Build and modify your 1973-1987 GMC or Chevrolet truck in your garage with step-by-step processes to boost power, add curb appeal, and improve stopping ability, handling, safety, and more. GM’s square-body 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 C10 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 square-body 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.
In this illustrated guide, an LS-series expert takes you step-by-step through the process of installing GM’s high-power engines in any automobile. First underhood in the 1997 Corvette, GM’s LS engines have proven powerful, reliable, and amazingly fuel efficient. Since that time, more than a dozen variants have been produced, ranging from bulletproof, iron-block 4.8-liter workhorses to the supercharged 7.0-liter LS7. Among performance enthusiasts, these remarkable V-8 engines have become a favorite for engine swaps, owing to their fantastic power, compact design, and modification possibilities. In GM LS-Series Engines: The Complete Swap Manual, professional LS-series engine specialist and technician Joseph Potak details all the considerations involved in performing this swap into any vehicle. With clear instructions, color photos, diagrams, and specification tables, Potak guides you through: Mounting your new engine Configuring the EFI system Designing fuel and exhaust systems Sourcing the correct accessories for your application Transmission, torque converters, and clutches Performance upgrades and power-adders Troubleshooting, should problems arise
Learn to tune, rebuild, or modify your Rochester. In this comprehensive and easy-to-use guide, you will learn: · How to select, install, and tune for street or strip · Basic principles of operation, air and fuel requirements, repairs, and adjustments · Tips on choosing manifolds and fuel-supply systems · Complete info on emission-control systems, including Computer Command Control
Build and modify your 1967-1972 Chevrolet or GMC truck utilizing today’s greatest parts. The 1967-1972 GM pickups are American icons. They’ve been popular for decades due to their simple nature, stout engine options, crisp styling, and fantastic reliability. However, you can make a classic pickup drive, stop, and look better than it ever did from the factory. Longtime magazine editor Jim Pickering dives into all the factors that made these GM trucks so popular as well as the modifications that bring a modern spin to their classic look and feel. He takes a close look at all of the major systems in your truck and covers the ways to upgrade those systems. These upgrades make your truck quick, safe, stylish, and reliable enough to drive across the country or over to your local cruise-night diner. The market has caught on to these trucks (with high prices to match), but you don’t have to break the bank to find a good one if you know where to look and what to look for. This book covers a lot of ground--from sourcing a great starting point to the inevitable rust repair that you’ll have to tackle before the real fun begins. From there, the book covers powertrain options, including LS and LT swaps, overdrive automatic and manual transmission installation, hydraulic clutch conversions, and 12-bolt axle rebuilds. Also covered are coilover and air-bag suspension installation, exhaust systems, big brakes, tight steering, making all new steel high-pressure fuel lines, aftermarket wheels and tires, and more. Aesthetic upgrades include converting from a long bed to a short bed, patina paint application, cooling-system upgrades, interior rehabilitation, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, and air-conditioner installation. Chevy/GMC Trucks 1967-1972: How to Build and Modify is a valuable resource whether you do the work yourself or you want expert advice regarding items to upgrade before hiring a professional.
This official centennial salute to the trucks of General Motors Corporation and its predecessors traces their history through photos, advertisements, and other historical data. Provides a decade-by-decade glimpse at various model changes, lists important personnel, and discusses available commercial and consumer vehicle lines. Includes pickups, busses, and commercial trucks.
With the increasing popularity of GM's LS-series engine family, many enthusiasts are ready to rebuild. The first of its kind, How to Rebuild GM LS-Series Engines, tells you exactly how to do that. The book explains variations between the various LS-series engines and elaborates up on the features that make this engine family such an excellent design. As with all Workbench titles, this book details and highlights special components, tools, chemicals, and other accessories needed to get the job done right, the first time. Appendicies are packed full of valuable reference information, and the book includes a Work-Along Sheet to help you record vital statistics and measurements along the way.
When Chevy released its third-generation C/K pickup trucks, the stout and sturdy performers captured the attention of Chevy and GMC truck enthusiasts. As a result, millions were sold during their 18-year production run. The new cab design featured rounded windshield corners, rounded cab roof, and sloped and rounded doors, so they were called the "rounded-line" trucks by General Motors. Enthusiasts, however, didn’t agree. Because of the overall squarer appearance of the trucks, they were soon called the "squarebody" by enthusiasts and journalists alike. Although the older Chevy/GMC pickups are more exclusive, the third-generation pickups are plentiful, are increasing in collector value, and, fortunately, have parts that are readily available. As an on- and off-road utility vehicle, Chevy/GMC trucks have been towing, hauling, and operating in a variety of conditions. After all of these years of hard use and exposure to harsh conditions, many of these extensively used trucks are in desperate need of restoration. Whether you own a regular, super, or crew cab with a short or long box, this restoration guide provides the pertinent information and instruction to restore your truck to original condition. Seasoned truck magazine writer Kevin Whipps explains real-world techniques for restoring classic Chevy and GMC pickups at home. You are shown how to comprehensively inspect, properly assess, and accurately budget your restoration project. You are also guided through each major portion of truck restoration, including engine, suspension, chassis, bodywork, paint, brakes, steering, transmission, driveline, electrical system, interior, and more. Special coverage is dedicated to the replacement of body panels and the repair of box, cab, and other body parts. When pro-caliber bodywork has been performed, you have an excellent foundation for the paint, and in turn, you’re shown to prep, shoot, and buff the paint job. The rounded-line Chevy/GMC trucks are extremely popular as stock restorations, fast street trucks, and off-road-duty trucks. But before you can build a specialty truck, you need to have a solid, reliable, restored truck. This book provides the invaluable information and step-by-step instruction to return these trucks to their original glory. An authoritative and comprehensive restoration guide for the 1973-1987 Chevy/GMC trucks has not been available until now.
Finally, a rebuild and performance guide for GM 6.2 and 6.5L diesel engines! In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was considerable pressure on the Detroit automakers to increase the fuel efficiency for their automotive and light-truck lines. While efficient electronic engine controls and computer-controlled gas engine technology was still in the developmental stages, the efficiency of diesel engines was already well documented during this time period. As a result, General Motors added diesel engine options to its car and truck lines in an attempt to combat high gas prices and increase fuel efficiency. The first mass-produced V-8 diesel engines of the era, the 5.7L variants, appeared in several General Motors passenger-car models beginning in 1978 and are often referred to as the Oldsmobile Diesels because of the number of Oldsmobile cars equipped with this option. This edition faded from popularity in the early 1980s as a result of falling gas prices and quality issues with diesel fuel suppliers, giving the cars a bad reputation for dependability and reliability. The 6.2L appeared in 1982 and the 6.5L in 1992, as the focus for diesel applications shifted from cars to light trucks. These engines served faithfully and remained in production until 2001, when the new Duramax design replaced it in all but a few military applications. While very durable and reliable, most of these engines have a lot of miles on them, and many are in need of a rebuild. This book will take you through the entire rebuild process step by step from diagnosis to tear down, inspection to parts sourcing, machining, and finally reassembly. Also included is valuable troubleshooting information, detailed explanations of how systems work, and even a complete Stanadyyne DB2 rebuild section to get the most out of your engine in the modern era. If you have a 6.2, or 6.5L GM diesel engine, this book is a must-have item for your shop or library.