Just Bought A Chevy. Where do I go?

[GoliathJeeper]

I just bought my brother's 1996 Chevy 1500 short wheelbase extended cab truck. It has 177,000 miles on it but it is still running good. Completey loaded from the factory. Power windows, power locks, tilt, cruise, leather, two tone paint. I bought this truck to drive to school and back and I needed another pickup to haul stuff and pull airstream trailer my dad sold me. Being the type of person I am I already bought a like new flowmaster 50 series from a friend and I am going to run larger diameter exhaust all the way back. Now I was wondering. This truck has been babied all it's life. I know it drinks gas. But my brother hasnt had any problem with it but hes pretty easy on his rides as am I. Can this truck handle small bolt-on mods or is the high mileage just letting me run on borrowed time. I would like to have a little more power on tap. But I wont be running the piss outta it and it wont see high rpms too often. What can I do to prevent any failure. Any common problems with these rides I should know about? ANY hints or tips will be accepted. Thanks in advance.

Spencer

 

[CanMan]

Im sure it can handle some minor bolts ons like exhaust, chip, intake system, ect... I used to work for a GMC stealership, and the more common problems we have seen with those trucks is leaking intake manifolds, oil pans, and some tranny problems. As long as you keep up the good maitnence on it, it should last a while longer. I would change or at least check fluids, emissinos stuff, ignition stuff, fuel stuff, just give it a one over before any long hauls and such.

 

[Matthew Currie]

Keep an eye on the front ball joints.

 

[GoliathJeeper]

He says it is leaking a very small amount of trannie fluid. Just a few drops if left in place more than 4-5 days. Where could it be coming from?

 

[GoliathJeeper]

Here are some pics of the truck.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/goliathjeeper/DCFC0008.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/goliathjeeper/DCFC0007.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/goliathjeeper/DCFC0006.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/goliathjeeper/DCFC0005.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/goliathjeeper/DCFC0004.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/goliathjeeper/DCFC0002.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/goliathjeeper/DCFC0001.jpg

 

[CanMan]

He says it is leaking a very small amount of trannie fluid. Just a few drops if left in place more than 4-5 days. Where could it be coming from?

Tranny cooler lines, pan gasket, rear seal, vent hose, shift selector o-ring, front torque conv. seal, dipstick tube seal. Could be a number of things.

 

[2001XJeep]

I think a good exhaust system is the best thing you could spend your money on. Not stupid loud or anything like that, I'm talking efficient. As for other mods, you could get crazy with it and certainly get more power (it is a small block after all!). But since it's just going to be your driver, I think you'll be better off just doing good maintenance and keeping it running as smoothly as possible. I just don't see the cheapo mods making any difference and the tradeoff for what you get in return is almost never worth it. Just my opinion though. If the truck has been cared for as you say it should have a lot of life left in it.

 

[j99xj]

Headers should make decent power. Look at those manifolds you have stock, those are like 90 degree bends and thats killing your power.

We are all spoiled brats with our stock Jeep 4.0 manifolds being decent flowing tubes.

 

[2001XJeep]

Headers should make decent power. Look at those manifolds you have stock, those are like 90 degree bends and thats killing your power.

We are all spoiled brats with our stock Jeep 4.0 manifolds being decent flowing tubes.

That's very true. Go with some smaller tube, shorty headers with ceramic coating and you'll see some nice gains.

 

[XJCasper]

Been a while since I have thought of Chevs, but after Tuning up and checking all fluids. Take a look at the brakes. Axle seals in the rear gave our family a bad time. There are ALOT of options for brake replacment, from factory to larger aftermarket upgrades.

Between my brother and I we went along this line:

14" K&N Air Filter
Aftermarket Headers
Complete 3" exhaust with LT-1 muffler
His had no Cat, mine did. His sounded much better.
If you want to run 92 octane, Jet or Hypertech chip
Edelbrock Intake Manifold

What we didn't get done:
Supercharger
There are a few kits out there.
Nitrous

Summit Racing and Jegs are good to use as Christmas Wish books.

In our trucks, tranny's were the weak points. I don't know if any of them saw 80,000 miles before being rebuilt. My dad had my engine rebuilt prematurely at 200,000 miles. I have to check on my brother's milage.

Good Luck
Jason

 

[Matthew Currie]

For the leaking tranny fluid, don't forget that this thing probably has an NP transfer case and a slip yoke, another potential source of dripping trans fluid.