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Recently purchased a one owner 1987 with 50k miles. Was being used as a show truck and had a super 80s monster truck look. Took the body lift off, replaced the fender flares, wheels w/ downsized tires to 35s, and went through the entire. Planning to have the awful tailgate sprayed over soon and a leather bench put in. All in all- shaping up pretty nice.
When i bought it. New wheels New fender flares New bumoer
Recently purchased a one owner 1987 with 50k miles. Was being used as a show truck and had a super 80s monster truck look. Took the body lift off, replaced the fender flares, wheels w/ downsized tires to 35s, and went through the entire. Planning to have the awful tailgate sprayed over soon and a leather bench put in. All in all- shaping up pretty nice.
When i bought it. New wheels New fender flares New bumoer
That things awesome! In a cheesey 1980s sort of way. Lol. Reminds me of "Bigfoot" The tail gate logo definitely needs to go. Im interested in seeing more pics of the rear suspension if you would. Dont think ive ever seen shocks mounted that way on the track bars. I actually like that front bumper, are those bars just welded to a stocker? You got a gem though, 50000 original thats pretty unheard of. I'll be watching this one. You plan on sas or any other mods aside from De-80ing it? Lol.
Last edited by ChinkTruck; Dec 9, 2016 at 11:22 PM.
That things awesome! In a cheesey 1980s sort of way. Lol. Reminds me of "Bigfoot" The tail gate logo definitely needs to go. Im interested in seeing more pics of the rear suspension if you would. Dont think ive ever seen shocks mounted that way on the track bars. I actually like that front bumper, are those bars just welded to a stocker? You got a gem though, 50000 original thats pretty unheard of. I'll be watching this one. You plan on sas or any other mods aside from De-80ing it? Lol.
Definitely needs to have the tailgate painted. Probably going to do that next week and touch up a few scratches. I think I'll leave the logos on the side though. Dont think I'm going to do the sas, it already rides pretty rough and the amount I'll actually take it offroad doesnt warrant the effort. I'm planning to powdercoat the valve covers and intake cover. Probably do the exhaust and headers down the road as well. Needs a sound system and I may reupholster the interior as well. The current set-up has a pretty awful sound.
I actually took that brushbar off and repainted the stock bumper-It just bolted up the front bumper. It's in really nice shape still, PM if you're interested- I was going to try to sell it on ebay.
Happy to take some more pics of the rear suspension next time I go out there. Will update in a few days.
It is 80s styling and it is an 80s truck. I could go either way with it. I kind of like it myself. I could see why you might go back to a more modern look. As it was, it was probably useless and like you mentioned the ride quality was not so good. At least you have a very solid truck to work with.
I agree, it looked pretty awesome as it was, I would have left most of it alone. It was very "period correct" and a fine example of 80s styling. I understand the desire to tone it down a bit, but I dunno if I'd have chosen to swap out the wheels and the flares, now it doesn't look as period correct to me, but it's not my truck I don't think the tailgate logo is that bad, it matches the sides. A plain color field of on the tailgate would be "missing something" on a flashy truck like this.
I agree, it looked pretty awesome as it was, I would have left most of it alone. It was very "period correct" and a fine example of 80s styling. I understand the desire to tone it down a bit, but I dunno if I'd have chosen to swap out the wheels and the flares, now it doesn't look as period correct to me, but it's not my truck I don't think the tailgate logo is that bad, it matches the sides. A plain color field of on the tailgate would be "missing something" on a flashy truck like this.
You guys have me thinking I might leave the tailgate now. It does match the sides and I'm getting used to it. I had originally planned to take visor off as well but I'm probably going to leave that too.
The flares had to go though, the originals had all cracked around the bolts. I had planned to paint the new ones immediately but I actually think the black looks nice. Tones things down and matches the tires- happy middle ground between retro and modern look.
I guess interior is next, at least until I make my mind up about what, if anything, to paint.
....guess I'm in the minority. I would have considered that tacky back in 1987. ....still do. I was more of a muscle car guy at that time though (wasn't really in to the lowered "minis", monster trucks, etc.). This still isn't as bad as some of the over-the-top modifications I had to witness during the 70s though. The movie Corvette Summer comes to mind.
I think you're doing the right thing by getting it back to a more basic look. These trucks had a clean, neat appearance back then and still do IMO.
I like the changes made to modernize, but I'd stop right where it sits now. The tailgate isn't so bad, and I think trying to match up some old and seasoned/weathered paint would be difficult to get perfect. If you wanted to go this route, stash the one with custom paint on the shelf (or hang it up on the shop wall) and get another tailgate painted. I think that would satisfy the desire to tone it down, and at the same time save the original tailgate should the time ever come where you wanted to sell it.
Bottom line though, it's your truck and this is the USA... so do whatever you want.
Dec 9, 2016 | 08:09 PM
I don't think the tailgate logo is that bad, it matches the sides. A plain color field of on the tailgate would be "missing something" on a flashy truck like this.
