Describe your ideal build -- with one caveat...

[kipps]

Given any classic chevy truck, and a reasonably large budget(75k), what would the end result look like?

The caveat, is that this truck is to be your only vehicle for the next 5 years.

So basically, if your hobby is trail-riding, your truck has to be built for daily driving and off-road. If you enjoy drag racing, your truck needs to be a compromise between a daily driver and a drag racer.

Briefly describe the expected use of your "single-vehicle" truck, and the parts list that you'd be using to build it with.

[kipps]

I'll go first. I'd be wanting a general purpose truck for short commutes, farm chores, town runs, towing trailers, and possibly overlanding trips.

Single cab, longbed, 1980, k20, orange/white two-tone paint, two-inch spring lift.

4-wheel disk brakes, 4.10 ratio, driveshaft parking brake, 285/75r16 BFG all-terrain tires, stock hubcaps

np205 transfer case, 95+ nv4500 transmission, the new 6.6L L8T gen-V gas engine. If that engine is not available, I'd settle for a gen-IV 6.0

Electric cooling fans, B&W turnover gooseneck ball, LED lighting all around, very firm bench seat, Kelsey-Hayes brake controller, high-mount brake light.

Engine or transmission-pto powered air compressor with a small 5-gallon tank. Two side-saddle 20-gallon fuel tanks. Possibly a 30 gallon blazer tank in the rear as well.

Pickup box cap painted to match the truck, that's easy to install & remove.

In short, I'd be looking at a truck that's as solid and dependable as possible, with good towing capabilities and 4wd.

[Thealien]

This color, LS, nice suspension. Soft top/bikini top.



like this without the front trim?

[special-K]

Shoot, I guess I'm driving my dream build now. K2500 or K/20. If I only have one vehicle it has to be for work, hauling wood, towing trucks, hauling parts and materials, camping, trips.

It's a good running 350/TH350, 4.10 posi, with a small lift, 16 x 8 wheels, and 285/75s. It's got dual exhaust, a heavy transmission cooler, 4 core radiator, auxiliary tanks, 2" receiver hitch, nice Sierra interior with tilt, tach, and a/c. I just fix it as I go. So far since '01. If I had $75k I'd go over the body and paint it with all new rubber. And I would reseal the rears, trans, transfer case, and engine

[1976gmc20]

I'm sure that I could buy several ideal vehicles for $75K or less.

Living way out here where we do, you have to be a fool to only have one vehicle. Everything breaks down sometimes, or gets stuck, or gets wrecked … and you have to have at least one spare of some sort. And both need to be four wheel drive.

(we have four running vehicles right now, three are 4wd)

[kipps]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

I'm sure that I could buy several ideal vehicles for $75K or less.

Living way out here where we do, you have to be a fool to only have one vehicle.

Put a different way, if you were spending "new-truck" money on a classic, and you intended to truly use that classic for everything, daily driving and playing around, how would you build it?

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

64-91 C20 turned rcsb with light duty 14 bolt rear. With 4.86 gears, and a detroit locker.

Do all the front suspension mods for better handling, and polish what ever the rear end has for suspension. It will have roughly a 2-4 or 3-5 drop. Or what ever it takes to get the top inch of tire to sit in the wheel well.

Kind of aggressive AT tires 245-70-16 fronts, and 275-70-16's in the rear. Mounted on PYO rims for weight savings. So I can bomb dirt roads or run a rally cross stage.

Replace factory bench with a suspension seat bench with headrests.

Top it off with a well built 383 sbc with dual holley stealth terminators on top. For the right ambiance when the hood is open.

Maybe a liberal use of fiberglass to remove some of the pork.

The concept is the surf, and sand muscle truck. But a realistic version of one if your familiar with that Roadkill episode. I will swap out mud tires when the sand shows its ugly face too.

[67ChevyRedneck]

The only thing stock would be the body. Fully built chassis/suspension, something like what the roadster shop sells. Supercharged 6.2L backed by a 6 speed manual. Adjustable air ride. Full leather interior (custom door panels, dash, etc.)

But outside... 100% stock appearance except the wheels. 18" salt flats. 1967 CST big window short fleet body, with full CST trim, factory medium blue with white top and nose.

I might have gone over that 75K budget.

[cwcarpenter98]

I would have to go for a stock height K20 63 suburban. Barn doors, all 3 rows of seats, turbo'd 292 backed by a 6 speed manual. Set up to do the occasional towing and hauling and be decently capable for the limited amount of offroading that I would do. I would keep it rusty looking, but repair any rust and blend the paint in. Would probably have 4.10s and run some 31x10.5 on some 8 lug slot mags when I want to be fancy or some caps and steelies when I want that original look. Would probably put a twin stick on the T-case as well

[FleetsidePaul]

This...


I don't drive much. My biggest concern would be a good air conditioner. Something like a Vintage Air unit.

My Ricky Racer days are over. Now I like comfort over speed. Stock is fine with me. If it gets me there and gets me home, I'm good with that.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by kipps

Put a different way, if you were spending "new-truck" money on a classic, and you intended to truly use that classic for everything, daily driving and playing around, how would you build it?

Pretty much stock, either 73-87 K20 or 88-94 K2500/3500, regular cab long bed, 350 and a manual transmission, 235/85r16 tires. It just needs to be "new truck" condition and reliable.

I'd want to put some sort of small camper on the back, either a nice insulated shell or a stoop height slide-in (like the Capri Cowboy).

[richard2717]

72 K20 Suburban with rears upgraded to ton. NV4500. Engine I would be open to 292 -350 or 400. 3 row seats , AC front and rear, barn doors. Stock height with 33's and dog dish caps. Heavy duty trailer hitch. Oh yea..... No rust. Put the leftover money in a gas card account

[68Timber]

Bob has a 76? K20 listed for 13. I could drive that and keep the change and be plenty happy.

[Boog]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

This...


I don't drive much. My biggest concern would be a good air conditioner. Something like a Vintage Air unit.

My Ricky Racer days are over. Now I like comfort over speed. Stock is fine with me. If it gets me there and gets me home, I'm good with that.

Ehh, drop that one down about 15". I'm too old to want to step up that high.

[Boog]

Actually Matt's stepper would suite me all the way to the ground.

[Wgesnerjr]

This is not as hard as it sounds. I built this exact same truck. I chose an 85 because I like the 85-87 front ends with a quad headlights. I think they are the best as far as technology and good looks and are the pinnacle for year span..

Then I would add a fuel injected engine and an overdrive transmission. To accomplish this I chose a stock 2003 LS 5.3 and a 4L60E over drive transmission. Easy swap, great gas mileage, great reliability.

Then I would rebuild all the major systems brakes, steering, suspension, etc. Exactly what I did to my truck. Done!

I would option it out as far as power windows, power door locks, tilt wheel, etc exactly like I did to my truck. Also killer retrosound stereo. Back up lights in bumper, cruise control, tire pressure monitor system, alarm and A/C because I live in HOTlanta! Oh, and sound deadened all around. Again, all in my truck.

Long bed and stock height suspension so it can haul stuff but 15 x 10 Centerline wheels (front and rear) with raised white letter tires. (Because I was raised in the 70s/80s and it looks cool!)

Cool metallic blue paint from a 2014 silverado. (So touch ups and collision repair would be easy)

Insurance, tag and title are cheap. Pretty much all the reasons why I built it for my daughter. Really reliable transportation for just a little over 20K. The only reason its NOT driven every day is that we have a 2014 Impala LTZ to take the beating of Atlanta unkempt roads on a daily basis.

The only thing is I spent WAY less than the 75K cut off. I would buy another cool car with the leftover finds. Thinking 3rd gen stingray!

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I might have gone over that 75K budget.

I'd have to say I would build the same truck, only a lighter shade of blue, so we don't confuse who's is who's! If I can go ahead and get that 75k advance, I'd be willing to pay the amount we go over budget...

[Tom]

99 Dually suburban on air with a 478 big block and a good manual like a TKO600. Bright green. Lots of speakers and alcantera.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

I'd have to say I would build the same truck, only a lighter shade of blue, so we don't confuse who's is who's! If I can go ahead and get that 75k advance, I'd be willing to pay the amount we go over budget...

The engine and chassis combo are probably half of that budget. I would want all new, not junkyard stuff. Gets $$$$$ fast.

I'd take the same deal if anyone is offering?

[A1971Blazer]

[72c20customcamper]

Sorry the only time I'm a one time pony is my wife. I need diversity

[72c20customcamper]

And my Hawk . Every one of them is perfect.

[Boog]

You are a fortunate man. Indeed.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Boog

You are a fortunate man. Indeed.

Yes I am . I could live without the cars my trucks or bikes, her no way

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

The only thing stock would be the body. Fully built chassis/suspension, something like what the roadster shop sells. Supercharged 6.2L backed by a 6 speed manual. Adjustable air ride. Full leather interior (custom door panels, dash, etc.)

But outside... 100% stock appearance except the wheels. 18" salt flats. 1967 CST big window short fleet body, with full CST trim, factory medium blue with white top and nose.

I might have gone over that 75K budget.

Order 2. One for me, one for you.