thought it had already been restored and my plans were to change one or two things and just enjoy it. Well i found out on the ride home that it needed ALOT more work than i suspected so i dropped it off at the shop to get the mechanicals in order. I needed a new wire harness and it was going to take two weeks to get so i started looking a little closer at the "resto" job the po had done and after i pulled the new carpet up i saw the floor ..... or more accurately what was left of the floor and knew then that this truck needed some serous attention. At the time the truck price had broke me but i had a little disposable income each month and so i decided to go ahead and get started on building the truck i wanted instead of living with the truck i had. When i posted pics of my truck here and told everyone what i was doing people thought that i was crazy because in the pictures it looked better than what alot of guys here are working with but it wasnt the truck i wanted and i knew i wasnt going to be happy until it was so i did what i wanted to and tore it down to the frame and have restored, replaced and modded every peice thats gone back on it and i couldnt be happier about it. I wish i wouldnt have started with such an expensive truck to begin with but i am really happy with the way its turning out and when its done it will really be MY TRUCK.

Brainchild · 03-08-2005, 11:31 AM

I can't answer that question,I have the same battle going on myself with my 49.I'd love to chop it,and rod it,but it's 99% original,and I can't bring myself to do it

That is a greaat looking truck though,whatever you decide you have a great starting point.

**N2TRUX** · 03-08-2005, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty

I guess the better question to ask would be: With the number of trucks that are made for this year and model and options, will it really put a dent in anything to rod it out?

I mean, let's face it, it's not like this is a '64 Impala SS with matching numbers or anything...

There's your answer right there. It's just a truck. If it were a heavy optioned big block truck then keeping it all origanl might retain the value. Modding/rodding one of these old trucks normally increases their value if done correctly....

chip46wis · 03-08-2005, 12:02 PM

Very clean truck! almost a twin to my 69 step-----just a observation Ive made watching ebay--nicely restored or very modified they seem to hold around that $7000 bracket----do as you wish to it and enjoy!

Jason915 · 03-08-2005, 12:19 PM

Sweet truck what ever you decide to do with it just keep in mind that it's your truck and you don't want to be like everyone else. If it were mine I'd put a Vette spect 327 and a vette 4 speed lower it a bit pick a nice wheel and tire package and drive it.

Gary · 03-08-2005, 12:23 PM

I didn't look at the pics earlier but that is a very nice looking truck, do what you want with it, keep the original parts you pull off of it and if it makes a huge difference later you can always put 'em back in if it's worth it. I'd for sure be wanting to put a beefier drive train under it too, lower it a bit and maybe upgrade the rims, tint the windows, refinish the bed, love the color tho I'd keep that as is, I'm not a huge fan of painted bumpers though so I'd probably get me some chrome bumpers and a chrome grill (I like chrome on old cars and trucks that are made of real metal all around).

boraxman · 03-08-2005, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXL

ya!

BigSky71 · 03-08-2005, 01:45 PM

I'd say make it into the truck you want to drive everyday. FWIW the look I like is stock appearing body on the outside, tricked out underneath with hot motor, modified suspension etc...

beagler · 03-08-2005, 01:49 PM

If I had the truck I would probably drop a 350 with a flew mods in it. just enough you can smoke the tires if you want. Bucket seats for comfyness(is that a word? lol) maybe drop it in the rear so that it sits level. Or put some FAT rubber on the rear wheels to make it look beefy and fill the wheel wells out a little. Possibly a cover for the wood bed to preserve it. and drive the heck out of it and enjoy it. That's a tight looking truck.

IMO do what you want thought like everyone else has said.

Warbones · 03-08-2005, 02:29 PM

That truck looks pretty sweet. I'd keep it original. By another one to rod.

jay-dawg · 03-09-2005, 10:39 AM

If it's going to be your daily driver, I would suggest starting out with "comfort" upgrades such as pb, ps, disc brakes, rims. Things that can be done over the weekend. When you run out of those, it's time to use up some vacation time and do the bigger items such as engine/tranny swap, smooth firewall, air bags, paint. As with everything custom/rodded, things happen that will set you back. I've learned a few lessons w/my S10 (daily driver...boy I miss that ride). That's why I have a daily driver and a project truck. Learning from your mistakes is smart. Learning from other people's mistakes is genius.

Ditto on what everyone says...It's your ride and do what you want.

Just my .02,

Jay

03-08-2005, 11:31 AM	#29
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	I can't answer that question,I have the same battle going on myself with my 49.I'd love to chop it,and rod it,but it's 99% original,and I can't bring myself to do it That is a greaat looking truck though,whatever you decide you have a great starting point. __________________ 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

03-08-2005, 12:19 PM	#32
Jason915 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 693	Sweet truck what ever you decide to do with it just keep in mind that it's your truck and you don't want to be like everyone else. If it were mine I'd put a Vette spect 327 and a vette 4 speed lower it a bit pick a nice wheel and tire package and drive it. __________________ 1971 GMC K1500 SWB Fleetside, 4" skyjacker softride and, 14 Bolt FF, HD Dana 44 4.10's 1970 K5 TBI conversion lifted etc SOLD 1968 C20 camper truck SOLD “To ban guns because criminals use them is to tell the innocent and law-abiding that their rights and liberties depend not on their own conduct, but on the conduct of the guilty and the lawless.” Jeff Snyder

03-08-2005, 12:23 PM	#33
Gary Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Harvest, AL Posts: 545	I didn't look at the pics earlier but that is a very nice looking truck, do what you want with it, keep the original parts you pull off of it and if it makes a huge difference later you can always put 'em back in if it's worth it. I'd for sure be wanting to put a beefier drive train under it too, lower it a bit and maybe upgrade the rims, tint the windows, refinish the bed, love the color tho I'd keep that as is, I'm not a huge fan of painted bumpers though so I'd probably get me some chrome bumpers and a chrome grill (I like chrome on old cars and trucks that are made of real metal all around). __________________ Gary Harris 85 Silverado - 87 Grand National 2007 Ardmore Car Show

03-08-2005, 01:45 PM	#35
BigSky71 LAIDOUT Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NW Montana Posts: 928	I'd say make it into the truck you want to drive everyday. FWIW the look I like is stock appearing body on the outside, tricked out underneath with hot motor, modified suspension etc... __________________ 67 2wd Shorty Build Pictures

03-08-2005, 01:49 PM	#36
beagler Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cincy, OH Posts: 190	If I had the truck I would probably drop a 350 with a flew mods in it. just enough you can smoke the tires if you want. Bucket seats for comfyness(is that a word? lol) maybe drop it in the rear so that it sits level. Or put some FAT rubber on the rear wheels to make it look beefy and fill the wheel wells out a little. Possibly a cover for the wood bed to preserve it. and drive the heck out of it and enjoy it. That's a tight looking truck. IMO do what you want thought like everyone else has said. __________________ '71 GMC 350 bored, cam'd, straight pipes LOOKING FOR A 4x4 redz 1970 K5 "Time has stopped for our classic trucks, and as such maintain nostalgia and simplicity of the vehicles and of an era passed."

03-08-2005, 09:11 AM	#26
Gary Lee fixer of 72 GMC LWB Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Newnan GA Posts: 111	I'd leave it looking factory maybe some lower coils, but keep the basic factory look since it is so nice already... Put a slightly worked V-8 in, and enjoy... a resto-mod!!!

03-08-2005, 10:39 AM	#28
GreyHoundSteve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: DFW TX Posts: 769	I wanted to chime in and share my truck buying/building experience with you. When i bought my truck i thought it had already been restored and my plans were to change one or two things and just enjoy it. Well i found out on the ride home that it needed ALOT more work than i suspected so i dropped it off at the shop to get the mechanicals in order. I needed a new wire harness and it was going to take two weeks to get so i started looking a little closer at the "resto" job the po had done and after i pulled the new carpet up i saw the floor ..... or more accurately what was left of the floor and knew then that this truck needed some serous attention. At the time the truck price had broke me but i had a little disposable income each month and so i decided to go ahead and get started on building the truck i wanted instead of living with the truck i had. When i posted pics of my truck here and told everyone what i was doing people thought that i was crazy because in the pictures it looked better than what alot of guys here are working with but it wasnt the truck i wanted and i knew i wasnt going to be happy until it was so i did what i wanted to and tore it down to the frame and have restored, replaced and modded every peice thats gone back on it and i couldnt be happier about it. I wish i wouldnt have started with such an expensive truck to begin with but i am really happy with the way its turning out and when its done it will really be MY TRUCK.

03-08-2005, 12:02 PM	#31
chip46wis Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,317	Very clean truck! almost a twin to my 69 step-----just a observation Ive made watching ebay--nicely restored or very modified they seem to hold around that $7000 bracket----do as you wish to it and enjoy!

03-08-2005, 02:29 PM	#37
Warbones Navel Inspector Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 1,373	That truck looks pretty sweet. I'd keep it original. By another one to rod. __________________ 1948 Chevy Aerosedan GONE! I think. 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Coupe WANTED 1967 IMPALA 1967 CST C10 Long Bed with a 283

03-09-2005, 10:39 AM	#38
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	If it's going to be your daily driver, I would suggest starting out with "comfort" upgrades such as pb, ps, disc brakes, rims. Things that can be done over the weekend. When you run out of those, it's time to use up some vacation time and do the bigger items such as engine/tranny swap, smooth firewall, air bags, paint. As with everything custom/rodded, things happen that will set you back. I've learned a few lessons w/my S10 (daily driver...boy I miss that ride). That's why I have a daily driver and a project truck. Learning from your mistakes is smart. Learning from other people's mistakes is genius. Ditto on what everyone says...It's your ride and do what you want. Just my .02, Jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI



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