Getting the kids involved/first truck

[RossCravens]

Hey all,

I have three awesome boys; 8, 4, and almost 6 mo.  It is funny to me to listen to my 8 and 4 year old talking about their first car and what it is going to be.  I regularly hear them talk about Lamborghinis, motorcycles, monster tucks, etc.  They have no idea haha...  The other day we were all in the car going somewhere and the boys said something that sparked my wife's memory and she informed me that our oldest boy had let her know the day before that his first car was going to be a "red convertible".  It was at that time I gave them a little dose of reality and explained to them what they could expect for their first set of wheels.

I am going to be on the look out (I have some friends and family on the look out too) for a cheap square K10.  Not going to be looking for anything running or nice by any means.  My plan is to find one and get it bought in time to give it to my oldest on his 10th birthday, which gives me about 18 months.  By giving it to him on his 10th birthday, that will give us 6 years to strip the truck down and build it back up together. 

My boys love my '86 and I think it will be cool to have this project to do together, plus it will teach them how to work on things which most kids don't know how to do anymore if it isn't on their xbox or ipads!  It will also teach them the value of all the work that goes into something like this so they will take care of their stuff.

I did not tell them the detail behind the plan for the 10th birthday or making it a project for us to do together yet, but I did tell them what their first vehicle was going to be.  I also told them that if they take care of the truck through high school that upon graduation I would buy them a newer pick up to drive while they were in college or what ever they decide to do, and that they could keep their K10 as a toy.

My general plan for a motor is probably to build a mild 305 so they do not have too much power to try and show off.  If they are anything like I was, then I cant give them too much power or there will never be any tread on their tires!!!  I was thinking that I could build that motor for the oldest's truck, and then while he is in high school and we are working on the next boy's tuck, I could be putting together a 350 or something and when the middle boy is about to turn 16, do a motor swap to upgrade the oldest boy and put the 305 in the middle boy's truck.  Then do the same "hand-me-down" motor with the youngest.

This is something that I have thought about for a long time and I like the idea of all the good bonding time I will get with each of my kids.  Plus I want them to learn a thing or two about wrenchin!

The last big detail that I have to work out is where we are going to do all of the work, we live in suburbia with a two car garage so not much there.  Right now my 86 takes up the two car garage.  I will just have to play things by ear I guess.  If we stay where we are, my in-laws have a little property with a big old barn on it that doesn't get used for much more than storing old farm equipment.  I know they would be happy to let me convert a corner of it into a shop for this.  If life takes us away, hopefully my next house will have room for a shop!

What do y'all think about my plan?  I don't have anything set in stone yet so if anyone has some advice or suggestions I would surly like to hear them!

[VileZambonie]

If he wants a red convertible get him a K5. As far as a 305 for limitation, it will probably teach him to push the 305 to the break point every time he wants it to perform. At least with a 350 he will be able to build upon it

[RossCravens]

Those are a couple of really good points!  Thank you!!!

[Irish_Alley]

with vile on the 350. you can show off with a inline 6 and do burnouts and he cant get the inline 6 to do that he could always shift it into 4low with the front hubs disengaged to spin them. even with a inline 6 you can still hit 90 mph so its not like its going to limit his speed just his take off. the best way i learned not to spin tires is when i realized how much they cost and had to change them by hand and grew up lol. i wouldnt skimp on the motor either but have the rubber to handle it.

[fitz]

I'm sure by the time your oldest son is 14 he will have saved up the $400 for a Sneaky Pete nitrous system from Summit Racing.  I'm showing my age, they were big in the 80's.   He will probably hide in the heater box.
My 2 high school cars (77 monte carlo and 79 camaro) had 305's in them. That didn't stop me from getting into trouble with them.

[Irish_Alley]

my first speeding ticket was in my mom moms aerostar 83 in a 50. lmao i wont forget cause i asked the cop for a warning and he said "if you were me, would you give me a ticket for this" i thought and said yes. then he walked away and i cried like a little schoolgirl, think it was the thought of my grandmother finding out that i was abusing her van

[RossCravens]

And that is why I put this post here haha, I will be going with a 350.  And I am giving some serious consideration into a K5, but maybe more for me and the mrs.!