not QUITE ready for a "member's project" thread, but here's where i stand...

[Fordeatinz71]

well, i decided i AM keeping my truck, no going back and forth anymore.  i just love it too much.  anyway, as i mentioned on here a few days back, my t-case is toast.  so now that makes my t-case and transmission that are messed up, so i've decided my truck will not be driven until all is repaired...err, it's decided it won't be driven until all is repaired, lol.  here are whats in store for her in the next few months...rebuild the 700R4 (never done it, always wanted to learn...gonna beef up the weak stuff while i'm in there), look for an NP205 to replace the NP208 (if i can't find one at a decent price i'll just rebuild the NP208) and tear down my 350 and build it into a 383.  then of course, install it all and see what happens, lol.  exhaust will consist of LT headers (not sure of brand yet) running into an X-pipe with dual exhaust exiting at 45* angles in front of the rear tires (might not be able to exit that soon with an x-pipe, if not i'll go out the back the same way).  still not sure on mufflers yet, something like a Flowmaster 10 series...i won't be able to kick all this off for a month or two so i'm not quite ready for a project thread yet, just figured i'd share what was in store for my baby. 

after i get the engine/tranny/t-case dialed in, i think i'm gonna either move to body/paint or suspension.  most likely suspension, there i plan to install 1-ton axles with somewhere around 4.88-5.13 gearing as i plan to run around a 42" tire and i want the 700R4 to live a long, prosperous life, lol.  i plan on running an all spring suspension lift of around 10" with no body lift, although i will replace all the body bushings.  i wanna run a locker in the rear (possibly selectable) and a selectable locker or limited slip in the front. 

then eventually i will be at the body work...or if i do body work second, then switch these two paragraphs...lol.  i want to fix all the imperfections from years of the truck being used as a truck.  most likely gonna paint the body a dark silver with either 35th anniversary Camaro style racing stripes or ghost flames.  also going to have a cowl hood and the 89-91 GMC grille.  going to remove the body from frame and coat the frame with chassis saver.  may attempt to add a factory fuel door to the passenger side and run dual tanks.  don't know if i wanna mess with that though.  want it to look factory if i do.  i want custom winch bumpers front and rear with a winch in the front and a Warn pull-pal for the rear receiver.   


interior will be mixed in somewhere, i plan to run most likely 88-94 high back bucket seats in a black/gray two tone pattern with a "GMC Motorsports" logo embroidered in the headrest.  going to have black carpet and dash pad with the billet insert kit for the interior or the factory "brushed aluminum" bezels.  might convert to power options inside, not sure though. 

so, what do ya'll think?  ideas, comments?

[choptop]

Glad to hear your gonna keep it, I will keep my eye open for a transfer case.

[Fordeatinz71]

thanks man.  i really don't wanna keep my 208.  i mean, not that there's anything really WRONG with them, i'm just trying to make the truck as tough as possible, so if i can use this time to upgrade to a 205 for the same amount of money/less time then why not...?  i would replace the 700R4 but i'm trying to make the truck more modern so i wanna keep OD.  might think about a 4L80E upgrade later on...

[werewolfx13]

If you're building a SBC (the 383), I'd think about a bolt on TBI system..no worries about off-camber stalls from fuel slosh in the carb bowls that way. I'd definitely go with selectable lockers front and rear..makes it a lot more driver-friendly on the street. An air locker is probably your best bet..I'd think about a total onboard air system..If you aren't keeping your A/C, I'd install an internally oiled York compressor and use that as your air compressor..the big ones can supply somthing like 9-12 CFM @ 90 psi Come up with a good onboard air tank setup, I'm using a set of stacked hotdog compressor tanks under my truck layed on their side right in front of the rear crossmember.. Run 3/8" ID air lines, use 1/4" MPT/FPT fittings, maybe 3/8" quick disconnects..That way you can air down your tires and reinflate em QUICK, as well as run air-hungry pneumatic tools..

I'd switch to LED tails and front turn signals/marker lights, and be sure to allow space on your front bumper for driving lights..If you're going to build the bumpers yourself, I'd incorporate a grill/brush guard into the front bumper, and a hitch into the rear bumper, as well as big ole "D" rings in both of em..can't have too many good places to hook on to to pull somone out or get pulled out..

By the time you start all this, I may have some promising numbers from my hydro-booster, and you may want to run one of those (although, I don't think it would wise to use it off-road, being off camber could cause some of the electrolyte to be drawn into the engine, and that would be bad...), a valve could be used to shut off the line to protect it from that..

Good to hear you decided to keep your truck, its a nice clean ride with a lot of potential..I somtimes wish mine were 4wd, even WITH 2.73's and a 700r4..

[JRConnieK10]

Thats cool your gonna keep her glad to here. You won,t regret it.

[Fordeatinz71]

thanks for the replies guys.  yea, i'm glad i decided to keep 'er too.  the guy with the Jimmy finally called me back today and i told him.  i don't think he was too happy but oh well.  thanks for all the great ideas werewolf.  i was planning on onboard air/welding assets, just hadn't listed them.  i'm gonna keep my A/C but i will figure out something for a compressor...

[werewolfx13]

Hmm..I hadn't thought about those onboard welding kits..thats a good idea..another thing to add to the list of things to do to the 4wd project I don't have yet..

[Captkaos]

You can mount the onboard air in addition to the A/C compressor.  I would get a York setup for sure.

[Fordeatinz71]

yea i figured i could, just gotta figure out exactly where to get the brackets.  gotta be careful or the beastly motor i plan on building is gonna feel like my 305 with all the accessories bogging it down...lol

[werewolfx13]

I suppose with some creative engineering you could stuff a York under the alt where the smog pump would be..the high output ones are pretty freaking huge though..

You'll have to fab the brackets yourself..but thats nothing a little 1/4" steel cant take care of..