Safety Updates

[Stephen717]

I honestly think it's great that another young driver is getting into this community. Don't forget to get her an account on here . If you're worried about the fuel in the cab a blazer tank fits well where the spare tire would usually be under the bed and it is a bit easier to run EFI that way since I'm pretty sure they need a return line. That would also make room to put better speakers behind the seat. Since the dash has already been cut you can put a better stereo in it than what the truck originally came with and you can run a cabin mic so that if you have to call her she can talk hands free and focus on driving. I know on my truck I'm keeping the tank in the cab but that's cause I grew up riding in my grandfather's 51 and the gas tank was under the seat and for a long time there weren't any seat belts in that truck. I am definitely upgrading to 3 point belts though and think it's a major safety upgrade that has to happen to most older vehicles. As far as the drum rear brakes, vehicles are still made today with drum brakes in the rear, front brakes do 70% of the braking anyhow, the rears are just there to help slow you down. I'd also add power steering if the truck doesn't have it. I don't know if 72's had a 13", 15" or 17" steering wheel (never took the time to measure the 68 steering wheel that's in my 69) but when you're on anything other than gravel they're not the easiest to turn unless you're moving. Other than that though, front sway bar, shocks, maybe a rear sway bar if you're worried about her turning to hard and the rear end wanting to get loose, engine tune up, instead of LEDs if you want to save a bit of money you can get chrome spray paint and paint the inside of the light housings so that the bulbs reflect off of them better and I'd replace the old faded lenses with some new shiny ones that people can see better. And I'd look at doing an led headlight upgrade. then a good polish and she'll look like new. I'd also put the cb back in it but that's just me

[Camaro Misfit]

Originally Posted by Stephen717

I honestly think it's great that another young driver is getting into this community. Don't forget to get her an account on here . If you're worried about the fuel in the cab a blazer tank fits well where the spare tire would usually be under the bed and it is a bit easier to run EFI that way since I'm pretty sure they need a return line. That would also make room to put better speakers behind the seat. Since the dash has already been cut you can put a better stereo in it than what the truck originally came with and you can run a cabin mic so that if you have to call her she can talk hands free and focus on driving. I know on my truck I'm keeping the tank in the cab but that's cause I grew up riding in my grandfather's 51 and the gas tank was under the seat and for a long time there weren't any seat belts in that truck. I am definitely upgrading to 3 point belts though and think it's a major safety upgrade that has to happen to most older vehicles. As far as the drum rear brakes, vehicles are still made today with drum brakes in the rear, front brakes do 70% of the braking anyhow, the rears are just there to help slow you down. I'd also add power steering if the truck doesn't have it. I don't know if 72's had a 13", 15" or 17" steering wheel (never took the time to measure the 68 steering wheel that's in my 69) but when you're on anything other than gravel they're not the easiest to turn unless you're moving. Other than that though, front sway bar, shocks, maybe a rear sway bar if you're worried about her turning to hard and the rear end wanting to get loose, engine tune up, instead of LEDs if you want to save a bit of money you can get chrome spray paint and paint the inside of the light housings so that the bulbs reflect off of them better and I'd replace the old faded lenses with some new shiny ones that people can see better. And I'd look at doing an led headlight upgrade. then a good polish and she'll look like new. I'd also put the cb back in it but that's just me

Thanks for the support. My dad competes in car audio and is going to build her a stereo system like he's doing for all 3 of his grand-daughters. This truck came with power steering and brakes. I know all about driving around without rear brakes (no matter what my dad and I did (short of replacing all the brake lines) we never could get my first car's rear brakes to work. But I just planned my stopping out and never had a single crash. It's been 20 years and I still drive like that, lots of distance and planning my stopping out. I think there's something to be said for drivers that work on their own vehicles and drive older vehicles that aren't perfect. I've got friends that do some light painting, so I might reach out to them to help with the small stuff. And I've got a friend with a hydrotank, so lots of options to help with some of these projects for the truck.