Welcome to Texas, buddy! Picture...

[KMK454]

My truck just got in 2 hours ago this Saturday... first time I've seen it since May 9.

One hour after picking it up, a huge rain storm came in (I have been in TX since May 19th and it has rained EVERY DAY I've been here). So no driving for now, but here's a picture.

Livin' the dream:


Lots of plans coming up...
1. Replace weeping seals (rear main, transmission)
2. Tune carb, timing, get it running less rich and idling smoother
3. Fresh shocks (any recommendations?)
4. Redo rusty old headers and exhaust with the exhaust exit not visible
5. Chrome rear bumper

Oh, and somewhere in there bring it to a show or two and cruise the country roads of Texas

Just wish it would stop raining...

[Pyrotechnic]

Yeah this has been a really rainy summer, more so than any other that I can remember here.

On the upside though it's helped me trace the leaks in my cab and I now know that I need a new windsheild gasket and a rear window gasket.

[KMK454]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

Yeah this has been a really rainy summer, more so than any other that I can remember here.

On the upside though it's helped me trace the leaks in my cab and I now know that I need a new windsheild gasket and a rear window gasket.

Hey, you're probably just an hour from me tops... we need a Central Texas truck GTG.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by KMK454

My...
Lots of plans coming up... Just wish it would stop raining...

3. Fresh shocks (any recommendations?)-
I'm pleased wyth the KYB's on mine. You can paint them if you want the OEM look.

4. Redo rusty old headers and exhaust with the exhaust exit not visible-
Go with 2.5" Corvette Ram horns if you want something that looks factory yet breathes "almost" as good as most short headers. Pics of mine below.

5. Chrome rear bumper-
Find a good OEM bumper and have it rechromed. None of the aftermarket bumpers will be to your satisfaction

[Pyrotechnic]

I put a set of Monroe Gas Magnums on my truck and it rides great. They are yellow, but it doesn't bother me. For a 4x4 though I think everyone seems to use the Rancho RS9000's

I just bought a sport bumper from LMC. The price was right. I bought one about 3 years ago and I had rust issues with it. Supposedly they have improved the chroming process so I guess I'll find out how good it is in a couple of weeks. It's sitting in my garage, haven't removed it from the box yet.

We do need a Texas 73-87 get together....that would be heaven...all these nice trucks in one place.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

...We do need a Texas 73-87 get together....that would be heaven...all these nice trucks in one place.

Sounds good to me...

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Nice looking truck from what I can see. Sounds like your heading in the right direction.

[KMK454]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

3. Fresh shocks (any recommendations?)-
I'm pleased wyth the KYB's on mine. You can paint them if you want the OEM look.

4. Redo rusty old headers and exhaust with the exhaust exit not visible-
Go with 2.5" Corvette Ram horns if you want something that looks factory yet breathes "almost" as good as most short headers. Pics of mine below.

5. Chrome rear bumper-
Find a good OEM bumper and have it rechromed. None of the aftermarket bumpers will be to your satisfaction

Hmm, interesting... I looked at the KYBs, the price is nice on them through LMC Truck. I'll probably give them a try.

Regarding headers, the Ram Horns look pretty good. Probably wouldn't have any fitment issues either on the 305! Of course, I've also been eyeing the Edelbrock shorties and these Hedman's through LMC:
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/0107.asp

Anyone have experience with Hedman? I'm not sure what to think, I'm used to 'vette parts (Kooks, LG, Melrose, etc., and headers usually run 1500 for a 'vette).

I'm also thinking of just putting stock manifolds back on!

I was thinking about finding an OEM step bumper like I have, or just chroming what I have. It would really balance out the truck since the front bumper is chrome.

A 73-87 truck meet would be awesome... I bet we could do one around the Austin area.

[pcmcobra]

just put some hedmans on my 86 last week. Fit good, no clearance problems, and look good.

[slugish]

Originally Posted by KMK454

Hmm, interesting... I looked at the KYBs, the price is nice on them through LMC Truck. I'll probably give them a try.

Regarding headers, the Ram Horns look pretty good. Probably wouldn't have any fitment issues either on the 305! Of course, I've also been eyeing the Edelbrock shorties and these Hedman's through LMC:
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/0107.asp

Anyone have experience with Hedman? I'm not sure what to think, I'm used to 'vette parts (Kooks, LG, Melrose, etc., and headers usually run 1500 for a 'vette).

I'm also thinking of just putting stock manifolds back on!

I was thinking about finding an OEM step bumper like I have, or just chroming what I have. It would really balance out the truck since the front bumper is chrome.

A 73-87 truck meet would be awesome... I bet we could do one around the Austin area.

Will amen this advice.
found a oem sport bumper for my 84, brackets & all but had a little dent in it so Itook it off & got one from chevy duty (chg, their name to something else now) wish I had beat the dent out & had rechromed , which I will probably end up doing. The lines of the bumper are a little different from oem . & dents easily when you are tighting the bolts

[Slonaker]

I would probably attend a meet in Austin. It is about 70 miles from me, so it would only cost about 8 billion dollars for enought gas to make it up there.

Slonaker

[68GMC454]

good looking truck...

[71chevylowrider]

I tried looking at the truck, but my eyes keep wandering over to the BadA$$ Vette! Man that is nice!

[streetstar]

Doug Thorley headers are some of the best for fit and performance if you have to have headers


The Rams horns would be very cool too, --- if its a 305, wouldnt it be better to just drive it rather than tinker with loose header bolts all the time?


anything else aand i can't say