My new truck

I just bought a 1996 GMC 1500 single cab short bed 2WD pick up. I really wanted something 4x4 but I need a truck now more than I need a 4x4, which I would honestly use once a year or so.

Anyway, its red with 100K, a 350 and auto trans, and in excellent condition. All it needs is a flowmaster exhaust, cold air, and a new set of tires.

This solves so many problems, like how to pick up new project cars or transport bulky items for more projects to do...I'm stoked.

Let the part hoarding commence. . . . At least that what happened when I got my truck. Congrats!!

It probably also needs a little more power if you have any significant hills in your area...

Put a locker in the rear end. That's the only thing that makes my 2wd truck useful at all.

RoosterSauce wrote: Put a locker in the rear end. That's the only thing that makes my 2wd truck useful at all.

QFT. 1-wheel drive sucks, especially in the rain, with an empty bed.

RealMiniDriver wrote:

RoosterSauce wrote: Put a locker in the rear end. That's the only thing that makes my 2wd truck useful at all.

QFT. 1-wheel drive sucks, especially in the rain, with an empty bed.

It's not quite 4wd, but it's not completely hopeless, either.

A locker can make the rear really loose on slick going. My KJ has one.

I have a truck with an open rear. I actually kinda prefer it. At least it doesn't always go sideways because they both spin.

Empty bed plus open diff = annoying one-wheel spins.
Empty bed plus LSD = a tiny bit more traction, but a difficult-to-overcome oversteer every time.

BoxheadTim wrote: It probably also needs a little more power if you have any significant hills in your area...

Please lets not start that thread again. 245hp and 335ftpnds is PLENTY of power in a half ton truck to tow anything uphill within its towable weight rating.

I put a locker in mine, it's really fun going around corners

Pictures?

curtis73 wrote: I have a truck with an open rear. I actually kinda prefer it. At least it doesn't always go sideways because they both spin. Empty bed plus open diff = annoying one-wheel spins. Empty bed plus LSD = a tiny bit more traction, but a difficult-to-overcome oversteer every time.

It does take some getting used to, but I happen to find the oversteer with a locker quite easy to control. I find it a pleasure to drive in winter weather, and opt for my truck over my FWD car when running errands in town. I've also taken my truck up trails that would make most 4x4 drivers think twice. I've been near-hopelessly stuck several times, but the two wheels spinning together always managed to get me out. I would put a locker in any 2wd pickup that sees anything worse than wet pavement.

curtis73 wrote: I have a truck with an open rear. I actually kinda prefer it. At least it doesn't always go sideways because they both spin. Empty bed plus open diff = annoying one-wheel spins. Empty bed plus LSD = mega happy awesome super sideways time

fixed

On a regular cab short bed an LSD just means you will be facing the way you came a lot more often. Hell, even with the open diff in my 89 with the 140hp 4.3 It would get sideways stupid fast and being so short was hard to catch. Open diff on 19' long crew cab/ext cab trucks is no fun though and an LSD would really be helpful.

OP: Now you need to drop it 2/4, add a rear sway bar, poly bushings up front and some 17x9 with 255/50/17's. You will be EXTREMELY happy with that!

I have a Detroit locker, 33x12.50 r 15 Dunlop Mud tires. I rarely need to engage the front axle unless the snow is 20" or more, or on sand dunes.

Bobzilla wrote: On a regular cab short bed an LSD just means you will be facing the way you came a lot more often. Hell, even with the open diff in my 89 with the 140hp 4.3 It would get sideways stupid fast and being so short was hard to catch.

You do know that the throttle has more options than; flat to the boards and off, don't you

pilotbraden wrote: I have a Detroit locker, 33x12.50 r 15 Dunlop Mud tires. I rarely need to engage the front axle unless the snow is 20" or more, or on sand dunes.

Quoted for truth! Except I have Mickey Thompson Baja Claws. Even without any weight in the bed, I rarely use 4x4.

aussiesmg wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: On a regular cab short bed an LSD just means you will be facing the way you came a lot more often. Hell, even with the open diff in my 89 with the 140hp 4.3 It would get sideways stupid fast and being so short was hard to catch.

You do know that the throttle has more options than; flat to the boards and off, don't you

Not with a 4.3 with 140hp.... It's all or nuttin in that critter! But seriously, the short wheelbase is harder to catch and faster to spin than it's longer wheel base brethren. Having owned multiple wheelbase GM trucks (RCSB, RCLB, ECSB, ECLB, CCSB) the longer they are the harder they are to lose it. THe shorter they are (with that slow p/s gear box) the easier they are to lose it.

Bobzilla wrote: Not with a 4.3 with 140hp.... It's all or nuttin in that critter! But seriously, the short wheelbase is harder to catch and faster to spin than it's longer wheel base brethren. Having owned multiple wheelbase GM trucks (RCSB, RCLB, ECSB, ECLB, CCSB) the longer they are the harder they are to lose it. THe shorter they are (with that slow p/s gear box) the easier they are to lose it.

+1, I've owned two RCSBs (one 4.3/5spd/RWD, one 5.7/Auto/4WD), and they could both be a handful in the snow. Heavy front weight distribution, light rear end (no traction), they can come around pretty quickly and make things interesting (even in the rain). My parents have owned a slew of extended cab short bed trucks and Suburbans and those are much more progressive. The regular cab, short bed Chevy trucks were almost as bad as a 5.0 Mustang (which are notorious for being tail-happy).

^ But with that said, setup right the RCSB can be an absolute BALL to drive fast.

E36 M3 guys its a truck for hauling stuff. I'm not too hung up on the performance characteristics at the limit, it will never see them. It has over 100K miles on it and I'd bet the truck itself its never been sideways once in all those miles.

I have been looking into the impact of a locked diff vs. LSD, though. Interesting.

Empty bed plus open diff = annoying one-wheel spins. Empty bed plus LSD = mega happy awesome super sideways time

While I agree on a fun car that has traction to start with, in a short wheelbase, high CG truck with a transmission sliding around in the bed... not so much.

I love getting sideways, but in a utilitarian vehicle it gets old really fast for me

My company truck seemingly spends more time sideways than straight. I'll be sad when I get upgraded to a Super Duty.