Post by: 123 pugsy on April 06, 2006, 08:29:00 PM
So I thought I'd ask eveyone what they like about these trucks and what drives you batty?
Post by: DnStClr on April 06, 2006, 08:53:00 PM
Great topic, pugsy.
Post by: Lt.Del on April 06, 2006, 10:33:00 PM
Likes: Working on these heavy chevys isn't rocket science. they are really easy to work on, get parts for, tune up, etc.. It is very rewarding working on your chevy. Turn a few wrenches-get immediate satisfaction and improved performance or better looks. You can use these babies as daily drivers and really use them as they were intended....as trucks. Those of us w/ small blocks...heck, you can switch motors in a weekend, beef up your 350/305 really easily and cheap, etc.. And, it is a great reason to get out of the house and work on a hobby or forget work for a while or whatever.
What gets my goat??? Well, seeing those little Jap pickups running around everywhere....those little pieces of sss.....well, you get the idea.
We can all go to a dealership and get a new $30k truck, but you just don't get that satisfaction. Heck, if you add up all the hours we spend on our 4 wheeled family members, add a dollar amount and it ends up being over $30k. Look at your hands-then look at your truck. You can honestly say "I built that baby"
Don, I agree, great topic.
SgtDel
aka: Andy
www.delbridge.net
Edited by: SgtDel at: 4/6/06 10:28 pm
Post by: bfofish on April 06, 2006, 11:53:00 PM
sometimes good other times not so good but i enjoy it. the main thing i hate is seeing a chevy that the owner takes no pride in! be proud of your ride! espicially if you built them or even just work on them.check out the blazers here..www.cardomain.com/ride/2313703 Edited by: bfofish at: 4/6/06 10:59 pmPost by: toplessblazer on April 07, 2006, 12:28:00 AM
What I dislike is usually crappy gas mileage thats why I have one of those jap trucks mentioned earlier (2005 reg cab 2WD Tacoma). Say what you will about those Jap trucks but I love my Toyota just as much as my old blazer, and the blazer will never yeild 25 mpg around town. The overall fit and finish of the body panels are a pain in the butt as well. Takes forever trying to get everything to line up, especially when working by yourself. I don't much care for the dashes in these trucks. They are not designed very well and the pieces don't fit together like they should. Also what drives me nuts is that dent that develops on the lower rear part of the door. All the 73-75 Blazers that I have had never had this dent but almost every truck or 76+ blazer or suburban has had this little ripple dent in both front doors.
If this part of your door hasn't rotted away go outside and rub you hand over the lower rear section of your door and you will see what I am talking about.
Wow my dislike paragraph is bigger than my likes. What am I doing dumping money in my blazer? I guess it becomes an uncontrollable addiction.
Post by: ccb on April 07, 2006, 03:45:00 AM
Anyway. the 1980 1ton I have now is the first chevy truck I have tore down.
I just learn how cheap these truck were made. and if you every try to pull the dually fender off a rusted truck you will know what I'm talking about. I just never really took a look at how the outer and inner bed side were held together, What a piece of junk. The cab in my mind is laded out real simple and easy to take a part. Now I say that only Because the 1989 trucks we have are a real pain in the b-tt to get to the stuff they have stuff under the dash and the trim snaps on no screws but try getting it off with out break the plastic. Oh the 89's look nice but must have cut every corner there was. BTW can you tell I don't thing much of the mechincal design on the 89.
The only other thing I found that made we want to shoot the design guys was the heater box, why in God name would you but the nut on the fire wall side. I know everone know how hard it is to change one. and the last think is the fit and finish These trucks where never know for every thing lining up, we use to joke about that. Its sure a lot better than a japan tin can. well Not any more!
I never cared much for the stock looks and always like the after market part that really made the trucks stand out.
Craig
Post by: bigblock73 on April 07, 2006, 07:17:00 AM
) Jeff
'73 swb 2wd
73-87.com
Post by: 123 pugsy on April 07, 2006, 09:07:00 AM
Working around the dash,the bezel taking it on and off,the cluster,broken plastic.....trying to sqeeze the bezel in without scratching the steering column or cracking the bezel,getting it to fit into the duct......kind of a pain... but once you're done you forget all the pain in the @@@ stuff and enjoy driving.
Post by: 87swb on April 07, 2006, 10:43:00 AM
.the dislikes, sometimes they can be moneypits. some things don't line up on them, for example a lot of the trucks, but not all, the bed sticks out a little more on the right side. but this stuff doesn't bother me. i wouldn't have my truck any other way.
and for some strange reason there not chic magnets like the newer trucks or it could just be me
.
Post by: bigblock73 on April 07, 2006, 12:09:00 PM
I prefer the 73-80 models hands down, especially the 73-78's.
Jeff
'73 swb 2wd
73-87.com
Post by: 1976Scottsdale on April 07, 2006, 02:01:00 PM
I dislike the fact that the front clip is kind of tricky sometimes. Other than that, the only other thing is that the weatherstripping is easily cut at the bottom of the cab from people stepping on the sill plates.
My single biggest dislike is not even about these trucks themselves. I usually have to tell my dad's friends how to fix their 73-87 trucks. They all seem to think that I have no idea what I am doing. Now, I have not always been very smart with the engines... reference the 76's Hydraulic cam engine being made to run at 9000RPM plus... admittedly a bad idea... okay, plain stupid of me. I have not done that again ever. Point being, I have learned more over the last year and having others tell me to my face that I know nothing makes it very hard to remain... shll we say, civil.
Post by: shaved80 on April 07, 2006, 09:24:00 PM
i'd have to agree that the dash is a pita to work with, but other than that i can't really complain much about them, it gets me from point a to point b, while looking cool
Post by: lokmotion85 on April 07, 2006, 09:31:00 PM
Post by: 123 pugsy on April 10, 2006, 06:17:00 AM
Is this normal in these trucks or has someone changed/installed the wrong mirror?
Post by: Z28 c10 on April 10, 2006, 09:43:00 PM
the only issue that I have ever had with the 3 trucks that I've owned( '79 k5, '83 Blazer, the current one '81 c10) has been the previous owners butchering the electrical systems. Please guys, if it's broke, FIX IT THE RIGHT WAY!!!!!!!! My '81 has been completely rewired under the dash, ALL IN RED WIREI'd like to wring the dudes neck that did it, but it's fun in a way to take something that someone had a brain fart on and do it the way that it should have been done right in teh first place. I've found out the hard way that if you don't do it right the first time, you're gonna do it again--soon. Just like my cam change ( new cam + old lifters + improper break in = rounded off cam lobes and mushroomed tappets and LOTS of words that Roundedline would get pretty angry about seeing on the site
. Anyways, I love these truck and will always own at least one.JayTater
Z28 C10
Post by: chevy shortbox on May 20, 2006, 03:47:00 PM
Post by: maxwell75c10 on May 23, 2006, 09:16:00 AM
+ you dont have to remove 8 peices of plastic and 2 wireing harnesses to do a "simple oil change" I love my truck!!! And so do my friends. besides it takes a beateing
and is always ready for more.
"Its a chevy truck, not a sedany sports car thingy-
so drive it like you stole it and PUNCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!"
-Maxwell
Post by: Lt.Del on May 23, 2006, 10:05:00 AM
My old fords have the top mounted postes and it is so easy to work on and tie in other leads to it.
I am sure some people here likes those gm posts, but I for one don't.
SgtDel
Post by: Steph on May 23, 2006, 11:48:00 AM
I think I just might be the youngest person here, don’t know for sure, but I think that God has blessed me with the insight to see just how well designed these trucks are. I mean, lets be honest here, these trucks were not engineered, designed, and built by General Motors yesterday. These trucks came from a time when a truck was supposed to be a truck, nothing more nothing less. These trucks were practically bullet proof tough, as they were designed to be that way. They also were, for the most part, way ahead of there time. Why? Well go outside a look at them, these trucks have a look, all their own. You can tell that General Motors spent a lot of time on these trucks when they first engineered them. They are not something that GM just through together, and hoped it would be a good truck. GM actually worked hard on these trucks and it shows. From a design point of view the 73-87 (full-size) trucks look “healthy” there are no excess body bulges, these trucks put me in the mind of a toned Olympic athlete, the newer Chevrolet/GMC trucks look like they have been on a weekend food binge, they look obese. I love the square grille, the long hood, and GM’s use of chrome on these trucks. That signature flare that starts at the front fender and goes the length of the truck, around the back, across the tailgate and down the other side. That look makes these trucks a timeless classic.
Now as to what I don’t like about them, well I hate the fact that they don’t have a tight turning radius, It takes me forever to turn my Chevy around, and if I’m in a crowded parking lot……..forget it. But I have to say the turning radius is good considering the time period these trucks came from.
Back to that square front end and long hood, they make judging distances very hard when parking.
I still think these trucks are, and will always be, the best truck that GM has ever produced.
Edited by: Steph at: 5/23/06 10:12 pm
Post by: 1980cdeluxe on May 23, 2006, 05:19:00 PM
My brother has a 78 4x4 on 36's with a well built 383 stroker, my dad a 79 4x4 on 38's with a 502, and my brother in-law a 73 4x4 on 31's with a 350, not including 2 that my uncle own... I guess the environment in which I was raised really contributed to my extreme love for them, but come'on where can you find a better looking truck? It'll always be one of my favorites..
It's also fun to take them all out at the same time for some bogging, especially when 5 jacked up chevy's all come in at the same time
Post by: 75 C20 on May 26, 2006, 07:37:00 PM
Post by: friendlytruck on May 30, 2009, 12:26:09 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=763WLispWXg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=763WLispWXg)
[youtube=425,350]dZKhsCZuAbQ[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=763WLispWXg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=763WLispWXg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlEegqUrjPo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlEegqUrjPo)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Chevy%2FGMC+Fuel+Tank+Test&aq=f (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Chevy%2FGMC+Fuel+Tank+Test&aq=f)
but what i like is that thay are antiques that desdeserves good respect and thay are hard to get stuck but what gets my goat is that mr. gmc hid that problem for so long.
Post by: JohnnyMac333 on June 02, 2009, 03:17:23 AM
Every one I have owned ,when you pull down the sun visor,it hits the rear view mirror.
Is this normal in these trucks or has someone changed/installed the wrong mirror? <p></p><i></i>
Post by: The dream on June 02, 2009, 11:35:21 AM
her is some thing i don't like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZKhsCZuAbQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZKhsCZuAbQ)
[youtube=425,350]ZKhsCZuAbQ[/youtube]
[youtube=425,350]dZKhsCZuAbQ[/youtube]
I talked about that subject before, most of the members didn't agree with these test. I dough up more info and NBC got nailed with a law suit because they had put explosives on the trucks to "make" news, and if you see the video closely you are going to be able to see that the explosion goes off BEFORE the truck is hit.
If you are still worried they sell some fuel cages.
Post by: CreativeNotice on June 02, 2009, 02:20:08 PM
Post by: t_graham11 on June 02, 2009, 03:31:00 PM
Post by: JohnnyMac333 on June 02, 2009, 03:35:49 PM
I like everything about them what I dont like is not having the money to do what I want to do to them, There beauties they can be annoying at times but hey so can the wife.
They are also both more fun when they are loud and get dirty... haha
Post by: oldyeller on June 02, 2009, 03:49:27 PM
Post by: ccz145a on June 02, 2009, 04:05:47 PM
Post by: oldyeller on June 02, 2009, 04:07:36 PM
Hey Yeller, are those yellow fenders on your avatar? What happened to the primer?
Yes, the yellow fenders are before we changed them. That picture was taken in 1996, but I love that picture of it.
Post by: Skunksmash on June 02, 2009, 04:19:22 PM
Post by: anderskorn on June 02, 2009, 05:08:49 PM
Everyone needs a truck. And when you don't have one, that just sucks having to ask to borrow someones.
My set up is entirely mechanical. Something goes wrong, i only have to troubleshoot the three principles of what makes the motor run. Gas, fire, and air. That's simple!
Cons: i wish i knew more about them. My forte isn't domestic V-8s atm, but that will change over time as i educate myself on this. And thats my own problem, not a con of the truck itself. Other than that, I can't really think of something that makes me pull my hair out about these vehicles.
Post by: friendlytruck on June 04, 2009, 06:40:01 AM
I talked about that subject before, most of the members didn't agree with these test. I dough up more info and NBC got nailed with a law suit because they had put explosives on the trucks to "make" news, and if you see the video closely you are going to be able to see that the explosion goes off BEFORE the truck is hit.Rite some of mite be true but Pay attention!! to the cab cause your but in that cab, and the frame witch Almost became 2 pieces! of real tuck, and yes some of that i have scene that can happen it makes me sick!!! the ownlee way to fix it more reinforce it period!!! the best way is to make a new chassis especially made with good procedures. and just so you know i readed the list of People who died from it not! nbc but the police reports of it that a bad thing to see.
If you are still worried they sell some fuel cages.
Post by: Captkaos on June 04, 2009, 04:33:45 PM
Post by: friendlytruck on June 05, 2009, 08:46:24 PM
Post by: t_graham11 on June 06, 2009, 02:21:00 AM
I talked about that subject before, most of the members didn't agree with these test. I dough up more info and NBC got nailed with a law suit because they had put explosives on the trucks to "make" news, and if you see the video closely you are going to be able to see that the explosion goes off BEFORE the truck is hit.Rite some of mite be true but Pay attention!! to the cab cause your but in that cab, and the frame witch Almost became 2 pieces! of real tuck, and yes some of that i have scene that can happen it makes me sick!!! the ownlee way to fix it more reinforce it period!!! the best way is to make a new chassis especially made with good procedures. and just so you know i readed the list of People who died from it not! nbc but the police reports of it that a bad thing to see.
If you are still worried they sell some fuel cages.
Are you sure you should be driving a Chevy?
Post by: friendlytruck on June 06, 2009, 05:55:46 AM
Post by: Blazin on June 06, 2009, 07:54:43 AM
Dislikes: The narrower rear track width, The side post battery terminals, I swap mine to top post, The crappy door fender alignment issues,
Likes: Style, easy to work on get parts for, driveability, comfort, The sound of a solid correctly adjusted door closing, I love that sound! There is many other things I love about my Chevy's, some things on one truck might not do it for me on another.
Post by: friendlytruck on June 06, 2009, 12:43:13 PM
Well as far as getting t boned, You get hard enough your bound to get hurt. As far as the fuel tank blowing up, poppycock! I got hit broad side by big olds 98 in a 79 K 20. Flantend the fuel tank to the frame rail. No fire at all. In my 86 K 20 I ripped a hole in the tank on rocks 4wheeling, again no fire.Any pic.s just wondering 2 how fast was win getting hit .the reason is no squashed bug effect of me
Post by: Donut on June 06, 2009, 05:11:14 PM
dislikes, now I'm fixing what the PO found an easy fix for :D, fuel tank non-issue (maybe they should go back behind the seat), I used to think rust, but after looking at mid to late 90's trucks last year, I decided to fix my '73.