OK...I've had a chance to use this thing enough now to make some kind of conclusions.
They are horrid little things to restore. I hate the fawkin rusted little bolts that snap off by just looking at them in a mean way.
There is no real metal to work with...it's cheap crap....the price you pay for light weight.
The brakes suck...all new...with an upgraded master cylinder.
The cabs are sure small. Good thing I ain't real big
The stock bench seat literally eats ass! I hate it. Gonna get it reupolstered and bolstered etc. I do like a bench seat for some things in the small cab.
The factory parts you have to buy are stoopid expensive.
I maybe shouldn't have used such a firm durometer poly bushing for the motor and tranny mounts. The 4.3 really fawkin vibrates.
The good parts...
With this new suspension and Billy shocks...it's awesome! I walked up a hill tonite in two wheel drive...no locker...that I used to have to use 4X in my Chevy and it had a rear locker. Even my Jeeps would spin up it in 2 wheel.
The 4.3 swap is cool! I'd do that all over again in a heartbeat. Well worth it.
I ripped around for over two hours tonite and it cost about $5. Excellent gas mileage! And it won it's first two drag races on the street so far!
Almost as easy to turn around as a Jeep.
The crossover steering with the newer Runner box is the best steering I've ever had in any truck...bar none!
The truck is really good on the highway...stable as hell.
I really like wheelin with the little deck... I can see far better than with a box.
I'm already thinkin new motor though. I'm tearing a core apart and getting it ready for a complete rebuild but this one is getting some head work and DEFINATELY getting balanced! Going to use the same Comp Cam in it. Really nice cam for this engine.
I needs an overdrive tranny also. Have to get the 700R4 done up.
The 4:37 gears aren't too bad for what I want this truck for but it needs OD on the highway for sure.
Still lots of little things but all in all...a good build. I'd do another one if someone would sell me a totally rust free cab and frame.
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