Project Truck

Matthew Booth · December 1, 2019

Hello everybody, I am a college student studying Automotive and Diesel Technology in Indiana. I am looking to build a hot rod pickup and was thinking about buying a 1/2 ton of this era. I was wondering what to look for and if there were any preferred engines or transmissions to look for. I only have a budget of about $1000 for the pickup.

CamGTP · December 1, 2019

$1,000 isn't going to get you far if you want a pretty nice truck in good running order.

Anything performance really won't be there unless you find a 1990 454 big block truck. The 350's are good engines but don't really make any power without lots of money, hence why people LS swap them. Half tons only came with the either the manual transmission or the 700R4/4L60e. Neither auto unit will handle a lot of power without lots of money invested.

Look out for rust on the any wheel well. The rockers/cab corners and underside of the doors like to rust out too.

Mikebtte · December 5, 2019

At $1000 I would find a good roller without an engine. The 350 was the best engine as the 454 was a dog and difficult to tune. Getting a roller would let you put in an LS and 4L80 for a good build.