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

[Low Elco]

4 wheel drive thread! 4 wheel drive thread! 4 wheel drive thread!

I like your view!

[83GMCK2500]

Nice view, I have to admit, I appreciate that view enough that if I were mowing I would probably leave strips in the grass.

A couple pics up I just noticed the hydrant in front of your DD, is it a lawn ornament or functional? I was starting to visualize it with the Ayers Garage Powder Coating treatment...

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

4 wheel drive thread! 4 wheel drive thread! 4 wheel drive thread!

I like your view!

I'm still gathering up to start the 4wd thread. Not sure where it would be best put, the 88-98 Projects section or the 4x4 Projects section. Neither one gets much traffic. There won't be much 4x4 bad assery involved other than basic restoration type of stuff mainly. I figured it would bore that crowd over there.

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

Nice view, I have to admit, I appreciate that view enough that if I were mowing I would probably leave strips in the grass.

A couple pics up I just noticed the hydrant in front of your DD, is it a lawn ornament or functional? I was starting to visualize it with the Ayers Garage Powder Coating treatment...

The hydrant is just an ornament outside my shop door. I need to get on restoring it. Seems like I never have enough time for it all.

[Stickman]

Always enjoy your posts. They are always resourceful and informative.

[rusty76]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/p...ctureid=205380


I think you should build your truck sort of like this but on airbags.....hehehehe. And give it that '70s vibe with Cragar SS and whitewalls. That would look neat. This is the way I hope to go with my old beast. I want a sort of '70s retro kind of thing, but not all velvet and stuff though.

[Tx Firefighter]

My current plan is very cliche I guess. Tentatively looking at 18 inch wheels and a basic air bag job front and rear. And I need to do something better for the engine. I'm keeping my nose down looking for a 4.3 V6 TBI engine for it.

[rusty76]

So do you feel that the v6 will be a good motor? I guess for daily driving it would be great on mileage but any other thought though? I've been curious about going with a v6 like you're talking about, there's one in a van close by. I like V8s and I enjoy being able to put my foot in it when I really would like to. I have/had a 400 small block and that thing pulled like a freight train, with no end in sight. But I didn't really ever get in it either though.

[thefraze_1020]

I'm loving the cheap build, Kevin!

I'm a college student, so what little money I have left after gas and tuition, it goes to restoring my '84. Your build shows it can be done. And it doesn't matter whether it's pretty or what others think. All that matters is it's how you want it and it does what you need it to. That's the attitude I use when working on my truck.

[Randy S. Hager]

Kevin............looking for a V6 TBI motor are you. WELL you're in luck. I have such an animal in my storage. I also have a rather rare Holley marine TBI intake and all the roller stuff with a nice Howard’s roller cam. The engine has been sitting for a number of years in that storage place but it's yours if you so desire. No money just bartering will suffice. Springtown is not too far from work so no problem. Need to arrange transport since the truck is down. PM me so I can send you some pictures if you like.

[Randy S. Hager]

PM sent with picture of intake.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by rusty76

So do you feel that the v6 will be a good motor? I guess for daily driving it would be great on mileage but any other thought though? I've been curious about going with a v6 like you're talking about, there's one in a van close by. I like V8s and I enjoy being able to put my foot in it when I really would like to. I have/had a 400 small block and that thing pulled like a freight train, with no end in sight. But I didn't really ever get in it either though.

I've always liked the 4.3. As well all know, it's just a sawed off small block. Mainly I like fuel mileage and low cost. The V8 TBI engines carry a price premium while the V6's are cheap and easy to get. All I care about is cruising 60 miles per hour down the highway and getting decent mileage. I have the dually to pull loads with if I need to do something heavy. I had my phase with hot rods in the 90's and 5.0L Mustangs. I got to explain to the Battalion Chief why I got an exhibition of acceleration ticket. Not good. In my position in my career now (Engineer, I drive the fire truck), getting a ticket is not acceptable. Career > burnouts and racing. So, it's slow and easy for me these last 15 years.

Originally Posted by thefraze_1020

I'm loving the cheap build, Kevin!

I'm a college student, so what little money I have left after gas and tuition, it goes to restoring my '84. Your build shows it can be done. And it doesn't matter whether it's pretty or what others think. All that matters is it's how you want it and it does what you need it to. That's the attitude I use when working on my truck.

Man, I love building trucks. Seven days a week. It's my passion in life. Just going to work at the fire station every third day gets me down because I want to be home wrenching. When the cash flow isn't there, I can either sit around and act hateful and upset because I can't build trucks, or figure out some cheap way of getting it done. This stepside has been an eye opener for me. I was ashamed to even show it to anyone, but the reception has been so positive that it's overwhelming. I've even had nice trucks that I built over the years, but they didn't appeal to people like this turd does.

Originally Posted by Randy S. Hager

Kevin............looking for a V6 TBI motor are you. WELL you're in luck. I have such an animal in my storage. I also have a rather rare Holley marine TBI intake and all the roller stuff with a nice Howard’s roller cam. The engine has been sitting for a number of years in that storage place but it's yours if you so desire. No money just bartering will suffice. Springtown is not too far from work so no problem. Need to arrange transport since the truck is down. PM me so I can send you some pictures if you like.

Wow. Really, wow. What an offer. Is it an entire engine ? Was it a runner ?

[Randy S. Hager]

I have never had it running and never heard it running. Was going to be an alternate to the inline 6 if that didn't get complete. Was told by the previous owner he had it in a Jeep and sold the Jeep. I don't think he had it as built as he lead on but it only has a hyd flat tappet cam in it now and I got all the roller stuff to change it back. I do have a harness but.......it many not be complete. I have the ECM and sensors. I also have a stock TBI intake too.

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm absolutely interested. I'm just looking for a dead reliable powerplant. If I could put it to stock where the stock EFI was happy, that would be my goal.

....and so begins the groundwork for the next phase of this truck build.....

I shall call it "the little engine that could"

[Randy S. Hager]

I like that title Kevin................do you want the 700R4 I have too????

[Tx Firefighter]

Does this engine have front dress or would I need to reuse my current bracketry and accesories ? Distributor on the engine still ? Exhaust manifolds ?

[Randy S. Hager]

I have serpetine brackets somewhere in my garage or in the storage I don't have the pulleys though. Headers.......I have some Edelbrock headers that need the AIR injection holes welded up. I have or maybe its....Had a distributor somewhere. Have to look for one. Did you look at the Holley intake picture?

[Tx Firefighter]

I did look at the intake picture. That thing looks nice. Are you sure you wouldn't want to sell that on eBay or something ? I'm just grateful for stock parts as it is.

[Randy S. Hager]

Well.......I have a stock intake if you prefer. The exhaust manifolds on it are the tubular van manifolds. The only thing with the roller cam suff is that I don't have the specific roller cam timing chain. I have to do an inventory of all parts I have for this engine and let you know what I have and don't have.

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm definitely grateful for anything, including ugly stock stuff. I was looking at finding an Astro van engine or something off Craigslist anyway so you know I'm not concerned with bling. I just want a cheap little engine to drive around with and enjoy fuel injection drivability and mileage.

[powell72]

Have you thought about just doing wider rear steelies instead of 18's? I just love the white steelies and caps you're running now.

[Randy S. Hager]

I want the Detroit Steel smooth steel wheels in 18 x 7 1/2. If that doesn't happen I'm going to get the steel rallys from the newer Camaro and buy the 5 to 4 3/4 adapters.

[rusty76]

I hoping to see the next phase now.....geeezzzz.

[Low Elco]

People.....helping people...... Great to see this, it's why I love this board. Can't wait to see phase 2!

[Jonboy]

I have a lot of TBI harness parts (connectors and such) laying around too, Kevin. I ran across a 7747 ECM this afternoon on a shelf if you need it as well.

[aggie91]

Looking forward to the "Little Engine that Could"!