Well, I generally don’t name vehicles but I call it fat pig and the calls it big Ox, So I will go with that I suppose. I have had this 80 for 20 years and its been used gently but not abused depending on how you look at it. I have really neglected the upkeep and maintenance unfortunately and simply enjoyed using it as it should be. Still in overall good condition but really hitting a wall on getting it up and in great dependable running condition. While I can trust it I cant 100% depend on it. Time to get this fixed and take it to the next level.
History:
2nd owner of my 97 Collectors edition since 2001. 47K on the ODO. Current 160K
Oil changes, Couple starters, brake changes, and a few other things I have probably done wrong as in plugs, filter and so on.
Some damage on cylinder 3 or 4. Drivable and burns some oil, self-inflicted idiot move. To repair or replace? Cost to repair the brick doesn’t seem justified to me, had it looked over and not an option to supercharge or turbo without a rebuild. To do it right it seems smarter to go all in on a V8.
Goal:
Up for anything, will not retain stock as this is not important to me. Willing to change anything other than the overall body and looks the 80 offers.
LT1 mated to 8 speed tranny is the ultimate goal. Going to limp by where I can and take it easy with maintaining as little as possible with the thought to move on. No interest in junkyard find, looking for a reliable new engine, tranny that will last me another 20 years with little to no issues.
Overlander, bike hauler, camper towing vehicle on occasion, occasional off road trips.
Completely refresh the drive train
Give the interior a refresh and make it work for me.
Accessorize
Not sure I will be good at this but ultimately tracking what I do so I have a reference to go back to. I seem to forget what I did 6 months later lol. Zero interest in ever selling it. I have been lurking on this site dreaming of 100’s of things to do to this cool vehicle for 20 years now and rather than moving on to a cool new 200(or 300) I’m choosing to come thru on some of the ideas I have seen and add my own twist where if feels right. Budget is important but already out the door, it will be a do it as I can afford to deal with the hopes to not stall out until done, if ever….
Since these are useless without pics, here are a few over the years, to date, just lifted, many 35's gone through and really just used and enjoyed.
History:
2nd owner of my 97 Collectors edition since 2001. 47K on the ODO. Current 160K
Oil changes, Couple starters, brake changes, and a few other things I have probably done wrong as in plugs, filter and so on.
Some damage on cylinder 3 or 4. Drivable and burns some oil, self-inflicted idiot move. To repair or replace? Cost to repair the brick doesn’t seem justified to me, had it looked over and not an option to supercharge or turbo without a rebuild. To do it right it seems smarter to go all in on a V8.
Goal:
Up for anything, will not retain stock as this is not important to me. Willing to change anything other than the overall body and looks the 80 offers.
LT1 mated to 8 speed tranny is the ultimate goal. Going to limp by where I can and take it easy with maintaining as little as possible with the thought to move on. No interest in junkyard find, looking for a reliable new engine, tranny that will last me another 20 years with little to no issues.
Overlander, bike hauler, camper towing vehicle on occasion, occasional off road trips.
Completely refresh the drive train
Give the interior a refresh and make it work for me.
Accessorize
Not sure I will be good at this but ultimately tracking what I do so I have a reference to go back to. I seem to forget what I did 6 months later lol. Zero interest in ever selling it. I have been lurking on this site dreaming of 100’s of things to do to this cool vehicle for 20 years now and rather than moving on to a cool new 200(or 300) I’m choosing to come thru on some of the ideas I have seen and add my own twist where if feels right. Budget is important but already out the door, it will be a do it as I can afford to deal with the hopes to not stall out until done, if ever….
Since these are useless without pics, here are a few over the years, to date, just lifted, many 35's gone through and really just used and enjoyed.