Short bed decisions.
 

So I thought I was on track to buy this two tone tan diesel short bed. That is until I took another look to see what was out there for sale. The tan shorty is an 84 GMC diesel with a burned up 700r4. No rust except for a couple surface spots under the tailgate band. $1500 and I can get the trans rebuilt for about $800. I would probably try to trade or sell the wheels on it to get some rallies and white lettered tires if I get it. Overall not fond of the tan.

Truck #2. 85 GMC gas v8 with 3 speed automatic. Probably a 350c trans. Alot better colors on it. Clear coat is peeling and one hole on the passenger rocker. Runs and drives. $2300 for it. Always something when it comes down to making a decision.

Re: Short bed decisions.
 

Black truck is a 305 truck. The plus side about it would be I have an extra 350 and 350c trans.

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2.73 axle.

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I like the color combo on the diesel truck, and it's a pretty rare truck. That said I think the black truck is better for the money IF the rocker rot is the only thing fighting you. Looks like the body line is off quite a bit on the black truck between the bed and cab, something you should probably investigate.

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I had not noticed the body lines. They are opposite on each side.

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Good chance a cross sill may be rotted on the bed or a cab mount fell apart. Possible that it's an illusion and the truck is sitting on uneven ground.

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Man, if that tan one was by me I'd have in it the barn already. Rust free wins, can buy drive train all day long, good bodies are hard to come by here in SE MI.

Personally I'd swap the trans for a later 700R4, like a 1990 with the upgrades (ask Clinebarger for the skinny on what to get, and be prepared for the sticker shock for a DIESEL converter). Actually I'd swap the trans out from my 87 since it's a diesel calibration, and swap the ralleys over too. Then I could put my a-833 in my 87 and get some truly sick MPG. LOL

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Just do what I always do, buy both. lol

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Get the diesel. Rarer colors, nicer body. Mechanical work is easy, especially if it just involves a transmission swap. I'd love to start with a clean square!

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He sent me a couple of pics today on the tan truck. Got the SPID sticker and an interior shot. The tan truck is cleaner just don't like the bronze or whatever color that is and a paint job isn't in the budget either. He said a shop down where he is at would rebuild the trans and new convertor for $450 if it was already out of the truck. Its a five hour trip there though and I would be coming back the same day so that leaves no time to drop the trans and have rebuilt. I need to see if by chance they have one there that they could build. Doubtful but you never know.

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I wish. Lol. The guy that has the black truck has a clean looking 83 GMC long bed. Looks like the fender tags say high sierra. Would rather have a Sierra Classic. If he would come down another 1000 I would buy it over all the rest. I love where I live except being in the rust belt. Everything is a drive to get something half way decent.

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You could always plasti dip it until the paint budget gets there.

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Just looking for a pretty nice truck for around 2000. Nice tailgate band emblem.

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Well I thought I had the SPID but I don't. It does have more rust than what he had told me. Was told just a couple of spots under the tailgate band. Not the best of pics.

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I still like the diesel truck.

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The diesel truck because its different.As as far as the trans if you pull it and put it back you can have it rebuilt cheaper.

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What model diesel is that in the 84? I can't remember what years they put the oldsmobile diesel in POS into the GM vehicles. I would not ever get close to one of those ever again. I had to replace the head gaskets on my bosses Chevy/Olds diesel engine and there is a reason why GM killed that garbage grinder off.

Illinois is the land of pure salt on the roads, isn't it. Where there is a little rust, there is more hiding behind it. Cab corners, bed sides, front fender wells(against the cab area),slong the firewall at the seam--just below the seal point from the cowl, and door bottoms.

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It has the 6.2 Diesel in it

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get the diesel its rare!

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It is a 6.2 diesel. I live in Illinois but the truck is in Tennessee. I am still on the fence. I am just on the fence on the color, not a big fan of it. I will think on it. Maybe if I get it then bring it home and put some rallies on it, buff it out, put some new side molding on and detail the interior and see what I got. May just clean it up and try to trade it or just flip it.

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Diesel, hands down.

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I am a bit surprised by the number saying the diesel.

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15-20 years ago it would cost you to have someone haul a diesel short bed away, now for every one you see there are 3-5 guys who want it. I vote diesel too. Economical, sounds bad ass, gets you where you need to go.

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Diesel baby!

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Alright. Should be going down on Monday to pick the diesel up. Just waiting to hear back from a buddy if he is going since we would be using his truck. I could use the dually but that just means more fuel money probably. Now just need to see if I can find someone to build the trans a little cheaper. I can get a torque converter through Rockauto for between $60-80 after I send the core back. That's about $50. That is for a Daaco. Not sure what one locally will cost. I will have to look into it. Now to set up having it buffed out and see how that goes. Then find some rallies and white lettered tires and some side trim. May have to start looking for some Mahogony interior pieces. I know the dash needs replaces. Will have to see how the rest of the tan interior cleans up. Not sure on the seat yet as it has a seat cover on it. More than likely it will need replaced too.

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A little inspiration maybe. Lol. I don't plan on going extreme on this truck. Just need to get it road ready and clean it up the best I can. Of coarse first pic is what I am picking up and the others are some I found with the same color combo.