Thoughts on modifying an original truck

I love CUCV's in all forms from bone stock to max effort offroad rigs.

I know I'll get responses such as "it's your truck do what ever you want". I also don't want this to turn into a bash session, but I'm interested to hear peoples philosophy on this:

I have a 99% original m1008 in great driving condition. Other than the fact it was sprayed red by a fire department and then hit with Gillespie CARC substitute by the prior owner (done crappy) it's pretty darn original. I wrestle back and forth with myself on whether or not I should modify this truck.

With out much effort this truck could be restored to factory condition.. I'd like to build a nice general purpose camping, hunting, adventure rig but I also know there aren't many nice cucv's left and the value of these things is actually climbing as new trucks get softer and softer.

Should I leave her as she left the factory?

Should I stick to mild bolt on's?

Should I add modern tech that requires modifying the wiring harness, or cutting metal? LS swap? NV4500 swap? How far is too far?

again I know there is no "right answer" but I'd like to hear peoples thoughts.

Hello Finnegan, can you do most of the mods or will they be farmed out? Long term project or immediate build with a modest budget? Do you propose on being comfortable or go spartan while traveling to your camping, offroad adventures?

CUCV's are not luxury vehicles for sure but are very capable and durable--Mules.

To find another Silverado K30 or GMC with air and a more comfortable interior will be hard, very hard. Amazing I seen an 1985 Silverado K30 with full power and 454 4 speed for, gasp 30K with 90,000 miles a few weeks ago. Even when they were 5 years old even newer they were very hard to find. A K20 will be much easier but square bodies are a premium price now.

So whats your pleasure spartan and build to suit or locate pay the premium and modify. I am curious.

I tend to prefer original, but even I plan to swap in a much newer GEP 6.5 and a 4L80E in mine. The steering box frame reinforcement and shackle flip make sense as well.

cucvmule said:

Hello Finnegan, can you do most of the mods or will they be farmed out? Long term project or immediate build with a modest budget? Do you propose on being comfortable or go spartan while traveling to your camping, offroad adventures?

CUCV's are not luxury vehicles for sure but are very capable and durable--Mules.

To find another Silverado K30 or GMC with air and a more comfortable interior will be hard, very hard. Amazing I seen an 1985 Silverado K30 with full power and 454 4 speed for, gasp 30K with 90,000 miles a few weeks ago. Even when they were 5 years old even newer they were very hard to find. A K20 will be much easier but square bodies are a premium price now.

So whats your pleasure spartan and build to suit or locate pay the premium and modify. I am curious.

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I spent much of my career professionally restoring and tuning vintage road race cars. I do all of my own work, I admittedly don’t know much about diesels but the rest of the truck I can handle with a little bit of research here and there.

If I were to modify the truck would remain as spartan, and analog/mechanical as possible.

Also IF I were to do anything I would first target better highway capability, then maybe improve off road capability and lighting.

I drove the heck out of my M1008 when it was 100% original and it seems that the more I modify it the less I drive it. I drove it over 800 miles in one day but don't really trust it to go 8 miles right now.

Now, I have had some failures in that time. The original radiator failed and cause the heads to crack. I put new heads on and put anothee 50k miles on it. Later, the block failed and I replaced it with a used engine. I decided to turbocharge it, went center mount. I took that opportunity to make things easier to work on. Good thing because the new to me engine is causing some issues unrelated to the turbocharger.

Now, I managed to keep everything but the engine and exhaust stock. All of the wiring and controls are unmodified. That stuff all works perfectly. I'm just chasing bubbles in the cooling system and have a 1/2 crankshaft speed knock with very fine metal powder on the magnetic drain plug. None of these problems are directly related to the modifications.

I too have been caught up with this dilemma. Modify or keep stock?

To solve this mental struggle, I got 2 trucks. One modified and the other as stock as possible.

antennaclimber said:

I too have been caught up with this dilemma. Modify or keep stock?

To solve this mental struggle, I got 2 trucks. One modified and the other as stock as possible.

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Best idea so far!

Have fun with it!

dezertdemond said:

Have fun with it! View attachment 915001

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That’s a fine looking truck!

dezertdemond said:

Have fun with it! View attachment 915001

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I like how you have blacked out your grill, gives it more definition, contrast.

Fine looking 1009, Chevrolet's GMC always look good lifted with larger rubber.