What have you done to your square lately??

[Dejure]

Beyond merely impressive.

"Lately"... well, starting in mid June, until its first trip today, I built my "SB Sleepercell" camper, specifically to fit my Square. I took two 1980's era High top caps, sliced, diced and added a few other enhancements to get where it is. The "cap" is a full tub camper now, 15" higher and 12" wider. I wont be able to get an interior in it or exterior accessories until next spring because I am BUSHED !

 

[bucket]

I dumped my late model Express for this truck. DONE with sensors and other BS. It has been skinned in Fiberglass mat and Resin. Most of the shape was there, I just added the missing areas.

What year Express? "Late model" doesn't narrow it down much when it's been the same basic van for nearly 30 years, lol.

But I get it. My family likes my '00 Express better than our '13.

 

[Dejure]

That, EXACTLY, is one of the major reasons I upgraded my 03 Ranger to a 78 C15 step side. The other was because even if I threw, say, 6k into the 78, it would still be cheaper than a used, high mileage, late model truck that was going to need as many dollars spent on it soon, but was never going to be a head turner to other than the five others who owned one [and, probably, thought I was going to regret buying it].

Said another way, is way less than likely any truck after the 80's is going to be something I'd want to keep alive and drive for 40 years. Especially since doing so would cost twice or three times what the 78 would.

 

[Jawzjeep]

Simple oil change today. I went to do it recently but the stores didn't have a Wix filter so I waited.

 

[Grit dog]

"Lately"... well, starting in mid June, until its first trip today, I built my "SB Sleepercell" camper, specifically to fit my Square. I took two 1980's era High top caps, sliced, diced and added a few other enhancements to get where it is. The "cap" is a full tub camper now, 15" higher and 12" wider. I wont be able to get an interior in it or exterior accessories until next spring because I am BUSHED !

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That is freakin awesome!! Wow!

 

[Grit dog]

That, EXACTLY, is one of the major reasons I upgraded my 03 Ranger to a 78 C15 step side. The other was because even if I threw, say, 6k into the 78, it would still be cheaper than a used, high mileage, late model truck that was going to need as many dollars spent on it soon, but was never going to be a head turner to other than the five others who owned one [and, probably, thought I was going to regret buying it].

Said another way, is way less than likely any truck after the 80's is going to be something I'd want to keep alive and drive for 40 years. Especially since doing so would cost twice or three times what the 78 would.

I hear that my 2017 was sold back to the dealer in 2021 after 16 recalls for electronic issues and my 2010 ranger was down for 2 months because of a sensor being unavailable so I'm driving it thru winter and, in the spring, she's going away in favor of another carbed c10 I'll winterize and keep stock for a daily, tired of all the electronics in these newer vehicles failing, I'm over it.

The glass work looks great BTW.

I would 1000% drive the squares and the old Jeep locally, around town, short trips etc. And I do a good deal of local driving in those rigs. It’s fun.
Long Distance driving? There’s a reason we rarely took a 70s/80s truck on long trips when I was a kid. Comfort.
But unless you don’t have to drive regularly in city rush hour and traffic and don’t drive “a lot” an old squarebody is pretty impractical and borderline unsafe in the city on the freeway. When everyone else’s vehicles have modern safety features and people drive with less attention to the road than in the past due to those features and ….phones, you’re at a serious disadvantage.
And comfort and convenience of course and fuel economy.

 

[squaredeal91]

Recently finished an automatic to 4speed w/ 208 conversion on the 78k10. Been planning this for years, I love it!!

 

[Dejure]

Grit Dog, you would have liked my 69. Rather than starting with focusing on pretty, I focused on dependability, convenience and comfort.

I used to take my Fairmont on runs over the passes, to places about five hours away, then back. Half way there, it was beating me to death. My brand new Monza Coupe wasn't much better. My truck, on the other hand, got me there and half way back before I was longing for home, and to be out of the seat.

Part of that was because:

(1) In spite of headers, the 3-1/2" glass under carpet (paper or foil removed) and an overdrive dropped the road noise big time (that and undercoat was as good as we could do fifty years ago).

(2) A well handling rig reduces fatigue significantly. That, even though my rig didn't have power steering.

(3) The captain's seats were worth every penny I paid for them.

(4) Nice sound, a nice interior and dependability were a big deal too.

 

[xm20k]

I would 1000% drive the squares and the old Jeep locally, around town, short trips etc. And I do a good deal of local driving in those rigs. It’s fun.
Long Distance driving? There’s a reason we rarely took a 70s/80s truck on long trips when I was a kid. Comfort.
But unless you don’t have to drive regularly in city rush hour and traffic and don’t drive “a lot” an old squarebody is pretty impractical and borderline unsafe in the city on the freeway. When everyone else’s vehicles have modern safety features and people drive with less attention to the road than in the past due to those features and ….phones, you’re at a serious disadvantage.
And comfort and convenience of course and fuel economy.

I drive maybe 5k a year or less normally, When I would take a long trip, I always made an adventure out of it, back roads 2 lane highways, hit the touristy/scenic spots along the way etc. Driving any of the old cars/trucks I've owned over the years was never really a big deal for me but then again, I'm a heavy equipment operator so anything beats the ride of the junk I drive on the daily for work.

 

[Grit dog]

I drive maybe 5k a year or less normally, When I would take a long trip, I always made an adventure out of it, back roads 2 lane highways, hit the touristy/scenic spots along the way etc. Driving any of the old cars/trucks I've owned over the years was never really a big deal for me but then again, I'm a heavy equipment operator so anything beats the ride of the junk I drive on the daily for work.

Well, yeah….Hell, I put a few thousand miles a year on the old iron just driving it around sporadically.
I’m not able to curtail my windshield time much with my career (heavy highway construction) and personal stuff.
I’m staring at a windshield for 25-30k miles a year…all in.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Just got the mini split put in Saturday and been working the heck out of it........nothing short of FANTASTIC. Won't see the electric bill for another couple of weeks but I'm sold. My 2 G-sons, Brody and Kooper, got it and installed it for me cause I'm such a GOOD Papa Nah, they said because, I've helped them with a lot if things in their short lives, so far......and I will continue to do that because isn't that what you do????? SO, I'll be spending more time in the cool of the shop

I installed one at my dad’s in his master bedroom a couple years back because he’s too cheap to run the other three A/C systems in his house. At least his bedroom is cool at night.

His is a heat pump, so it does heat as well if for some reason he didn’t want to use the gas stove in the bedroom.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Coming together! albiet slowly. Anyone on the fence about getting seat belts restored the cost was worth it.

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Almost time to install the seat

Who did the resto for you?

 

[WesN]

Won another NHRA Wally yesterday! ! !

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[hoagster]

Who did the resto for you?

She has a Facebook page, "73-87 Chevy/GMC Truck Seatbelt Restorations". Her Name is Tina. Lives in Ohio all is above board. She does awesome work and quick, good communication. I went to her site, messaged her and she answered right away gave me her info and a quote. The day she received my belts she sent me a picture of them already tore down. She also had her truck on this site at onetime. That's how I originally found her site.

 

[hoagster]

73-87 Chevy/GMC Truck Seatbelt Restorations

73-87 Chevy/GMC Truck Seatbelt Restorations. 4,683 likes · 169 talking about this. Specializes in Seatbelt Restorations. Single Cab Trucks 67-87. New Webbing required for Color Changes

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Here's the address again for the seatbelt restoration. I had to did into an old post.