Advice needed

[KamenRider_1500]

Hello everyone! My name is Gundam Gohjiro but just call me Goji for short. I just acquired a slightly beat-up 1996 Chevy C1500 pickup. I think it may be the C1500 or it could be the k version I'm not sure. It comes with the 5.7L V8 Vortec engine and is the extended cab version. So this truck wasn't a vehicle I planned on getting honestly but my uncle wanted to give it to me so I wasn't gonna let an opportunity like that slip so I took the truck home. So my vision for the truck is to make it nice looking, then have some good decent power to gap a few cars if I wanted to. Although I'm not sure if I can do that since I live in California. I would like to first focus on some cosmetics like wheels and tires, new paint job, get the lights changed. I can feel that people will be pissed at me for this one but I love anime so I was thinking at some point do an anime decal wrap on the truck, nothing too hurtful to the eyes but just an anime character would do. Later on, I would like to focus on performance mods such as exhaust system, headers, intake, brakes, maybe add a supercharger except I don't know if they have one for the Vortec engine but if they do please let me know. So I would like some advice from you guys on what parts to get for performance parts, cosmetics, where to get them such as online stores. Also, I would like to be able to ask for help if I have any trouble fixing a problem with my truck since I have no experience with cars but I will be learning through videos. I hope to meet people and make new friends!

 

[Frank Enstein]

Welcome! You will get all of that and more here.

Start with the basics. Safety things like brakes and suspension.

Next maintenance/tune-up. Changing fluids and such.

THEN let the mods commence! Be aware that whatever budget you set for a project will be 30% short of the true cost.

Ride height (unless ridiculous to the point of making the truck unsafe/undrivable) and appearance (5% tint on the windshield WILL be a problem) have a blank canvas to build your dream truck.

Make sure EVERYTHING you get for performance has an E.O. for California. A cat back exhaust shouldn't need one.

Make a plan and stick to it! Changing what you want to do mid-stream will kill your budget, time, and enthusiasm.

There are many superchargers/turbochargers but to get an E.O. for the Peoples Republic of California they generally need a completely stock vehicle. So that cat back exhaust you bought before may have to get replaced to make the blower setup legal in CA.

Find out first. Do your homework before you buy something so you don't have to buy it twice.

Listen to everyone's advice, ponder the meaning, and then make your choice.

You will find out pretty quickly that the folks on here really want to help. I learned a bunch when I first came here so now I try to give back as much as possible (still learning though)!

I tend to be long winded and post novels. Others come off a bit gruff. You'll get used to it!

I buy almost everything from Summit Racing.

 

[KamenRider_1500]

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll also check out summit racing. At this point I’m willing to listen and take any advice no matter how strong these peeps may come off. I know they’ll be helpful!

 

[Erik the Awful]

I can feel that people will be pissed at me for this one but I love anime so I was thinking at some point do an anime decal wrap on the truck

I can't complain. I race a BMW with a Hatsune Miku theme. If an "itasha" is a painful car, what's the Japanese term for painful truck?

You must be registered for see images attach

My priorities:
1) Safe
2) Reliable
3) Clean interior
4) Fast
5) Pretty looking

 

[Caman96]

People help more with pictures!

 

[KamenRider_1500]

I can't complain. I race a BMW with a Hatsune Miku theme. If an "itasha" is a painful car, what's the Japanese term for painful truck?

You must be registered for see images attach

My priorities:
1) Safe
2) Reliable
3) Clean interior
4) Fast
5) Pretty looking

Dude love the car, and the Miku figure makes it so much better! Yeah I’m gonna focus on the safety first, turn signals are busted and I believe it has to do with the wiring? Bulbs were changed but that didn’t work. I also think I gotta put some new shocks because the truck is all bouncy.

 

[thegawd]

Ahhh there you are and you already have lots of good info to work with.

Cheers!

 

[KamenRider_1500]

Ahhh there you are and you already have lots of good info to work with.

Cheers!

Oh hey! Yeah thanks again for letting me know! I think I know what to start with for now.

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

 

[sewlow]

Welcome!
'C' = 2 wheel drive.
'K' = 4 wheel drive.
1500 = 1/2 ton.
2500 = 3/4 ton.