Best Year? Newbie Question...
 

Maybe yall can help out a newbie here and answer a question for me. I am interested in buying a 80's model Chevy Pickup and I wonder what is the best year in your opinions. I plan on completely restoring and customizing the truck. I want a 1/2 ton short wheelbase. I like the way the 84 models look. Is 84 a good year to get? Also are there any specific things I should watch out for? Any comments would help a lot. I know are some people on the board that are very knowledgable about these trucks. ALSO, I DID try the search function but didn't really find the answers I was looking for. Thanks in advance,

Coop

'84 is a good model. All of them are good in my opinion. It just depends on what you like. Just check for rust in the normal places. Driveline wise, they are GREAT trucks and shouldn't have any big problems. The 700R4's used in these were pretty much bad, but by now they should have been replaced, if not, expect to replace it and get a '88-91 700R4 with all the updates. In '82 they went to a galvanized floor so rust will be less on those years. 1982 was the last year for the 350 until 1987 with the TBI. Does this help?

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Chris Lucas
1973 Chevy C-10
1975 Chevy Silverado
Captkaos Customs

Hey coop94ls!
I have a '78 C10 and absolutely love it! If I could pick any model of the '73-87 style, it would probably be an '87 due to the fuel injection. Although the older ones are nice as there is no emissions crap to deal with. Good luck on your search!

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joel
78 C10
Currently: 250/TH350

Hey Coop,.....I have 81 GMC stepside short wheelbase and love it. I think the 82-87 are a better deal because of the improvements starting in 82. Just example power window motor for driver's side 79-81 $169, 82-87 $79, big difference. Like the 84 with galz. floor boards, all these things add up when you are restoring one. My 91' Surbur front cap really dresses off the front of the truck. The web site I'm posting here looks like the front of my truck even though that is not my truck, mine's white and I have a solid front bumper... www.socalcustoms.com/Shows/SummerMadenss/56.jpg

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*** 81' GMC 327/300hp >265K miles and going strong
*** WITH 91' Surbur front cap


[This message has been edited by Big Bodie (edited 10-24-2001).]

personnaly if i was going to get a 73-87 id get a 73 sense here in california 73s dont need to be smogged.... and i like how the older ones look, less electronic crap to!

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My Truck pictures

www.xframeimpala.com

68 4x4 short fleetside 327 CH465 edelbrock intake and carb MSD distributor its the "SHAGROLET"
56 big window short stepside 235 dual 1 brls
64ImpalaSS 327
70 C10 LWB fleetside custom/10 350/TH350
IM me on aol SN= SHAGROLET

I have an '80 2wd lwb and I wouldn't trade it for the world. The '80 models are my favorite because they have the rounded paneles with the vertical marker lights and square headlights. '80 was also the last year before they started putting in all the computer/electronic crap.

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'80 Chevy Cheyenne 1/2 350 4bbl.

Any year is good, but the person who owned should have taken care of it. Ask yourself what kind driving to plan to do? What kind of modifications do plan to do?

For me, I chose mine for all the power stuff and no smog pump. Mine has gone through a ton of changes and I have more planned. For a daily driver I would buy an '87 for FI. For super engine mods and no emission/inspection I would choose an older truck.

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Gerardo
1983 Custom Truck
TX Plates: "BAD BOW"
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

Thanks to everyone for being so helpful. I will be doing mostly highway and city driving. Its going to be my a second vehicle so it wont be driven every day. I want to keep the useability so I will probably keep it at stock height and just put on some billet wheels with some standard A/T tires.

My ideal drivetrain combo would be a 350/700R4 combo which I will probably convert to TBI throught the use of one of these: http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLin...B/950-21S.html
What is a good rear end ratio for mostly cruising but occasional high speed freeway driving? I guess what I mean is I want to have good acceleration but I also want to cruise comfortably on the freeway.

Thanks

Coop

[This message has been edited by coop94ls (edited 10-25-2001).]

Coop,

With 350/700R4 and FI add some 3.73 gears. Cruising about 2300 RPMs at 70 MPH!!!

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Gerardo
1983 Custom Truck
TX Plates: "BAD BOW"
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

85" of course check the signature

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85 C10 350/700r4
91'BURB GRILL CONVERTION
HOLLEY STREET DOMINATOR INTAKE
EDELBROCK 1406 COMP. SERIES CARB.
HYPERTECH POWER COIL
FACTORY HEADERS
MAGNAFLOW CAT/MUFFLER/3in. EXHAUST
3.42 REAR GEARS
PROTHANE SUSPENSION-TOTAL KIT
DUAL 13" ELECTRIC FANS
and still going
"thats my toy"
Jeff Dodson
Angleton,Tx.