Fly's Work Truck

[FlyHiFlyLo]

I knew I couldn't build a house working out of a Mercedes. So at work we had an old shop/service truck it's a 1987 5.7EFI/TH400 with 98K on it and Hydro-boost brakes . It had been sitting for 3 years because it wouldn't pass smog.

I wanted a utility bed so it could hold all the tools and be locked up. My intention was to just drive it to the property and park it. I figured what the hell! A big ass 150 dollar tool box.

Yes 150 bucks.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Well... The 150 dollar tool box idea only lasted until I put 150 dollar Optima dry cell in it to drive it from the shop. ;D

I figured I would give it to dad and it needed to be better than the crappy cars he chooses to drive... After all he is our foreman on the construction project Mon-Thur and I am the foreman Fri-Sun...

So after rekeying all the boxes and new locking gas caps, First thing I did was take it over to my boy at the exhaust shop and replaced from the head pipe back with a 3" high flow cat, 3" 2 chamber Flow-Master muffler and a fancy chrome exhaust tip.

Then I had to handle the Smog issue. Basically the diverter valve had burned up because the exhaust check valves burned up located on the exhaust manifold.

So to fix this I got the parts at GM then went ape shit and got a new Performance Distributer, Plug wires, Plugs, Delco ECM, Sensors, MSD Blaster Coil, Holley Throttle Body and Injectors, K&N Aluminum Cold Air Intake, 160F T-Sat and a Custom Programmed Stage II low to mid range Chip from TBI Chips.

For the drive-train I replaced the fluid in the diff with some Lucas Synthetic posi fluid and did a full Trans filter and fluid change with a shift kit.

She (Bertha) now runs like a Raped Ape!

Then I went and got some new Aluminum American Racing wheels with caps, lugs and locks and the Biggest 10 ply radials I could fit under it.

Then had Pedro do the 250 dollar clay rub and buff detail with a full chassis and engine steam clean and interior detail.

I put a fresh coat of paint on the chassis and engine compartment Then did the do it yourself Hurculiner treatment to the bed. (Great Product!)





For the final touches I stripped the interior then did some ebay action and got a GM replacement rubber floor mat, Dash cover new arm rests, door panels, floor mats and a seat cover. The interior already came with an Autometer Tach, CD player and CB radio so these were fine as is.

When I was done it didn't have custom look on the exterior so I decided to add an aluminum billet grill, Clear blue halogen head lights with white trim paint on the bezels, new stainless steel mirrors, and diamond plate license frames.




All said and done she was about 4500. But I'm happy with the results and Bertha should be the ranch truck for at least a decade.

[3RRL]

Wow, what a sano rebuild!
I guess it's not exactly $150 bucks as you thought but what you ended up with is an outstanding truck!
Heck, it's cleaner than my brand new 2500HD Silverado and a lot cheaper to boot!
I should've let you fix my Blazer before I napom'ed it.
Rob-

[FlyHiFlyLo]

3rrl said:

I should've let you fix my Blazer before I napom'ed it.
Rob-

Yeah, I wish that Vortech Blower didn't melt down... We could have put it on tha Kama!

[3RRL]

flyhiflylo said:

3rrl said:

I should've let you fix my Blazer before I napom'ed it.
Rob-

Yeah, I wish that Vortech Blower didn't melt down... We could have put it on tha Kama!

Heck, it would be a direct bolt on to your truck. Gas mileage improves unless your foot is always in it.
I paid more for that thing than I did for Loretta's tractor!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Next project is my bone stock, full convertible, powder blue 1971 K-5 Blazer. Soon not to be stock...

[biggkidd]

Man Oh Man,

You sure did a super job on you work truck. I can't wait to see your project truck.

KIDD

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Rob, Kidd, Thanks for the Kudos... The Blazer will be sweet. I have a lift and 35" tires with 4 bucket seats with 4 point belts, some LCD TVs and a whole bunch of Engine/Drivetrain mods on the books. I have all the parts just sitting, waiting for some action.

[red]

WOW Scott-
The truck LOOKS great! How do you find the time to do all those mods? Betcha the smile on your Dad's face will be worth every penny you put into it! Good luck -Ed

[FlyHiFlyLo]

red said:

WOW Scott-
The truck LOOKS great! How do you find the time to do all those mods? Betcha the smile on your Dad's face will be worth every penny you put into it! Good luck -Ed

It took about 2 1/2 weeks. Yeah The Old Man was stoked... But of course he complains about the fuel mileage!!! LOL

[quikduk]

OMG Scott I am ROTFLMAO!!!

That is how ALL of my projects go.

"It is a great deal...but it needs a "few" things to make it more "reliable" or more "comfortable". You know what THAT kind of thinking leads to.

The next thing you know, UPS is your best friend and you have no room in the garage due to the parts hoarding going on.

Then there is the "How long do you think it will take to "fix" it?" question.

I will say that 2-1/2 weeks beat my 4 year Jeep Wagoneer project a while back but my "bargain" Jeep wasn't as good of a bargain after I "fixed" it...allthough it looked like a million bucks (close... ) and ran like a scalded dog. ;D

So now I guess you have a $4500 tool box for the project site? ;D ;D

[FlyHiFlyLo]

quikduk said:

So now I guess you have a $4500 tool box for the project site? ;D ;D

Ha Ha no kidding. So much for the 150.00 tool box. But now I have a good lumber and pipe hauler too.

[bradblazer]

You turned that thing into a nice truck.

Can't beat a truck with a good pipe rack!

[FlyHiFlyLo]

bradblazer said:

You turned that thing into a nice truck.

Can't beat a truck with a good pipe rack!

Yeah can't beat a good rack...

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Some pics of the work truck at the site:

Added a few coolers. One for Red Bull and Vodka and the other is for Jack and Coke... LOL

Also have a few pics of the revamped interior, Engine compartment and the: Hurculiner Bed Liner<- Works great! Highly recomend... Considering some uses for the Hornet.