my future 71 chevy show boat/mall crawler

[original balzer]

I'm buying a 71 chevy cheyenne 1/2t long bed 4x4 from my boss.
I want it to be a glorious testament to show trucks but at the same time be a driver. I'm thinking a GM ram jet 350, 700R4, and a np208, the stock d44 and GM 12b regeared for 35's. It will sit on 6" of lift and be all paint and chrome, show roll bars and nerf bars (sliders in our world only chrome and not as strong). No lockers no bigger axles, about the only off road friendly mod will be crossover steering, and thats because I believe with 6" of lift it will help even on the road. Its not going to be a stock original restoration but the mods will be minimal as I think these trucks don't need much to be flat out sexy.

Now to answer questions b4 they are asked.
Why use a 208? they are lighter and strong enough for a truck that will not see much 4wd.

Why a ram jet and 700R4? Besides the obvious cool factor, I want it to be drivable anywhere, ram jet has nice power where it needs to be and the injection and overdrive will help performance and economy.

Why cheesy show bars and stuff? I want that old school, show truck, look. it goes with the era of the truck I think.

Why not just build a 2wd? Because I'm a 4wd type of guy, 2wds are sweet too, but this build will be MY vision of a perfect truck

What do you guys think? Do I loose credit for wanting to build a truck more for show than go? Any mods you would suggest, body, drive train, or otherwise? Come to think of it, the suspension could use more than a bolt on lift as the short springs don't ride very smooth with 6" lift.


NOT MY TRUCK! just a damn fine example in my eyes.

 

[USSkoval]

For the old school show truck look, also include at least two shocks per wheel and some large colorful stripes on the sides. And for wheels, go with slotted mags, hurricanes or some outlaws (not the II's).

 

[bp71k5]

Why use a 208? they are lighter and strong enough for a truck that will not see much 4wd.

Is a 208 really that much lighter than the 205? Seems like a lot of trouble with not much, if any benefit. But hey, this is America.

 

[MTChevy]

the truck pictured above is the perfect driver, show truck in my eyes, pass on the cheezy chrome stuff, waste of money

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

if you want a show truck, retain everything as a factory look like when it rolled off the assembly line...I bet that'll win more trophies than lifting it and dropping in a crate motor...IMO

 

[Randy92782]

Thuis is exactly the way i'm building my stepside. IMO i'd go with w/e you can get to go in it and is easy to come by. I'm doing mine on the cheap but everything will be new and clean.

Looking forward to your build

 

[bigbadchev84]

208 are way lighter, try installing either by yourself! plus the 208 will bolt right up to the 700r4 with no mods. My 208 did just fine behind a stout smallblock, a heavy foot and 39.5 boggers, other than all the cheesy chrome rollbars, sounds like a nice build

 

[Craig Artzner]

Do I loose credit for wanting to build a truck more for show than go?

No.

 

[muddybuddy]

dont run a 208, run a 241; they are stronger and much easier to do sye if you want to

 

[muddermilitia]

I think the drivetrain sounds good, run the np241 if you can find one otherwise I think a 208 will be fine. Personally I would put limited slip in the rearend, just for fun And I wouldn't run nerf bars. I think without them on, it makes the truck look taller than it really is. If you built it like that truck pictured, that would be awesome!!!

 

[George_Pimpdaddy]

241 tc cause its got the lowest range

 

[blazinzuk]

loose the roll bar and the nerf bars and spend that money on paint. I agree with the drive train solid realiable and simple. Sounds awesome. Always wanted to do something like that my first truck was a 72

 

[BigBen]

What do you guys think? Do I loose credit for wanting to build a truck more for show than go? Any mods you would suggest, body, drive train, or otherwise?

No credit lost.
A few of us have to be the guardians of the original sheetmetal in this world.
I'm proud of you!

-Ben

 

[slyguy_22]

Yeah go with the 208 if you have it, the 241 is a lil better but no big deal for a street truck. Personally id go with a taller tire with a 6" lift 37's-38's for a street truck. or just do a 4" with 35's. Im also building a street queen show rig (72K5 Blazer) im gona do a similar setup, 37x12.5x20 with a 6" lift and im using a 455Buick and np205/sm465 combo. Just cause i already have it and dont wana have to change the whole drive train to make it auto. Tryin to stay on a budget is very hard. My only suggestion is make up a complete list i mean every freakin chrome bolt, and hardware you can think of and then add an extra 2K for all the stuff you forgot.

 

[atho]

Chrome tubing everywhere isn't period correct, its just gay.

 

[USSkoval]

Chrome tubing everywhere isn't period correct, its just gay.

Depends on which period. Don't you remember the triple-hoop roll bars and the chrome tube grilles?

 

[original balzer]

Chrome tubing everywhere isn't period correct, its just gay.

Opinions where welcomed at the beginning of this thread, but I should have known there would be a prick in the bunch.
Now I can see some people will have stronger opinions than others, thats fine, but try to have just a bit of class in your responses. I know its hard for a knuckle draggin, mouth breather, who's family tree only forks once, to understand. Do your history dude, the 70's was basically the beginning of customizing 4x4 trucks and almost all of them where more show than go.

Blame it on the lack of tech and the fact that civilian 4x4's where fairly new.
Think I'm wrong? Just research monster truck history. The original big foot, was far lower class 4x4 than a lot of examples on here.

The plain and simple of the whole thing is, most of us grew up loving flashy show trucks, like big foot. For me its nostalgia, a link to my childhood, and my idea of the perfect truck. My Cadillac if you will.

Your opinion has been noted Mr Atho, but your dead wrong. It IS period correct and defiantly not gay as its the roots of what this whole web site is about. Custom trucks built by the owners, to be what the owner wants.

If you think its not hardcore enough for you, go check out my crew cab build. Granted its not going to be the most hardcore rig on this site, but its what I want to build, just like my 71 will be.

 

[Randy92782]

Everyone has their own class of being cool. It changes with generations. Me being the mid generation (90's) i still think the early monster trucks were the ****. Me specifically that's the way i'm gonna build my stepside. Not the 60 front with 56" springs but the stock length at maybe a 6" lift and 35's. It may not be the highest or most bad ass but it will be clean and more than most run......

thank you original balzer and for that i look forward to this build

 

[bigblock72]

Here is a picture of my garage queen/poser in Moab on poison spider.

It currently has a 454, t400, 205 but will soon be changed to a 700r4 205. The big block will probably get injection as well. I'm building a new rear axle for it right now. I haven't driven it for at least 2 years, the Blaze has taken all of my time money and interest for the last three years.

 

[lectric80]

That is going to be one really sweet truck. I will show my age a little, I grew up wanting a truck exactly as you are describing. It is period correct, I know, I was there in that period. And, as you said, it is your truck, build it the way you want it. There are plenty of trucks that are more show than go, I saw Craig posting there, and his Blazer is pretty, but it isn't going off road (grass doesn't count Craig).