Father/Son project? Opinions welcome........

[Kenny]

Okay guys, my son just totaled his Cavalier(first car). I guess it is still a bad idea to cruise the back roads with a 17 yo girl He has done so well at school since his legal misadventures a couple of years back ( while living with his mom), that I wanna build something extra nice. The goals will be safety, reliability, and decent economy in a package that is easy to maintain and get parts for. So here are some pics of tentative projects.




I can't decide between a standard or extended cab....... The basic project will revolve around a 403 hp 6.2 litre L92/ 6l80 six speed auto trans with 8,000 miles. The engine and tranny are out of a '08 Escalade, and the combo weighs about 50-60 lbs less than the original V-6/auto tranny combo. With the new exhaust, cam and intake, the engine should make a very mild mannered 460-475 hp

The rear is a big 8.5" 10 bolt from a 5 speed 2wd Blazer Xtreme. The rear has a Zexel torsen posi unit and 12" disc brakes. I have 13" Corvette discs and aluminum calipers for the front. Neither truck would be using any factory suspension parts. I will be using Hyperco fiberglass leaf springs, and 650 lb/in front springs, Bilstein digressive valved shocks, and a Bilstein 3rd "hop" shock for axle control. I will be using Afco tubular front control arms and Howe precision ball joints.

I will probably use Bogart road race wheels.......


Is this project cool enough??

[exentix]

i wish my dad would do something like that for me  very cool

[disco]

Looks like a nice project!  I'd say go with the extended cab.  To me I feel like I'm sitting bolt upright in the regular cab.

[blueyamaha]

Personaly i like the extended cab. I get to umm have fun in the back seat. I think he will miss that since his car had a back seat? Just tell him to keep with the 17 year olds. But go with the extended.

[kyledvor61]

Personaly i like the extended cab. I get to umm have fun in the back seat. I think he will miss that since his car had a back seat? Just tell him to keep with the 17 year olds. But go with the extended.

+1 sounds good to me

[Kenny]

He is going off to college next year...... The extended cab has way more room for subwoofers and amps :grin_nod: My last extended cab had 4 down firing Alumapro 12's and a couple thousand watts.....had some nice Focal speakers for front stage as well :grin_nod: I have been eyeballin' those new Rainbow iPaul amps. Maybe even Arc Audio, or Zapco amps......

[Krandall]

My vote would be for the extended cab as well, it's always nice to have extra storage room for stuff inside the cab.

[Colorado700R]

I want to be adopted 

[socalrappy700]

My vote would be for the extended cab as well, it's always nice to have extra storage room for stuff inside the cab.

+1

Its just nice to have room for gear and to hide my stash. 

[Gunz]

Extended Cab all day long.....

[Livingmylife93]

I wish my dad would do something like this for me lol.


But i like the red one better, and i like you ideas 

[Kenny]

 I like the short cab because of weight, and I like extended cab for convenience. I also think a short cab has a better look. In this case, I would be removing all the gay crap the owner put on the red one(alteeza's, clear corners, bed cover and such). I would also be tossing the suspension, which I am sure is drop spindles and 2" straight blocks. He also painted the vents body color........ I think since my son is already 6'3", and the white one can be had for $2500, extended cab it is.

These trucks actually balance out pretty well. I will be removing a bunch of weight at the extreme front and rear, then adding it all back in the center with a nice stereo system. I'll also be moving the battery from the extreme front to the passenger side under the bed.

I am VERY excited about this project!! I just wish I could get this deal on one of the "pewter" colored ones...... they are nearly invisible to the police. Big QUIET hemi turbo mufflers will be the order of the day as well! :grin_nod:

[fire raptor]

OK plain and simple go for the extended cab. I have found out in my years as a Firefighter that extended cabs and crew cabs seem to do better in roll overs. Now this nothing other than my personal observation of a lot of accidents over 31 yrs and nothing scientific. And a plus for your son is there is more room to recline the seats!!!! No matter what you get it will be a great bonding project for dad and son.Have fun!

[NaturalRaptor]

I wish my family was like yours! 

[Flynbyu]

My vote goes for the extended cab.

That would be so bad ass!

<I'm up for adoption>

~Brian