Wife approved: $5K to spend! What first?

[Cap'n Hook]

So my 1972 Jimmy is a decent driver, but could use freshening of some major components. It has a 1988 Goodwrench 350 with TH-350 and NP205 all in need of attention. Was thinking along the lines of doing a Vortec head and cam swap, if the Goodwrench block is a decent block to use. The t-case is leaking, and probably needs to be gone through. Tranny would be gone through as well.

The brake system needs to be completely gone through, keeping the front dics, rear drums setup.

I also would like to get the air conditioning completely gone through and working again, along with the cooling system converted to electric fans.

Was also wanting to step up to larger wheels & tires (35x12.50x16 from the current 33x12.50x15) and do a 4-6 inch Skyjacker lift. Would I need gears front and rear with that size tire?

So basically is the engine upgrade, tranny & t-case rebuild, brake system, A/C rebuild, cooling system upgrade, wheel & tires, lift, and possibly gears front and rear do-able for $5K?

I'm pretty sure I can do most of this myself with the exception of the A/C, brakes, and gears.

Also, is the 1988 GM Goodwrench 350 block gonna have a 4 bolt main, or would I be ahead in purchasing a new block?

[HOGDADDY]

The Goodwrench 350 is a 4-bolt main I have one also but mine is somewhat newer and hencho in Mexico but it runs good.
How many miles are on it?

[Burt4x4]

What will the rig be used for?
If yer building it fer fun spend all your money on going 454 1ton
find a donor K30 fer say 2,000 then put that drivetrain in yours with the rest $$$ to get all the differnt stuff to complete the swap, like a new clutch maybe some headers/exahust oh 8lug wheels

[Cap'n Hook]

I can't tell the mileage on the 350, I bought the truck with it over 1½ year ago. The previous owner thought it was put in about 1988 or so. It still runs decent, starts right up, and gets about 9-11 mpg. But I'm looking for something more, so around 350-400 hp! I'm guessing that the stock Goodwrench motor bottom end could handle that.

I'm gonna be only using the truck as a seasonal cruiser, with very little off road, so I'm not sure swapping into a ¾ ton chassis is best for highway cruising!

[SONOSADSACK]

Rebuild / replace all of the mechanicals, lift, new tires and wheels plus bump up the HP… You might want to take your first $150-$200, set it aside and when your just about broke, take your wife out to wine her and dine her and wine her some more so you can ask for the next $5000. Just kidding but good luck sticking to a budget when getting that deep into a .project. I don’t know about you but I always seem to get caught up in the “Yes but a little bit more $$$ will get me….” The only real advice I have to offer is that I wouldn’t use any of any of your existing pieces if you don’t have to. It doesn’t sound like your truck is so bad off it can’t be enjoyed as is or that your engine / trans are really anything special. I’d build or buy one component at a time as funds allow and when I had say the engine, trans and t-case ready, I’d install and move on to the next item on the wish list. I don’t know about Texas but Michigan’s Blazer season is way to short for any down time. This will be my second summer not driving mine and it sucks!!

[msgross]

My guess...
new SS brake lines/pads/etc.. = $300
heads/cam/intake = $750+?
Lift/shocks = $750
New tires = $800-1000
rebuild tranny and TC = $1500?

I'd day your pushing $5K

[Cap'n Hook]

Originally Posted by SONOSADSACK

...I don’t know about you but I always seem to get caught up in the “Yes but a little bit more $$$ will get me….” ... It doesn’t sound like your truck is so bad off it can’t be enjoyed as is or that your engine / trans are really anything special. I’d build or buy one component at a time as funds allow and when I had say the engine, trans and t-case ready, I’d install and move on to the next item on the wish list. I don’t know about Texas but Michigan’s Blazer season is way to short for any down time. This will be my second summer not driving mine and it sucks!!

I have the same problem, "50 extra hp for only $150, sure!"

I'm planning on driving it for the rest of this spring/summer and putting together my wish list over the next 4-5 months, and starting this fall/winter.

It's still a decent driver, but it's showing it's age underneath as far as the drive-train is concerned. But the body is still in fantastic shape and needs nothing! And I'm wanting (not needing) a nice bump in hp to turn the bigger/taller tires. And of course as you add hp, the tranny and t-case and gears are gonna need beefing up as well, so I'm just trying to cover everything I'm gonna need to replace/rebuild as I go.

[msgross]

I agree that instead of changing gear you should spend the $1500 for a front dana60 and rear 14bolt from a CUCV (4.56 gears).

[Cap'n Hook]

Wow, 4.56 gears? Really? I was thinking more along the lines of 3.73, since I shooting for 350-400 hp and using the TH-350. I have 33x12.50x15 now with the stock gearing (I'm assuming 3.08) and it seems decent but nothing to write home about!

It's mainly gonna be a cruise-to-car-show truck, etc!

[msgross]

I guess 4.10's or 3.73's would work too with the 35's but I was thinking heavy duty and 1-ton, nearly unbreakable outside of hard core off roading... 35's are nearly "street only" or "light off road" with 1/2 ton axles.

[Critter]

First thing is have your wife talk to my wife!

[elks]

I would lift get the 1 ton axles gears and lockers front and rear. Do a disk brakes front and rear. Then slowly fix up the others a little at a time. You could also look into an Atlas or stak tranny.... Sorry starting to drool on my computer thinking about it.

[Cap'n Hook]

Originally Posted by Critter

First thing is have your wife talk to my wife!

[Dusty71blazer]

Sounds like you use your Blazer about like I use mine... just a cruizer, right? Looking at the items you say need attention, I'd recommend...
Swap the TH350 for a 700R4 (possibly swap to whatever t-case is in the donor vehicle too)
Convert to TPI or TBI fuel injection and do a full tune up.
Do a basic brake job & swap in a 1 ton brake booster.
These are all items I plan to do to mine as time & money allow. If you shop around (Craigslist, u-pull it yards, etc) you can pick up alot of what you need pretty cheap.
If you have 33's it will still look good with a lift, swap the tires after yours are worn out. If the gearing is good now with 33's you don't need to gear down for 35's, they aren't that much bigger and the 700r4 has a lower first gear. You'll be surprised how much difference it will make just getting it to run good.
350-400 hp is alot, having a small block running that hot will take alot of the driveability out of it. Keep in mind, I'm talking real hp here, not false claims. Another thing that would surprise you is how many so called 500 hp trucks out there aren't much over 200 hp.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is stick to the basics, if this is just a driver you aren't going to get much bang for your buck if you build everything to competition specs.

Good luck!