need build ideas!!
 

well just got this friday and have been looking for ideas. I know a few things already but want some imput. the truck had 3/4 drop but i want more. it has djm front control arms and the rear is shackels and hanges. the tires are 275/60/15 on stock wheels. they are brand new so ill leave them for now. it is a 4.3/5 speed, i have a 383 i will swap this winter but dont know what to do with trans and clutch or rad or headers. so i need ideas for that. i am going to do a flip kit in the rear and maybe add 1" drop springs in the front. i think it will get everything painted red and add a roll pan but dont know if should weld one in or bolt? well let me know what you guys think!

Re: need build ideas!!
 

I see you already painted the grille shell -- you're not wasting any time! If you're going with all red, are you going to do aftermarket mirrors? And if you're doing a roll pan, are you gonna take the trim off?

I'm a three-pedal guy at heart, so I'd love to see this truck keep a manual behind the stroker...the one in it now, is it an NV3500?

Re: need build ideas!!
 

yup that was painted saturday right after i got it. it does not match because the truck was painted a draker red then stock. cant take moldings off tell i paint it cause they painted around them so the truck will come to work and get all repainted. i do plan to go with different mirrors. it is the aluminum cassed trans so i think it is the nv3500. is there a short throw shifter for them?

Re: need build ideas!!
 

B&M used to make a short throw shifter for the pickup 5speeds. I am sure they still do, just didn't see one to link for you.

You will scatter that transmission if your right foot is heavy into that 383 once you put it in. :)

Re: need build ideas!!
 

Ha yeah that is what i was afraid of. can i have the trans beefed up at all? what would bethe best clutch to put behind it?

Re: need build ideas!!
 

Re: need build ideas!!
 

Yeah, speed costs money....How FAST do YOU want to go?

Re: need build ideas!!
 

Local transmission shop told me to not mess with rebuilding a nv3500, the bearings just can't handle the load of anything past "low power stock". I am not sure if he meant stock build, or if there is anything that can be done to make them stronger.

There are alot of clutches out there, only above stock clutch I have run was a centerforce brand.

I have looked into and haven't been scared away from a T56 manual transmission swap. That might be something different enough for you to look at, or maybe just a T5, but either way, they can handle ALOT more then the nv3500 :)

Re: need build ideas!!
 

well i have all summer to plan and save for the build so lets hear what you got guys!!

what did the t56 or t5 come in? i am up for anything if i can find one...

Re: need build ideas!!
 

For a 6 speed, t56 in gm vehicles, you would want an LT1 style fbody car. It should be one that is correct for Gen I small blocks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borg-Wa...6_transmission Good reading there just to see what they were in, and the like. Summit, Jegs and the like sell them new. I see a couple a month on my local Craigslist viewings too..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borg-Wa...5_transmission
^^ Just to round off what I was saying.. :)

Re: need build ideas!!
 

Here's a sticky thread on installing a T5: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313954

Re: need build ideas!!
 

You've got a clean looking truck there. That truck looks like it's begging for a cowl hood. I just noticed that LMC is offering a 4" steel cowl.

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well truck is at work, and all apart for paint! moldings are off, mirrors are in the dumpster, cowl hood is on its way with set of cal-vu mirrors, sr m. roll pan and smooth fron bumper. i found a cleaner box and tailgate for it and waiting for the cab corners to show up to fix the small rust. i really want to shave the door handles but not sure if i should. what you guys think? ill post pictures tomorrow forgot camara at work!

Re: need build ideas!!
 

Re: need build ideas!!
 

well i have not yet..... my fiancee said she ordered me one for my birthday from there web site but she didn't say when it would ship..... should check into that i want to paint it soon!! i agree with the tahoe handles and just go keyless!!! anything that i can paint red and not go overkill i will!

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well got down to the shop for a few hours saturday and got a few things done. still looking for a better drivers door! next up is to fix the bad bad cab corner job the po did! he didn't even weld them just screwed and bondo!

Re: need build ideas!!
 

with a 3/4 drop there is not much room between the frame and rearend! i want to pull the drop out and do a 5/7 drop. just need to find factory spring hangers and control arms! does anyone know if it will ride better with the overload leaf off?

Re: need build ideas!!
 

Re: need build ideas!!
 

remove the shackles and hangers, buy new leaf spring perches, and weld. the flip kits are ok, but id rather set my own pinion angle. on the motor and trans, take my advice, stay away from the truck 5 spd. they will shatter under a stock v8. my 383 in my truck has killed two 700 R4s.. not a pretty site. a GM T56 is the way to go

Re: need build ideas!!
 

nice!! well thanks for the advice! do you have any more info on your truck? i am looking for more on swaping to carb and what to dowith fuel pump and stock gauges and speedo and stuff!! i was thinking of doing a gearstar trans do you think one of those 700r4's would hold up? i have all winter to do this so bring on the ideas.

ill post more pics of the body work soon!

Re: need build ideas!!
 

Sharp looking truck man. Looking forward to your progress.

Re: need build ideas!!
 

You shouldn't have any problems with a Gearstar 700R4, they're pretty beefy. I have one in my truck that I treat (as in beat) like some magazine editor that gets his parts for free and it just won't break.

I wouldn't be in a big hurry to ditch the TBI in favor of a carb. You can make better top end horsepower ( that you'll hardly ever use) with a carb over a stock TBI, but you'll loose fuel mileage, altitude compensation, and short cold-start warm-ups. A good chip like a Jet, or something is a simple way to increase performance.

Re: need build ideas!!
 

John, you and others have cited such "simple" ways to increase performance. It seems, to me, that even though we've had TBI, and computer controlled vehicles...so to speak...since what, '79, we've also complained about what the CPU does, or doesn't do for performance. The '81 El Camino I had, had a 229, and I replaced the Sagainaw 3-gear with a Saginaw 4-gear, probably from a Vega. I never was satisfied that the carburetor was right, although it always started and it always ran good. The idle was unsteady, but there were no codes that were stored, as far as I remember.

Computers, for a lot of us, are blamed in the same way that carburetors were blamed...mostly because either item is "secretive" in the way it operates to a lot of people. If we can't see it doing its tricks, it has to be the reason it won't run right.

Re: need build ideas!!
 

Computers have come a long ways since the ones in the early 80's. They were mainly used for spark control back then. It's insane the things you can do with a laptop, and a tune for the new cars and trucks now.

Re: need build ideas!!
 

if you go lower,i would be interested in the drop hanger you have now..I am building a 94 454SS clone..and want to drop it. I also have stock spring hangers i will trade.