Help me with my decision! 77 vs 78

[chota]

My first post
I have been looking into getting an older truck for quite some time now. Originally I was looking into getting a Ford but after stumbling upon this website and seeing what some of y'all done with your trucks, I am convinced that Chevy is the way to go. The problem is, I have narrowed down my choices between two trucks a 77 Chevy 1500 vs. a 1978 Chevy C10 and I cant make up my mind because generally speaking I have very little knowledge of cars.

Here are the links:

The 77 1500

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ515829702

I got the seller down to 4k... not sure exactly the condition underneath the hood. Only concern is if a novice like myself will be able to work on it and rely on it to use as a daily driver.

The 78 C10

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ507622383

Car looks immaculate but the price is reaching my maximum price range. Seller says over 15k$ worth of goodies invested into the truck. So is it a bargain? Maybe saving money in the long run?

Which would you choose and why?

I also found this guy

http://belleville.kijiji.ca/c-cars-v...AdIdZ499858555

I was thinking I could pick this truck up if I picked up the cheaper 77 option instead of $8k 78 c10 but... I dont see any benefit of having 2 77's. Maybe interchange the parts?

[geezer#99]

Welcome to the forum!
If I was in your shoes I wouldn't buy any of them.
What experience do you have running a carbed truck?
Get's frigid in TO and it'll be fun making one a daily driver 3 months from now.
If you just gotta have one then find one that's absolutely stock. No mods at all.
They're out there.
Here's one.
http://carsonline-ads.com/colsite/co...ostingID=46873

[INSIDIOUS '86]

If the 78 runs it has my vote. I've had my carved truck running in below zero just fine and it doesn't even have a choke.

When they break or need work is when you will learn the most. I find typically its 80% confidence and 15% knowledge 5% skill working on a vehicle. Any issues and these guys on the forum can set you straight easy.

So welcome, enjoy the square side
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[chota]

thanks guys. im itchin to buy!

[nheller76]

I own a 78 and I will never ever need another vehicle again. It is basic 1 2 3 with trucks like ours. They are easy to find parts for and easy to figure out. Drive em! The one that calls to u, get it. I drove 4 trucks before I found the one I wanted. Pre congrats on the new truck buy the way!
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[N2TRUX]

Since your asking opinions I would not invest money in a long wheel base truck unless it's a 4wd. I know there are a bunch of LWB 2wd drive owners that are going to disagree but thats my thoughts.

[special-K]

Here in Maryland 73-77s rusted out fast and it got better starting in '78. I've owned two '78s that were rust free when the '77s were rusted out. I've seen 73-77s I'd like to buy,but fear as soon as they get back east they'll start rusting. Ontario is harder on sheetmetal than down here,so you know what my vote is.

[07XCSBZ71]

I agree with N2trux, building a LWB is a waste of money unless its 3/4 ton/1 ton or 4wd.

I like that little 78, Looks like a nice truck from the pics, but pics can LIE! It gets my vote, if it checks out.

[StarDust]

get a long bed! they look so badass IMO maybe because im just a long bed type of guy, i think short beds look like midgets lol

[lilpoindexter]

Is the steering wheel an octagon in the 77??? HA HA HA

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by lilpoindexter

Is the steering wheel an octagon in the 77??? HA HA HA

Sweet Jesus's it does hahahah
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[cleansquare]

The opinion that lwb trucks are a waste of money is one of the stupidest ive ever heard. I figured better from a truck of the month winner.

And I own both a short and long bed truck.
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[cleansquare]

How ever both of those trucks seem overpriced.
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[07XCSBZ71]

Originally Posted by cleansquare

How ever both of those trucks seem overpriced.
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Look like in the great white north, truck bring double what they do in the south.

[TheOcho]

What's wrong with the LWB 2wd? I have one and love it. As a matter of fact, I've had both over the years (two of each) and prefer the LWB in every aspect except looks. I'm not trying to argue with anybody, just trying to understand...

By the way, I agree with finding something as close to stock/original as possible. There's nothing worse than having to fix someone else's hack-job "repairs" and "customizing". There's lots of people who do awesome customizing, just remember, a custom truck is only built with one person in mind. An original truck is like a blank canvas. Keep it original or build it to your liking.

[07XCSBZ71]

Originally Posted by TheOcho

What's wrong with the LWB 2wd? I have one and love it. As a matter of fact, I've had both over the years (two of each) and prefer the LWB in every aspect except looks. I'm not trying to argue with anybody, just trying to understand...

By the way, I agree with finding something as close to stock/original as possible. There's nothing worse than having to fix someone else's hack-job "repairs" and "customizing". There's lots of people who do awesome customizing, just remember, a custom truck is only built with one person in mind. An original truck is like a blank canvas. Keep it original or build it to your liking.

IMHO, The trouble I see with building a LWB vs a SWB...

Put 10k into a LWB and a SWB, then you have to sell your toy and see which one gets closer to the 10k back in your pocket.

Please don't say you are building it to keep forever, go look at how many forever trucks are for sale on the net.

I totally agree about the closet stock truck you can find.

[TheOcho]

Originally Posted by 07XCSBZ71

IMHO, The trouble I see with building a LWB vs a SWB...

Put 10k into a LWB and a SWB, then you have to sell your toy and see which one gets closer to the 10k back in your pocket.

Please don't say you are building it to keep forever, go look at how many forever trucks are for sale on the net.

I totally agree about the closet stock truck you can find.

I understand your point, but some of us aren't building or restoring, just fixing up an old workhorse and continuing to use it as such. I bought mine unrestored and mostly original and for the most part, I plan to keep it that way. I'm not really "Building" anything, and I do plan on keeping it forever. I'm somewhat of a packrat, I keep everything forever. But you do make a good point for someone who plans on putting a lot of money into it. I'll agree the SWBs are more sought after.

[07XCSBZ71]

Originally Posted by TheOcho

I understand your point, but some of us aren't building or restoring, just fixing up an old workhorse and continuing to use it as such. I bought mine unrestored and mostly original and for the most part, I plan to keep it that way. I'm not really "Building" anything, and I do plan on keeping it forever. I'm somewhat of a packrat, I keep everything forever. But you do make a good point for someone who plans on putting a lot of money into it. I'll agree the SWBs are more sought after.

From a uses standpoint, LWB is the way to go, but the OP sounded, to me anyway, like he was wanting to build a truck.

[nheller76]

OMG THAT GUY WITH THE 77 MADE A STEERING WHEEL OUT OF WOOD! Do NOT get that truck! If he's cheep enough to "make" a steering wheel who knows what other things he's cheeped out on! Plus rock on to all LWB owners! Our trucks rock lowered and jacked to the roof!
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[mattcrp1]

78

[StarDust]

LWB is the way to go for me, all my friends are dropped 4/6 and below and say dropping a long bed is stupid because we arnt work horses yet when we go to crosby or they have to load there truck up they have to leave there tailgate down lol i will not disagree that the 90s model chevy long bed look HIDEOUS though!

[motornut]

may not get a warranty with the engine in the 78
father and son truck may still need some TLC,and do you want to drive it in the winter?
i'd prob go cheaper 77 truck,but i'd wana have a good look over it
your first truck,go cheaper,learn about them too

[chota]

Thank you everyone.

The search continues and talking about my choices has definitely helped me be a more informed buyer.

#1 advice I got from everything is that I am OVERPAYING( because I am Canadian)!

so I found these which I think are better deals but what do you guys think?

http://brantford.kijiji.ca/c-cars-ve...AdIdZ519662882
worked the guy down to around 2000$

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ502312895
looks better that it looks original.

http://belleville.kijiji.ca/c-cars-v...AdIdZ502302976

and this one.

surfing on these forums have made me realize how awesome the 80's body looks just as cool as the 70's.

Thanks again!

[07XCSBZ71]

I really like that 79 GMC.

[chota]

me too but the guy is not responding!

so frustrating!

but I've gotten a little better picking them out, no?