New member 1987 V10 4x4 Longbed Upgrade

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JKXLR8

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Apr 11, 2023
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Location
Palm Beach
First Name
Jamie
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Kind of funny, put 1.5” spacers on each rear side, almost looks like I need 3” on each side to square it up, thoughts? Thought the front was a total 3” difference, I did that, appears that the rears are still tucked in, anyone?
 

Redfish

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Nov 6, 2021
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Location
Prairieville, LA
First Name
Andrew
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V1500
Engine Size
350/5.7
Kind of funny, put 1.5” spacers on each rear side, almost looks like I need 3” on each side to square it up, thoughts? Thought the front was a total 3” difference, I did that, appears that the rears are still tucked in, anyone?
I think the difference is about 3.1". Yeah, I know we don't measure inches by the tenth...

I would bet the difference is not really noticeable to anyone but you at this point. You have done a great job with that truck, you are seeking a level of perfection that truck didn't have the day it was built.

The PO installed a set of spacers on my '87 and my Pop noticed them immediately. The day we picked up the truck Pop wanted to know why there was more drum exposed. I wanted to remove them and put the truck back like it was supposed to be but Pop said that was one thing he always hated about his '77 and Mom's '84 when they were new.

There is at least one thread on this forum about the spacers. Why is there a difference from the factory? What was the true purpose? I can say with confidence that my '87 with the spacers drives, turns, handles and performs every bit as well with the spacers as either of the Squares I drove in the '80s did with the original width rear end.
 

JKXLR8

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Joined
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Posts
34
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Location
Palm Beach
First Name
Jamie
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
I hear you loud and clear! Even if it’s 3.1, I put 1.5 on each side which I thought would line them up, I measured it w the spacers and literally need another inch on each side to square them up. Anyone have the exact spacer size to accomplish this? I think 2.5 on each side but looking for opinions and pics, thanks guys!
 

Grit dog

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Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
Looking at replacing exhaust today, true duals, maybe flowmaster 40s with dumps over rear axle, no tailpipes…thoughts?
How loud you want it in the cab. Side exit 40s behind the rear wheels on our truck = no drone in the cab and fairly pleasant.
Many axle dump vehicles with loud exhaust seem to make it as loud inside as out in my limited experience.
My opinion? Chrome side pipes ftw.
 

JKXLR8

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Posts
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Location
Palm Beach
First Name
Jamie
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Out on the town for the first time, lots of thumbs up!!
 

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JKXLR8

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Location
Palm Beach
First Name
Jamie
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
New exhaust and AC is blowing cold!
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Strick

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Joined
Nov 25, 2020
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Location
Dunn, NC
First Name
Harold
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C20 Crew
Engine Size
350
Welcome in. I love that ride. An '87 is my Unicorn! I'll find one for myself one day. Maybe...
 

JT58

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Joined
Aug 1, 2023
Posts
48
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66
Location
Naples, FL
First Name
JT
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
5.7
Wow nice truck and nice progress! I have an 87 V10 on the other side of Fl from you. I love the stock look though, no lift. Mine needs a lot of work and I have been making progress over the last 11 months, since I first got it, doing most of the work myself. Still has a way to go. Did you do your own paint and body work? My paint is OK but ideally will need a better paint job down the road. Need to find a good shop that won't over charge me. Hard to find good shops on this side of FL for any vehicle work in Naples- very hard to find a shop to work on a truck this old, period.
 

JKXLR8

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2023
Posts
34
Reaction score
123
Location
Palm Beach
First Name
Jamie
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Wow nice truck and nice progress! I have an 87 V10 on the other side of Fl from you. I love the stock look though, no lift. Mine needs a lot of work and I have been making progress over the last 11 months, since I first got it, doing most of the work myself. Still has a way to go. Did you do your own paint and body work? My paint is OK but ideally will need a better paint job down the road. Need to find a good shop that won't over charge me. Hard to find good shops on this side of FL for any vehicle work in Naples- very hard to find a shop to work on a truck this old, period.
yea man, paint was done in west palm, about 3k, not perfect but looks good. I did the grill bumpers lights molding and pinstripe. Had the work done in west palm the lift and roll bar, 4WD Parts-it’s a chain, they did good work! If I had the time I might have been able to do more. Shoot a pic of what your working with, I appreciate the kind words!!
 

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