where did yall start?

hey guys, im driving an 81 gmc sierra classic and i plan on gettin a newer truck here pretty soon (prolly over this summer) and i was just wondering where yall started with modding yalls trucks? like did yall start with performance or exterior or what? what kind of engine work or lift kits did yall start out with? im just wondering what kind of approach yall took to get to the current truck you own right now. thanx guys for the help.

I usually start with wheels and tires better suited to what I use the truck for.

also, im interested in engine swaps. id like to know how yall decide what engine to put in what car, where u get the engines, and how difficult it is to do an engine swap.

I would definately start with engine performance. You can make a truck look as pretty as you want, but without performance that's all it is a pretty boy truck. Engine swaps aren't that difficult if you have the right equipment and some help. It would depend on what you are working with. Is there a specific vehicle you had in mind?

Best place to start, is with a good powertrain to begin with, then you don't have to spend time goofing around with it. I had an 85 GMC Sierra Classic 3/4 ton 4x4 years ago, it was pretty tough to begin with, so I went with the aforementioned wheel and tire upgrade, as I do a lot of off highway work. After a time, the engine got weak, as they do, so I spent the time to build and install a 375hp small block, dual exhausts with h-pipe, headers. I could go into great detail on that engine, but it definitely was not cheap. Truck is still on the road in that configuration, and I sold it about 6 years ago. Owner is happy as Larry with it.
On the new work truck, I went with an 01 dodge q/c 4x4, with an HO cummins and a 5 speed. Wanna call it a pretty boy truck, go ahead. It works, hard, every day. 110,000 km and going strong. I have put an exhaust brake on it, wheels and tires for off road work, and thats about it. I have a van aaken power chip waiting in the wings for it, although I don't know that I need it. It already has a k&n filter and drilled airbox.
What it comes down to, is what you are happy with. Seek advice on the mechanical buildup, as there are lots of us out there that have done it, and you can learn from our mistakes. And probably get off a whole lot cheaper too :iceslolan
Otherwise, one can spend a whole bunch of coin on something that does not work well, and end up :banghead:

Good luck with the truck

To be perfectly honest with you, you can't go by what other people started out doing because everyone is different. Some prefer exterior mods as oppossed to performance or vice versa. Do what you want to do. If you just follow what people tell you, you fall into the category of being a poser.

ok, im pretty sure i wanna start with peformance first. im lookin at newer trucks to start off with. i like the look of 80's gmc and chevy trucks, but the mpg is horrible and i cant afford it. so im goin with a newer truck. id like to try and get a 93' and up model with miles under 150,000. that way i can get good mpg and have a decent lookin truck. but im not to sure like what the basics are for modding engines. ive read up on howto.com about engines, but theres so much to do im not sure what to try first. i dont want sumthin big and complicated. id like to start off easy. btw, thanx a lot for yall's replys. theyve helped me focus more on what i want.

Well if ur gonna go fuel injection, some starting performance upgrades would be things like, throttle body, k&n air intake kit, stuff on the top of the engine. If ure gonna go pre 87' (fuel injection) Then u can get a new intake and carb setup. PS...if ur just starting out on upgrades, the 82-87 pickups are SUPER easy to do engine/tranny swaps and upgrades etc.

TexasF355F1 said it best.

But, if I was you, and I'm glad I'm not :) the first thing on my mind would be a blower.

If your tranny and rear end can handle it, that is.

if you plan on lifting it and putting on bigger tires, make sure you do the lift first. Then buy the tires to fit it.

For performance, I'd say your best bet would be to start with a K&N Intake and mandrel bent exhaust. Both are rather restrictive on stock cars and be opening up them both you can not only get HP results both also gas milage (you'll get more air into the engine and thus using less gas).

Just know, you can have too much diameter in the exhaust and you'll lose lowend torque. I would say the safest bet is to have it increased 1/4" over stock and change the stock cat with a hi-flow cat. Also think about aftermarket headers and muffler as those can be restrictive from the factory as well.

And if you ever want to lift it, do what goinbig suggested, put on the lift first then find tires that feel in the gap. And if you want to lower it, have enough cash to do both at once because you'll need lower profile tires as soon as its lowered or else the stock ones will rub or might not even fit depending on how much you lower it.

Look at your $$ situation, then go from there, because it WILL become costly...

K&N filters
Throttle body
Mass Air sensor
Jet chip
Air intake
Just a few.http://members.cardomain.com/12311974

i always start with stance, and for me its as low as possible, when you change your ride hieght you'll feel 100 times better about your truck, if it has a 4-banger or a 400 smallblock once its lowered it gives the truck a whole new attitude