It's a Whole Different Truck Now - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vtblazer · 07-26-2005, 06:48 PM

So I had these great plans for my 71 big block 2wd truck,
you know...lowered, big meats, big horse power...

My focus shifted, money ran short so I tried to sell it but had no luck.

Being it ran well I hated seeing it just sit, so I decided to reinvent my original plans for it cause I really like driving a big block truck.

Last weekend I got started.
Had a set of 30x9.5 tires mounted on some chevy rally's I had laying around.
Changed out the 1/2 ton springs for a set of 3/4 ton coils.
Tonight I installed a factory anti sway-bar.

Next is to add a power brake booster. (yeah it didn't have one)
Need to also add shocks made for 3/4 ton springs cause right now the springs just kinda say 'going up, ready or not'

After that I'll put in the extra tilt column I've been saving with a newer chevy steering wheel.
THEN...I'm going to make up a wiring harness for the electric trailer brakes that'll allow me to transfer the brake controller to all the old trucks I tow with.

So there it is, my new work truck, daily driver, tow rig.

Some before and after pics...
FYI, that's around 500lbs worth of stuff in the bed and it sits level.

HeavyD · 07-26-2005, 06:52 PM

I am surprised that it didn't sell. Makes a nice looking DD

vtblazer · 07-26-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyD

I am surprised that it didn't sell. Makes a nice looking DD

Sorry HeavyD, had to join the family for dinner before I had a chance to post the 'after' pics.

Anyway, it drives out well and it will travel the interstate @ 65-75 all day.

LUV2XCLR8 · 07-26-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtblazer

So there it is, my new work truck, daily driver, tow rig.

Blue_71 · 07-26-2005, 09:37 PM

i have to ask, how do you like the 3/4 ton springs? i have a set here that i am seriously considering putting in my shortbed if it doesnt sell

vtblazer · 07-26-2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_71

i have to ask, how do you like the 3/4 ton springs? i have a set here that i am seriously considering putting in my shortbed if it doesnt sell

When it's empty, ya know it!

It works for me cause I carry all that stuff for work everyday and sometimes more.

If I weren't needing to tow with it, I'd have installed the set of 'heavy half' springs I have, it's awefully stiff when empty.

Surprised yours hasn't sold, looks like a sweet truck.

Blue_71 · 07-26-2005, 10:43 PM

did it lift your truck up any? thats the main thing im worried about, i dont like lowered trucks but my current tires are so short that any higher would look goofy imo, lol. i have to haul trailers with mine alot too and im tired of the frontend being so squirely

tomatocity · 07-27-2005, 02:48 AM

Glad it worked out for you. It would have been nice to get that truck and the other parts but CA is just too far from VT. It wasn't a bad deal it was just in the wrong location.

**Palf70Step** · 07-27-2005, 05:32 AM

Sweet ride. Love the look.

vtblazer · 07-27-2005, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_71

did it lift your truck up any? thats the main thing im worried about, i dont like lowered trucks but my current tires are so short that any higher would look goofy

No, the springs are actually shorter (a bit) than the 1/2 ton ones but there's zero sag in them when the weight of the truck is on them, unlike the others.

The new tires are what raised up the truck, when I bought it the fronts were only 24" tall and the rears only 27", so when I put on the 30's it got better.
I like the 30's, to me they look right on the truck.

It was really nerve racking to drive when it was so low with those 70 series flows hanging underneath, up here on VT dirt roads.
Getting the exhaust moved is on the list too.

68C15 · 07-27-2005, 07:41 AM

very cool!!!!
and to think you can do just as much work with it as you can with a $30K new truck.
this is why I say to he77 with Detroit, they stopped making trucks in '80

**Yukon Jack** · 07-27-2005, 09:05 AM

Glad it didn't sell - looks like a great daily driver.

bowtie · 07-27-2005, 10:54 AM

Thats a nice work truck

Did you ever sell the cab and frame?

vtblazer · 07-27-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowtie

Did you ever sell the cab and frame?

No, never did. Still have it.
Just trying to figure out what to do with it.
The black truck is really fairly tired, both the cab and chassis could use help.

The real reason this black truck was brought into working/driver status is because I had to retire the burb in order to prep the 3/4 ton 4x4 frame for the panel body to be installed onto it and painted, that will be the 'real' work truck in the end, this is a band aid for awhile. A fun band aid though.

Blue_71 · 07-27-2005, 12:51 PM

LOL sounds like your list of things to do and use it for is the same as mine, i have 28s in the rear and 25s in front, and 40 series flowmasters turned down at the front of the bed... thats REALLY annoying when you just get done polishing the stupid thing and then have to drive on a dirt road

orangeuavol · 07-27-2005, 05:13 PM

If you run out of room to store your fleet, bring'em to me. I'll keep them company for you

vtblazer · 07-27-2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangeuavol

If you run out of room to store your fleet, bring'em to me. I'll keep them company for you

Sure, I'll leave one there when I visit Pigeon Fordge next year.

LUV2XCLR8 · 07-27-2005, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangeuavol

If you run out of room to store your fleet, bring'em to me. I'll keep them company for you

You can store mine if you will paint it

orangeuavol · 07-27-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

You can store mine if you will paint it

What the pictures don't show (clearly) is all the d@mnits I have to touch up

orangeuavol · 07-27-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Sure, I'll leave one there when I visit Pigeon Fordge next year.

Sounds like a plan!

LUV2XCLR8 · 07-27-2005, 09:22 PM

Hey Kurt, what's w/ the RETIRED on the burb in your siggy

vtblazer · 07-28-2005, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

Hey Kurt, what's w/ the RETIRED on the burb in your siggy

It's been put out to pasture, so to speak.
Not driving it/using it anymore.

Body's coming off, going through the frame/tranny/brakes/checking lines before I put the panel body on it.

I'll end up with a 67 panel on a 72 3/4 ton 4x4 chassis.

Now I just need to find a 67 front clip.

GMC AMI · 07-28-2005, 05:24 AM

Hey man, tuck that exhaust up! I can see it too well! LOL, still a wicked nice

truck.
No shortys up here.

Too bad a nice 68 clip wouldn't do?

vtblazer · 07-28-2005, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Files

Hey man, tuck that exhaust up! I can see it too well! LOL, still a wicked nice truck.
No shortys up here.

I know, I don't like it either.

It's on the 'to do' list.
All in good time I guess.

07-26-2005, 06:48 PM	#1
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	It's a Whole Different Truck Now So I had these great plans for my 71 big block 2wd truck, you know...lowered, big meats, big horse power... My focus shifted, money ran short so I tried to sell it but had no luck. Being it ran well I hated seeing it just sit, so I decided to reinvent my original plans for it cause I really like driving a big block truck. Last weekend I got started. Had a set of 30x9.5 tires mounted on some chevy rally's I had laying around. Changed out the 1/2 ton springs for a set of 3/4 ton coils. Tonight I installed a factory anti sway-bar. Next is to add a power brake booster. (yeah it didn't have one) Need to also add shocks made for 3/4 ton springs cause right now the springs just kinda say 'going up, ready or not' After that I'll put in the extra tilt column I've been saving with a newer chevy steering wheel. THEN...I'm going to make up a wiring harness for the electric trailer brakes that'll allow me to transfer the brake controller to all the old trucks I tow with. So there it is, my new work truck, daily driver, tow rig. Some before and after pics... FYI, that's around 500lbs worth of stuff in the bed and it sits level. Attached Images Last edited by vtblazer; 07-26-2005 at 07:28 PM.

07-26-2005, 06:52 PM	#2
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,173	I am surprised that it didn't sell. Makes a nice looking DD __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man"

07-27-2005, 02:48 AM	#8
tomatocity Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 1,255	Glad it worked out for you. It would have been nice to get that truck and the other parts but CA is just too far from VT. It wasn't a bad deal it was just in the wrong location. __________________ Got bored, sold everthing. Got bored, looking for a 1960-66 C-10. Want to build my last truck.

07-27-2005, 05:32 AM	#9
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,744	Sweet ride. Love the look. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

07-27-2005, 07:41 AM	#11
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	very cool!!!! and to think you can do just as much work with it as you can with a $30K new truck. this is why I say to he77 with Detroit, they stopped making trucks in '80 __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

07-26-2005, 10:43 PM	#7
Blue_71 Bloo Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Barren County Kentucky Posts: 6,285	did it lift your truck up any? thats the main thing im worried about, i dont like lowered trucks but my current tires are so short that any higher would look goofy imo, lol. i have to haul trailers with mine alot too and im tired of the frontend being so squirely

07-27-2005, 09:05 AM	#12
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Glad it didn't sell - looks like a great daily driver. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

07-27-2005, 10:54 AM	#13
bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 1,050	Thats a nice work truck Did you ever sell the cab and frame? __________________ ~70 GMCprostreet swb 396/700r NOS 575 hp "the Brick" ~72 chev swb w/68 front clip "GM Millenium corvette yellow" I use and accept Paypal

07-27-2005, 12:51 PM	#15
Blue_71 Bloo Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Barren County Kentucky Posts: 6,285	LOL sounds like your list of things to do and use it for is the same as mine, i have 28s in the rear and 25s in front, and 40 series flowmasters turned down at the front of the bed... thats REALLY annoying when you just get done polishing the stupid thing and then have to drive on a dirt road

07-27-2005, 05:13 PM	#16
orangeuavol GO VOLS! Join Date: May 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 725	If you run out of room to store your fleet, bring'em to me. I'll keep them company for you __________________ http://1972blazer.shutterfly.com/<= blazer build pics It's called golf because all the other four letter words were taken. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

07-27-2005, 09:22 PM	#21
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,470	Hey Kurt, what's w/ the RETIRED on the burb in your siggy __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

07-28-2005, 05:24 AM	#23
GMC AMI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Other Maine! Posts: 2,236	Hey man, tuck that exhaust up! I can see it too well! LOL, still a wicked nice truck. No shortys up here. Too bad a nice 68 clip wouldn't do? __________________ 1968 Chevy 4x4 307 4 speed Last edited by GMC AMI; 07-28-2005 at 06:17 AM.



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