Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

Greetings,
I'm new to the forum and C10's
A couple weeks ago I picked up my very first C10! 1972 Cheyenne Super! I'm pretty excited to learn how to work on it and keep it running strong. So I'd imagine I'll be spending more and more time on this forum soaking up all your guys knowledge. So.. Im trying to prioritize my build and any input would be greatly appreciated.
My goal is to build a dependable daily driver that can put in work and still looks good.
It's got a 350 (unknown if original) TH350 tranny, unknown rear end. It's also lowered ( I want to return to stock height)

First thing I did was replace the AC compressor and alternator and had the Carb tuned.
She runs great but rpms are maxed at hwy speed.

Should I raise the height and put larger tires on (255/70/R15) to lower my RPMs asap or save up and get a 700R4 tranny? I'm planning on both but what should be priority?
Also I'm planning on eventually dropping in a 290hp crate engine. Pace performance has an assembled one I've been eye balling. Would this be a good choice? As far as drivability. Would doing a LS swap really be worth the $$?

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

Hello and welcome to the site.
I also have a 72 super c10 and I'm in kind of in the same boat as you are ,my 350/350 does not cruise at higher speeds well enough for me. Its because these trucks were built for cruising at 55-65 not 70-80. My engine and trany will be changed in the future but for now I ride in the right lane and keep the RPMs down by going 60-65. I have stock gears in the rear and might change these also depending on the cash saved.
As far as other changes this is your truck make it how YOU like it there is no wrong thing to do if that's how you want it.
My ride height is stock and I go up to get in but it is nice riding around above the cars and the site picture is better but I have to climb up to get there. So both heights have there benefits, its all about what you want.
If you do change something save the parts to go back if you don't like what the outcome was.
Just my 2 well 4 cents. K.E.N.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving. Looking at the pictures I think you would find my build thread interesting as the trucks are very similar. Ken has some very good advice. I will add take your time and think your decisions through before acting on them. I would also suggest getting to know other C-10 owners in your local area. You can learn a lot from each other and many of the mods you are considering they may have already done and you could experience on their trucks before trying yourself. My build thread is in my signature.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

Don't get carried away just yet. I think you are a simple gear change away from really enjoying the truck. I too own a very similiar truck and it goes down the highway at 75-80MPH with no issues at decent RPMS. My guess is you have a high 3.?? To low 4.?? rear end gear ratio? I would say a mid 3.?? ratio rear end if you use the truck to haul, spend most of your drives on surface streets etc. If you like to haul you know what on the highway then look at a low 3.?? to high 2.?? gear change. My .02 cents.

My #s matching Cheyenne Super in the for sale area...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/c...e-super&cat=12

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

You don't need to do anything but keep it in good working order. These trucks weren't built to sit in the garage and take out on special occasions. I've driven all over the country in these trucks 75 mph, just like back when they were new. Here in MD the speed limit is 65 and before '73 it was 70. It's funny, now that I'm older with more sense I general cruise at 65-70. I'm never late where I'm going and my vehicle loves it. Saves gas money, too. I learned a long time ago there's no need to hurry and don't let my nerves control my mind. Vice versa on that!

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

My opinion luv it like it was built and feel icky u found a nice original. If u want to go 80 get in your 2015 and ride

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

3 point seat/shoulder belts.
While I haven't seen many I like, some sort of seat setup (bench or buckets) with headrests.
Redo the brakes, and front end.

The above are safety fixes, not convenience items.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

If you truck is as nice as it looks from the pictures I would try and keep it as close to original as I could. I'd swap gears in the rear and drive it. :chevy:

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

You guys are awesome thanks for all the great advice!

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

That 350 will cruise at 70mph all day long and love it. Everybody nowadays is just used to overdrive transmissions and flawless fuel injection. These trucks were built before the mandated 55mph speed limits of the mid 70's. So I can guarantee it's not "maxed out". :)

Just drive the snot out of it. :)

Gary

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

Welcome,you've got a sweet truck there. I'd go with an od trans for more highway friendly driving. I'm looking to do the same with mine as I'm tired of 3000 rpm at 60 mph and 10 mpg. A od trans and a stock to mild 350 will get you in the 17-22 mpg zone. Looking at your truck it doesn't need anything really.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

No disrespect but I'm finding those fuel mileage numbers a little bit over optimistic. Late model fuel injected, less aerodynamically challenged trucks often struggle to get those numbers. These trucks are like bricks flying thru the air compared to modern stuff. I think 12-15 is about as real as these trucks will get in near stock form with just an od trans. Just my .02 based on my expierences with these old trucks. I've been wrong many times before so maybe I am here, I just don't see it.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

These trucks will do 12-13 in a mix of city highway, no more. Yeah, you can pull some hero numbers downhill with the wind at your back, but there's no way a new fuel injected Tahoe gets 14 and your C10 gets 22.... but I digress.

A .67 overdrive turns 4.10s into 2.73s, so you really can't argue with overdrive transmissions. Or you could just change the rear end ratio to 3.08 or so.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

If you've still got points in the distributor, I'd upgrade to HEI. No need for a high-dollar unit; the GM HEI is very solid.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

Nice truck neighbor. I'm next door in Riverside.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

What is your budget for mods? A front sway bar makes a huge difference if you dont have one already. The headlight relay mod gives you brighter lights. A overdrive would make highway travel less noisy and save gas. Dont expect miracles with od, but with a proper ignition curve and dialed in carb you might see 15-16mpg with od. Personally i think your truck looks great as is. Id sooner buy the l31 longblock than the 290 horse motor. The vortec heads are more efficient. The cam specs on the 290 hp motor are not ideal for a 4k lb truck. Ls swap would be killer but somewhat expensive.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

Welcome form the Great White North and it looks to me like you picked a great truck to start the 67-72 disease. If you posted a pic of the Spid ( if you do not know its the blue and white label on the inside of your glove box door) we could tell you what gears your truck came with form the factory. Now with that being said they could have been changed over the years.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

Looks like a super nice truck. I think as some others have said you might want to spend some time driving it before tearing it apart, you might find that you get used to driving it how is. That was the case for me, and now that I'm used to it I don't ever think about a lot of the things I thought I'd have to have for me to enjoy my truck as a DD. I'd say HEI is the one thing that you could do that really has no downsides and isn't crazy expensive. That being said I drove my 72 C20 and now my 71 GMC as a DD with points and I don't really mind it.

Re: Tips for daily driver mods 72 Cheyenne
 

Another So Cal neighbor here. Very nice truck. I would install a Pertronix Ignitor if it still has points and install a 4L80E or a 4L65E trans for the OD. I'm just not a fan of the 700R4 trans anymore. I have one waiting for my truck (someday) and I just installed one this week in a 71 C20 with a 350 and 4:10's. The owner complained of it just revving too high on the freeway and now in 4th with the converter locked it just cruises. I've driven mine to Vegas and I have 3.54's and a TH400. 70-75 no problem, but I'd like to get a little more than 12 mpg. I think the 4L80, newer cam profile (still stock idle) and a 4bbl style fuel injection will get me 16-18mpg. I was able to get almost 19mpg from my old 66 Chevelle. It had a 383 with a 750 double pumper and a 700R4 and 3:36 gears. Total freeway cruiser. It's all in the tune.