What needs to be done to this truck?

[Sodell]

Sweet, that TBI is rockin.....

[UATahoe]

Thanks man!! I am loving this truck. Only thing I need to get right is the serpentine belt. It's got a lot of squeal to it right now. I think it just needs to be a little shorter to tighten it up. Tensioner is new but I guess it could still be bad given the hit and miss nature of parts these days.

Best of all? Getting about 18 mpg on 50/50 driving. Stoked about that.

[83GMCK2500]

I'm 30 and out of just about everyone I know I am the only one who appreciates white letters OUT. That truck, lower. Also, try and find the taller of the front air dams that were available, I think it would help the appearance.

I know you didn't ask about underhood, but personally I love the look of the tall factory air cleaner arrangement with intake duct from the core support. Also, there is a thread about an engine bay transformation in 12 days or something like that...if you have that itch, I'd jump on it.

No tube steps, not on square bodies, they just don't look right. Side pipes? Maybe. Some trucks can pull them off, particularly when lower. Lets see a shot from the front and rear, might help give us ideas.

[UATahoe]

Was definitely thinking about the bigger air dam. I like the way they look. Went with the open air cleaner to help it breathe better on the recommendation of the tuner. I kinda like the cleaner look.

[Oldriginal86]

With the new engine running top notch, it might not be long before those tires are bald. When you replace them, put the letters in. The rest I would leave as is and drive it. Truck is lookin good.

[bnoon]

I wish they made more 20's with raised white letters even. I think it would look very cool with all of the 20" 5 spoke classic wheels like Torque Thrusts/etc. I always thought white-WALLs were for old people, black-walls for dorks, and raised white letters for cool people.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by ironroad9c1

ditch the nerf bars, all us young guys in the 80's had white letter tires.. , unless you are running a short sidewall tires you have to have something to break up all the black in the sidewall. otherwise it looks like you are riding on big round balloons.

well young guys in the 80s are old guys now . i mean im considered old now and i was born in 81. dont believe go ask a 19 yo if they remember this movie tv show or song. we wont get into how you look to 19 yo girls. there are some with daddy issues though you can still pull in. i like them on rallys or steelies.

[86swb]

Ditch the nerf bars and I like the white out. Those nerf bars just down right wrong for your truck. MO

[UATahoe]

Nerf bars out. Keeping the white letters out as well. I actually really like the look. Going to put some miles on it and then see how I feel. It's a blast to drive and have actually gotten a lot of compliments on the truck.

[OARNGESI]

ditch the bedrails
lower it
shorter tires

[86swb]

Bet you did not have those Nerf bars on when you got the compliments on your truck. That is a good looking truck. So I see why you get those compliments.

[86swb]

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

ditch the bedrails
lower it
shorter tires

I also like the (OE) bedrails and like the stock height and stock height tires. MO

[MalibuSSwagon]

nothing. Truck looks great.

[Sabaka454]

Originally Posted by school boy

I would leave it alone on the exterior, except maybe some stainless exhaust tips. I see too many trucks "overdone" keep it simple and clean. Personally I like the stance on this truck, and this is coming from a guy with a lowered c10 and lovin it.

This - It's beautiful as is. No nerf bars, visors, razor backs, running boards, cab lights etc. All that stuff will ruin it. If anything maybe some mag wheels like aluminum slots or hurricanes

[UATahoe]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I will just focus on getting the motor running absolutely perfect. I think the timing could be dialed in from here. I will focus on that and just enjoy driving the truck.

Installed the new motor with the timing marks aligned but never pulled the est plug with the motor running to dial it in with a timing light. I am guessing there may be some more power or efficiency hanging out there since I haven't. Sounds like with e TBI you really need to put a light on it to dial it in proper.

[MalibuSSwagon]

You just need to disconnect the EST connector, set your base timing as normal, then lock down the distributor and re-connect EST. Light does make it easier.

[UATahoe]

Engine builder told me to set it to 10 degrees btdc so I am guessing that's what I need to baseline it too. And maybe try to advance it a little to see how it reacts. By advancing, would that mean I move it more toward 0? Like 7 degrees btdc?

[cool68]

Cool truck - tires black or white letters, like either way. leave ride height as is or do mild lowering. nerf bars way too big. if you what a little more power put a aftermarket 1 inch spacer under throttle body.

[jayman68]

Truck looks good. I'd say lower the rear to match the front, level makes for better handling. To advance the timing you would move away from the 0, bigger number BTDC. Usually you would set the base at 0, then the computer adjusts for best advance.

[Sodell]

Your ECM is running your timining, try setting it at 0, which is what it is supposed to be at.

[rusty76]

Looks to me you want to lift your truck. So with that do the spring swap, but don't do the nerf bars. I'm not too much into the whole lift it thing although I do like kool four runners. Though they are far and few and between on here and I don't feel your truck is heading in that way. I like the looks of your truck as is. Get it running right and it will be a fun sleeper, bed rails and all. Happy motoring.

[Urban Suburban]

I would leave it the way it is too. looks great white letters and all

[Redcap]

Leave the booger bars off. It looks fine as it is...just drive the piss out of it.

[UATahoe]

This is the est connector right?

[nekkidhillbilly]

i would say a light tint. loose the nerf bars and rails. add a bed cover of some sort. lower but just slightly like a 2/3 or at most a 3/4 drop. nice wide tires all around.