So, what would you guys do?

[Russell]

Ok, so, I was chatting with a local forum member tonight, when he showed me a link to a classfieds page that obviously doesn't recieve a whole lot of traffic. Inside, was a 77 GMC stepper. Its obviously badly rotted out, but that isn't a huge concern to me.

What my current situation is that I've got an 89 C1500 that has been boat loads of trouble for me. I've replaced the engine, two transmissions, multiple gauges, both door handles (which are jammed up again!!) and that heater fan switch, with now the stereo starting to act up too, and I really just want to get rid of it.

However, the 89 now has a very strong 355 in it, though the tranny is slipping something horrible on the 2-3 shift.

What I am considering doing, is buying this 77. Its a Sierra Classic, and therefor is reasonably well optioned. Swapping out it's engine / tranny into my 89 with a carburator, and swapping out the TBI 355 from the 89 into the stepper with a spare TH400 I have sitting around.

Assuming I could get myself a driveshaft made for the TH400 in the shortbed, I could have a running, fuel injected truck with a solid transmission for approx 600 bucks or so, and wind up with about 2000 in my pocket from the 89. Being fairly plain jane (no power windows, locks etc) the stepper probally wouldn't give me much trouble, and would be an awesome winter beater. My 89 is just far too long for driving around town (22 some feet from bumper to bumper)

Do you guys think I am thinking crazy here, or is it possible I may be on to something?

Russ

PS -- here are a few pics of the stepper. He has a flat-deck on the back at the moment, but the truck includes the step-side bed.





Here is a picture of the 89

[beaterC10]

A double engine swap sounds like a lot of work, but I like that shortbed. What about just selling the 89 and driving the shortbed with the carbed engine?

[Slonaker]

Don't you already have a lot of work ahead of you to get your truck running (EFI and stuff)? I'm not sure that taking on more work would be a good idea. I know it wouldn't be a good idea for me...

Slonaker

[Russell]

Originally Posted by Slonaker

Don't you already have a lot of work ahead of you to get your truck running (EFI and stuff)? I'm not sure that taking on more work would be a good idea. I know it wouldn't be a good idea for me...

Slonaker

Very true that I've got a whole lot of work to do on the 80 -- But even if I do finish it before spring, I have no intention of putting it on the road till all the snow is gone, and it has rained several times to clear all the salt away. Then I can drive it to a paint booth to truely finish it

This wouldn't be the first time I've done something like this. My 74 for example. I built it from a rolling chassis to a running, driving truck in under a week. 89 I did an engine / tranny swap in 2 days (after collecting parts, of course) etc

I think I'd probally have both trucks up and running within a week or two. Get the 89 back up first so I can keep dding it till it sells, and get the other truck done shortly after. When a guy has all the parts, these things go back together in a real hurry.

The reason why the 80 has taken so long is becuase I've changed literally everything on the truck. I mean, the thing started off as a 2wd truck with a TH400, now its a 4x4 with an SM465/205, 355 TPI, with half a billion electrical changes / upgrades, not to mention doing all the body work, and doing all the work myself, LOL

But, that said, I'll keep your guy's opinions in mind when I go to take a look at it. Maybe you are right, and while I've done it in the past, one more might be enough to burn me out, or maybe driving one will be the encouragement needed to get the 80 done and ready for paint come spring.

[Slonaker]

Well, you are young and energetic. I am neither.

It might work for you. I have learned the hard way that when you take on too big of a project, it stops being fun. When it feels like work, something is wrong.

Good luck either way.

Slonaker

[72MARIO]

I would go for it. Except I would keep the stepper Carbed to simplify the process. For the time being. And it would make for a more dependable truck never mind cheeper to keep running truck.

Should be fairly cheep swap Drive shaft is $200 New or if you get one cut down even cheeper. Fluids and tranny filter. Should be well under $600



But here is my question. Why have a truck as a beater ? I know we like our trucks and all but I would way rather drive a small car and get 25MPG ++ And save the gas money to make my summer truck Killer Fast and Nice.

[Russell]

Cars don't typically do so well in the snow around here, and I absolutely HATE front wheel drive. I've actually got an 86 buick century, but I avoid driving it like I could get the black plauge by sitting in it.

I've always been a truck guy, and always will be. I doubt I'll buy a car unless the wife pushes me into it, and even then, she'll be driving it, not me, LOL

I'll go look at the thing. I'd probally be more likely to sell the 89 with the 350 in it than the carbed 305, and TBI setups are cheap and easy to come by, so I could drop a EFI 350 into the beater later on. I mostly need a truck that I can drive when I don't want to take my GMC out. I'd absolutely hate to finish the truck, then have it get wolloped right away by dd-ing it in the winter.

[72MARIO]

I got you completely.

I have a 95 Grand Prix that is the wife to be's DD. That thing tanks thru the snow way better than my 84 2WD ever would unles I converted it to 4WD. But I still like Old Blue(the 84 soon to be torch red) even thought it takes 78 liters to 300K. Just some times I get sick and tired of paying $70 to go see her at her parents house every 3 days. Espically because I do roofing and right now it too DAM cold out there to earn any money.

[Russell]

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

I got you completely.

I have a 95 Grand Prix that is the wife to be's DD. That thing tanks thru the snow way better than my 84 2WD ever would unles I converted it to 4WD. But I still like Old Blue(the 84 soon to be torch red) even thought it takes 78 liters to 300K. Just some times I get sick and tired of paying $70 to go see her at her parents house every 3 days. Espically because I do roofing and right now it too DAM cold out there to earn any money.

95 Grand Prix is a far better car than a mid 80s something century :P

I've only driven the buick once on icy roads -- I was terrfied the whole time. When that thing breaks loose, the front end slides all over the place. From driving rwd my whole time driving, that typically indicates that you have lost all control. Problem is, that to recover, you need to aim the truck in the direction you are sliding to get traction back, but if you do that in the car, it sends you off worse, LOL

Since then, I've sworn I'll never drive it on icy roads again. That car seriously has worse traction than my 89 does, and its running totally bald tires with a fairly beefy engine, LOL

[72MARIO]

Just read you profile. Your like 19 ? And married ? Everyone here thinks I am young getting married at 21...... I would have been sooner if I did not have that damed 67. I got my ducks in a row now so the wedding is next.

I guess the cars are diffirent but they both need tires. The prix had 400,000km on it so I am not sure If I should spend anymore money on it.

Rear wheel drive are alot easier to get back if you do break loose. But I find it does not happen very often in the car either. She drove it in North of North Bay for 2 years when she was at school and never got stuck.


You have to keep one truck nice at least just do whatever it takes.

Later,