Just curious...

[rusty76]

It seems to me that '77 model year squarebodies seem to me to be more common. Often when I look at craigslist I see '77 and of course on up. But when it comes to the '75 and '76 models I don't seem to seem them listed as much. Am I missing something here? Did GM not make as many of these two years or something or is something else altogether? Just curious if I was the only one. Thanks.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

I think the mid 70s had a steel workers strike and gm used pretty much the equivalent of pot metal on the trucks of those years so they didn't make many or they rotted away. Idk for sure but I think that's the story
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[Rubble]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

I think the mid 70s had a steel workers strike and gm used pretty much the equivalent of pot metal on the trucks of those years so they didn't make many or they rotted away. Idk for sure but I think that's the story
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This makes sense,when I was in high school in 1982 there was a guy doing body work on a mid 70s,probably 74-76 model.The body on this thing was rusted terrible,my 82 that's over 30 years old is way better shape than this guys truck was & only 6-7 years old.Might be some truth to this eh...
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[Shyguy]

I did not know that, I hardly ever see any of the older square bodies myself.

[mopar346]

I wondered if it had to do with the gas shortage of 74.

[lap15]

Most of the trucks from '73-'76 rotted away long ago due to poor quality sheet metal. My dad had a '76 and the body was shot by 1981 when he traded it in. I searched for 7 years for an unmolested '75 K20 before I finally found one on ebay for $700. My truck is a one owner truck w-67,000 miles, the original Moss Gold paint has great patina, the interior is near perfect- but the body is shot from the wheel wells down. I was going to do a complete body swap with a newer truck but there's just something about the original looks of the mid 70's trucks- so I left it alone until I can do a proper restoration. I'll have to post some pics when I get a chance.

[wraprail]

My 74C10 swb was rusted everywhere on the body but it also was from Alaska. The frame was good though.

Maybe Keith S can chime in here. He worked for the General making trucks during those years I think?
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[77 ChevySport]

Originally Posted by rusty76

It seems to me that '77 model year squarebodies seem to me to be more common. Often when I look at craigslist I see '77 and of course on up. But when it comes to the '75 and '76 models I don't seem to seem them listed as much. Am I missing something here? Did GM not make as many of these two years or something or is something else altogether? Just curious if I was the only one. Thanks.

FWIW: I believe that was the last year that Chevy outsold Ford in PickUp
Trucks. Larry P.S. It's been a long drought since then!

[rusty76]

I had heard someone talk about the metal but I would like to see Keith chime in. I've heard other thoughts as well. Like they were made from old ships, recycled. Who knows. Thanks once again.

[motornut]

i know back in the early 80s they were thining out car pieces
like frame rails and backing plates,adding aluminum bits to save weight
used up against steel it caused serious corrosion problems here

[tucsonjwt]

I had a 76 Scottsdale I bought used in Phoenix back about 1997 and the body was in perfect shape. Of course, the desert has no salt caused rust.

[xrcr]

My 76 was a rust bucket when I did the first resto in 1990. I'll soon be finished with a frame off. It will look the part but the rolling chassis is all that remains of the original.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

I had a 76 Scottsdale I bought used in Phoenix back about 1997 and the body was in perfect shape. Of course, the desert has no salt caused rust.

LOL - people drive around there with NO PAINT on the metal and it still won't rust...

K

[88Jimmy4x4]

Keith probably had build numbers, my 76 has no rust

[cory d]

oil crisis and no high zink primer intil 76. i have noticed that most squares are 77+. no one knows my 73-73 chevy and gmc grilles

[Keith Seymore]

Sorry for the delay (...geez - it took me a half hour to read all the responses)

Originally Posted by cory d

no high zink primer...

I think it's a combination of things, but mostly this.

I don't know that there was (intentionally) any thought of using any kind of inferior metal. Keep in mind this truck was designed in the late 60's/early 70's and that is simply where the technology was at the time.

I remember trucks around here where the fenders were totally gone and only the B96 wheel opening moldings flopping around in space (lol). But - the later trucks are essentially the same design, but with the addition of ELPO primer and improved draining, and coated metals. Many small, incremental improvements can make a world of difference.

Add to that fact that the '81 and up trucks are simply newer (...thank you Yogi Berra) and that the production volumes continued to ramp up through the product lifecycle and I think you can explain the perception proposed here.

K

[rusty76]

Well see if we can't get Keith to chime in here.....come on Keith we're you at?

[rusty76]

ttt

[meatwagon83]

seems like every round eye square i find are 79s

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Knock knock. Keith?
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[59bones]

I'm not Keith but here is an original paint no rust 76.

[Shyguy]

Since I bought the '75 C-30 dually I have been looking at different square body trucks and have seen very few 73-76 trucks. Now I know why.

I thought the '75 I bought was pretty much stock, but since I knew very little about square bodies I was wrong. As I have looked it over I have found that the doors are from a '77 or so and the bed is from a '79 or newer. I am pretty sure the cab is a '75 for sure because of the vin tag being held on by the rosette rivets.

[rusty76]

Beautiful '76! I'm telling you I can find '77s listed almost daily around here, but when it comes to the earlier '73-'76s it harder. I'd been looking for a set of original doors that were in better shape than mine and it's next to impossible in some ways. If I wanted the later doors that would be fine, but I don't like the door panels on the '77-up trucks. I like a little metal in my diet. Hopefully we can get Keith in here. Now I got you boys thinking.

[rusty76]

Last night I was lookin on CL and noticed a 77 and several 80 models up for sale. Even a 77 for parts, but nothing earlier.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Your not the only one noticing.
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