New project build

Newyorkjets00

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May 26, 2013
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I found a 97 silverado short bed single cab for 1500$ has 180k on it. I had a ford lightning 480hp so big difference but I'm ok with the hp change, but do want something dependable I won't be scared to drive a hour or so trip and make it home, or stop and go traffic. Reason I sold my lightning is I took a job closer to my apt and wanted something different. The truck I found is far from my goal truck which ill add a pic of, first things I want to do are tint windows cheap easy mod, lower it (suggestions) not sure what's on the blue one, and a set of wheels. I would like to do a 6 lug swap but haven't looked into what's all needed. Thought I would say hi to everyone and will see me asking some questions and researching a lot :)
Stock 97.. You all know the look of them
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Paint will be the last thing, and wheels do not have to be billets lol. Thanks guys.
 
Lol not ready for that quite yet, was thinking maybe a 350. What all has to be swapped going from v6 to v8? Tranny, rear end, all engine stuff.. Engine will be after I get wheels and dropped so long as the motor gets me around for a bit ill be alright, what's a common issue to look for on the vortech motors? Radiator starter alternator? I did hear him start it took a two or three try's to start because the kids broke and barely had gas in it... Only thing I heard was power steering whine but think its just low on fluid.
 
T. rex billet grill, all new front lights, Who has the cheapest ones? I remember 8 years ago I had one and there was crystal clear and I think diamond clear?? Then black
 
TYC, depo or eagle eyes. Drop the truck stat. And take that thought of the 5.7 and kick yourself in the nuts with it. Go buy a 4.8 or 5.3 from a junkyard and go through it. Freshen it up. And swap it. I can link you to swap info or google "obs v6 swap".
 
Those trucks don't have a ton of issues typically. Unless it's abused and that's something you'll need to account for while looking it over. Check tires, fluids, belts, shocks, suspension, frame, and all obvious things.
 
He's going to bring over in a Hour and let me borrow it for a day or two to test it out. I will snap some pics at post them
 
4wd rear is different width than 2wd though. Mind your clearances. They're OK trucks, brakes and steering are biggest things left to be desired. You'll definitely want to look into LS swap instead of SBC... especially coming from a lightning.
 
I'm not to worried about fast now, lot of stop and go driving now... Not in the country anymore so can't go wide open like I use to :)
If anyone's in tx and knows of a truck for sale let me know!
 
4wd rear is different width than 2wd though. Mind your clearances. They're OK trucks, brakes and steering are biggest things left to be desired. You'll definitely want to look into LS swap instead of SBC... especially coming from a lightning.

I know they are different widths unfortunately but that is the easiest way, for brakes do 1 ton front calipers with your 6 lug 2500 rotors and a rearend from a 99-04 then you have better front brakes and discs out back also. IIRC you need to also grab the master cylinder from the newer truck.
 
I know they are different widths unfortunately but that is the easiest way, for brakes do 1 ton front calipers with your 6 lug 2500 rotors and a rearend from a 99-04 then you have better front brakes and discs out back also. IIRC you need to also grab the master cylinder from the newer truck.

After apples to apples comparison, my 06 with drums stops better than the 04 w discs tbh. I'm not sure of OPs desired wheels, but I'd have to just buy axle shafts, I couldn't swing the extra width.

I'm not to worried about fast now, lot of stop and go driving now... Not in the country anymore so can't go wide open like I use to :)
If anyone's in tx and knows of a truck for sale let me know!

Its not just the fast. LS is more economical, reliable, cheap and easy to work on, more tunability, the base is there if ya ever want to get wild.
 
I need to work only piece but this crew cab has to much it needs.


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So what's the cost to change a stock truck like I pictured into the blue one, now I know there are tons of variables. Say the same drop, rims we will just say a grand.. Paint I know is most expensive but just a ballpark. Front end I want the same but don't need billets or a high high dollar paint job. So what's a ballpark number?
 
Smoothie bumper is about $200, 94+ grille/bumper brackets and filler panels can normally be had for $100-150 at a junk yard, lights there is maybe anpother $200-300 depending what you get, billet isn't even $100 IIRC, figured $500-600 for drop, paint is the hard part, I know a guy with a hotrod shop so when I get my 88 repainted it will be PPG matterials and then labor total of maybe $1000-1200 but a paint job could cost upwards of 5-10k if you want it to.