Jeff Balazs

Mike; Mine started off as a $1000 non running derelict. I did pretty much everything but the paint myself. And other than the paint I never spent more than a couple hundred a month on it during the build. I knew from day one that I wanted it to be a daily driver. So my build always kept that in mind. I made a lot of subtle mods as I progressed but I also tried to retain as much of the original stuff as I felt I could make do with. I am very happy with the end product. These truck were obviously a good design when they were made and most of it still works well today. I will say that when one considers something like this they need to be realistic about how it should perform. Change too much or ask it to be like an Escalade and it will lose it's real charm very quickly. These are just work trucks....... plain and simple. Keep that in mind and you should get good results. Jeff

Wally; You are welcome. I just wanted to share some of my experience with this aspect of building one these trucks for daily use in todays world. They really do make a very use able truck without too many mods. I have been very impressed by how nice the little flatty runs and how flexible the fluid drive 4 speed set up mine was fitted with actually works. Very sweet indeed. I wasn't too sure I liked it to begin with but I have changed my mind the last couple of months. Definitely no need for any further mods there. What a great little engine these are when they are dialed in. Jeff

Wally; No there is definitely some items that need to be altered to use one of these trucks the way I have been. Gearing and brakes are at the top of the list. I went with a 3.55 ratio on the rear axle. Initially I thought it was too tall. But now that I have been really using it I would say it is spot on. The brake thing is a matter of what your local traffic conditions are like. Certainly drums would be fine if they are in tip top conditions and you use the truck in light traffic. I went with 4 wheel disc brakes and with the type of traffic, speeds and hilly conditions I face they are perfect. There are a few other details that are more than worthwhile when planning to use one of these trucks as a daily driver. Upgraded lighting....seat belts.....and good cabin insulation make it much safer and more pleasant to use. What doesn't need a lot of messing about with is the basic engine configuration, suspension or even the 6 volt electrics. People are blown away by the ride and comfort level of this truck. Not a day goes by when I don't get several thumbs up's or someone asking about it. If you take your time and put one of these trucks together carefully they will reward you with rock solid performance and reliability. They are well worth the effort. Jeff

It's been a while. Moved and been driving the wheels off the old truck. It has been great! What a good little workhorse this truck is. No problem keeping up with traffic here anymore. Guess it just needed to be pushed hard and a bit of MMO to get the rings to re seat. I think I even startled some yoyo in a Tesla this morning when he was poking along in front of me. Too bad......wonder what he was thinking as my grille loomed close? For those of you who want to use one of these trucks as a daily driver.......It can be done without too many mods. Jeff

You mention a turbocharger. Could it be running a little lean? And that condition shows up under load?

Well .......radically different weather here. Not even sure what that white stuff is. It can as does get down to freezing once in a while in the winter. So 10w-40. Summer is much hotter. 112 a few times last year.. Combine that with stop n go traffic and 20w-50 makes much more sense. I also put a bottle of STP high mileage additive in every oil change. Helps keep the oil pressure up in very hot weather. Jeff

You may consider running 10w-40 in the winter and 20w-50 in the summer. This has worked out well for me the past couple of years. Gets pretty hot here. I top up with MMO a week or two before oil change and have found that treatment to be very beneficial. The lowest I have ever seen my oil pressure drop to at idle was about 30# and that was a blazing hot day. Hth, Jeff

Was suggesting VPW as they sell the Weber as a complete kit including adapter. Big thing with a conversion like this is getting the jetting and linkage correct. Can take a while if it isn't close to correct to start with. I imagine VPW has already got these kits set up correctly for our engines. Might at least be worth a call to see if you can get some info on that set up. Something else to consider is that these carbs probably need a good pressure regulator ahead of them. Most Webers seem to work best with about 2.5# of fuel pressure. Jeff

I believe that VPW sells the Weber. I would guess that it is jetted correctly for a 230. Wouldn't hurt to call them and get their take on this installation. Jeff

Might check the fuel tank vent.

Yes.....and they are quite confused when we tell them that we did this stuff...and survived without any apps. OMG!

Yes I used to lay out on the rear window deck of my Dads 56 Belair at on night drives through LA back in the day. It was no big deal back then. Rode in the back of a pickup to San Francisco and back in the 70's. Again no big deal. Used to dirt bike way out in the middle of the desert. No cell phones.....or first aid kits and I know for certain we never took any water with us. But we survived it all and a whole lot more. Not sure if the kids today are made of the same stuff?

I have also heard good things about Earl. It is good to see that somebody is still creating and developing new components for these engines. If I ever win the lottery he would be the guy I would have build an engine for me. Besides I prefer a left coast source any day.

I agree with what Greg has said here. It seems like you have a grossly mismatched carb instead of the correct item. It is just possible that you will chase your tail forever with this. Finding the correct carb should not be considered impossible no matter where you are located. Jeff

I like what you have done. Anything you an do to reduce contaminants getting into the crankcase is a good thing. Jeff

Hwy 78 through San Pasquel Valley towards Ramona. The valley was the scene of an important battle during the war with Mexico. The grade at the top has claimed many a victim over the years. Let's just say it is not a place to have car trouble of any sort. My truck has the brakes and handling for Ortega Hwy.....but not enough grunt. Too bad as I have a customer and friend that has an awesome ranch property a few miles off the hwy towards Wildomar. Ortega Hwy has as I am sure you know claimed quite a few motorists over the years. Mostly motorcyclists these days but back in the day it was mostly vehicles with 4 wheels. Jeff

No I was helping a buddy move up to Julian from the OC. That little road has some treacherous stuff going on. Most people including a lot of SoCal locals don't even know it is there. California roads got all the bases covered if you know where to look. I agree you don't need to over power it either. Just not sure a little flattie is going to work well enough in those mountains. I imagine a stock 318 would do the trick. Getting the suspension and brakes up to snuff might actually be a bigger challenge. There are several guys here who have larger truck and can probably guide you on that topic. I share this with you. Part way through the revival of my truck I decided to upgrade to 4 wheel disc brakes. Cost me dearly as I had already invested in all the new replacement parts for the original system. But I went ahead and bit the bullet........and boy am I glad I did. Took all the drama out of stopping quickly and safely. That was some of the best money I have ever spent. Whatever you wind up doing you need to have complete confidence in the brakes......especially with the kind of drivers we share the road with. Jeff

Yes a larger engine will surely help. But if you are up in the mountains it may still not be enough. The grade up the battlefield to Ramona comes to mind........ I do think I would look seriously at a V8 swap if you have stuff like that to contend with. About 25 years ago I witnessed an early 50's F series ford go through the railing near the top of that grade. Fortunately I always carry rope and we were able to get down to the truck and rescue a young mother and two small children from the bottom of that gulch. They were very lucky a few trees slowed them down. I can still picture it going over the top. If you know that area you know the hand of God was involved in saving them. Jeff

Put a regulator on and try setting it for around 3# to 3.5#. I think this will help. I have my full time pump on a separate switch as has been suggested. Hth, Jeff

I hope I can keep this on track......just found out I am going to be a Grand Dad for the first time last night. Likely that will slow things down a bit. I know what you are saying about the weight issues of a larger truck. My 3/4 ton weighs in at a shade over 4000#. It is what it is. I never really wanted anything smaller. I have found the increased hauling capacity and the longer wheelbase much to my liking. The ride quality and handling is excellent but it is a bit under powered in its stock form. That is why I am looking hard at giving it this sort of boost. Otherwise I couldn't be happier with it. I do think however that having an even larger truck and really using it like I do mine would be an even bigger challenge. I fear that it would not work out well without a lot of very serious mods in the environment I am in. I did look at a few one ton Pilothouse trucks because I really liked the idea of a 9 foot bed. But in the end I felt making one into a daily driver would be too much work and would take it out of the relatively stock realm I like so much. I suppose it all depends on where you are located and how you want to use it. Jeff

I will do posting on this once we get started. Since I use the truck all the time this needs to be built up as something that will will go in as a quick swap. I feel fortunate to have someone as talented as my buddy Jon helping me out this way. He makes his living building race cars and off-roaders for many well known teams and privateers. He has indicated that he may be able to get quite a bit of the hardware for next to nothing...so we shall see. We are going to try and engineer this so it is a direct bolt-up system. Not necessarily a kit.....but as something that could be easily put back to stock should someone want to remove it in the future. Jeff

I may experiment with this later this spring. I have a buddy that is an amazing fabricator and likes a challenge as much as I do. What we have been discussing is indeed a small turbocharger with 4# to 5#s of boost. He has some very clever ideas about the manifolds and associated plumbing that I really like. Can't say what it will do to fuel economy yet but more grunt should make the taller gearing I already have work better. We all have different reasons for having an old truck. I use mine daily and it has been extremely reliable. I see no reason why it would be any less fun to drive with a little boost from something simple like a turbocharger. Jeff

And they look so sweet. I got a little mutt last year that has been equally effective keeping people and other dogs away. Guess that is what I get taking him off death row. Hasn't done a thing about the moles though....but he is quite the digger. Got to love those little guy's.

Very cool.....literally. It is great to see these old trucks still getting the job done. Keep on truckin' Jeff

Welcome Chef. There have been Pilothouse step bumpers listed on C/L from time to time. Last one I saw listed was in San Diego. Jeff