First truck need ideas please help(New member from CA)

[Buttabiscuit]

Hey just became a member today. I am trying to figure out some electrical issues (Learning as I go). Well I have a 87 Chevy Custom Deluxe 20 all stock. It was my dads truck he let it sit for about 7-8 years. Anyways I took the bed off and I wanted to fix up some of the suspension, but honestly I have never done it before. Wanted to get some ideas of what I could do to it. Let me know what you think?

[zieg85]

Welcome from NW Indiana.  Without know the specifics it is hard to advise.  I can only conclude that being a California truck it is probably clean.  Post some pictures, that helps.  Does it sag?  How are you intending on using it? 

[Buttabiscuit]

here are some pics. Never had a truck before this is a 2wd V8 5.7 TBI port not sure what other info you would need to see.

[zieg85]

Looks to be in great shape.  Look over the spring pack to see if any are broken.  Check the condition of the rubber bushings in the springs.  How does the shocks look.  Not much to be worried about in the back end.  Check the front end ball joint to ball joint.  If your dad did regular maintenance on it just change the fluids and give it a tune up and you should be good to go.  Looks a lot cleaner than my 85 C20 from the midwest

[Buttabiscuit]

My dad didn't mess with it at all. The leave springs are in good shape. The struts and shocks need to be replaced one got bent with a forklift while moving it. I will have to take pics if the front I remember seeing cracks in some bushings. But I was wondering is it best to just keep the thing stock? Is it worth lifting a 2wd?

[audrima]

Welcome from WV!!!!!  YAY!!!!!!!! *DANCES*!!!!!!!!

Wonderful looking truck! as for lifting a 2wd, if you want to. but I think 2wd lifted are more for "show" (unless it's a desert racer). but that's just my option.


Mariah.

[Buttabiscuit]

Yeah very true about the lifting. I'm trying to just get a game plan of what I want to do. I haven't messed with a suspension what kind of maintenance does it need just struts and shocks and bushings?

[zieg85]

Just shocks and leaf springs in back.  Coil springs and shocks in front.  Struts are for cars....

[Dan75k20]

Nice truck welcome from pittsburgh pa

[roundhouse]

Looks clean

The suspension bushings may need replaced
As will the brake calipers and rubber flex hoses
And belts and hoses on the engine

Hang into the old ones if they are original GM factory ones
Some people pay good money for hoses with the correct writing on them

Keep an eye on the temps and radiatior
They will clog up with age


I'd change the rear axle oil

Youll get different opinions on changing Trans fluid
I just keep it if it looks red  and smells clean

If it looks brown or smells burnt I'd change it

But a lot of people , myself included have had transmissions croak shortly after you change the fluid

[Buttabiscuit]

Thanks for all the suggestions!! So I replaced all 4 shocks and bushings. Put new cats and muffler for deeper sound. I had some worries about the transmission though. I seems to only have 3 gears? It run at a high rpm when you get to about 60-70 mph? Is this normal for a 87 R30? I thought it might just be geared low for towing or something? The truck has been running fine. The first time I took it out fishing I ran it pretty hard around 75-80 mph. Which went through gas like crazy. The second time I took it more easy and of course saved gas. I Have a feeling I am missing the last gear. How would I check?

[1979SIERRAGRANDE]

Thanks for all the suggestions!! So I replaced all 4 shocks and bushings. Put new cats and muffler for deeper sound. I had some worries about the transmission though. I seems to only have 3 gears? It run at a high rpm when you get to about 60-70 mph? Is this normal for a 87 R30? I thought it might just be geared low for towing or something? The truck has been running fine. The first time I took it out fishing I ran it pretty hard around 75-80 mph. Which went through gas like crazy. The second time I took it more easy and of course saved gas. I Have a feeling I am missing the last gear. How would I check?

You can tell which transmission you have by looking at the transmission , your dads truck might have came with either a th350 or th400 these transmissions only have 3 gears ,whats kind of mile per gallon are you getting ?

[Buttabiscuit]

So looking at the spec sheet you send I did find out it was a th400 trans with the 13 bolt pattern. So that does have only 3 gears. I went to my friends house in the mountains and it is 36 miles according to google maps it took roughly 1/4 tank to get there. So with the 16 gallon tank I would be getting somewhere around 8-10 MPG.. Is that normal? Would I need a whole new transmission if I wanted to have lower RPM around 65-70 MPH?

[Captkaos]

Th400 is a 3 speed.  If you want lower rpms you need a different trans, axle gearing or tire height.

Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
squarebody.biz

[Buttabiscuit]

Well it's a big relief to know that I don't have to get a new transmission in my transmission is still in pretty good shape the tire thing I want to get new tires anyway the tires I have on there now or 245/75R16. What would be a size I would need to feel a difference?