For me it was the brakes. I originally wanted to keep the truck stock, but my brake drums were shot and I couldn't find new ones. I finally decided to put a disk brake conversion on the front axle. After that, I basically decided it was more important to build a truck I could drive than to keep it stock. So I built it trying to keep it looking stock while using components that would make it drivable.

I replaced the rear with one out of an '89 Camaro, so I have a 3.73 limited slip rear and four wheel power disc brakes. The tranny is a 5 speed with overdrive. The front springs were broken at the shackles, so I replaced them with the monoleaf springs from Patrick's in Arizona. That lowered the front end 4", so then I had to lower the rear 4" so it would sit level.

The shocks were also shot, so I switched them out for gas shocks and fabricated mounts plus repurposed some from other vehicles.

And so it goes. I've had the truck about 17 years now, and it took 12 or more to get it to its current condition. And a ton of money.

Paul Schmehl CI 6
geek@stovebolt.com
Stovebolt Staff: Geek