My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade

[aotte1]

Kevin,

Very nice transformation that is looking nice, thanks for sharing all your knowledge with everybody. Totally enjoy reading your descriptive posts.

What are your thoughts on appearance of 60 vs 70 series tires. 60s for lowered trucks, 70s for more std ride height. I kind of like the top of the tires to be just covered by bottom of wheel wells.

Les

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Kevin,

Very nice transformation that is looking nice, thanks for sharing all your knowledge with everybody. Totally enjoy reading your descriptive posts.

What are your thoughts on appearance of 60 vs 70 series tires. 60s for lowered trucks, 70s for more std ride height. I kind of like the top of the tires to be just covered by bottom of wheel wells.

Les

Ask me that two years ago and I'd have said BF Goodrich TA radials in 60 series. No matter what truck, what stance, 60's series TAs. But, I've been looking at tires for my rally wheels lately. 15's are so uncommon now that they are truly hard to get. Even Summit, my old favorite for ordering tires, is often back ordered on the 15's. Plus, the price. Good lord, a 275/60-15 costs what a 20 inch tire does nowadays. I suspect I might have to evolve into the 20 inch wheel crowd simply out of budgetary reasons, and they do spruce up an old truck.

That said, I'm running 75 series tires on this truck. The rear 235/75's were free since they were on the truck when I got it. The fronts are 215/75's which were 70 each total out the door from Discount. I only went with that setup so I could utilize two of my existing tires and still somewhat match front and rear with a similar profile. I wish I had the scratch for a set of fat 60 series BFGs for my rally wheels though.

[98Murray]

Love the build. It's always cool to see a Budget Build truck because it shows that you dont need to have a bunch of money to fix up an old truck the right way. Its also very cool to see a 70's truck used as a dependable daily driver. You do great work on all your builds

[aggie91]

Another Great write up Kevin. I really enjoy and learn alot from your threads. I did the power steering box before and spending the $15 vs the $150+ for a new box, when all it has is a leak, well thats a no brainer in my book.

I just pick up the other truck that my son got on his deal for his first truck. After getting it home, I need to decide what to do with it. This thread has me thinking now...

[Low Elco]

Glad you put this up. I always enjoy/am inspired by your threads.

[chevyboy73]

Tx firefighter, I'm a big fan of your builds. The Hillbilly Deluxe is a great looking truck. I've seen you mention this truck in that build and glad you made a thread for it. Can't wait to see your plans for the rest of the truck!

[longhorn70gmc]

Very nice Bro, very nice, enjoy!!!!!

[y5mgisi]

Subscribed!

[75ChevyGuy]

Awesome truck! I like how this is a real mans budget. Shows that you can have a nice truck, with really not a lot of dough.

[Tx Firefighter]

I appreciate all y'all's nice comments, but you're giving this truck too much credit. Its a turd. The pictures are flattering to it. If you saw it sitting somewhere you'd turn your heads and avert your eyes and walk the other direction.

I did take a couple of pictures this morning of changes I've done to it recently.

Late model steering wheel. These are my favorite wheels.



A wood grain dash piece to match the 5 dollar swap meet instrument bezel. I bought it off the parts board here. The no A/C vents goes along with my aftermarket air/heat plans. I don't know what I'll wind up running for vents, but it won't be floppy old GM dash vents.

[flashed]

Tex ,I have to disagree with you on one point ,it aint no TURD . My 74 is wearing its original faded paint and is a 6 cylinder 3 speed on the column and people still like it . Yours looks better than mine .

[longhorn70gmc]

You know Bro, I am impressed on how you made it work and how you transformed a wreck of a machine into a functioning useful ride. Its a passion for our hobby and a hunger to bring something back like this. I am impressed. I am doing the same thing with my 75 SWB I traded for. The prior owner took the cab off, so I am stuck with a non 4X4 cab, but it is a 75 and not smogable, so I am okay with that. It should be done here soon in the next 6 months and my daughter will have something to learn to drive in with a fresh motor, drive train and what ever we were able to scrounge up to make it a safe driving ride. I see your truck more like a modern day Rat Rod. I dig it!!!!! Glad ya saved it and made it work for you. Enjoy a couple of pictures of my Turd!!!

[Low Elco]

Longhorn, dude... the avatar is killin' me over here. I want that for a shop poster.

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

[Tx Firefighter]

I've had a pair of these sitting in my Summit online shopping cart for a while.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wv...5044/overview/

I think the truck would really look better with fatter wheels in the rear. If i do that, I'll put together a set of thin whitewall tires at the same time. There's a guy on here who does that a lot (Yezzi?). My front tires are very new and whitewall already turned inside. I could get a pair of matching rears and sport big and little steelie wheels with thin whites and dog dishes.

I did the same look about 10 years ago on my 72 one ton to half ton short bed conversion truck.

[83GMCK2500]

One of these days I will compile a list of all of the threads you have created, bookmark each one, and stuff them in a folder called: Pure F---ing Awesome.

We've seen this DD in a couple of your other threads, and you have briefly mentioned it's history...seeing it come together is really great. That truck is worthy of having the wheels driven off, as is, as it looks. I love the patina. Mismatched panels? You're not the only one:

[zaccaglin]

Kevin, I think I'm the one who sold you the dash insert. Of I was in glad to see how well it cleaned up and the nice home it found. As for the truck I think it's perfect for a daily driver. But much on the outside but the right amount of comfort inside and on the drive train to make it worth the journey. Kind of like my colorado. Outside is beat to hell but inside sets a nice new pair of seats from the scrapyard, some new shocks and a good alignment to keep me strait down the road.

[longhorn70gmc]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Longhorn, dude... the avatar is killin' me over here. I want that for a shop poster.

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

Hey Bro,
PM send me your email I will attach it and send it to you, so you can post it in the garage!!!!
R/
Billy

[MB84C10]

Love the budget builds!

[rusty76]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Thank you Rusty. I need to update the interior pictures a bit more. I had installed that 67 model steering wheel on a whim since the original was sticky and gooey.



And, you're correct, it was way too close and very uncomfortable. I have since replaced it with a four spoke out of an 88-94 style truck. Much more comfortable.

Future plans for this truck are kind of a 70's vibe....

-I have a set of 8 and 6.5 rally wheels for it. I'm feeling it needs wider tires and rallys.
-Possibly chrome steps for the bed. I remember them from the 80's when lots of guys did that.
-C notch the rear frame with a homemade kit. It needs to go lower front and rear.
-Possibly try my hand at air suspension front and rear with a simple setup.
-Fresh roller cam 350 (already have the block standing by). This engine is tired and has some worrisome lifter tick at times.
-Some kind of paint and body to make it look better. Primer, flat paint, Rustoleum roll on, something.
-Smooth the firewall box off and do a Vintage Air setup. The entire HVAC system is a mess.

That new wheel looks really nice in there. It looks so much better. I don't know what it is with steering wheels but they can really make or break an interior for me. I like classic steering wheels but sometimes they work best on the vehicle they were meant for.....I also added this one to the low buck threads the other day. I'd been waiting a long time to see this come to fruitation. Thanks for the updates.

[Greenlee]

When you get to your aftermarket A/C plans, I have a wood grain dash insert with vents that will match your bezel that I'd be willing to donate to your project if you are interested. By the way, an o-ring on each side of the vent is an easy fix for the floppy A/C vents.

[ChevDog1]

Kevin, your low buck builds with attention to detail are an inspiration. I hope my truck is as respectable as yours someday.

[Stoney]

I like the dash without A/C vents. Never seen one.

[72bowtiestepper]

Low budget builds like yours are AWESOME....you turned that garbage truck into a nice little stepper without breaking the bank....Way to go Firefighter !!!

[legendman]

Another great thread by TX Firefighter.

Looking great so far.

[Tx Firefighter]

I sure appreciate the nice words from everyone. The longer I've been here, the more I realize that due to budget constraints, I won't ever have an exceptionally trick truck. I hope to standout by having lots of tech details though.