Old Trucks.

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman) 06/14/2015 at 11:22 • Filed to: Truck Hunt

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What would Oppo recommend for an old (pre-1988) half-ton truck? My Aunt and Uncle recently bought a farm, and they’re looking for an old truck with an 8 foot bed. I’ve found both Chevrolets/GMCs and Fords, and I want to know what Oppo would recommend. Personally, I’m leaning towards the GM trucks, as parts are dirt cheap, and the trucks in that price range don’t appear to be completely trashed.

ly2v8-Brian > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 11:26

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GM

lone_liberal > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 11:29

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You are wading in to a religious war. I’d say either is fine. The parts for the Ford will be just as cheap and easy to find. If they are going full work truck I might suggest the Ford with the 300 cu. inch straight 6 but really either is fine for farm truck duty.

fhrblig > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 11:38

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At the risk of raising the ire of the fundamentalist GM and Ford fans, either one is a good choice. I’m partial to the Ford’s inline-6, but truth is I like both the F-Series and the C/K trucks. I honestly don’t know much about the Rams from that era, but I can say I see way more of the Ford and GM trucks of that vintage still on the road than the Rams.

Tohru > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 11:42

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Pre-88? GM.

Pictured: the first TohruTruck.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 11:42

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Again either is fine. I’d personally lean towards a Ford because some GM trucks in that time frame had a habit of developing electrical gremlins.

Your boy, BJR > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 11:42

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GM. I would personally suggest an ‘88 C10 Silverado with a 305 and auto, because I had one for awhile as a quad hauler, had 400k miles on it when I sold it, everything except exhaust was original.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Your boy, BJR 06/14/2015 at 11:45

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For them, it’s gotta be pre-88 so that it’s smog exempt.

Your boy, BJR > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 11:48

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I’m sure the Pre-88s are fine too, I was just sharing my own personal experience.

(I still see that truck around, too! Landscaper owns it now)

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Your boy, BJR 06/14/2015 at 11:50

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That’s still excellent news. My Uncle on my mom’s side has a 1990 with the 5.7, 8 foot bed and 2WD. That thing’s a beast.

Ike > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 11:57

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Find any that work; brand isn't important as how well it's been treated and how well it runs. IMHO diesel all the way tag it as a farm vehicle if your state allows

Your boy, BJR > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 11:58

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My ‘95 Bronco with the 5.8, however, was a horribly unreliable turd that leaked in the roof, exhaust, and oil pan, left me stranded like 3 times in 2 months, the blinkers constantly failed, the gear select arro stayed in park no matter where I shifted it......never buy a Ford truck.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 12:02

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For a truck that old definitely GM as they are more popular in terms means the parts are WAY more plentiful. You can literally build one of those trucks from scratch from a catalog. Fords have no where near the parts availability as the GMs of that era do.

I’m also semi biased. I’m a Ford guy by heart but I own a 1986 Chevy C20.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Tohru 06/14/2015 at 12:03

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The doors look like they have speed holes in them.

Birddog > lone_liberal 06/14/2015 at 12:07

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I’ll second a Ford with the “Big” 300 Six.

One of my old bosses had an 87 Long bed that was still running it’s original Driveline at 475,xxx miles.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Your boy, BJR 06/14/2015 at 12:07

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Wow. What a turd. You deserve a hundred Caddies for having to put up with that POS.

Birddog > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 12:12

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Ford or Chevy from that era seem to fall prey to the same issues. Dodges I’m not too sure about.

The answer between the two is what’s in better condition and who has the best price.

If you’re really lucky you might run across a Jeep J-10 with the 258. These things were practically built out of Pig Iron!

Tohru > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 06/14/2015 at 12:16

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The corrosion has eaten away at the bottoms, yes. No speed holes though.

jkm7680 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 12:40

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Just make sure to not have them buy a rustbucket. Because Canada.

jkm7680 > Tohru 06/14/2015 at 12:41

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That truck cap is awesome.

Tohru > jkm7680 06/14/2015 at 12:43

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Yeah, it’s pretty spiffy.

jkm7680 > Tohru 06/14/2015 at 12:44

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That thing looks super fancy. Was it a dealer installed thing?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > jkm7680 06/14/2015 at 12:46

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You mean like I did?

Tohru > jkm7680 06/14/2015 at 12:46

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I don’t know one way or the other. I have seen other trucks with them.

DipodomysDeserti > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 13:00

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Pre ‘66 GM because they look way better. Here’s mine.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > DipodomysDeserti 06/14/2015 at 13:01

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I’m not sure you can find those for under $2k.

DipodomysDeserti > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 13:03

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Missed that part. Definitely not. You could find a frame for under $2k. Although if you look around you can get close. This one was $3,600 and it has a 350 swap with a bunch of performance parts on it (carb, intake, can, headers, exhaust...)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 13:15

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Well you know what I would recommend... Although it looks like you want a trucky-truck and not a little pickup.

But just so you know, you could get an ‘80s Toyota with a 7.5’ bed rated for 3/4 ton (early 80s) or 1 ton (mid 80s). I have a longbed but it’s rated for 1/2.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/14/2015 at 13:16

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Unfortunately, all of those have rusted away up here.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 13:29

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Hmm that’s too bad. I got my for $1000. Although it incredibly difficult to find one that was in decent condition, and I live in the PNW.

Go with the GM.

Ram_Riot_6 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 13:45

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I have an 86 Ram and love it. It is extremely reliable. Mechanical parts are pretty easy to come by, but most cosmetic parts are nearly impossible to find.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Ram_Riot_6 06/14/2015 at 13:58

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I'll put the Ram up as an option.

911e46z06 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 13:58

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I think I can, with all modesty, claim a certain level of expertise on this subject. I’ve owned a ton (I can count 11 off the top of my head) of GM trucks, spanning from ‘79 to ‘09. I also worked on a ranch for awhile.

The way to go is a '95-'99 GM. It's a much better truck than the older version. My '97 Tahoe tows much better than my '90 2500 Suburban. The newer trucks are also much more capable off-road. I recently replaced my '87 K5 Blazer with the aforementioned Tahoe for Baja duty, and the difference is night and day. The only issue is that the approach angle on the Tahoe kind of sucks, but that shouldn't be a problem for ranch truck duty. Also, the older models are kind of becoming collectable, so a good one will probably cost you more than a good '97. It's basically the same motor, just as easy to work on, just as easy to find parts for, and you're going to get much more truck for your dollar with the newer generation.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 911e46z06 06/14/2015 at 13:59

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A GMT400 would be cool, but they want a pre-88 so that they don’t have to go in for a smog test every year.

911e46z06 > 911e46z06 06/14/2015 at 14:02

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Just read that it needs to be pre-'88 for smog exemption. If you're using it primarily as a work truck, just register it in South Dakota. It's a little sketchy to do for a daily driver, but if it's not going to be on public roads too often, it shouldn't be a problem.

911e46z06 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 14:10

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Clay County, South Dakota will register anything you got as long as you have a US mailing address.

I have a place down in Baja, and I do it for all my cars down there so I don't have to drive to San Diego and back to get a smog test.

jkm7680 > Tohru 06/14/2015 at 14:23

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Nice! I love the extra window above the cab. The bars on the top are a very nice touch also.

jkm7680 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 14:23

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Haha, yes that. Yours looks pretty awesome though. Get that rust taken care of and you’re about set!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > jkm7680 06/14/2015 at 15:03

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And the trans pan, and the oil pan, and the valve cover gaskets, and the window seal, and then I'm set.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 911e46z06 06/14/2015 at 15:04

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We live in Canada, unfortunately.

jkm7680 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 15:19

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Haha, but besides that! Those things are looking more and more classic by the day...

911e46z06 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/14/2015 at 16:48

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Ah. Bummer.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 911e46z06 06/14/2015 at 18:06

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Yeah.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > jkm7680 06/14/2015 at 18:08

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Thanks!