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10-30-2019, 04:12 PM | #1 |
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Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Like everyone on this forum, I really like the looks of my Squarebody truck. One aspect I like to start incorporating more is modern features/functions into the older style without needing a $10,000 budget to do so.
Objective Starting a running list that tracks all the modern upgrades people are doing to their truck with a few requirements in order to keep them reasonable and keep the topic on point. Please feel free to recommend any ideas for additional requirements. Requirements: - Upgrades have to leverage existing parts from a 2000+ newer vehicle - Parts for upgrade need to be accessible through a junkyard picking Process Create a thread and document the following: - Parts required for the upgrade - Estimated cost of upgrade - Procedure on upgrade - Send me the link and I will add it to the list ---------------- Drivetrain - Upgrading to LS engine Exterior - Mirrors with LED turn signals Electronics - Upgrading alternator from 10SI to 12SI - Upgraded Junction block from 2 post block to 7 post block Lighting - LED or Projector headlights (huge upgrade) - J.W Speaker LED 8800 Evo II upgrade - LED tail lights Interior - Auto Dimming Mirror Upgrade - LED Courtesy Lighting - Purchased courtesy light kit from LMC - Added LED bulbs - Power seats ---------------- Do we think this is a good idea or do we think this will die off? I am all ears, just wanted to try something new.
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"Dixie" - 1988 Chevrolet V30 CC DRW "3+3" | 7.4L 454 (L19) | TH400 | 4" lift | 35"s "Lucille" - 1949 Chevrolet 3100 (on hold) Last edited by focusedontheprize; 10-31-2019 at 08:31 PM. |
10-30-2019, 07:00 PM | #2 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
No transmission upgrades? Upgrading to an overdrive trans was probably one of the best mods I made for driveability.
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87 R30 CC Dually, TBI 454, NV4500, zero rust barn find 87 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 6.5 turbodiesel, 700R4 |
10-30-2019, 07:53 PM | #3 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
We can definitely open it up to the drivetrain!
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"Dixie" - 1988 Chevrolet V30 CC DRW "3+3" | 7.4L 454 (L19) | TH400 | 4" lift | 35"s "Lucille" - 1949 Chevrolet 3100 (on hold) |
10-30-2019, 08:04 PM | #4 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Best thing I did was LS swap.
Love, love ,love that engine, trans, fuel injection.
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Jay Gesner Atlanta, GA 1985 C10 Long Bed 4X2 LS 5.3, 4L60E Father/Daughter Project |
11-08-2019, 05:47 PM | #5 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
I'll get the swap thread going. Basically this - 1987 with a TH400 and 4.10 gears and 454. 9mpg if I kept it down at 60mph. Pulled a NV4500 out of a later truck, sourced clutch/brake pedal box out of a late 80's square body, cut a big hole in the floor and stuffed it in. Makes for a WAY better driving experience. First 2 tanks were over 11.5mpg and that was with a 6K trailer and a lot of 65-70mph freeway.
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87 R30 CC Dually, TBI 454, NV4500, zero rust barn find 87 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 6.5 turbodiesel, 700R4 |
10-30-2019, 08:10 PM | #6 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Some of the upgrades to modern style parts are not all that expensive new.
-LED turn signal mirrors - $125 pair -Projector or LED headlights (You can buy these about $100 plug and play for cheaper ones that are a huge upgrade to halogen OR you can find a newer wrecked Jeep Wrangler and poach them). -LED taillights $200-220 -Backup Camera's $100-400 or junkyard -Foglights - $120+ for LED or junkyard (Tahoe/Suburbans have some good ones that you can mount in the front air dam) - Power seats - Range in $$$ from $400-$2000 from Junkyards or new depending on just power or power with heat, ventilated, etc. Depends what else you are wanting as amenities. Overdrive is a good one. Other power accessories... really depends what you want.
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1978 Chevy 2wd Stepside aka "Audrey" Cordova brown with mandarin guts 79k original miles & being restored 1979 Chevy 2wd Short Wide aka "Emma-Jayne" Cordova brown with mandarin guts 2019 Chevy Tahoe LT Previous rides: -2002 Firehawk T/A, 2006 Trailblazer SS AWD, 2014 GMC Sierra RCSB, 1971 2wd Blazer, 1996 SNB, 1997 2dr 2wd Yukon, 2001 Silverado RCSB, 2011 Silverado Z71 4x4, 1982 2wd Blazer, 1997 2dr Tahoe, 1970 Chevelle SS, 1972 2wd Blazer, 1986 Silverado Stepside, 1995 S-10, 1985 Silverado SWB. |
10-30-2019, 08:27 PM | #7 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
An upgrade I did on my truck, was add more Courtesy Lighting ( under dash ). What I did was purchase a courtesy light kit from LMC. It contains 2 lights, which I added to the one light, under the dash. Added LED bulbs and walla! It is stuff you buy new, but I suppose you could get what you need from the junkyard.
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-che...tesy-light-kit
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10-30-2019, 08:58 PM | #8 | |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Quote:
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"Dixie" - 1988 Chevrolet V30 CC DRW "3+3" | 7.4L 454 (L19) | TH400 | 4" lift | 35"s "Lucille" - 1949 Chevrolet 3100 (on hold) |
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10-30-2019, 09:22 PM | #9 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Yeah the original light is there in the center. The 2 I added are the ones just above the kick panels.
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10-30-2019, 11:04 PM | #10 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
If I woke up and somebody was putting a backup camera and some power seats in my 82 I would chase them off my property!
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11-01-2019, 12:24 PM | #11 | |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Quote:
The bright LED bulbs perk the floor lighting right up.
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10-31-2019, 12:24 AM | #12 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
A few small things I have done:
Replace the 2 post Junction block with the 7(IIRC) post junction block from the 90's era trucks. If picking, get the wires from the donor truck as well. They have the proper terminal ends and most come with OEM fusible links. Swap the passive washer jug with one that has the built in pump from a 88-89 Suburban. Other models may work. Gets rid of the problematic(at least for me) OEM pump driven by the wiper motor. Replaced the 10SI alt with a later 12SI alt. (Later models in the squares came with the 12SI) Swapped out the straight wiper arms with the ones ending in a L. (Avoids the need for that weird adapter that often doesn't work correctly.) |
10-31-2019, 08:02 AM | #13 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
*deleted*
Please carry on - K
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11-06-2019, 11:23 PM | #14 | |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Quote:
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11-07-2019, 01:42 AM | #15 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Don't really know. Found several during a Pull-a-Part run which is kind-of unusual as my normal luck is all the wiper arms are already pulled. I think the post ends are fairly universal. All the ones I found had the tubing for the 'on the arm spray' setup. Pulled that off as it was rotted and my trucks have the stationary spray nozzles. Whatever years/trim levels had the on the arm nozzles might be your pull target.
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11-07-2019, 02:55 PM | #16 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
around mid 80's they went to pin mount wiper ams over the flat tab adapter older stuff .
i just did a military blazer it had the old style and i swapped on a pin style extra set i had .
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77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great. |
10-31-2019, 08:32 PM | #17 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Thanks everyone, added them to the original post.
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"Dixie" - 1988 Chevrolet V30 CC DRW "3+3" | 7.4L 454 (L19) | TH400 | 4" lift | 35"s "Lucille" - 1949 Chevrolet 3100 (on hold) |
11-06-2019, 07:01 PM | #18 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
i like stuff that doesnt distract from the stock look. so no huge screens or none of that garabage imo. led lights overdrive things like that are cool.
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11-07-2019, 04:31 PM | #19 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
I added power door locks with no switches. Unlock or lock one door and they both unlock. Also has a remote that at the moment does not work since it got ripped out during my LS swap. I also removed the lighter and installed a dual USB port in it's place. Only had to drill the hole a little larger and it fit right in.
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11-11-2019, 10:02 AM | #20 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Update: I had to disconnect the USB port because it was causing a parasitic draw for some reason. Now I'm stuck with a hole that is too big for my lighter.
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11-11-2019, 11:29 AM | #21 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
hook it back up on a relay thats triggered key hot . so when the vehicle is off its off .
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77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great. |
11-12-2019, 07:39 PM | #22 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
I wanted to add some led lights to the speedo gauge cluster to brighten it up for driving at night. I know someone here has done that but forgot who had a write up for this. This is far down the line though
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11-12-2019, 08:22 PM | #23 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
that can be done but also dont forget the chrome spray paint trick for the gauge housing and cover backside . this helps a lot also .
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77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great. |
11-08-2019, 04:57 PM | #24 |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
Just scavenged a remote, keyless entry module from a 98 that I will add to my 84 soon.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1573246529 |
11-09-2019, 10:35 PM | #25 | |
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Re: Modern Upgrades to Old Trucks
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