Post your best budget mods! ($50 or less)

[lakeroadster]

Here's one for the stepside guys....Radiusing The Rear Bed Rails.

I saw this idea and decided to give it a try. I used long radius 1-1/2" pipe elbows, $20 each.

The radius looks good 'cause it is visually similar to the fender radius. Look at the last 2 photos on post 114, see how the roof radius, fender radius and now the bed rail radius all look similar... makes it look like something GM should have done, back in the day, IMHO.

[big_al_71]

Replacing the side markers that look like goldfish eyes for some van side markers total price $0.00 got them for free and two minutes of my time......

[big_al_71]

couple picts of markers

[saskgreen]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

Replacing the side markers that look like goldfish eyes for some van side markers total price $0.00 got them for free and two minutes of my time......

What year of van side markers are these from?

[Mayo]

Originally Posted by saskgreen

What year of van side markers are these from?

I think they stopped making them in 96, so 80s or 90s.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Yooper truck]

Great thread!

I used some extra pieces of oak laminate flooring and made new interior door panels. It took a little grinding on the backside to mesh well with the door/window handles and the arm rest, but it worked. I then had to buy chrome pinch molding (around $10) to go around the outside edge of the laminate so it blends with the door. It came out pretty sharp.... sorry I don't have pics right now.

[GMC Canuck]

Budget coolant recovery tank. Not sure of the total cost but I think the beer was the most expensive part and it went to other uses and therefore doesn't count.

[dmartin1]

Originally Posted by Yooper truck

Great thread!

I used some extra pieces of oak laminate flooring and made new interior door panels. It took a little grinding on the backside to mesh well with the door/window handles and the arm rest, but it worked. I then had to buy chrome pinch molding (around $10) to go around the outside edge of the laminate so it blends with the door. It came out pretty sharp.... sorry I don't have pics right now.

id love to see pics of that.
i have some oak hardwood floor looking laminate laying around in the shed.hmmm

[zellway]

ttt We need to keep this one going. All kinds of good stuff on this.

[c10monkey]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

Replacing the side markers that look like goldfish eyes for some van side markers total price $0.00 got them for free and two minutes of my time......

What year and model are those markers from?

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by c10monkey

What year and model are those markers from?

Any chevy van from 88-96 if I remember correctly..

[tantrumpipeline]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Here's one for the stepside guys....Radiusing The Rear Bed Rails.

I saw this idea and decided to give it a try. I used long radius 1-1/2" pipe elbows, $20 each.

The radius looks good 'cause it is visually similar to the fender radius. Look at the last 2 photos on post 114, see how the roof radius, fender radius and now the bed rail radius all look similar... makes it look like something GM should have done, back in the day, IMHO.

You wouldn't have a more in depth write up on this would you? the box as a whole looks great and although mine is a 68 I am going to follow this route now for sure with my series stepside

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by tantrumpipeline

You wouldn't have a more in depth write up on this would you? the box as a whole looks great and although mine is a 68 I am going to follow this route now for sure with my series stepside

Check out my build thread link in m signature. Always glad to help, feel free to PM also.

John

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

This only comes in at under 50$ if you already have a welder, or at least access to one.

Uhmm, about every modification on here assumes you have tools.... are we splitting "long"hairs???

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Uhmm, about every modification on here assumes you have tools.... are we splitting "long"hairs???

I would say that a welder is beyond what most would consider "tools" to the average guy.....but I take your point (to some degree)

[mrhino]

replaced the straps with cables less then $20 at the parts store and 2 bolts from a dodge dakota in the salvage yard.

[sleepertruck72]

Originally Posted by mrhino

replaced the straps with cables less then $20 at the parts store and 2 bolts from a dodge dakota in the salvage yard.

Mr. Rhino,

Me likey,

[bguild]

Originally Posted by mrhino

replaced the straps with cables less then $20 at the parts store and 2 bolts from a dodge dakota in the salvage yard.

I DIG... I will be doing this.. Great idea.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Here's one for the stepside guys....Radiusing The Rear Bed Rails.
[INDENT]I saw this idea and decided to give it a try. I used long radius 1-1/2" pipe elbows, $20 each.

The radius looks good 'cause it is visually similar to the fender radius. Look at the last 2 photos on post 114, see how the roof radius, fender radius and now the bed rail radius all look similar... makes it look like something GM should have done, back in the day, IMHO.

This only comes in at under 50$ if you already have a welder, or at least access to one.