Jawn's new old truck... '87 Chevy half-ton

[Jawn]

New here, long time Chevy fan. Somebody from GarageJournal suggested I join this site.

I just got this '87 R10. It has a TBI 305 and 700R4, only 73k miles on the truck. I think it was originally 2-tone blue/white but somebody removed the trim and repainted it this darker metallic blue. Mostly in great shape for the age, but has some issues. Going to use it for my weekend hauler / country boy cadillac.

Could use tires... was thinking of going back to a LT235/75-15 for price/availability (stock was 225/75). Has 255/70 on it right now.

Exhaust is toast, good opportunity for upgrade... catback or whole shebang for true duals? Headers too or stick with the cast iron logs?

Needs alignment, but before that I saw at least one torn ball joint boot. Not sure if I should just swap that one out or go ahead and put all new ball joints and bushings up front before the alignment.

[Jawn]

Underside porn... apparently a Georgia truck since new. Red mud but no body rust that I have found.

[Irish_Alley]

welcome from maryland

[stephene9653]

Welcome from Kentucky.

[Jason S]

Welcome from Kansas.

[LTZ C20]

Welcome from California

[zieg85]

Welcome from Illinois

[cvbear]

Welcome from Texas

[Captain Swampy]

Welcome from Wisconsin. That's a nice solid truck to start with!

[Tazman]

Welcome from AZ.

[1967KaiserM715]

I would do dual exhaust with a x pipe and headers, that would go nice with the 305, and it should mount up to a 350 if you upgrade later.

Nice start for a truck.

Sent from my LGL34C using Tapatalk

[XrayTedd]

I would go ahead and do all ball joints. If one is bad, the others aren't far behind.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[1967KaiserM715]

I would go ahead and do all ball joints. If one is bad, the others aren't far behind.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

I agree, I had one bad one, two others were very dry and scored up when I removed them


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[80Chevy4x4]

Welcome from Southern Maryland 

[Jawn]

Thanks for the welcomes!

I was eyeballing a Hooker manifold-back system from Summit... cheap... doesn't appear to have an X-pipe though. How well does the TBI system do with aftermarket headers (specifically, keeping O2 sensor function)?

As to the ball joints and control arm bushings... I see there's a complete Moog upper control arm available... any drawbacks to them? I figure it's worth the little extra $ to not have to drill out riveted ball joints or press in control arm bushings. 'Course I'll still have to contend with the lowers.