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83 Jimmy build, what to do first?

K5dreamer said:
Im confused, the OP said he had $300 to play with.... why on earth are we discussing crate engines??:dunno:

the 305 is a great truck engine so long as you aren't actually climbing sand dunes, racing on a mud track, or drag racing. If its running fine, enjoy it, modify it over time, and then when funds are more available in the future, get a 350, or 383 short block, and swap over all the parts from the 305.

Not to sound like a prick, but stop worrying about what your friend is doing with his jeep, and focus on what you can afford to do with your truck.

and keep in mind, this is coming from one of the most immature, impulsive and unrealistic dreamers on the forum. :whistle:
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Well I have 300 now but I'm working part time and on weekends so I will have 3000 some day..haha. He doesn't have any money anyway so he won't be putting a 350 together any time soon:haha:.what can I do to modify the 305? Until then I guess I'll just stick with my little bitty 305 and try not to think about it...

And k85 octane what pics do you request? I'll have em tomorrow so let me know!
 
Seriously, don't worry about the engine. You still HAVE NOT posted any pictures. What are you working with? We have no idea. It's an '83 so I am going to assume a WEAK TH700R4 and probably 3.08:1 gears. Those gears will make any engine seem nutless. That is your FIRST priority. Find out what gears you have. Did you read through my Suburban build thread? That thing is bottom dollar.

Martin
 
K5trs said:
Haha alright. I hope she doesn't blow:whistle:
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:waytogo: be good to her while you take care of other things

I want truck pictures. If this is going to be your build thread, I demand pictures, even if they are BEFORE pictures :D
 
Haha I'll post lots of pictures tomorrow!:waytogo: and Martin I'll read through the rest of your burb thread and attempt to find out what gears I have and post here tomorrow. Should getting some 3/4 ton axles with better gears be one of my top priorities?
 
K5trs said:
Should getting some 3/4 ton axles with better gears be one of my top priorities?
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nope

.5) pictures of everything, steering, any PO "modifying" :D
1) drive the piss out of it
2) sit down and realistically ask yourself "what will I use this truck for?"
3) consult those that are stupider than you (in total mistakes, changes, $$$ down the drain)
 
Well I can answer #2 I want an off roader! I already have a daily driver. I want to take her through mud and some small dunes, and go on hunting trips in it. That's the reason I bought it in the first place! I'll take pictures tomorrow, and how do I drive the piss out of it exactly?:D aaaannnd what do you mean by number 3? Ask people who have screwed up a lot questions?
 
My suggestion is to look for a used early 3/4 ton that is in rough shape body wise, and buy it for cheap. Then you can cut it up and have all the parts available.

....but first, like everyone is saying. Get it running right before you start making it worse while trying to make it better.

Martin
 
So your advice is to buy a donor truck? Isn't that expensive? And I'll get it running right first... I guess:thumb:
 
if you have the means to pull a dead truck home and store it, that's the best way

you can get your matching axles, spare steering box, spare steering rods, leaf springs, maybe trans or transfer case, doors, tail lights, tailgate, whatever. Then scrap the rest, just makes my truck worth more :)
 
Haha how does it make your truck worth more? I have the means but how much does a dead 3/4 ton axled truck run for?
 
I have a question, do you have your drivers license yet??? Not trying to be an a$$, but both my sons are in high school and already have an understanding of these rigs... They know how to id axles, engines and trannys... I could tell them they have to swap axles and install a lift next weekend on a rig and I would be able to drink beer and watch...

You need to drive it for several months and do all the regular maintenance before even thinking about swapping motors or axles...

Spend some time reading other peoples build threads, drive your rig and post with questions when you need to fix stuff... The knowledge will come with time at the end of a wrench and plenty busted knuckles...

Good luck with your rig...
 
I use to pay around $200 for dead 3/4 tons, but with the price of iron now, I usually give from $400-$550.

Martin
 
K5trs said:
Well I can answer #2 I want an off roader! I already have a daily driver. I want to take her through mud and some small dunes, and go on hunting trips in it. That's the reason I bought it in the first place! I'll take pictures tomorrow, and how do I drive the piss out of it exactly?:D aaaannnd what do you mean by number 3? Ask people who have screwed up a lot questions?
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Ugh, here we go again... Everyone means well, BUT... This is his first project vehicle. Get some good 33" off road tires on it and drive it how you want to use it. Spend your money catching up on the maintenance that should have been done. You'll probably be spending a ton of money just fixing all the stuff you're going to find wrong with it. The 305 is fine for now, worry about it when it blows up. The trans is fine for now too. Your axles are fine for now too, guess what, they've worked fine for almost 30 years... Don't worry about lifting it yet, drive it off road for hunting like you want to and see if you even need to lift it yet. These things will become obvious quickly. Guys are quick to say you need to upgrade this and upgrade that, but in reality these are great trucks on and offload in pretty much stock form. Start saving for when something breaks, because it will... It sucks when your trans fails and can't afford to get a new one. JUST DRIVE IT!!!
 
I sat on my 3/4 ton axles for a couple of years before I broke my half tons in my Suburban. That's the handy thing about living on a farm though. I have a place to park old trucks, and no one cares. I don't know if this kid lives in town, or out in the country.

My Suburban had 3.73's from the factory though. If this kid has 3.08's, then a 3/4 ton swap is a great idea.

We'll know more when he posts some pictures.

Martin
 
Here's one of his other threads:

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297469

It has pictures and specs on his truck towards the end. It's his first project truck, and he has limited experience working on trucks, so motor, axle swaps, etc. are probably a little ways off. We should probably really be teaching him the in and outs of these trucks first. Tuneups, etc... Looks like a decent start though.
 
Yes I have a drivers license. Sorry I've never had a chance to learn mechanics. That's what I'm trying to do. I have a place to store a donor when the time comes. But for now I'm just putting money into a emergency fix fund, and a upgrade fund and I'll cruise it around town and while I'm hunting to see what's wrong. I'll get it to where I want it to be eventually.

And on that other thread smier posted pics are on page 17.
 
There's nothing wrong with being a new guy! But don't feel like you need to build a truck for the Rubicon either. We all have to start somewhere, and speaking from personal experience, it sucks learning by mistake. My dad died when I was 16, I learned how to work on things by messing stuff up the first few times I tried to fix things. Learning the basic stuff will prepare you for the big stuff.
 
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