5k to spend!!

[CraZcracker]

Like the title says, I'd like to know where you think you got the most out of your first 5k or up to, spent on the truck. I have recently acquired an 1967 c10 Swb. The original 283 was rebuilt with less than 200 miles on it along with a T350 tranny that was rebuilt at the same time. The truck had been sitting inside a garage since 1995. This truck was bought from the 2nd owner that had bought it from the 1st guy with 1000 miles on it. But go ahead and shoot me your thoughts on this topic please and thanks for your time.

Here are a couple pictures of the truck if I got them uploaded correctly!

[leftybass209]

Complete suspension and brake overhaul.

[71swb4x4]

I don't think you can accurately answer that question until you have looked the truck over really well and put a few miles on it. I would start by making sure it runs well, including some drivability upgrades if they haven't been done such as HEI and internally regulated alternator. Then I would make sure it goes down the road OK and add front discs, and make sure it has good tires. Then I would go to the suspension and add a front sway bar and make sure you have good shocks. Go through the interior and make sure everything works right, recover the seat if necessary.
Then maybe a real good exterior detailing?
I would see what you have left then and possible attack the suspension, if you want it low then I would go drop spindles, and possible drop springs/blocks in the rear as well as an adjustable panhard bar and sway bar in the rear.
Maybe some wheels too?

[Xeen]

That is a beautiful pickup, you are a lucky guy.
The two best upgrades you can possibly do are front disk and front sway bar, which doesn't cost a whole lot so you will have lots of money left over.
After that some fun stuff is variable delay wipers, twilight sentinel, tilt steering, stuff like that.

[elkniks]

Sell the toolboxNow your making money! Then spend it all on brakes, suspension, and wheels. Do a nice simple 4-6 static drop if that's your thing.

[Z10]

Single best mod I've done on my 72 is front sway bar, and I've done mods on every subsystem of my truck. You can see them in my build thread.

[WarMonger]

Originally Posted by elkniks

Sell the toolboxNow your making money! Then spend it all on brakes, suspension, and wheels. Do a nice simple 4-6 static drop if that's your thing.

What he said

[68bowtie]

looks like a good one. panoramic cab? body and interior seem to be in good shape. i'd say...
1. post a picture of the spid
2. overhaul brakes/suspension
3. drop/wheels/tires

[drewbert41]

What are you guys doing with the front sway bar? Why does it make such a difference?

Also what does an internally regulated alternator do for driveability?

[Blue GMC]

Do all the safety items and new tires then drive the crap out of it until you know how you want to improve the ride. DO NOT forget to replace the blinker fluid canister as they can be problematic

[elkniks]

Originally Posted by Blue GMC

Do all the safety items and new tires then drive the crap out of it until you know how you want to improve the ride. DO NOT forget to replace the blinker fluid canister as they can be problematic

What?

Anywho, if you lower that with some nice tires and and sway bars it will handle so good you will be looking for bucket seats to hold you in.

[TheCougarine]

Like others have said I'd start with the basics, fresh fluids, overhaul the brakes if they need it, (Front discs are nice) and put some fresh tires on it, had to do both on mine when I first got it since it also spent a good amount of time sitting. After that I'd put some miles on it and see what comes up. That'll also give you a little time to figure out what you want to do with the truck. Regardless looks like you've got a very nice truck on your hands.

[Mike C]

I have an all original '69 short step and in order of best things I've done: HEI ignition and spiral wrapped plug wires. Starts and idles so much better! Front disc convesion. I highly recommed Early Classic Enterprises (ECE) for their products and support. I did 2 1/2" drop spindles and 2" springs. In the rear I did a flip kit from DJM for my leaf spring truck. 4 front shocks worked for me moving the rears to the more vertical unused second position on the stock shock mount on the frame. I added a sway bar off a 3/4 ton truck I parted out years ago also. Next was wheels and tires as I converted to 5 lug at the same time. I went with 17's and 55 series tires which I think is the best look at these trucks.

Congrats on a nice start and looking forward to updates.

[Hook'em]

I bought a headlight buzzer for $10 from someone off of the board - no more dead batteries. As for the other $4990, power disc brakes was my first purchase after I got my truck - I didn't like having to plan a block ahead of time to stop the truck.

[MARKDTN]

Disc brakes, tires, clean it up and drive it! Keep the other $4000+ for later.

[67 chevelle]

front and rear sway bars , and disc brakes up front , nice truck

[9teen69]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

front and rear sway bars , and disc brakes up front , nice truck

x2

plus Steering box upgrade

[GASoline71]

For me the 283 would be yarded out of there toot-sweet...

More cubes...

Gary

[choctawchevyclassics]

Originally Posted by CraZcracker

Like the title says, I'd like to know where you think you got the most out of your first 5k or up to, spent on the truck. I have recently acquired an 1967 c10 Swb. The original 283 was rebuilt with less than 200 miles on it along with a T350 tranny that was rebuilt at the same time. The truck had been sitting inside a garage since 1995. This truck was bought from the 2nd owner that had bought it from the 1st guy with 1000 miles on it. But go ahead and shoot me your thoughts on this topic please and thanks for your time.

Here are a couple pictures of the truck if I got them uploaded correctly!

Sell it to me for a slight profit and don't worry about the rest of it.

Just sayin...

POTENTIAL out the whazoo in that truck. GOOD BUY!!!

[67ChevyRedneck]

I'm going to assume it runs/drives.

First on my list would be to take care of the brakes/suspension. You might as well rebuild it all, do it right, and to it all at once. ECE 3.5/5 drop with disc brake conversion kit. This will come with new shocks too. Replace the A-arm and trailing arm bushings, ball joints, and tie rod ends. I would swap to power brakes at this time as well. Good time to add a sway bar too. New wheels and tires.

If there is anything left over (if there is, there won't be much) A/C. Texas is hot, afterall?

[leddzepp]

Front disk brake conversion and AC.

[my67c20]

What is it that you plan to do with it (daily driver, weekend rodder, hauling)? Each of these has there own sets of upgrades, aside from the safety stuff.

[mike16]

I understand what your doing. but I have to ask a stoopit question. Why did you buy this truck and are willing to drop another 5 k on it if, essentialy you are unhappy with its present state.

Better to have continued shoppin for what you really wanted rather than hack this one up.

I guesse what I am saying is that this looks like a really nice truck to certain ones of us here and it seems a shame to make it into something it is not. Why not save as is and enjoy it.Who knows, it may grow on you.

I was at the same cross roads 5 years ago witha 72 c10 with only 71k miles on it. I spent much less money making it safe to drive and began to realise the value of is origonality and how fun it is to drive. 5 years later I have spent little additional money,all on repro and resto parts. I get thumbs up (sometimes other fingers too) when I drive by.

Glad i did not hack mine up. I would never sell it if I knew somebody was going to hack it up. there are soooo many thousand dollar trucks out ther you could spend your 5 k on.

[jessemthompson]

Originally Posted by mike16

I understand what your doing. but I have to ask a stoopit question. Why did you buy this truck and are willing to drop another 5 k on it if, essentialy you are unhappy with its present state.

Better to have continued shoppin for what you really wanted rather than hack this one up.

I guesse what I am saying is that this looks like a really nice truck to certain ones of us here and it seems a shame to make it into something it is not. Why not save as is and enjoy it.Who knows, it may grow on you.

I was at the same cross roads 5 years ago witha 72 c10 with only 71k miles on it. I spent much less money making it safe to drive and began to realise the value of is origonality and how fun it is to drive. 5 years later I have spent little additional money,all on repro and resto parts. I get thumbs up (sometimes other fingers too) when I drive by.

Glad i did not hack mine up. I would never sell it if I knew somebody was going to hack it up. there are soooo many thousand dollar trucks out ther you could spend your 5 k on.

I fail to see where he said he was gonna hack it up? He has 5k to spend and wanted opinions on where to start. It's HIS truck and he can dowhatever he would like with it.

[Mike C]

That's what I was going to say. Disc brakes, lowering and ignition along with wheels and tires aren't exactly a permanent mod. I had fun driving my truck all stock and got compliments quite often.

But lowered with wheels on it: wow. EVERYWHERE I go I get compliments and looks. It's been a blast to drive and not at all scary anymore with the rears locking up all the time. The discs have completely changed the trucks attitude and the drivers as well.

You had the advantage of a '71 truck that already had the good brakes. There is no comparison to safety and enjoyability that he will get from that mod alone.