Low Tech '71 GMC long box autocross video

[bovey]

A few months ago I decided to do autocross school with my '71 GMC long box. Just wanted to try it as a baseline experiment before I dive into chassis mods. At the moment it's very simple 4-6 drop, bell tech shocks, a front 1 1/4" sway bar. After that, it still running the stock disc/drum set-up and the stock manual 24:1 manual steering. My arms had one hell of a workout. Power is provided by a LS427/t56 combo.

Autocross was crazy fun to stat the obvious. AND it handled way better than expected. The jokes from the STis, EVOs, Porsches, M3s etc was fun on the first day, but by day 2 they were getting quiet.

At the moment, it's getting a full AGR Quick Ratio Race box set-up (thanks Matt) and a Willwood brake kit - just to make it a bit more capable as I take on a track known as Mosport this week-end.


https://vimeo.com/69659162

Enjoy the video. The run starts around 1:35ish.

P.S. Race your trucks. It's a riot.

[GeoffP]

Cool video

[SS PUNISHER]

Nice. ..

[cactuss4]

So awesome, great attitude, and I love the determination on your face getting that through the course. But it did look like with the steering that you missed a gate in the slalom: ) Well done, really enjoyed it!

-Tory

[Rod]

awesome!

[Bryce]

thanks for sharing

[srh3trinity]

Great looking truck. Thanks for keeping the gmc grill. It looks better than the chevy ones. What model wheel is that?

[bovey]

Thanks for the kind words. I want to keep it fun. I hate golf, so I build and race cars.

Tory - The camera shake blurs it a bit, the final part of the slalom was a double left - however, wiping out the stop box was a deal breaker. lol.

Stephen - I like the toughness of the GMC too, but when I started building this thing (25 years ago), I contemplated changing it - Glad I did not.

The steering wheel I believe is from the 67-68s, maybe 69. However, these wheels were also on 5 ton trucks - that's where mine came from. The wheel is the same, but if you buy a 1/2 ton truck one the dude selling it to you will charge more than if you get one off a 5 ton work truck - again - same wheel. You can buy them repro now.

[low68]

Nice! I like it!

[ff5013]

thats cool and looks fun.

[shizzy]

Giddy up! Love it!

[tazzz25906112]

Good times indeed....

[Tig]

Awesome vid, sounds killer.
Thanks for sharing

[Slick68]

Nice vid. Thanks for sharing.

[custom 68]

Super fun stuff, glad you posted.

[bovey]

Again, thanks guys. I was out again this week-end. This time on an Bridgestone Tire training track. Super fun.The Willwood brake upgrade and AGR 14:1 Race box set-up made it super interesting. I need to dial a few details in for the next time, but it was great, great fun. Video to come when I have time to edit it together.

[bovey]

Here's a photo my buddy took from yesterday (July 7th). Yeah, it rained like mad.

78847

[custom 68]

cool an army of trucks or something like that?
so you say it made it super interesting... what do you mean by that? Was it better?

[bovey]

so you say it made it super interesting... what do you mean by that? Was it better?

Yes. Sorry. Interesting is a good word for me. Handling was greatly improved with the upgrades. However, with better steering and brakes - I may have found the limit of my spring/shock combo. Going to work on technique and try to keep the speed down - which is not easy.

FYI - The Toyo 888 work crazy good - I had a C6 owner on a ride along and he was shocked by the grip - I'm running 255/30/18 front - 275/40/18 rear on 18x9 with 5" b/s wheels all the way around.

[tazzz25906112]

Track day down at Cayuga yesterday??

[Guyt699]

That is so cool! Love the truck and the vid!

[bovey]

Mosport, err... now known as Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The sponsorship name changed when Ron Fellows became one of the owners (I think).

[woodside783]

The face!!!!!!! The gmc looks mean.