It's been a while, but I'm back. Full-time college and full-time work is a bi-ch. LOL But in reference to the good news, no it's not yet my dream turbo/engine/tranny build However, I can FINALLY park the Monte for the winter! No more snow, salt and brine to tear her up, and more importantly, her new paint job I got this past summer.

I will instead be driving this 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax crew cab. That's right, I went with the mightiest diesel on the road (IMHO). I honestly never thought it would happen either, but I have fallen in love with this truck. It's honestly tough to save my "modding" budget for the Monte and not spend it on the truck. I bought it for $13k with 261,xxx on the body and 160,xxx on the motor (it all checks out fine. totally solid truck and motor). Barely any rust, and only had to replace a ball joint and the thermostats. It has a 5 inch straight exhaust, CAI, new Bilstein shocks, new BFG AT/KO tires and aluminum wheels, and a PPE Boost valve. The only other mod I am going to do to it is a tune and a new front bumper, as the one that is on it now is a tiny bit bent and is off of a '99 Chevy.

I can't wait for spring to drive the Monte again already. I have her all winterized with fuel stabilizer and a good detail. Unfortunately, she will have to sit outside all winter, but I think she'll be alright. Start her up a couple times a month and maybe take her for a short ride on a nice, dry day. Also, I'm getting married next year, so money will be tight. I plan on doing only some exterior/engine cosmetic mods, interior mods and MAYBE headers. Other than that, hopefully she will be part of my family for years to come, and will eventually become my RWD Turbo 3.8 project.

 

Glad things sound like they are working out for you! I am one of the few who outside store my Monte for the Winter (she has not been driven on a winter road since I bought her early fall of '08).
I Clean her up nice, put fuel stablizer in with a full tank of gas, pop a couple air fresheners in the car (more then 2 and you will regret it), disconnect the battery and cover her with a Wolf/Covercraft Noah fabric car cover. A call to my insurance to lower the insurance bill a tad during the winter and we're all set.
Come spring, uncover, fresh oil change, reconnect the battery and she starts up with no issues.

 

Thats the way it should be. I still am going to get it undercoated with Krown, just for some extra protection, but other than that, it's all set and ready for hibernation. I never realized how low it actually is until I don't drive it for a month and im in the truck. Kinda weird lol

 

Glad to hear you can park the Monte for the winter! Sounds like a nice winter vehicle as well!

 

Nice winter vehichle. Jealous of your ability to park your monte, maybe next year I can garage mine.

 

It had virtually no rust when I bought it, and after driving it for 3 straight winters, it's still not bad at all. I would like to keep it as rust-free as I can. Thanks guys!

 

Thanks you! How's things been going with you and the Monte? Last time I heard you had blown the turbo and were going to do a few new mods, correct?

 

UPDATE: Letty is now washed, waxed, detailed and put away in a heated garage until spring for FREE courtesy of my friend's dad. So happy she doesn't have to sit outside

 

so wait if i were to call my insurance and tell them jacks not being used for the winter and they would lower it? ugh need to get my truck fast, i wanna have my monte for eva...for eva eva

 

Yep - I just keep comprehensive on my Monte during the hibernating months. Only costs me about $10 a month.