1993 GMC 350 Pickup - Project Jake, Part III

We also added a couple more underhood details to convert Jake into a fully dependable daily driver. First, we bolted in an Optima red-top battery for excellent hot-weather starting power. We also spent most of one day under Tim Moore's hoist bolting in a B&M 4L60-E shift improver kit, choosing the least aggressive heavy-duty version and also installing a B&M trans cooler to take some of the heat out the transmission. We also added a Trans Dapt air inlet kit that replaced the factory air inlet silencer and included a high-flow K&N filter and a chrome lid. You can get the lid separately as well.

This whole process required a little longer than just three months to assemble, but now that it's completed, we couldn't be happier. Jake has gone from Cal-Trans freeway parolee to a stylish version of a Southern California cruiser. It tows our trailer and 3,500-pound '65 Chevelle with ease and can handle a serious payload without complaint. It runs great, looks good, handles better, and has been an all-around budget-based success. We bought Jake at an auction for $2,600, and for a total investment of under $8,500 we have an outstanding pickup that can manage 14 mpg while towing a car, makes a perfect junkyard parts-chaser, and yet can also look good at the neighborhood car show. This has been such a fun project that we can't imagine our car-crafting world without Jake.