Brownsquare
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2021
- Posts
- 19
- Reaction score
- 6
- Location
- Wayland, Michigan
- First Name
- Marc
- Truck Year
- 1987
- Truck Model
- R1500
- Engine Size
- 4.3 V6
Hi! My name is Marc and I recently bought my first square body. For years I've wanted to have an older vehicle as a daily...something I could fix EVERYTHING on myself. In other words, no computer BS beyond the stock TBI setup. I certainly got it with this truck! She's a base model with power steering as the only creature comfort. Rubber floor matting, crank windows, non power assist brakes, and a 4.3 V6 backed up to a 3-speed manual transmission with column shift. At first I planned no upgrades other than common wear items. Then the predictable happened...I began to form an emotional attachment!
Plans changed...I sold my stagnant project car build, I decided to patch the Jeep together and retain it as a winter commuter. The truck was moving into the role of fun spring/summer/fall driver! So far, it has gotten a major tune-up and runs excellent. I'm getting blue smoke out of the tailpipe on the first start of the day, after which it clears up. Wondering if it might be valve guides? It also has an oil leak, which I suspect is a rear main seal. I plan on fixing both before long. The only other issue is a slipping clutch, which I have all the parts to fix hopefully this week.
The question I have for you guys is in regards to lowering. I love dropped square bodies! I like the look of a 4/6, but prefer a little bit of a rake. Also, since I plan to daily the truck during the nice months, I don't want anything impractical. Third, since my truck is a V6 and therefore lighter in the nose compared to a V8 truck, it sits nearly level, if not a little lower in the rear. I wonder if I should go with more of a 4.5/5 drop? I'm open to suggestions. Not sure how much difference it will make, but I plan to retain the stock 15" steel wheels and hubcaps for now. Thanks guys and glad to be here!
Plans changed...I sold my stagnant project car build, I decided to patch the Jeep together and retain it as a winter commuter. The truck was moving into the role of fun spring/summer/fall driver! So far, it has gotten a major tune-up and runs excellent. I'm getting blue smoke out of the tailpipe on the first start of the day, after which it clears up. Wondering if it might be valve guides? It also has an oil leak, which I suspect is a rear main seal. I plan on fixing both before long. The only other issue is a slipping clutch, which I have all the parts to fix hopefully this week.
The question I have for you guys is in regards to lowering. I love dropped square bodies! I like the look of a 4/6, but prefer a little bit of a rake. Also, since I plan to daily the truck during the nice months, I don't want anything impractical. Third, since my truck is a V6 and therefore lighter in the nose compared to a V8 truck, it sits nearly level, if not a little lower in the rear. I wonder if I should go with more of a 4.5/5 drop? I'm open to suggestions. Not sure how much difference it will make, but I plan to retain the stock 15" steel wheels and hubcaps for now. Thanks guys and glad to be here!
