2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission If you had 5 grand

[Soldier]

Howdy yall. I'm buying a 97 extended cab 4x4 CTD with a 5 speed tomorrow. After the buy I'm going to still have just over $5K left! So I thought I'd spend it fixin up the truck. It's basicly stock except for a gooseneck hitch and straight piped exhaust. So how would you set this truck up with $5 grand? I'm talking about suspention, wheels, tires, engine mods, interior mods, exterior mods, ect.

I plan on guages of course, maybe 5" stacks, about a 5" lift or so and some larger tires. I'm not too sure what to do after that. I dont know much about the 12v engine so I dont know what's available for them, but a little research and play time with the search feature should fix that.

My only real consern is keeping the bed functional for towing the gooseneck and hauling junk, hence no bed cap or cover.

Thanx alot yall. I hope this isnt one of them posts that's been done a thousand times. I dont spend much time here, sorry.

 

[markdixon]

Cup smoothy from Geno's. And #10 fuel plate so that you have a reason to watch the new gages that you will be installing. The #10 will also justify a new clutch. Have fun!!

 

[Ncostello]

Eagle alloys, new tires, fender flares, 4" exhaust, South Bend clutch, Ranch Hand bumpers front and rear, fog lights, Ranchhand toolbox, Tube steps, stepped back mudflaps, Class V hitch, seat covers, Optima batteries, bedliner, EGT, oil press, boost, trans temp gauges, Bilstien shocks, bed rails, roll up bed cover, cab clearance lights, tailgate running lights, side lower running lights (can't have enough lights), tinted windows, and um... . oh ya... black CUMMINS 24V valve cover. Plus there's alot more. But I'm depressed now thinking about all the stuff I "have" to get.



Good luck with yours!

 

[bmoeller]

Air ride suspension ( www.keldermanmfg.com ), exhaust brake, 5 or 6" STACKS , running boards and adding lights, ..... Happy hunting!

 

[SRadke]

Wow, look at all those great ideas. I'm speechless. I was thinking gauges, #10, a SBC and a set of 19. 5's if you're towing a lot. You'll run into trouble with a 5" lift and big tires using the average goosneck trailer.



-Scott

 

[Got Smoke?]

With 5 grand at my disposal I'd get a Dana 80 rear-end with a Detroit Locker, Haisley-McLeod HMR Street puller clutch & bigger input shaft, and use what was left towards a big single charger.



Now that being said I already have a #10 plate, injectors, guages, GSK and STACKS!



What you need to do in YOUR situation is get a set of guages, TST fuel plate of your choice, STACKS, injectors, and a good SBC clutch IF and ONLY IF you DO NOT plan on sled pulling. If you don't then you would still have around $2,600 to play with for a nice turbo.



IF you plan on sled pulling save some time and $$$ and get a nice dual disk clutch (of your choice) and the input shaft NOW why you have the money! :-laf

 

[ndurbin]

3k or 4k gov. spring kit and get the pump timing adjust to 15-16* range. BHAF.

 

[Soldier]

Thanks a lot for the ideas. I just got back from picking up the truck. Sure is nice having power windows/locks again! My other truck doesnt.



Let the spending frenzy begin!

First up is the gauges already on order!!

Your right about the lift, I didnt realize just how tall it is stock. I think I'll end up just leveling the front and squeezing some slightly larger tires in the wheel wells.

I'll look into the fuel plates. What does the #10 mean? Are there differant kinds? Why do you suggest #10 over what ever else might be available?





*in edit* Oh yea, no sled pulling for me. It's gunna be a almost daily driver.

 

[WadePatton]

More options:

Congratulations on your new 12v!



By-pass oil filter system, if you want the engine to last FOREVER--and not be worried with pesky oil changes.



4" down-pipe to run to the DUAL STACKS. If you don't stack it, run at least a 4" system.



ATS exhaust manifold, better flow and the ends eventually crack on the 12v.



Chrome valve covers and alternator bracket from Cummins.



13" clutch from SBC. (covered already, but I wanted to personally recommend)



Of course the plate, timing, and GSK.



Don't forget to fix the 5th gear nut and KDP if not already done.



And I'd mount two pyros--pre and post.



Spray-in bedliner.



Geno's seatcovers.



Rob Thomas console and traction bars.



That and tires/wheels artta eat up a $5000 bill.



TST is the main supplier of torque plates. If you go too heavy there--and say add injectors you'll need a turbo upgrade. Save that for later, when you need a cam, head porting, o-rings and such.



And use the classifieds here and Ebay to save some bucks.

 

[C. Harlan]

Where are you at in the hill country??? Let me know. . I am right outside of san antonio... would like to see your truck!



-Chris-

 

[Soldier]

Charlan, I'm back and forth between Austin and Harper. I usualy spend about half the week in Austin and half in the Harper (between Fredricksburg and Junction) and Kerrville area. Not all that far away from you.

 

[dseabaugh]

put in the sport lights. worth every cent. also get genos back-up light kit, ordered mine today. then tell all the rest of us how to come up with $5K extra

 

[JHerrlich]

If I had that much, the first thing I'd buy is the T-Rex Engineering suspension and some new tires. After that you can work on the power mods here and there.

 

[shendren]

put $1-2,000 into the kdp, and all of the parts that are going to need to be replaced. put the rest into ebay stock and watch it grow!!

 

[Soldier]

Originally posted by dseabaugh

put in the sport lights. worth every cent. also get genos back-up light kit, ordered mine today. then tell all the rest of us how to come up with $5K extra

Hehehe. By selling some property for $20K, spending $5K on paying off some bills, and buying a truck for $10K I could invest it or do something smart like that... ... . but I'm young, dumb, and full off... ... . um, yea.

Oh, and from the looks of it the KDP has already been fixed.

 

[MLee]

SOLDIER

To bad the KDP was the last item that was mentioned. Your truck being a "97", Should have been the first item to be checked off on that neat list of goodies. Make sure it has been KILLED.

just my penny's worth.



Marv.