Overhauling 91... any sugg's?

[Jeff91]

1991 5.7 4x4 auto... 3"body lift, 31" rubber... looking for a slow overhaul, where do I start?? Body, Engine, Drivetrain??? Everything is still good (considering '91) body could look better, for cheap??
Looking for the "mean" 4x4 look... thinking also susp. lift...
How long could the original 5.7 last, now has 175k???

[jveik]

i would start with the body unless the motor is shot, then buy a new engine from gm (as cheap as 1300 for a certain 350 crate motor). if you are doing the body all over again, and need the motor replaced, might as well replace the motor first, then prep the body for new paint. make sure if you use filler that you dont use too much and also that it is mixed well and put on a stiff underlaying surface, or it will crack down the road and look like complete crap. im assuming you need to keep driving it the whole time, so i would plan each thing around weekends.

[Rs051802]

175k on the motor, I would go ahead and buy a long block for it. Other than that, depends on how much you need the truck. I recomend a whole new front end, expecially if putting a lift on and considering mean offroading.