Fighting the addiction, not drugs!!!

[SLEA]

I sold my '08 LTZ Z-71 to be able to complete my older project trucks, I bought this fairly clean '86 K10 to be my daily driver "funny I added one more project by getting rid of the new truck". It's the stock-est truck I've ever had, nothing hacked, cut, or modified. I say one minute I should just leave it stock lift - end of discussion. The next minute I'll convince myself 4" will be ok and not too extreme, then I say for the money 6" isn't much more, then I say heck why not 8". Course then follow 3/4 ton axles. It never stops.
I know we all have different opinions, likes/dis-likes but I wonder if I'm the only one who beats myself to death over something like this.
To change matters I must say I have "donar" trucks with anywhere from 4" to 12" of lift and a good 3/4 ton supply so it's not like I'm going out buying all new stuff.
I'm just interested in opinions, and making conversation while I rack my brain trying to decide what I want to do.

[SBTork]

You could let me have it. Then all those problems would be fixed.

I say leave it, it looks like a good driver. It should stay that way.

[88Jimmy4x4]

Amen to this thread.

I gave my 2008 Silverado to my daughter to drive and I bought a 1976 that is totally stock, then I decided to rebuild the engine/trans...now Im fighting the urge to do more things to it...it is an addiction.

[cochino12]

4" is easy, cheap

[veinbar]

I love the stock height on your truck, I wouldn't lift it. If it's going to be a daily driver, focus on no frills reliability. With my truck I built a near stock 350, only adding headers, dual exhaust, and open air filter. Everyday I think, Why don't I bump up the cam a bit, Why don't I add vortec heads, why don't I...? As a daily driver, it really can't be beat. starts on the first turn of the key, sits in stand-still traffic in ridiculous heat and never climbs over 195 degrees, and I have saved a bundle in the process.
1. Make it mechanically sound. Reliability is so underrated.
2. Then, feel free to focus on the aesthetics of the truck. (after all, you want to be excited about your vehicle every time you drive it... Otherwise, you might as well drive a kia or hundai.)

On a final note, I think it's awesome/funny that you ditched a new truck for two classics. No more monthly payment, but I'm sure the woman in your life is flipping out.

[SLEA]

Originally Posted by veinbar

I love the stock height on your truck, I wouldn't lift it. If it's going to be a daily driver, focus on no frills reliability. With my truck I built a near stock 350, only adding headers, dual exhaust, and open air filter. Everyday I think, Why don't I bump up the cam a bit, Why don't I add vortec heads, why don't I...? As a daily driver, it really can't be beat. starts on the first turn of the key, sits in stand-still traffic in ridiculous heat and never climbs over 195 degrees, and I have saved a bundle in the process.
1. Make it mechanically sound. Reliability is so underrated.
2. Then, feel free to focus on the aesthetics of the truck. (after all, you want to be excited about your vehicle every time you drive it... Otherwise, you might as well drive a kia or hundai.)

On a final note, I think it's awesome/funny that you ditched a new truck for two classics. No more monthly payment, but I'm sure the woman in your life is flipping out.

Lol, I'm 36 the woman in my life is an ex-wife that does a good job of making life miserable. "got 2 kids so I'm stuck dealing with her".
Actually I've got 4 classic chevy projects going and 2 more wishing they were projects.
Everything you say is completely true, and in the long run I've got others I can fix that are sitting on 38", 40" and my bog truck will be running 80" Ag tires so I won't be completely going without the big tire addiction.
They just look so dang good on 35's and up. lol

[DetroitDan]

I agree 100%. Nothing cooler than parking beside a new shiny truck at the gas pumps or somewhere, and people are walking around your old square checking it out and commenting on it, while they totally ignore the $40,000 useless truck. Least that's what I do when I see a cool old square.

I'd rather have my 82 than an 08 too.

I'm the same way about lifts, too. I told myself I wanted just a 4 inch so it doesn't look wimpy. Tons of springs out back and weak 4 inch resulted in too much of a rake, so instead of getting HD 4 inch front springs I got some 6 inch HD front springs, I'm hoping it levels it out and doesn't give me the California lean. I'm getting some 37 military wranglers next friday, if they don't fit well then I'll just have to throw in a 3 inch body lift. 9 inches of lift will be the biggest square I've ever owned.

Also told myself I'm not touching the motor. I've got a nice, low mileage stock 454, runs great but after I got my ass handed to me by a souped up duramax the other night, I've been thinking how easy and cheap it would be to squeeze a couple hundred more horsepower out of it.

[OARNGESI]

How long has it been sitting there to kill all the grass like that

[ghettoluxury]

Originally Posted by SLEA

I know we all have different opinions, likes/dis-likes but I wonder if I'm the only one who beats myself to death over something like this.

No, you are not the only one I just bought a 79 stepside for my daily. I have been going through the same thing but I am just going th leave it alone, because it runs good and drives nice down the road.

[67_SS396]

IMO, I would not go over 4" and just trim fenders if you get to the point of flexing and the tires get into the fenders. I would not spend my time or money "upgrading" to 3/4 ton axles. Other than the rear, they are no stronger than the 10 bolts you have. If it's going to be a driver, pavement pounder or mall crawler, I would lift a little and just rock it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[SLEA]

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

How long has it been sitting there to kill all the grass like that

It's only been there about 2 month's now, I had a '90 model IROC-Z sitting there for atleast a year, that I finally let go of.