My truck; Q&A

[AceX]

I feel like such a jackass as I'm typing this, but I feel that there is enough interest in my truck (thread hijack count: 3) that maybe I should tell its story and open it up to some Q&A.

The story:

I bought this little Silverado for $1000 from my uncle who had purchased it when it was brand new back in 1985. It was the first vehicle he had every bought brand new off the lot. He originally intended for it to be used as his shop truck. He and my grandfather ran a VERY reputable truck repair shop in Woodland, California. The shop was owned by my family for 57 years until my uncle finally decided to retire at age 55. With the sale came a huge liquidation of parts, tools, and work vehicles. One of these vehicles, is the truck that I now own...

I bought this beauty on July 5th, 2006. It was two days before I fell asleep at the wheel of my beloved 1986 MR2 and crashed it into a guard rail. At this point, my father is convinced it was fate for me to have this truck...

After coping with the loss of my MR2, I decided to focus on the truck. I didn't want to turn it into a big project like the MR2 was and my 1954 GMC is. Just a few mods; lowering kit, bed liner, small stereo, and alittle engine work were all I wanted, then low-and-behold, my father bought me my first issue of "Truckin'" magazine. In the back of the magazine was an orange 1985 Silverado that was slammed on the ground with a stock body and interior. It was then that I caved in and decided to take the truck seriously...

Several months and many $$$ later, I now have something that is truly special to myself and everyone my family has ever done business with. This truck seems to bring me into contact with some of the greatest people I have ever met.

Every week there is an offer from someone to buy the truck (highest offer thus far: $10,000). It fills me with pride to know that other people appreciate this truck. It makes those late night spent detailing it worth it.

Now, for the pics...













Specs:

1985 Silverado 1/2ton w/ tow package
305ci motor (mostly stock)

A/C system converted to R134
A/C hardlines polished
Powermaster 140amp Alternator (powder coated black)

K&N replacement air filter
Custom stealthd 2.5" cat-back exhaust system (no tips; pipe is cut off 1/4 inch below bed side panel, just above stock location; removable Cat-delete pipe)

Belltech lowering kit (2/4 drop)
15x10 American Racing wheels with BFG Radial T/A's (255/60/15 front; 275/60/15 rear)

Pioneer DEH 880PRS headunit
Arc Audio FD4100 amplifier
Pioneer 10" shallow mount subwoofers (2)
MB Quart Premium 5.25" component set (tweeters mounting in dash in stock speaker locations)
MB Quart Q-Series 6.5" component set (mounted in doors)


Still to come:

Various powder coated pieces under the hood
Welded in tie-down hooks in bed
Spray-on bedliner
Hidden hitch
Minor bodywork and paint.
Restore interior
Arc Audio FD600.1 amplifier (signed by Chip Foose)
Kinetik Cap Killer battery

[GMC350]

Wow....

[Jonboy]

Pretty cool story, and a really nice truck. I especially like the wheels.

[75shortysocal]

sweet, ill take a box in light gray

lol

[Malo83]

Nice!!! I like those Ole Skool Rim and Tire setups did you have any problems putting in those speakers in the lower door panels with the power windows, i'm still running the R12 in my AC, what is done to convert over to the R134 set up, nice set up Ace.
John

[AceX]

Originally Posted by Malo83

Nice!!! I like those Ole Skool Rim and Tire setups did you have any problems putting in those speakers in the lower door panels with the power windows, i'm still running the R12 in my AC, what is done to convert over to the R134 set up, nice set up Ace.
John

I have manual windows, so unfortunately I can't answer that question.

To convert the A/C system to R134, you need to replace the compressor, accumulator, and all the O-rings. Also, some small fittings need to be added to the feed/return lines that run along the inner fender well. R134 operates at much highers pressure levels when compared to R12. I had the entire system pressure tested before I did any work to it so that way I would know what I was up against as far as any repairs to the structural integrity of the system.

[Rc 415]

you seriously got offered 10 grand for that truck out in Sac? I'm going tohave to start driving my truck out there.

[79Silv4x4]

Man, this just shows the versatility of these trucks--they can look good on old school 15s with white letters or laying frame on 20/22s. Not to mention the 4x4s!

[benoit454]

It's a very nice truck man, love it.

I'm gonna have to copy some ideas though and get some 275's or maybe 295's for our 84. Probably 255 up to 275 since we'll be running 8 inch rims.

Also later I am thinking about swapping over to the shallow mount pioneers or kickers. I wondered how the pioneers sounded because they are cheaper, and I was going to get some along time ago. I have pioneer cd player and speakers and LOVE em, if the subs are as good I'd love them too.

Right now I got this hacked up sub box with 2 oz audio 10's that barely fit, but don't have enough air space.

I'm also wanting to add some componets in the kick panels, LOl I already have some mb quart 6-1/2's I was going to put in there.

Did you cut holes to mount yours? Like in the metal structure itself?


Oh yea don't forget man, order some offset washers for your wheels lol.

Water spots on polished alum. sucks. Everytime I pop the hood on my monte carlo, all I see is water marks on my valve covers.

[AceX]

The 275's fit absolutely perfect out back. Any wider and they would stick outside the wheel wells. 255's upfront on a set of 8" wheels wil look alright. I'm not sure if you could get a 275 series tires on an 8" wide wheel...

I've heard both the Kicker and the Pioneer shallow mount subs and honestly, there really isn't much of any difference between the two. If you already have a bunch of Pioneer gear in your truck, then go with those.

For the kick panels, I had to cut holes in the metal so the speakers could fit flush. I'm not exactly sure how much room is left behind them. I layed down Dynamat behind them. Mounting the tweeters in the dash makes a world of difference...

[knightlife]

I am in awe, good sir...

[N2TRUX]

Nice truck. Great story...

[ocbaud]

yeah, very nice truck

maybe i need to make a trip to California and maybe someone will offer me 10k for mine?

[AceX]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

I'm sorry I haven't posted new pics yet, but my allergies have been doing their best to keep me miserable for the past 2-3 days.

[benoit454]

Hey acex,

if your wheels are made like theese where the lug nuts go, thoose crager washers I posted a link to would work perfect for filling up the holes.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ansen...spagenameZWDVW

[boxrodz]

AceX -
Nice looking truck with character...
Thanks for sharing the pics and the write-up.