Another FNG.... Glad to find this place!

[RMC_SS_LDO]

Evening all!

We just got our "new" addition home this week- a 1987 Chevy 1/2 ton Silverado 2WD.  My mother found and bought the truck about a year ago with the intention to fix it up and use as her daily driver, but her health turned very bad and has been unable to drive since.

We got the truck as a 1st vehicle for my daughter (15) and this should be a good project for her and I.  Really, I am stoked about it and she's glad to have something to drive! 

It's in pretty good shape (all things considered).  After a new wiper motor, 4 new tires and a top-off with tranny fluid, she made the 200+ miles home with no real problems (AC even works, albeit not much air flow).  With the 350 and 700R tranny, it runs OK (ran at 75+ on the interstate) but needs a lot of TLC.  I pulled the RPO codes and it looks like this thing was a fully loaded Silverado package from the factory, including dual tanks!

I will apologize in advance for the loads of dumb questions, but looking forward to getting the old girl back in pristine shape!


v/r

Allen

[VileZambonie]

Welcome and congrats on a cool truck. post pics soon

[choptop]

Welcome from West Texas. Sounds like fun. My daughter has claimed my choptop, but I still have a few years ( shes only four) to change her mind. Maybe she'll want momma's car instead.LOL

[Blazin]

Welcome from New Hampshaa

[Captkaos]

Welcome to the site!

[ccz145a]

Welcome

[RMC_SS_LDO]

Thanks for the welcome!

I am getting tags for the old girl tomorrow and the real journey begins.  My daughter driving freaks me out a bit, but she actually has a pretty good head on her shoulders.

I actually got a solid estimate yesterday for all of the paint and body work.  Looking at about $2k for everything to put it back solid with original colors (black with silver inset).  The shop I talked to is owned by a long-time friend that specializes in restoration work so it will have zero bondo or glass in the body when done.  My daughter nearly had a heart-attack when she heard the total without even touching the interior  !

I think mechanically, the engine just needs to breathe better (new TB, cats and exhaust) and a through tune-up since the mileage is horrid right now (around 12MPG).  I seem to recall these trucks with a similar set-up (TBI350, 700R4 w/3.08 rear-end) running in the high teens when running right..... 

The wife and I are already at odds about this truck.  She is dead-set against putting any money into it, leaving all of the resto cost to my oldest daughter.  I sort of think that is BS since the intent is to keep the truck and pass it along to our other girls (now ages 12 and 7) down the road.  Seems like a bum deal for the oldest, plus I intend to drive it too and feel like a little load-sharing is in order.

Since I married a big mean guinny woman, I may need to tread lightly or find a more effective approach.....   


v/r

Allen

[choptop]

The rule I have is at 14 she will get the option to build a car with me like she wants, or at 16, she will get whatever I can get a deal on. I have learned from watching other friends of mine, when the kids have to work on it, they take care of it, if it is just given, count on you spare time doing repairs. And I could care less about the kid being a girl, girls pay closer attention, try harder, and argue less than any boys I have taught. (Plus their reaction times are quicker)

[RMC_SS_LDO]

....when the kids have to work on it, they take care of it, if it is just given, count on you spare time doing repairs. And I could care less about the kid being a girl....

That's actually the funny part.  Angela has helped me with the bikes (ElectraGlide and Softail) and the cars (300 SRT8 and '08 Tahoe).  Her boyfriend was stunned that she pulled the wheels, swapped pads and re-installed the wheels (at proper torque no less) on the SRT8!  This was at 14....

I think the fact that this truck came from her Grandmother (who she is close to) adds some to her interest as well.  As I mentioned before, I'm half-tempted to take the truck down and have the paint and body work done all at one shot and take my lumps from the wife later.  Angela can re-work the interior and most of the mechanical on her own time (and dime).

What say ye?

v/r

Allen

[hotrod24]

pics man pics

[Fordeatinz71]

welcome aboard!!  sounds like shes gonna have one nice ride.  post pics so we can all drool over it...

[Bitzer!]

Evening from the UK!! Dont worry about asking daft questions - I've asked loads and always get a reply, even if a few take the wee!!

[autorepr]

Welcome from Dayton Ohio!

   I fixed up an 4.3 litre S-10 Blazer 4X4 for my daughters first car. She wanted a BRAND NEW mustang!!!! When I drug home the blazer on the trailer with the intention of fixing it and selling it for racing money she fell in love with it and so it became hers. I put patch panels in and repainted the original white but spent more on the radio speakers and i-pod adapter then anything else! My advise is make sure it is safe, reliable and easy for her to drive and DON'T spend a lot on paint and body stuff now. I'm sure she will be a good safe driver but stuff happens. I'm guessing she will drive it daily? School, shopping mall, work? Parking lots do a number on the daily drivers and it's a big vehicle so it's prone to others carelessness.

   By all means enjoy the Father Daughter project.

[RMC_SS_LDO]

Here's last Sunday's full tune-up.

Angela is working the left side plugs......


v/r

Allen

[Bitzer!]

thats a tidy looking truck dude!   Bare feet   i hope you let the old girl cool down first