New thing acquired

"Tristan" (casselts) 10/28/2020 at 01:16 • Filed to: None

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10 pounds of poo in a 5 pound sack

The K5 has been gone for a little over a week, so it’s about time I dragged home another forlorn squarebody.

This time it’s an ‘89 R2500 2wd six pack with a TBI tree fiddy and an SM465. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but it’s got some good patina. The plan is to clean it up nice, reupholster and re-carpet the interior, make everything work, and then decide if she’s a keeper or a flip. I’ve been tossing around the idea of replacing the Superburban with a crew cab, so this could fit the bill if it turns out nice.

What’s that? Why, yes- it WAS a US Forest Service truck! How did you know?! It was purchased by a local farm with just 500 miles, and it lived a pretty hard life of work and mud until it was left to be consumed by blackberries in 2015. One must assume it was parked because the SM465 is rather borkt. It only gives granny low and first- there’s no 2, 3 or reverse. I’m fairly sure it won’t be too difficult of a fix. The ol’ tbi still runs fantastically on stale gas!

If I were to keep it, I’d probably think long and hard about a Vortec 454 and NV4500 swap.

Also, because it’s 2020 and we live in bizarro land, this whole thing was my wife’s idea.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 01:38

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I think what I read was that this a RWD Silvererra with the 350 motor and perhaps and automatic transmission.

Nice find!

Tristan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/28/2020 at 01:41

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Issa Scottsdale (strippo-trim) with a 4-speed manual.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 01:52

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Wow. Big boi gets long throws

Tristan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/28/2020 at 01:55

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Long throws for a long boi.

RallyWrench > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 01:59

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Well that's damn cool. Always kinda wanted a Forest Service truck, gotta love that color. 

Mark Tucker > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 02:02

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Nice find! I have an ‘89 K1500 ex-USFS truck myself, also with the SM465. I’d be willing to bet the problem is a broken roll pin in the shifter ; the same thing happened to mine (in traffic!). Good news is it’s a 50¢ fix. Bad news is that you’ll still have 2 inches of slop in every gear...

bob and john > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 02:02

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...the WIFES idea?

ask her something only she would know. she might have been replaced with a clone. (hey, its 2020, anything is on the table now)

atfsgeoff > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 02:04

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Y ou are E xcellent for purchasing and your wife is Most Excellent for pitching the idea

Tristan > RallyWrench 10/28/2020 at 02:07

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Me too! #goalz

Tristan > Mark Tucker 10/28/2020 at 02:08

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That’s kinda what I’m betting. Unfortunately it’s a one-piece floor, so I’ll have to drop the trans to pull the top cover. It’ll give me a good opportunity to clean things up and replace some seals, at least. There’s an ungodly amount of mud caked under this thing.

I’d love to see some pics of your truck!

Tristan > bob and john 10/28/2020 at 02:09

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She’s got a thing for old trucks in weird colors that have a story to tell.

Tristan > atfsgeoff 10/28/2020 at 02:09

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She is pretty excellent- I should marry her. Oh, wait! 

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 05:53

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Holy fuck that is absolutely perfect. That patina is spot-on. I absolutely love it, good job! Post about the progress!

shop-teacher > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 07:42

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That’s fantastic! Also, my wife needs to hang out with your wife apparently.

Also what I dig out of that, was I'd better save my pennies in case that Suburban comes on the market.

Just Jeepin' > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 08:05

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https://jalopnik.com/why-this-ex-forest-service-chevy-k1500-may-be-the-perfe-1844339625

Kiltedpadre > bob and john 10/28/2020 at 08:17

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Alternatively, ride it out and see how many projects he can drag home before they switch her back.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 08:40

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Be honest, wow certain were you it would fit in the trailer when you brought it? 

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 08:55

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Oh man, this is right up my alley. I love square bodies. While my dream truck is a square body Suburban, a crew cab long bed pickup is a close second.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 08:55

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I am so jealous right now! You are living out my current car dreams!!! I want a square body crew cab so bad. I want to swap one  onto a newer frame, like a 1999-2007 frame. 

Tristan > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 10/28/2020 at 11:12

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If I could find a ‘91 3/4 ton Suburban, I'd be set for life.

Tristan > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/28/2020 at 11:15

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I initially showed up without the trailer thinking I could get it home on back roads. The top speed is about 16 mph in the transmission’s current state. I quickly measured the wheelbase and was very relieved to find it was 13'9" from the center of the axles ... The trailer is 16'. I was quite surprised at how well it towed, though!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 11:21

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It’s a honking big boi for a honking big trailer. Good thing so much of the length is outside of the wheelbase.

getFuckedHerb > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 11:40

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If you decide you want to sell that... let me know..

Tristan > getFuckedHerb 10/28/2020 at 11:42

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I probably will at some point... Keep bugging me!

MM54 > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 12:27

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That’s a lot of truck. Cool project!

Tristan > MM54 10/28/2020 at 13:57

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The truck: dollar ratio is pretty fantastic!

KnowsAboutCars > Tristan 10/28/2020 at 14:02

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That is very nice!