New member..

Hey guys! I'm new here to these boards, but they seem pretty awesome. Lot's of knowledge to be gained here. To introduce myself, I'm 16 years old, I live in Northwest Ohio, and I have a 1998 Chevy 1500 Silverado regular cab and short box (step side). I have power everything, keyless entry, CD. For aftermarket stuff I have a Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust that needs replaced, a K&N air filter, American Racing 16 inch Python rims, a Reese hitch that is never used, it's just for looks. I also have Carbon Fiber head light covers, and Chevrolet bow-tie tail light covers, aftermarket floor mats, a B&M racing electronic shift kit for my brand new 4L60E (which is coupled to a 305) and a Manik Brushgaurd. Sorry for the long post, but i just wanted an entrance to the site. It's a pretty nice truck.

Nice to have you here. I hope you stick around and learn with us!

Thanks for the warm welcome. Trucks are my life, it's my main interest and love. Generally anything automotive I'm obsessed about, but pickup trucks and off-roading are highest on my list, by far. I may be 16, but I know a lot about cars and trucks. I've studied them nearly my entire life, which isn't much at 16, but for learning it's quite a bit. I mainly excell at chassis and suspension components, my favorite parts of a vehicle. The main things I still need to learn of are some details of automatic transmissions and auxilary engine components like fuel and electrical systems, etc. I'm currently a sophomore in high school, and I am currently taking and automotive technology class, which for three hours a day. It's a huge course to take. We are currently building a custom Suzuki Samurai from the bare frame rails. We even built our own custom suspension which articulates like the rear of a dirt bike for maximum travel without bottoming out. It's a blast. :biggrin:

Welcome to the site! You said you like offroading? Any good spots close to you? Some of my buddies and I are going offroading all through the midwest this summer, but we've only found a few places that are supposed to be good. I'll be going to southern Michigan anyway, so we'll probably hit up any close to you.

J-Ri, Were in Southern Michigan? Im about a hour into Michigan from the border, Welcome aboard SilvyKid i can also relate to you by me being 16 also. Get some pics of your truck and find the Truck pics post and lets see it!

- Kevin

Welcome. I just realized how neat it is for someone your age to show such enthusiasm for automobiles and see your eagerness to learn. Reason I relized it I think is because I was the same way 10 years ago! Well youngster, you seam to have the apptitude it would take to learn some things fom this site. And believe me, there is plenty to learn.

J-Ri, Were in Southern Michigan? Im about a hour into Michigan from the border, Welcome aboard SilvyKid i can also relate to you by me being 16 also. Get some pics of your truck and find the Truck pics post and lets see it!

- Kevin

I'll be just a bit west of sturgis at my aunt/uncles campground. It's unrelated to the offrading road trip, but I'll stay there for at least a couple days. Little bit of relaxation and/or major truck repairs :)

Cool deal, Thats about 2 hours or so from here.

- Kevin

Welcome. I just realized how neat it is for someone your age to show such enthusiasm for automobiles and see your eagerness to learn. Reason I relized it I think is because I was the same way 10 years ago! Well youngster, you seam to have the apptitude it would take to learn some things fom this site. And believe me, there is plenty to learn.

Reminds me of me a few years back too. There is more than plenty to learn. I have probably increased my knowledge of vehicles by 1000% (three zeros, not a typo) just in the last two years of college, and I still know nothing compared to some experienced techs. I have an instructor who worked in the field for many years before becoming a teacher, and he is still learning. You have definately chosen a challenging, but fun career (I'm assuming career). A bit of advice (if it is your chosen career path), go to at least a 2 year tech school, or a 4 year college if you can afford it. You will learn so much more than what you pay for, plus, it looks great on a resume.

Thanks for the welcome guys. :) My career choice is definitely automotive related, probably an Auto Engineer for GM. Hopefully I can aid in design of chassis and suspension parts for trucks etc. It's what I love to do. I play around with CAD a lot too. I'm planning to make some skid plated for my truck myself, since it's not a Z71. I don't really off-road as of now, as I can't afford repairs at 16. But having skids would just be cool. It gives me something to do outside of school. I will most likely take a four year college program. By the way I live in Findlay, Ohio. It's about 20 minutes South of Bowling Green. I actually got my truck in Michigan from a private seller for $5500 (my Dad got it for me) since he could not pay it off from the original owner. I'll have to post pics later if I can get it to work. Thanks again! :)

hey welcome, im kinda new to iv had a few threads and post, i love trucks to, i donno where id be without one, i have a 90 chevy c1500 ext cab short bed, its in very good condition except for the typcail cab corners, im currently customizing my interior its getting made over in black and yellow, and right now im also rebuilding a 91 350 to put in it, im putting a nice comp cam, double roller chains, 70 psi oil pump, dynomaw long tube headers on it, and iv got a generic dual exhaust for now but it actually sounds really good. im looking into lowering my truck 4 in the front 6 in the back bc yea its only 2wd but i love lifted trucks to, and i plan on getting a new set of heads if possible or just getting mine ported and polished sometime down the road and a 670cfm holley tbi unit, and some other goodies, after i get some body mods done to it, but sry so long and nice to have you aboard.

thanks. Sounds like your truck should be a road rocket with a freshly built 350. The 670cfm holley, exhaust mods, and comp cams should equal to A LOT of torque to the rear wheels, since it's 2WD especailly. You should be able to burn out quite a bit, just watch your carrier bearing...heh heh. ;)

Hey chec out my truck in the thread "Body Work"

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=360965