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i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:18 pm
by patgizz
the 96 blazer failed emissions and has a dead OBD port(no, its not a blown cig lighter fuse) so it is extremely tough to diagnose. i got sick of throwing parts at it and still failing the test, so i transferred the dead astro's commercial plates over to it so i wouldnt have to do emissions testing.

then while looking for trucks/vans on CL i got mad and eliminated anything newer than 25 years old from my search, and bought this


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it's a 68 C20 with a 292 and 4 speed. it runs very well, i had to adjust the carb in the seller's driveway for it to do so. i drove it about 8 miles to my sister's house and parked it for a few weeks until i can get rid of my dead astro and parts blazer to make room for it.

no huge plans in store. just want to do power brakes and steering, discs up front, 14 bolt in back with 3.73 to replace the 4.56 HO52 rear so it can do more than 55 without revving the heck out of the engine. then mild bodywork and paint. no v8, i always wanted a 292 and loved it when i drove it. the brakes are kinda scary, i have never driven anything with 4 wheel manual drums before. and the only reason i want to do power steering is to get a smaller steering wheel on there because the original is so huge it rubs on my thighs while driving.

i've always wanted a 67-72 truck and have never had anything from the 60's before. i've had vehicles from every decade from the 40's to the 00's but this is my first 60's anything.

best part was the price, which was slightly less than i'll get for scrap + the converter when i take in the rotted out astro.

Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:46 pm
by HPbyStan
It's a beauty.....

Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 3:47 am
by LiftedAWDAstro
Actually in pretty good shape for being well over 40 years old!

Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:38 am
by Smiliesafari
Very COOL. I have a '68 C20. Rusty but trusty. V8, truck 4 speed. Tough old truck.

Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:56 am
by HPbyStan
Smiliesafari wrote:Very COOL. I have a '68 C20. Rusty but trusty. V8, truck 4 speed. Tough old truck.
I'm impressed at how little rust this guys seems to have for its age.

Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:35 pm
by doyoulikeithere
I Love It.
I want a short box step side 4x4 of the same era.

Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:33 pm
by JTalley
Nice! My mom had one of those, but I think it was a '70, and it was green. The brake booster was out, and that thing was nearly impossible to stop.

Re: i got sick of failing e-check so i bought something old

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:10 pm
by patgizz
yeah the manual brakes don't inspire much confidence when stopping. supposedly the astro hydroboost booster/master is compatible with the booster bracket i found to mount to the firewall. so i will pull that from my 96 before i take it in. i'll have to keep the pump too. i am a hydroboost fan, i always loved the feel of my astro brakes and have the system in my 90 dually and had it in my 76 dually as well.

the rockers have been replaced and are hand made. someone did a great job bending them, but the metal is too thin. i'm planning to buy the cab corner/rocker/floorpan/floor support kit and do it all. the corners are a bit soft.