I have been a long time lurker here on the form and read a lot of the articles and posts. I thought I would start sharing what I have been working on for my Family hauler. We use this for adventures for camping and modifications are light but focus on functionality and reliability (and Hauling all our gear) Not a heavy off-road rig although it may move more into that as kids get older (currently 2 and 5). That said it is 4 wheel drive but not full on rock crawler.
So for the story. Got this off eBay for $500 about half hour from my house. Actually I was the only bid as it did not run and had a blown trans. It is a 1989 GMC V1500 RV chassis originally built by Grand Prix conversions in MN. The interior was trashed and not salvageable. Luckily with the cash for clunkers there are so many full size suburban’s of this vintage in salvage yards in So Cal I have no problem getting seat frames or whatever else I need. Towed it home then started the tear down to turn it into a drivable project.
[/URL][/IMG]
So I wish I had taken more pictures of trans but it was in pieces inside literally. Luckily I had a friend who owns a trans shop and I took it to him. I told him “build it like it was yours” so it is fully upgraded with HD planetary, corvette servo, shift kit and all the bells and whistles you can throw at a 700R4. Did not cost me anything except buying the parts. Oh and I had to R&R the trans.
Replaced the fuel pump and put new tires and wheels and we had a driver.
[/URL][/IMG]
more to come.
So for the story. Got this off eBay for $500 about half hour from my house. Actually I was the only bid as it did not run and had a blown trans. It is a 1989 GMC V1500 RV chassis originally built by Grand Prix conversions in MN. The interior was trashed and not salvageable. Luckily with the cash for clunkers there are so many full size suburban’s of this vintage in salvage yards in So Cal I have no problem getting seat frames or whatever else I need. Towed it home then started the tear down to turn it into a drivable project.
So I wish I had taken more pictures of trans but it was in pieces inside literally. Luckily I had a friend who owns a trans shop and I took it to him. I told him “build it like it was yours” so it is fully upgraded with HD planetary, corvette servo, shift kit and all the bells and whistles you can throw at a 700R4. Did not cost me anything except buying the parts. Oh and I had to R&R the trans.
Replaced the fuel pump and put new tires and wheels and we had a driver.
more to come.