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Chevy/GMC Trucks 1973-1987: How to Build & Modify
GM’s squarebody trucks are a solid, simple, and easy-to-find rig--and that makes them perfect for modification. They’re American classics, and they’ve become the hot rods of a new generation.
Veteran magazine editor Jim Pickering brings these trucks into focus, taking you through the aspects that make them so popular and modifications you can perform to put a modern spin on their classic looks. He takes an in-depth look at all the major systems in your Chevy truck and covers what can be done to them to turn your classic hauler into the modern hot rod that you want: a truck that’s fast, safe, full of curb appeal, and reliable enough to drive whenever and wherever you want.
Built in massive numbers during an 18-year production run, these trucks aren’t hard to source, but finding a good starting point and mapping out your plan are important. This book covers a lot of territory: how to find a good starter truck, LS-power builds and installs, slammed air suspension and coilover systems, automatic and manual transmission choices (including a 6-speed manual conversion), cooling system upgrades, safely adding a modern alternator to factory GM wiring, modifying a mechanical clutch pedal to use a hydraulic master and slave cylinder, making new fuel lines and brake lines to support fuel injection and big brakes, installing a 4-link rear suspension system, fabricating an under-bed mount to hide air suspension components, building exhaust, adding LED lighting, interior restoration, and more.
If you're building a squarebody truck that you’d actually like to drive regularly, you’ve come to the right place. There hasn’t ever been a more comprehensive, authoritative look at building a complete truck for street use that includes all the steps required to make it work.
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: GM’s Square Years
An All-New Hauler
Computerized Design
One Truck for Them All
Plenty of Rigs
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Setting the Initial Budget
Tools and Workspace
Finding a Rig
Chapter 3: The Teardown
Pickup Box Removal
Hood Removal
Grille and Front Fender Removal
Engine and Transmission Removal
Cleanup
Final Cleaning and Paint
Chapter 4: Suspension
Front Suspension
Rear Suspension
Upgrades
Getting Low
Complete Suspension Kits
Coilover Conversions
Air Suspension
Installing RideTech’s Air Suspension on a C10
Setting the Frame on the Ground
Final Costs
Chapter 5: Brakes and Steering
Stock Steering
Steering Box Upgrades
Rack and Pinion
Factory Brakes
Brake Pads
Brake Rotors
Flexible Brake Lines
Power Versus Manual Brakes
Rear Brakes
Drum Brake Upgrades
Disc Brake Upgrades
Selecting a Brake System
Creating Brake Lines
Master Cylinder
Chapter 6: Selecting and Building an Engine
Available Engines
Small-Block Upgrades
LS Swaps
Building a 6.0L LQ4 Street Terror
Performance Upgrade Selection
LS Power Modifications
Chapter 7: Installing an LS Engine in a C10
Oil Pans
Engine Mounts
Fitting the Engine in the Truck
Engine Accessories
Exhaust
Intake Manifold Selection
Charging System
Chapter 8: Fueling, ECU, and Cooling
Fueling
Fuel Injection
LS Computer Controls
Cooling
Chapter 9: Transmissions
Automatic
Manual
Automatic Upgrades
Swaps
Hydraulic Clutches
Driveline
Speedometer
Chapter 10: Rear Axle
Bolt Count
The 10-Bolt
The 12-Bolt
Heavy-Duty Units
Checking Gears
Two-Tire Fire
Parts Selection
Swapping Gears in a 12-Bolt Chevy
Breaking in New Gears
Chapter 11: Body, Trim, and Interior
Common Body Modifications
Reassembling a Torn-Down Truck
Body Gaps
Bed Reinstallation
Bringing OEM Paint Back from the Dead
Exterior Trim
Weatherstripping
Interior
Changing the Color of Your C10’s Interior
Gauges
Chapter 12: Lighting
Headlamps
Turn Signals and Brake Lights
Dash Lighting
Chapter 13: Wheels and Tires
Wheels
Tires
Rubber Selection
Source Guide
GM’s squarebody trucks are a solid, simple, and easy-to-find rig--and that makes them perfect for modification. They’re American classics, and they’ve become the hot rods of a new generation.
Veteran magazine editor Jim Pickering brings these trucks into focus, taking you through the aspects that make them so popular and modifications you can perform to put a modern spin on their classic looks. He takes an in-depth look at all the major systems in your Chevy truck and covers what can be done to them to turn your classic hauler into the modern hot rod that you want: a truck that’s fast, safe, full of curb appeal, and reliable enough to drive whenever and wherever you want.
Built in massive numbers during an 18-year production run, these trucks aren’t hard to source, but finding a good starting point and mapping out your plan are important. This book covers a lot of territory: how to find a good starter truck, LS-power builds and installs, slammed air suspension and coilover systems, automatic and manual transmission choices (including a 6-speed manual conversion), cooling system upgrades, safely adding a modern alternator to factory GM wiring, modifying a mechanical clutch pedal to use a hydraulic master and slave cylinder, making new fuel lines and brake lines to support fuel injection and big brakes, installing a 4-link rear suspension system, fabricating an under-bed mount to hide air suspension components, building exhaust, adding LED lighting, interior restoration, and more.
If you're building a squarebody truck that you’d actually like to drive regularly, you’ve come to the right place. There hasn’t ever been a more comprehensive, authoritative look at building a complete truck for street use that includes all the steps required to make it work.
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: GM’s Square Years
An All-New Hauler
Computerized Design
One Truck for Them All
Plenty of Rigs
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Setting the Initial Budget
Tools and Workspace
Finding a Rig
Chapter 3: The Teardown
Pickup Box Removal
Hood Removal
Grille and Front Fender Removal
Engine and Transmission Removal
Cleanup
Final Cleaning and Paint
Chapter 4: Suspension
Front Suspension
Rear Suspension
Upgrades
Getting Low
Complete Suspension Kits
Coilover Conversions
Air Suspension
Installing RideTech’s Air Suspension on a C10
Setting the Frame on the Ground
Final Costs
Chapter 5: Brakes and Steering
Stock Steering
Steering Box Upgrades
Rack and Pinion
Factory Brakes
Brake Pads
Brake Rotors
Flexible Brake Lines
Power Versus Manual Brakes
Rear Brakes
Drum Brake Upgrades
Disc Brake Upgrades
Selecting a Brake System
Creating Brake Lines
Master Cylinder
Chapter 6: Selecting and Building an Engine
Available Engines
Small-Block Upgrades
LS Swaps
Building a 6.0L LQ4 Street Terror
Performance Upgrade Selection
LS Power Modifications
Chapter 7: Installing an LS Engine in a C10
Oil Pans
Engine Mounts
Fitting the Engine in the Truck
Engine Accessories
Exhaust
Intake Manifold Selection
Charging System
Chapter 8: Fueling, ECU, and Cooling
Fueling
Fuel Injection
LS Computer Controls
Cooling
Chapter 9: Transmissions
Automatic
Manual
Automatic Upgrades
Swaps
Hydraulic Clutches
Driveline
Speedometer
Chapter 10: Rear Axle
Bolt Count
The 10-Bolt
The 12-Bolt
Heavy-Duty Units
Checking Gears
Two-Tire Fire
Parts Selection
Swapping Gears in a 12-Bolt Chevy
Breaking in New Gears
Chapter 11: Body, Trim, and Interior
Common Body Modifications
Reassembling a Torn-Down Truck
Body Gaps
Bed Reinstallation
Bringing OEM Paint Back from the Dead
Exterior Trim
Weatherstripping
Interior
Changing the Color of Your C10’s Interior
Gauges
Chapter 12: Lighting
Headlamps
Turn Signals and Brake Lights
Dash Lighting
Chapter 13: Wheels and Tires
Wheels
Tires
Rubber Selection
Source Guide
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