I just finished tracking down my dads old 86 lwb k10 that he sold when I was a kid. Same truck, verified the vin and all. It wasn’t even for sale until the owner heard my story and now I’m going to work out a deal on it Saturday. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to find it and I finally did after years of internet sleuthing. I appreciate the tips in your video as it’s been sitting awhile and isn’t the spring chicken it used to be, but I’m determined to make it as nice as I remember.
Thank you so much. I will be buying a square body for our farm. Not to beat up and use that way, but more as a show, drive around, pull our trailer to the farmers market, my wife any my classic vehicle to cruise around in, and I love the advise. I had a 76 GMC Jimmy, and a 73 Chevy Cheyenne in High School. I worked on farms since I was young, so I had lots of cash flow even in school. I ended up selling both and restored a 70 Olds Cutlass when I was in the Army
I grew up with square body trucks and Burbs, that's what I learned to wrench on. Decent square body trucks are hard to find in Texas and expensive when you find them, so I got the newer generation. The GMT 400/OBS trucks are the next wave of cool trucks!
Just brougt an 86 C10 short from Germany to Sweden. The german bought it In Arkansas. Made my desission based on 4 pictures🤓 It was perfect for its age. Way better than expected.
Inherited my dads 1981 Chevy Silverado. I have so many questions. There is some rust. Thank you for the information. Look forward to watching and learning more about my new treasured project.
got a solid almost 0 rust 85 c10 scottsdale regular cab 8FT from a retired farmer for $300. He towed it behind his tractor to the fields for 10 yrs and parked it. Has 16000 miles on and planning on restoring it. needs alot of polish since its yellow and super faded.
Thank you for your channel and all of the information you provide. Bought a 1975 Chevrolet C 10 w/ a small block 350 for $600. Was not running. Have been repairing/rebuilding and runs well now. It will be a nice-looking functional truck when done. You are right, they are a lot of fun!
Nice video! Have a super base model, but. Ordered 81 gmc 2wd, zero power option, radio delete 305/4speed swb and sport mirrors. Love it to death and she still gets 19.9mpg with the factory motor. Been watching your channel for a while, fist time commenting, keep up the good work
Great video. I am mostly a 67-72 guy but I love them all. My first was a 81 short bed many years ago. I think this was one of your better vids. I learned a lot, Rocky did an outstanding job explaining problem areas on these trucks. Like the stepper. Well done!
Luckily i knew most of this when i bought my first square body. But i'am really glad you guys posted this video for those of us who don't know that's pretty righteous.
I appreciate the expertise you all have shared with the square body details. My father-in-law passed in 1992 having bought a 1979 C30 Scottsdale with 350 CI 400 auto full floating axle in 1980 . He hauled used tires and casings to different tire dealers . I acquired the truck after that and have replaced the ring and pinion due to my brother-in-law damaging it . I am currently repairing brakes, removed the side tanks, installing rear tank between the frame, and it will need a lot of sheet metal replaced . But it is still a great vehicle that I plan to pass to my Granddaughters 10, 11, 13. I am 68. I also have a 1964 C10 short bed step side 327 with a Tremec 5 speed . Love the channel . Keep up the great work .
As a '76 shorty owner I can agree with everything in the video. I'd like to add that you should check the control arm bushings (if original they'll be cracked) and the ball joints (if original they'll be riveted to the control arm.)
We are parting out 15 of the square body trucks from 73 thru 86. our wrecker is a 83 3/4 ton. We use the front suspension to convert 60 thru 72 trucks to 5 lug disk brakes.
Very nice video about these trucks! I grew up with them, and currently have three long-time examples that I I have saved for decades with intention to restore -- though I am finally questioning how realistic that intention is. My first is a nicely-optioned '75 Catalina Blue Chevy K20 Camper Special Silverado. Built in August '74 in Fremont California, my dad bought it brand new; I remember driving it home from Hall Chevrolet in Prosser, Washington! It had full-time four wheel drive and an 8,400 lb GVWR. We hit a particularly severe pavement seem less than one mile from the dealership, and I recall my dad turning to me and asking "do you think the springs will soften up over time?". They never did! As one of the first 1975's built, it was also one of the earliest "Silverado" trucks, although at that time the reference was to the top trim level formerly designated "Cheyenne Super" (1974 and earlier). I have so many wonderful memories of vacationing in that pickup, toting our RV to distant places. Just a few years later, we purchased a beautiful low-mileage '74 GMC Sierra 1500 dressed out in Rosedale Red and Frost White for our lead farm foreman to drive. It was produced out of the same Fremont, California plant in July of 1974. Although separated by an entire model year from our '75 Silverado, it was only a month older in terms of actual production. Ours is a very well-optioned pickup...A/C, tilt wheel, factory tachometer, glide-out spare tire, 350 4bbl/turbo hydramatic, 5,600 lb GVW Fleetside. This truck also wears its original factory-installed (per the glovebox option listing) Rally Wheels with the seldom seen squared-off trim rings and non-scalloped center caps characteristic of the '74-'77 models. In 1974, the Sierra trim package occupied the same rank as the Chevrolet Cheyenne in terms of trim, and nearly rivaled the the top-line Sierra Grande/Cheyenne Super in terms of content, so it was truly a luxury pickup. And finally, we have a 1979 Chevy Big 10 Fleetside with nearly every available option including Silverado trim and 454 V8 with factory "Trailering Special" package. Ours has a paint scheme that I loved at the time, but now would probably be roundly mocked: a two-tone of Light Caramel Metallic and Santa Fe Tan. Of the three trucks, the '79 is actually in really good restorable condition, although I sprung the hood myself a few years ago in the way you describe. Arggg! All three of these trucks sit in a corner of our property, silent for years now. They aren't beautiful any more, having put in many years of being ridden hard and put away wet. Each one has suffered some of the maladies you outline in your video. Thank you for inspiring us to fix these old rigs!
Great video I have 17 these trucks here in southeastern Ohio just got my most recent is a 87 Scottsdale k30 dually only 98.000 miles on the truck got my daughter and son building there's right now .
My first vehicle was a 78 C10 that I did a lot of work on. Swapped out the straight six three on the tree to a 350 with automatic transmission. Got a hand me down K20 for winter driving and fixed that up as well. Drove them both for a dozen years and around 2000 sold them so I could "upgrade" to a modern truck. What a mistake.. bucket list is to build same trucks! Lesson learned!
Wow! So THAT'S what a driver's side rocker panel looks like! My 76 GMC Sierra Grande doesn't have one! Lol! They are like Unicorns here in Michigan! Great video guys! Love the squares!
I've got a '73 and I oiled up the hood hinges Real Well when I got it. I had the hood kink on a '71 El Camino and having had that happen Knew to oil the truck's hood upon purchase. Thanks for this video
I had my floor pans, cab mounts and rockers redone last summer on my 78 Chevy. I got 40+ years out of it. My truck rides so much better with new cab mounts!
Great info! I did not look for all those things when i bought my 71’ c10. Found out frame was cut for a c-notch and the c-notch bracket was never installed. Luckily the frame was still good. I would like to add another spot to check is around the lower part of the windshield, might be some rust down there as well. Keep up the great content! 👍🏼
On one ton trucks, pay attention to the rear u-bolts. Where they go through the u-bolt plate under the rear axle they can rust very badly there. I've seen the 5/8" diameter reduced to 1/4". Also the axle tubes can be rusted where the plate contacts the tube. Old gm trucks are awesome though!
My uncle had a Scottsdale (from the 80’s?) in his backyard but recently got dragged to the boneyard...I wanna snatch it up, so many good parts still on it, especially the body.
Good video and good stuff to look for but What about price what's a fair price for both people for a normal person for a normal truck just wondering I feel like a lot of people are over pricing trucks
I bought my old bosses 76 sq body short bed. Normal Midwest rust,floors,doors,fenders,bent hood and seat cover. It did run really good. Spent a week tearing it down,two days welding,2 hours sandblasting,seat reupholstered, prepped and painted. Drove it a month,and tripled my money including my labor. Sold it to a friend at the old Bethlehem Steel,and 2 years later he parked to close to a in plant railroad track....Totaled.#Sad
The drip rail at the leading edge of the door on the cab/pillar itself! That's rust prone down here in Texas and all along the Gulf Coast. Original paint on an *85 K5 Blazer Pioneer Edition* with massive rust in that pillar area, but it's not created a hole yet.... Also, the kick plate holes beneath the door, hole in the door from falling window seals, and the rocker panels.
My truck is a 1980 custom deluxe. Only option is a auxiliary fuel tank. It has the small brake pedal too. I think the later years have the big brake pedal
Thanks for the info on square body chevys my 75 has some in the bed on back wheel wells and some on the cab corners and the seat hump not bad. Some on the floors but not bad just pin holes.
Make sure it's not a 4x4 converted rwd without an engine xmember. Also remember to check that the ujoints aren't shimmed with quarters and the crown and pinion aren't laying in chips at the bottom of the diff. If the pedal rod that goes into the master pops out while driving don't panic too much. Even if rebuilt entirely from scratch truck will never be reliable and never be fun and you will love every second of it.
Lots of great points, My buddy always looks down in the wiper cowl. I recently came across a round eye shortbed little rust but not bad at all. Guy isn't ready to sell yet been sitting there since late 90s he said
@@UNITEDBYTRUCKS Well, perhaps it is related to latitude. Every one I have owned has needed cab corners and nearly everyone I have seen has rusty cab corners (if they haven't been repaired). I have a CUCV truck in my driveway right now that needs both outer cab corners replaced.
Good video, sure wish you could find those rust free trucks up here in Kentucky. Most of them up here you could sling a cat thru to the other side lol.
Hey Robbie I appreciate you showing us the ends and outs of what to look for ,so many us saw some things I ran into on my build that I had to address thank you. 👍🏼👍🏼
The first and last new vehicle I ever bought is a 76 3/4 Scottsdale. I ordered it with the bucket seats. When I got married my wife hated them but married me anyway. Then we had a baby. We used to put the child seat in between the buckets on the console and run the seatbelts through it. I still have the truck but the wife left a long time ago and has since died. I live in Montana where it’s pretty dry. The truck has very little rust but the sun has eaten the paint off in places and it’s down to the primer on the roof and hood. The big 450 engine likes it’s gas so I don’t drive it much anymore. Gas cost 32 cents a gallon when I bought it.With the dual 20 gallon tanks that wasn’t a lot back then but when gas went crazy filling it got to be to expensive.
have a 74 gmc c15 sierra grande in almost rust-free original condition, for some reason the front edge of the hood is rusted out but no rust anywhere else on the truck. 350/th350 long bed, love to find a bucket seat/console set but they are pretty rare it seems...
I purchased my 83 in 2017 and for $2400 I got a complete all stock shortbed fleetslide with only rust near the windshield rockers, doors, and floorboards were mint with nothing
@@johnvega2974 I’m from California so trucks here don’t have a spec of rust as well mine had it because it sat under a tree for a while before I owned it
I can tell you , upper door hinge cracking door fit and hardware, alignment shims thickness between the frame rails,and upper control arm bushing shaft,clutch pedal looseness,and upper pedal mounting brackets for hard use,4x4s with power steering, possible cracks in frame where gear box mounts, look for slop or loose tilt action on steering columns,they are getting tough to find,pay particular attention to underdash wiring ,and if it came with factory AC in particular look for missing components and compressor mount and drive,and acc mounting brackets that match and belong together along with the matching pulleys. Any way thats my two cents.
Great video and info. I have a 81 C/10 long bed, 305 4 speed that is my daily driver. Just rebuild the rearend with the Yukon kit and it was a great learning experience. Does anyone else have water leaks when it rains or from washing that seem to come in above the floor vents? I thought it stopped after i had a new windshield installed but that just slowed it down because it was coming in under the rubber seal on the driver side.
Mine is in the thumb nail, lots of surface rust and rockers, but lots of dents.. mechanical and wiring all replaced, working on the A/C and body next. Going to flatbed it also.
Got a 1973 Cheyenne super 10 big block short bed with 0 rust and 1985 C30 4dr dually with 0 rust.. both California cars here with me in Cali that I’ve found... good info here
Just picked up a 1982 Chevy stepside. Had this same truck brand new. No rust, original paint, interior, engine 40k on it. Looking to swap out original three speed on the tree to automatic and maybe swap out inline six. Could use some input on the how twos.
Th350 is a 3speed auto and the 700R4 is a 4speed auto I hear the R4 is the best option and the engine swap is up to you if it was me I'd probably put a 350 carb in it
I laughed every time he said that first truck had a lot of rust, especially in the rockers. My 85 K2500 Burb has little to no rockers, my floors however are not that bad, otherwise pretty typical rot for a Minnesota truck, not the worst but not the best. I suppose however that it all depends on where your from, I only paid $600 for my Burb, but I’m sure someone from say Texas wouldn’t have even touched the thing.
Damn... I sometimes forget how good I have it in California so far as rust. My 74 has zero rust. seriously... have had it up on the rack more than a few times short bed fleetside with LS conversion
@@UNITEDBYTRUCKS yep.... I wish I were younger or that they had so many LS conversions when I was younger... LOL... I work a hour or two on mine and I am pooped. I have built hot rods and Harleys for 60 years but now I am happy to have you younger guys do a lot of the heavy lifting. always glad to see younger people involved.
Just found an insane deal on Craigslist near Sacramento 87 Chevrolet 20 or 250 fleetside long bed in the color of wheat only options are power steering air conditioning and a spare tire the vehicles absolutely straight lived indoors going to put it on Craigslist in a couple of weeks San Jose
Do have any videos about K 10 chevs,I have a 82 silverado thats in perfect condition , original documened 54000 miles no issues I'm somewhat what knowledgeable on these so it's pretty good, hope to sell it this summer. Thanks for the great video.
I just brought a 1984 C10 shortbed custom Deluxe 6 Cylinder Manual step side , with 52,721 Original males and nothing but surface Rust and its mainly In the Flat bed
The brake pedal on your white stepper. I thought the small pedal indicated manual brakes. Have you never heard that before? Is the RP tag still in your truck? Does it indicate manual brakes?
Just purchased a c10 1979 short stepside, it’s rust free, 355 /350 trans , engine is fresh trans rebuilt, aluminum intake , for 4K, 🤔 was it a fair deal?
I got an 1983 C10 shot bed, came with a/c and radio. No power windows or locks. The truck color is work truck yellow.. its like a school bus yellow. Its the original color. Don't know if to keep the color or change it. And you can still see where the old logos were on the door and numbers. There great trucks.
I've seen 73-74 Custom Deluxes with the narrow brake pedal. Saving a tiny bit of money on the lower trim level? My dad had a 75 Custom Deluxe that had a normal wide brake pedal.
I got one from my cousin , he gave to to me , I was thinking on selling it , out truck look decent for the year even radio works everything , but my pocket cry’s every time I put money 💴 n it it runs a 350 is sound decent but am having pe To Lena with seals , hope it’s just that trucks runs sweet thank for the help I won’t let it go , 😂
You forgot to mention 1 super bad spot for rust if you live in a moist climate and that is the windshield frame. If you come on down to florida 99.99999999% of these trucks have the bottom edges of the windshield frame totally rotten and usually when you cut the glass out there will be very little if any solid structure left. I noticed that up north trucks seem to not have this problem much but here in florida where it rains 24/7 8 days a week and is humid as hell seems to just eat up the roof and windshield structure and to repair that right costs more than the truck is worth or you'll have to find another complete cab.
New to the channel. I just purchased a one owner 1986 k 10. Minimal rust except the driver's floor pan. Rockers are great, but cab corners are shot .Because it is a 4x4, I would love to make it a little different. What would you think about trashing this original 305 and adding a straight 6, or a 6.2 diesel? Those things got great torque compared to the gas engines designed in those years because of oil shortages and emissions. Is it even possible to slide one in as a replacement or are there mods that can be done ?
Another thing to look at on these trucks, as well as the GMT 400(88-98) that follows them, is the door hinges and strikers. After 30 or 40 years, these most likely need fixing. If you use quality parts and have the correct tools this is not too hard to fix though. Dad and I fixed all 3 of our square body Suburbans. Also on the 79 and 80 hoods there's a raised panel on the front; that was to allow more room for humidity to evaporate and reduce rust. White lithium spray grease works great for the hood hinges, hood latch, door hinges, tailgate straps, etc.
![ลองสุ่มไอโฟน 990 โกงมั้ย? [ โกงมั้ยครับ ep.101 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bfsWe0j492k/mqdefault.jpg)
I just finished tracking down my dads old 86 lwb k10 that he sold when I was a kid. Same truck, verified the vin and all. It wasn’t even for sale until the owner heard my story and now I’m going to work out a deal on it Saturday. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to find it and I finally did after years of internet sleuthing. I appreciate the tips in your video as it’s been sitting awhile and isn’t the spring chicken it used to be, but I’m determined to make it as nice as I remember.
So rad! Good luck. It pays to connect with people and that's the best way to do it.
Dude that’s awesome I’d love to find my dads old truck. Sadly it went to the scrappers so I thought I’d use old pics to buy and rebuild it
@@apache6151 I have a similar story aswell, it got the claw….
What is the best way to find an old vehicle my grandpa once had? Did you search the vin.
That's brutal i hope all goes well with the rebuild.
Rust? You mean weight reduction lol
Love squarebodies! Don't care for lowered trucks, but this coming from someone who lives in farm country and owns a '76 K20. 😆
Just bought my old 85 back again sunday. Cant wait to start with it.
Thank you so much. I will be buying a square body for our farm. Not to beat up and use that way, but more as a show, drive around, pull our trailer to the farmers market, my wife any my classic vehicle to cruise around in, and I love the advise. I had a 76 GMC Jimmy, and a 73 Chevy Cheyenne in High School. I worked on farms since I was young, so I had lots of cash flow even in school. I ended up selling both and restored a 70 Olds Cutlass when I was in the Army
So cool! Thanks for sharing and good luck on finding a squarebody for the farm.
I grew up with square body trucks and Burbs, that's what I learned to wrench on. Decent square body trucks are hard to find in Texas and expensive when you find them, so I got the newer generation. The GMT 400/OBS trucks are the next wave of cool trucks!
1000%
Rocky is a natural in front of the camera. Great info BTW. I have a video coming up on how to fix the "Taco" hood like I have on Dale!
Just brougt an 86 C10 short from Germany to Sweden. The german bought it In Arkansas.
Made my desission based on 4 pictures🤓 It was perfect for its age. Way better than expected.
Inherited my dads 1981 Chevy Silverado. I have so many questions. There is some rust. Thank you for the information. Look forward to watching and learning more about my new treasured project.
Awesome! Thanks for watching
got a solid almost 0 rust 85 c10 scottsdale regular cab 8FT from a retired farmer for $300. He towed it behind his tractor to the fields for 10 yrs and parked it. Has 16000 miles on and planning on restoring it. needs alot of polish since its yellow and super faded.
14 and trying to get myself one!!! Gonna be a lot of work but I think I can do it. Wish me luck!
Yes, you can! Stick with it!
I'm 14 aswell, I'm finally getting one! keep dreaming it well happen!
Thank you for your channel and all of the information you provide. Bought a 1975 Chevrolet C 10 w/ a small block 350 for $600. Was not running. Have been repairing/rebuilding and runs well now. It will be a nice-looking functional truck when done. You are right, they are a lot of fun!
Thanks for watching!
Nice video! Have a super base model, but. Ordered 81 gmc 2wd, zero power option, radio delete 305/4speed swb and sport mirrors. Love it to death and she still gets 19.9mpg with the factory motor.
Been watching your channel for a while, fist time commenting, keep up the good work
Great video. I am mostly a 67-72 guy but I love them all. My first was a 81 short bed many years ago. I think this was one of your better vids. I learned a lot, Rocky did an outstanding job explaining problem areas on these trucks. Like the stepper. Well done!
Luckily i knew most of this when i bought my first square body. But i'am really glad you guys posted this video for those of us who don't know that's pretty righteous.
It’s just a quick reminder
I appreciate the expertise you all have shared with the square body details. My father-in-law passed in 1992 having bought a 1979 C30 Scottsdale with 350 CI 400 auto full floating axle in 1980 . He hauled used tires and casings to different tire dealers . I acquired the truck after that and have replaced the ring and pinion due to my brother-in-law damaging it . I am currently repairing brakes, removed the side tanks, installing rear tank between the frame, and it will need a lot of sheet metal replaced . But it is still a great vehicle that I plan to pass to my Granddaughters 10, 11, 13. I am 68. I also have a 1964 C10 short bed step side 327 with a Tremec 5 speed . Love the channel . Keep up the great work .
As a '76 shorty owner I can agree with everything in the video. I'd like to add that you should check the control arm bushings (if original they'll be cracked) and the ball joints (if original they'll be riveted to the control arm.)
Just bought a 84 k30 4x4 all original factory tach dash, 4spd, front fenders are the only rust spots. Thanks for the cool vidja.
Super cool! I love k30s
We are parting out 15 of the square body trucks from 73 thru 86. our wrecker is a 83 3/4 ton. We use the front suspension to convert 60 thru 72 trucks to 5 lug disk brakes.
Very nice video about these trucks! I grew up with them, and currently have three long-time examples that I I have saved for decades with intention to restore -- though I am finally questioning how realistic that intention is.
My first is a nicely-optioned '75 Catalina Blue Chevy K20 Camper Special Silverado. Built in August '74 in Fremont California, my dad bought it brand new; I remember driving it home from Hall Chevrolet in Prosser, Washington! It had full-time four wheel drive and an 8,400 lb GVWR. We hit a particularly severe pavement seem less than one mile from the dealership, and I recall my dad turning to me and asking "do you think the springs will soften up over time?". They never did! As one of the first 1975's built, it was also one of the earliest "Silverado" trucks, although at that time the reference was to the top trim level formerly designated "Cheyenne Super" (1974 and earlier). I have so many wonderful memories of vacationing in that pickup, toting our RV to distant places.
Just a few years later, we purchased a beautiful low-mileage '74 GMC Sierra 1500 dressed out in Rosedale Red and Frost White for our lead farm foreman to drive. It was produced out of the same Fremont, California plant in July of 1974. Although separated by an entire model year from our '75 Silverado, it was only a month older in terms of actual production. Ours is a very well-optioned pickup...A/C, tilt wheel, factory tachometer, glide-out spare tire, 350 4bbl/turbo hydramatic, 5,600 lb GVW Fleetside. This truck also wears its original factory-installed (per the glovebox option listing) Rally Wheels with the seldom seen squared-off trim rings and non-scalloped center caps characteristic of the '74-'77 models. In 1974, the Sierra trim package occupied the same rank as the Chevrolet Cheyenne in terms of trim, and nearly rivaled the the top-line Sierra Grande/Cheyenne Super in terms of content, so it was truly a luxury pickup.
And finally, we have a 1979 Chevy Big 10 Fleetside with nearly every available option including Silverado trim and 454 V8 with factory "Trailering Special" package. Ours has a paint scheme that I loved at the time, but now would probably be roundly mocked: a two-tone of Light Caramel Metallic and Santa Fe Tan. Of the three trucks, the '79 is actually in really good restorable condition, although I sprung the hood myself a few years ago in the way you describe. Arggg!
All three of these trucks sit in a corner of our property, silent for years now. They aren't beautiful any more, having put in many years of being ridden hard and put away wet. Each one has suffered some of the maladies you outline in your video. Thank you for inspiring us to fix these old rigs!
This was really helpful. Im looking for a square body for my first truck but haven't found one yet. Thanks for the info
Glad it was helpful!
I love them Squarebodys
appreciate the info, buying my cousins sierra 1500 for $2000 with only 56k miles on her in great condition.
Great video I have 17 these trucks here in southeastern Ohio just got my most recent is a 87 Scottsdale k30 dually only 98.000 miles on the truck got my daughter and son building there's right now .
My first vehicle was a 78 C10 that I did a lot of work on. Swapped out the straight six three on the tree to a 350 with automatic transmission. Got a hand me down K20 for winter driving and fixed that up as well. Drove them both for a dozen years and around 2000 sold them so I could "upgrade" to a modern truck. What a mistake.. bucket list is to build same trucks! Lesson learned!
The Dentside Fords and Square Body Chevys make me feel nostalgic. I remember them when they premiered for 1973 (I was almost 9).
Wow! So THAT'S what a driver's side rocker panel looks like! My 76 GMC Sierra Grande doesn't have one! Lol! They are like Unicorns here in Michigan! Great video guys! Love the squares!
Good information, thanks for sharing.
Dallas Texas showing support!
I've got a '73 and I oiled up the hood hinges Real Well when I got it.
I had the hood kink on a '71 El Camino and having had that happen Knew to oil the truck's hood upon purchase.
Thanks for this video
I had my floor pans, cab mounts and rockers redone last summer on my 78 Chevy. I got 40+ years out of it. My truck rides so much better with new cab mounts!
It makes a difference
Great info! I did not look for all those things when i bought my 71’ c10. Found out frame was cut for a c-notch and the c-notch bracket was never installed. Luckily the frame was still good. I would like to add another spot to check is around the lower part of the windshield, might be some rust down there as well. Keep up the great content! 👍🏼
On one ton trucks, pay attention to the rear u-bolts. Where they go through the u-bolt plate under the rear axle they can rust very badly there. I've seen the 5/8" diameter reduced to 1/4". Also the axle tubes can be rusted where the plate contacts the tube. Old gm trucks are awesome though!
My uncle had a Scottsdale (from the 80’s?) in his backyard but recently got dragged to the boneyard...I wanna snatch it up, so many good parts still on it, especially the body.
Good video and good stuff to look for but What about price what's a fair price for both people for a normal person for a normal truck just wondering I feel like a lot of people are over pricing trucks
I bought my old bosses 76 sq body short bed. Normal Midwest rust,floors,doors,fenders,bent hood and seat cover. It did run really good. Spent a week tearing it down,two days welding,2 hours sandblasting,seat reupholstered, prepped and painted. Drove it a month,and tripled my money including my labor. Sold it to a friend at the old Bethlehem Steel,and 2 years later he parked to close to a in plant railroad track....Totaled.#Sad
The drip rail at the leading edge of the door on the cab/pillar itself! That's rust prone down here in Texas and all along the Gulf Coast.
Original paint on an *85 K5 Blazer Pioneer Edition* with massive rust in that pillar area, but it's not created a hole yet.... Also, the kick plate holes beneath the door, hole in the door from falling window seals, and the rocker panels.
As for a base Square Body, a 292 Six and 4 on the floor would make for a fun to drive find! Especially if it's a Stepper!
My truck is a 1980 custom deluxe. Only option is a auxiliary fuel tank. It has the small brake pedal too. I think the later years have the big brake pedal
I miss the what’s in my driveway episodes! An in-depth tour of Rocky’s Square and a quick tour would be awesome
Good tips...thanks! The high back bucket seats were first used in 1978.
Thanks for the info on square body chevys my 75 has some in the bed on back wheel wells and some on the cab corners and the seat hump not bad. Some on the floors but not bad just pin holes.
Make sure it's not a 4x4 converted rwd without an engine xmember. Also remember to check that the ujoints aren't shimmed with quarters and the crown and pinion aren't laying in chips at the bottom of the diff. If the pedal rod that goes into the master pops out while driving don't panic too much. Even if rebuilt entirely from scratch truck will never be reliable and never be fun and you will love every second of it.
Looking at an 82 this week. Great info. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Lots of great points, My buddy always looks down in the wiper cowl. I recently came across a round eye shortbed little rust but not bad at all. Guy isn't ready to sell yet been sitting there since late 90s he said
No mention of cab corner rust? Maybe I missed it, but I think those trucks had cab rust when they rolled off the assembly line.
We don’t see a lot of cab corner rust on squares. Don’t own one with it and have looked at hundreds. Even that rusty ‘76 has solid corners.
@@UNITEDBYTRUCKS Well, perhaps it is related to latitude. Every one I have owned has needed cab corners and nearly everyone I have seen has rusty cab corners (if they haven't been repaired). I have a CUCV truck in my driveway right now that needs both outer cab corners replaced.
My first new truck was a 73 3/4 ton Cheyenne with a 454 and 4 speed. Buckets and console
Good video, sure wish you could find those rust free trucks up here in Kentucky. Most of them up here you could sling a cat thru to the other side lol.
I just picked up one up it’s barn found seems solid but haven’t got it home yet been sitting for 20 plus years a project truck for sure
Hey Robbie I appreciate you showing us the ends and outs of what to look for ,so many us saw some things I ran into on my build that I had to address thank you. 👍🏼👍🏼
Great video, very informative and could save you a whole heap of money on your new purchase of an early truck., well done guys👍
Holly crap... I haven't seen a hat with a rope on it in 20 years. 😆
Rope is dope.
i own a bunch most of them were my grandfathers definitely an old skool thing like the trucks we love
The first and last new vehicle I ever bought is a 76 3/4 Scottsdale. I ordered it with the bucket seats. When I got married my wife hated them but married me anyway. Then we had a baby. We used to put the child seat in between the buckets on the console and run the seatbelts through it. I still have the truck but the wife left a long time ago and has since died. I live in Montana where it’s pretty dry. The truck has very little rust but the sun has eaten the paint off in places and it’s down to the primer on the roof and hood. The big 450 engine likes it’s gas so I don’t drive it much anymore. Gas cost 32 cents a gallon when I bought it.With the dual 20 gallon tanks that wasn’t a lot back then but when gas went crazy filling it got to be to expensive.
I love the buckets in squares
have a 74 gmc c15 sierra grande in almost rust-free original condition, for some reason the front edge of the hood is rusted out but no rust anywhere else on the truck. 350/th350 long bed, love to find a bucket seat/console set but they are pretty rare it seems...
I inspected a recent consideration and had to stop when I saw rust around the windshield. The price made balk at 4900 for a 1981 SWB.
Thank for the information!!! Im going to look and more than like getting it this Saturday
I purchased my 83 in 2017 and for $2400 I got a complete all stock shortbed fleetslide with only rust near the windshield rockers, doors, and floorboards were mint with nothing
nice! i picked up my 83 august 2019 for 4500. no rust since i’m in Arizona so i got lucky there
@@johnvega2974 I’m from California so trucks here don’t have a spec of rust as well mine had it because it sat under a tree for a while before I owned it
Firewall area, and around windshield area are good to check also.
I can tell you , upper door hinge cracking door fit and hardware, alignment shims thickness between the frame rails,and upper control arm bushing shaft,clutch pedal looseness,and upper pedal mounting brackets for hard use,4x4s with power steering, possible cracks in frame where gear box mounts, look for slop or loose tilt action on steering columns,they are getting tough to find,pay particular attention to underdash wiring ,and if it came with factory AC in particular look for missing components and compressor mount and drive,and acc mounting brackets that match and belong together along with the matching pulleys. Any way thats my two cents.
The skinny brake pedal was standard on lower option package automatics (custom,custom deluxes) in 73,74, and early 75
Strongest piece of metal in any car other than the axel never seen a brake pedal break yet
Had a skinny on my 84 custom deluxe, swapped it over to the larger pedal.
Great video and info. I have a 81 C/10 long bed, 305 4 speed that is my daily driver. Just rebuild the rearend with the Yukon kit and it was a great learning experience. Does anyone else have water leaks when it rains or from washing that seem to come in above the floor vents? I thought it stopped after i had a new windshield installed but that just slowed it down because it was coming in under the rubber seal on the driver side.
Mine is in the thumb nail, lots of surface rust and rockers, but lots of dents.. mechanical and wiring all replaced, working on the A/C and body next. Going to flatbed it also.
Big clue to cracked frame from steering box is if the front bumper moves independent from the front clip when someone's working the steering wheel.
I got 3 squares that I need to get on the road. My 86 GMC K2500, an 85 Chevy C30 3+3 DRW Silverado and an 82 Custom Deluxe shortbed C10.
Got a 1973 Cheyenne super 10 big block short bed with 0 rust and 1985 C30 4dr dually with 0 rust.. both California cars here with me in Cali that I’ve found... good info here
Great tips for a future squarebody owner!
Great video Guys!!! Looking forward on buying my first square body
Just picked up a 1982 Chevy stepside. Had this same truck brand new. No rust, original paint, interior, engine 40k on it. Looking to swap out original three speed on the tree to automatic and maybe swap out inline six. Could use some input on the how twos.
Th350 is a 3speed auto and the 700R4 is a 4speed auto I hear the R4 is the best option and the engine swap is up to you if it was me I'd probably put a 350 carb in it
That stepside really catches my eye! And I'm not a stepside guy.
I laughed every time he said that first truck had a lot of rust, especially in the rockers. My 85 K2500 Burb has little to no rockers, my floors however are not that bad, otherwise pretty typical rot for a Minnesota truck, not the worst but not the best. I suppose however that it all depends on where your from, I only paid $600 for my Burb, but I’m sure someone from say Texas wouldn’t have even touched the thing.
Just picked me up another square for $300, that makes 5. I may have a problem lol.
I'm just about the same with tractors lol
My friend just bought his 23rd square body lol he has an addiction
@@demolitionderbydrive_115 dang. If he runs out of room I got some lol
nah no problem there thats just good investments lol
Up in the PNW, these things are selling for crazy money. Like 5k plus.
If you live in California, make sure you buy a pre 75 so you can bypass all the smog crap.
Damn... I sometimes forget how good I have it in California so far as rust. My 74 has zero rust. seriously... have had it up on the rack more than a few times short bed fleetside with LS conversion
Isn't it so awesome!
@@UNITEDBYTRUCKS yep.... I wish I were younger or that they had so many LS conversions when I was younger... LOL... I work a hour or two on mine and I am pooped. I have built hot rods and Harleys for 60 years but now I am happy to have you younger guys do a lot of the heavy lifting. always glad to see younger people involved.
I own a 1975 chevy k20 the hood kinking is not only caused by rusty or stuck hinges it is actually a manufacturer defect in the hood.
Glad yall put the steering box frame issue in the video. I sent you a dm about it on Instagram. I finally found a frame so that swap will begin soon
Going to be gifted a 78 Big 10 soon, I’ll use this vid for future reference. Keep up the good work man!
Swb?
@@mr.e1220 no it’s lwb, I’ve yet to see in person a short bed big 10
@@Em0KhRiSxP they made them. I see them all the time.
Good video! I’m glad mine ain’t rusted out!!!
Thanks. This is a great video. What is the wheel and tire setup on uncle buck in this video?
Just found an insane deal on Craigslist near Sacramento 87 Chevrolet 20 or 250 fleetside long bed in the color of wheat only options are power steering air conditioning and a spare tire the vehicles absolutely straight lived indoors going to put it on Craigslist in a couple of weeks San Jose
Front shock mount on the Frame some times will crack and separate from the frame
Do have any videos about K 10 chevs,I have a 82 silverado thats in perfect condition , original documened 54000 miles no issues I'm somewhat what knowledgeable on these so it's pretty good, hope to sell it this summer. Thanks for the great video.
I don't yet, but love the K trucks.
I just brought a 1984 C10 shortbed custom Deluxe 6 Cylinder Manual step side , with 52,721 Original males and nothing but surface Rust and its mainly In the Flat bed
The brake pedal on your white stepper. I thought the small pedal indicated manual brakes. Have you never heard that before? Is the RP tag still in your truck? Does it indicate manual brakes?
I have the 1980 c10 custum delux with an automatic with the same strait six engine. I think it's cool that ours is the same color.
Just purchased a c10 1979 short stepside, it’s rust free, 355 /350 trans , engine is fresh trans rebuilt, aluminum intake , for 4K, 🤔 was it a fair deal?
Windshield channels! Especially the lower! Do your best to peek there!
Do you know if a topper for an 87 Chevy 8ft full size will fit on a 1993 bed 8ft.🤔
I got an 1983 C10 shot bed, came with a/c and radio. No power windows or locks. The truck color is work truck yellow.. its like a school bus yellow. Its the original color. Don't know if to keep the color or change it. And you can still see where the old logos were on the door and numbers. There great trucks.
Keep it yellow if original
It's a school bus yellow bro the inside of the cab is the same color and the lower dashboard is too. So yeah I think I'll keep it that original color.
We had a '78 GMC Sierra that color for a shop/parts delivery truck. Colonial Yellow is the name of it.
I've seen 73-74 Custom Deluxes with the narrow brake pedal. Saving a tiny bit of money on the lower trim level? My dad had a 75 Custom Deluxe that had a normal wide brake pedal.
Good to know
Love the wood grain bezzle
I got one from my cousin , he gave to to me , I was thinking on selling it , out truck look decent for the year even radio works everything , but my pocket cry’s every time I put money 💴 n it it runs a 350 is sound decent but am having pe
To Lena with seals , hope it’s just that trucks runs sweet thank for the help I won’t let it go , 😂
Thanks for the tips, I’m going to check out a 77 c10
another great video.... juat bought a 80 GMC .
I agree. This is amazing, keep it up.
I've got an 85 short bed half ton.It has a small brake pedal too.,I think maybe it has to do with manual brakes??
Thanks for the video. I'm looking at an 85 Chevy K20 Suburban. Some people want Lambo's or Ferrari's as their dream car. Mine is an 85 Square body.
You forgot to mention 1 super bad spot for rust if you live in a moist climate and that is the windshield frame. If you come on down to florida 99.99999999% of these trucks have the bottom edges of the windshield frame totally rotten and usually when you cut the glass out there will be very little if any solid structure left. I noticed that up north trucks seem to not have this problem much but here in florida where it rains 24/7 8 days a week and is humid as hell seems to just eat up the roof and windshield structure and to repair that right costs more than the truck is worth or you'll have to find another complete cab.
it's the salty air in florida that causes that. i live in rainy seattle where there is no salt and our trucks don't have those rust issues.
I haven't watched your channel in so long! Never even got around to sending pictures of my F250 I wound up selling sadly.. :(
New to the channel. I just purchased a one owner 1986 k 10. Minimal rust except the driver's floor pan. Rockers are great, but cab corners are shot .Because it is a 4x4, I would love to make it a little different. What would you think about trashing this original 305 and adding a straight 6, or a 6.2 diesel? Those things got great torque compared to the gas engines designed in those years because of oil shortages and emissions. Is it even possible to slide one in as a replacement or are there mods that can be done ?
I think that's a fine idea! Both will bolt up with proper mounts.
What’s the best way to prevent rust before it starts?
Another thing to look at on these trucks, as well as the GMT 400(88-98) that follows them, is the door hinges and strikers. After 30 or 40 years, these most likely need fixing. If you use quality parts and have the correct tools this is not too hard to fix though. Dad and I fixed all 3 of our square body Suburbans.
Also on the 79 and 80 hoods there's a raised panel on the front; that was to allow more room for humidity to evaporate and reduce rust.
White lithium spray grease works great for the hood hinges, hood latch, door hinges, tailgate straps, etc.