It sounds to me that you want to drive with your family, apparently with some comfort, even. I am in the same situation, I love the looks of my '57 Burb, but driving is the main thing for me, so I really enjoy my Camaro front clip and 250ci engine. And I get parts at the local parts store...
Well, this is not too hard to do without "butchering" anything. You can "modernize" enough for comfort without anything being visible:
~a small block is easy to swap in with a 4-speed auto: I know it is cool to see the countryside at 45mph, but 70/80mph on the highway is good too, you can actually get somewhere; remember that the kids can get bored quickly, imagine going 45!
~then you need better brakes, maybe on the straight axle, but a front clip (Camaro...) gives you this and power steering/power brakes, more comfort; just make sure the stock back is in good condition.
~aftermarket A/C is pretty much invisible inside the truck; get a modern radio that looks like an original (Custom AutoSound...) and speakers under the seats; a bit of insulation...
And there, you keep the outside all stock-looking (paint, wheels, mirrors...) and you can actually drive comfortably anywhere with the whole gang; nothing that cannot be undone if you do not do a front clip and even if you do, you could always find another original chassis if one day you want to go back to stock.
Go ahead, drive your heart out! And when I get somewhere, people do smile and talk to me of their memories, because unless you kneel in front of my truck, you cannot see it is modified at all.
Last edited by wave1957; 05/07/2009 1:46 AM.
