Cars Cars Cars


 
My buddy had an square body like that. It was an 80. Bone stock. He bought it brand new. Only option was Auto trans, power steering and brakes. He did not even get a radio or anything with it. It only came out occasionally and he just sold early last spring it for IIRC $14k with an original 55 or 60k miles on it. The thing looked like it did the day he picked it up from Long Chevrolet in Elmhurst IL
He had to buy a new GMC Sierra to pull their 36' camper. He looked long and hard for a stripped down 2WD V8, long bed with standard cab but the proper equipment to tow the camper. Only time it comes out is to tow the camper or if he wants to get the cobwebs out of it in the dry weather. Neither truck saw or sees snow
Anyway gorgeous old Square Body John. Love old trucks. Big enough to do their job without being ostentatious like all the new stuff now. Giant oversize only for the sake of "looking" giant and oversize. Even Toyota has fallen into that stupid trap.
 
LMichaels said:
Big enough to do their job without being ostentatious like all the new stuff now. Giant oversize only for the sake of "looking" giant and oversize. Even Toyota has fallen into that stupid trap.
Click to expand...
Having worked on GM trucks for the last 25 years, I agree with this so much. I forgot how just a few years ago I could work on a 2500 by just popping the hood and leaning over(had one come in the shop the other day). Now I need a three foot step and have to slide up on my gut to get any access. They will barely fit between the posts on a 10k rack, usually the mirrors have to be folded in. It's ridiculous.
 
GaryP said:
Having worked on GM trucks for the last 25 years, I agree with this so much. I forgot how just a few years ago I could work on a 2500 by just popping the hood and leaning over(had one come in the shop the other day). Now I need a three foot step and have to slide up on my gut to get any access. They will barely fit between the posts on a 10k rack, usually the mirrors have to be folded in. It's ridiculous.
Click to expand...
When I replaced the heater core in the '77 Thunderbird I popped the hood, opened the cover mounted to the firewall, removed the hoses and installed a new one. Replacing the core on the '04 Taurus included this extra step:

1705854068029.png
 
BFletcher said:
When I replaced the heater core in the '77 Thunderbird I popped the hood, opened the cover mounted to the firewall, removed the hoses and installed a new one. Replacing the core on the '04 Taurus included this extra step:

View attachment 85438
Click to expand...
You are brave. Heater core or evaporator is NOT a job I would do. Not that I couldn't. Just don't want to. I'll pay someone. Too old and still a bit too fat :D
 
LMichaels said:
He looked long and hard for a stripped down 2WD V8, long bed with standard cab but the proper equipment to tow the camper.
Click to expand...
I would've made him a deal on my 2002 Silverado 2500!:LOL:

This summer I'm going to look for a pre-emissions era GM or Mopar 4x4 plow truck. Rust is acceptable as long as the brake and fuel lines are solid.
 
Good luck finding that Brad. Since what I have seen the lines seem to be the first thing to fully give up. I hate doing brake lines
 
GaryP said:
Having worked on GM trucks for the last 25 years, I agree with this so much. I forgot how just a few years ago I could work on a 2500 by just popping the hood and leaning over(had one come in the shop the other day). Now I need a three foot step and have to slide up on my gut to get any access. They will barely fit between the posts on a 10k rack, usually the mirrors have to be folded in. It's ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Like this? 🤣
Had to do a little engine bay diving to reach the rear plugs on my friend's Suburban here...
 

Attachments

  • Burban.jpg
    Burban.jpg
    436.8 KB · Views: 14
JKalchik said:
After I bought my GT, my sister & her kids all said in unison "We want to see you get in AND out of that car!" A buddy of mine had the firm opinion that the way to get in was to open the door, lay down on the ground and roll in. Honestly, I really wouldn't mind having that car back as a commuter.

You might have to change a speedo gear, but look into 14" rims, that's what were on my GT. Hopefully, that won't throw the gearing off too much.
Click to expand...
This is so funny... My brother did some work on a 1967 Jaguar XK-E. The car had been driven for one year (1967-68) and left to sit in a garage for the rest of its life. Needless to say it needed to be gone through. He had a fun time balancing the carburetors and getting it to run nicely and one day told me I should drive it and see what I thought.

Well... I got stuck in the car. The combination of low ground clearance, the tight cockpit, and my bad back did not add up to success. I tried this way, that way, leaning here, bending there - we laughed. Forget it. I ended up placing my hand on the ground, rolling over the rocker panel, and spilling out onto the driveway in a most unprofessional manner.
 
John G (Boston) said:
Like this? 🤣
Had to do a little engine bay diving to reach the rear plugs on my friend's Suburban here...
Click to expand...
On my old Fiero GT, the forward cylinder bank's spark plugs had to be changed by Braille. There was flat-out no way to see them. God help you if you cross threaded one of them.
 
This step makes working on trucks easier. It was really meant for big trucks but it will fit a pickup just fine. Don't know if they are still around but I got it at a big-truck supply house (got it 20-25 years ago). In the picture it's on a 9.00-16 tire and it will adjust in two directions. I neglected to bring it with me when I did that Suburban. But actually, the angle of attack while laying over the top wasn't so bad.
 

Attachments

  • Wheel Step.jpg
    Wheel Step.jpg
    83 KB · Views: 6
  • Wheel Step_2.jpg
    Wheel Step_2.jpg
    140 KB · Views: 6
You must log in or register to reply here.

 

Back
Top