Low budget suggestions?

[lbpd719]

Anyone have suggestions for truck improvements which can be accomplished for little to no money?

Might be fun for people like me who are looking to kill their weekend turning wrench with only a few bucks left in the 'ol bank account..

[PanelDeland]

Clean and paint engine components.You can detail the whole engine this way if you mask well.It only costs a few bucks for paint and tape.I know some say buy paper but I always use newspaper for this(mostly "American Classified" since they are free).The same can be done to suspension parts.I also did a quickie spray job on my interior since it was factory 68 funk.Cleaning and lubing the window regulators and channels is always good for a grin(I just love it when the windows roll down easily).Removing the cowl and clearing out the cowl vents will help keep rust from forming,even better if you add some cowl vent screens($30.00-40.00 last I checked).
If the tailights and turn signals are dim you can take them out and disassemble them so you can paint the reflective surfaces white.It will brighten them up a lot.Spend a Sat in the Auto reclaimation center(junkyard) and find some inexpensive relays to do the headlight relay upgrade.There are details in the FAQ's.Read the FAQ's,I'm sure you will find more ideas.

[Shyguy]

When I have the time and very little money I spend it looking over the various sytems in my truck to make sure that no problems exist. That way when I get the money I will already know what needs to be done.

I spent a few hours one day cleaning up the wiring in my truck and making sure there were no bare wires and good grounds.

Another day I replaced all the rubber hoses on my fuel system.

Just a few ideas.

Danny - Southeast Missouri

[Spray-Bomb]

#1 Don't own anything old
#2 If you're stupid like me & just have to have something old, make sure you have lots of friends that like to give stuff away
#3 Scrounge around & find good deals
#4 buff your paint (or whats left of it)
#5 clean the engine bay / engine
#6 fix any botched wires
#7 clean the inside of the cab
#8 put your kids to work (if applicable)
#9 tire shine is your friend
#10 take a break / be done

Just what popped in my head there

[msgross]

scroung the junkyards for items to sell and make money for your truck. i.e. van tilt column, junkyard for $15 and sells for $125 on here. Tach/vac dash out of an old C50/C60 truck, $30 at JY and $150-$250 here....

Not only do you have fun in the JY but you can really make money and/or add chep parts for your ride

[Longhorn Man]

a real good scrubbing can kill a whole day
On the underhood painting, alluminum foil is awsome for wrapping around parts to mask it off, once it's on there, it ain't coiming off till you rip it off
Inspect and adjust your drums
line up the doors and fenders and hood properly
Wax the truck including the inside

[1969k10stepside]

I go to junkyards alot looking for parts I might need,or to re-sell to get some $$ to fund the truck build.As for easy stuff to do..change oil,tranny fluid,differentil fluid,change air filter,grease everything...take the wire brush or air tool and clean the frame/axle where you can get to.Go through wiring and repair/replace as needed.I changed all the light bulbs..rotate tires,change u joints,put new brake pads on..cleaned engine bay up,clean interior.
There is lots of stuff to do thats cheap and can improve the truck that can be done over a weekend.

[msgross]

buy beer and sit on the tailgate with the dog! Then do the same at a drive-in movie with a chick!

[Jim_PA]

swaybars can be found pretty cheap. I'll be doing that one this weekend.

[67CHIP72]

I'm currently cleaning up my mirrors. Took them off and buffed them on the wheel. Replacing washers with SS and new Nylon. Polish up the areas they were covering that can't be hit when in place.

[stllookn]

Clean the dash, clean and polish the plastic gauge cover and paint/touch up all the indicator needles and gauge backs, replace the bulbs...you will amazed how many are probably burned out including the one on your heater controls and/or shift indicator.

[RACINJASON22]

I like engine detailing as others stated but, I like to take each bracket off and clean and paint then put it back on with nice new shiny grade 8 bolts that can be had for dirt cheap just about anywhere (I.E.tractor supply is a good place). you can make an engine compartment look brand new doing it this way

RJ22...

[cdowns]

wiring is something that can be cleaned and serviced very cheaply dont overlook the value of cleaning up and establishing good grounds. taking off lenses and cleaning up recpticles and housings as well as painting housings with brite white rattlecan can improve your visability

a can of lubricant can make the world of differance startin at the front of the truck all the way to the rear // latches hinges window regulators shift likage carb and choke linkage brake cables // rule of thumb if it moves clean it and lube it will result in alot of little bothersome things disappearing for not much money
you can disconnect the wiring from your horns clean the contacts unbolt horns from core support clean those surfaces with 80grit cause thats your grounds spray with wd40 inside the bell area of the horn to clean and lubricate the diafram bolt and connect every thing back together and have an improved and louder horn for less than a dollar

you can clean and wire brush your front control arms clean and grease your wheel bearings and paint the control arms for less than $10

you can remove your seat clean and paint the floor of the cab clean and grease the set tracks for less than $10

you can remove the bed clean up the frame and paint it, service brake cables and rear suspension pieces and srevice rear wiring harness for about $25

[OlChev67]

U-pull it junkyardin, cant wait for this week, get to go alot.