Any good hacks/upgrades you've come up with for our trucks

[Turbolover]

These things:

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I throw every one of those things in the garbage where they belong.

On 07 and newer Silverados they have a fused power distribution block on the passenger firewall.
It comes with a 175 amp maxi fuse.
I have one of these on each side between the battery and my interior wiring or truck wiring.
I have another I just found yesterday at the local pick and pull that I am going to pit at the rear of the truck so I have a fused power source at the rear for my trailer plug and power for back up lights or light bars.
My newest one looks like this. May swap it for one of the singles I have up front.

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[Best truck design]

Back ups

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brake lights

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I really like that idea!

 

[fussfeld]

There is, apparently, a lightweight factory starter that is compatible with earlier small blocks? This was on 2000 and later vortec engines?

Please discuss, in great detail.

Please list part # for the mini-starter and where can i get the bolts (besides salvage yards) IF in fact you do need different bolts for the smaller starter.

Please list part # for the mini-starter and where can i get the bolts (besides salvage yards) IF in fact you do need different bolts for the smaller starter.

i recently, likely, roasted my starter----see my upcoming posts as to why.

So, i figured now would be a good time to try the mini-starter:

i found a part # that would work: AC Delco part # 3371002. Much smaller/lighter than the original style starters. More torque due to the gear reduction vs. the 1:1 ratio of the original type. Also, less amp draw.

Important NOTE: You will need starter bolts, GM part # 12338046. These bolts are shorter than the traditional starter bolts----i ASSume because the newer style starter cases are shorter too?

Bottom line for starter bolts: The traditional starter bolts WON'T work with the newer starters. You need the specific newer starter bolts.

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The correct starter bolts for the mini-starter are on the left. Traditional bolts on the right.

i think this is a very good upgrade.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Total cost installed?

 

[fussfeld]

Total cost installed?

$147 including bolts, + profuse amount of cussing while removing the old one. However, no cussing when installing the new one----easy to install.

 

[PeteJr]

Good info........
But, can you verify the starter part numbers? The pic and write up have different numbers.
Thanks for posting. It's good info.

i recently, likely, roasted my starter----see my upcoming posts as to why.

So, i figured now would be a good time to try the mini-starter:

i found a part # that would work: AC Delco part # 3371002. Much smaller/lighter than the original style starters. More torque due to the gear reduction vs. the 1:1 ratio of the original type. Also, less amp draw.

Important NOTE: You will need starter bolts, GM part # 12338046. These bolts are shorter than the traditional starter bolts----i ASSume because the newer style starter cases are shorter too?

Bottom line for starter bolts: The traditional starter bolts WON'T work with the newer starters. You need the specific newer starter bolts.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

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The correct starter bolts for the mini-starter are on the left. Traditional bolts on the right.

i think this is a very good upgrade.

 

[fussfeld]

Good info........
But, can you verify the starter part numbers? The pic and write up have different numbers.
Thanks for posting. It's good info.

The starter is AC Delco part # 3371002. which cross references to a 1999 c-1500 pickup, but i assume Suburban, Tahoe, vans also use the same part#?

Also, i "heard" that the even later Astro starters have even more torque----cos remember, the 4.3 v-6 was equipped in vans all the way up to 2015. i didn't have time to research further and the 3371002 works well enough for me anyways.


The bolts are GM part# 12338064.

 

[fussfeld]

P.S.

These brands look to have the identical starter as the delco, which leads me to believe that they are all made in the same factory in China, and they'll just put different stickers on depending on which brand it's going to be? Yes, the Delco is M.I.C. as i just checked....

Proform # 66268

Jegs' #10016

They look to have the identical case etc.

***Powermaster 9200*** Now this one says Made in USA. So maybe Powermaster originally designed this style of starter, but then licensed it out?

Also, the powermaster internals seem to be different. For example 4.40:1 gear reduction vs. 3.75:1 of the others.

 

[Camar068]

Don't forget to check with DB Electrical. They are solid brand for starters and alternators. And they're on Amazon....free shipping

 

[77 K20]

I bought a GM performance mini starter years ago. Love it- truck starts easier with less current needed. But I had to modify my flex plate cover for it to fit.

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Not quite sure why- hadn't heard of others needing to do this. If I remember right it was because my crate engine had a smaller flexplate... and that starter had a dual bolt pattern for both size flexplates.