I received a couple of emails regarding the last post, especially about the comment of the transmission swap from a 3 speed to a TH350 automatic. Just about everybody said, "What happened to the floor shifter that was planned?" Well, as with any project car or truck, as with life, things change.

The truck was a 3rd vehicle, up until about 2 weeks ago. My oldest daughter's vehicle blew it's transmission & she needs a little time to save up the $1600 to repair it. It's a newer electronically controlled overdrive unit that none of us have the expertise to do the job. So, my wife & I agreed to "loan" her my Nissan for a while, especially since it gets great gas mileage & she has to commute 44 miles a day. My job is less than a 1/2 mile away, so I walk to work almost all of the time anyways. So, with the truck now regulated to 2nd vehicle status, it needs to be good to go in case the Buick needs repair, etc. My wife knows how to drive a standard, but can no longer do so - thus the change in plan regarding the transmission. Plus it's been years since she's even had to consider "paddle" shifting, never mind the Saginaw has a 3.50 1st gear ratio that goes to a 1.89 2nd gear ratio. Couple that with a 3.73 axle ratio, a HD clutch... well, you do the math. Downshifting can sometimes be like a cool amusement ride!

Here's the list of repairs that we have done or are going to do for the sake of safety and driveability:
 - New battery
 - Replaced ball joints
 - Adjusted brakes for proper pedal travel & firmness (brake pads were put on backwards by a previous owner!)
 - Fixed horn & replaced busted horn button
 - Fixed wiper switch (just a loose connection)
 - Fixed fan switch & reattached cables behind heater / defrost panel
 - Replaced driveshaft center support bearing
 - Did LOF & tune-up
 - Will replace single plane intake (ugh!) with a dual plane unit
 - Will weld in new floor pans (both sides)
 - Replace LH window regulator
 - Replace door weatherstripping, both sides
 - Will swap out Saginaw 3 speed & column shifter for a TH350 w/ B&M floor shifter (along with all the related parts - from driveshaft to fluid lines to all necessary cables).

Here's a list of short-term future upgrades were planning:
 - Repaint or replace grille
 - Replace RH front fender
 - Fix or replace dash pad
 - Replace dash bezel (original one is hacked up)
 - Replace bench seat (unsure if it will be a bench or bucket seats)
 - Add carpet & headliner
 - Freshen up both interior door panels (plus one needs an armrest)
 - Add the full set of Auto Meter gauges we already have
 - Add a nice set of rims (I would love to put a set of Torq Thrust's on!)

A short list of plans that will happen, but are quite a ways into the future:
 - A full paint job, inside & out (we're leaning towards blue)
 - A more potent small block mill with nitrous
 - A possible 2" / 4" drop kit for the truck; although at this time I'm having a little difficulty swallowing the $600 - 700 in parts alone - and that is without drop spindles. If I do go that route, I'll also probably upgrade the suspension pieces to polyurethane components. Why not? it's only money :)