Restore..or not?

[geunther]

I have a 79 GMC 1/2 ton, 4x4, manual transmission 205 transfer case. I am the 2nd owner and bought the truck with 8,000 miles on it 6 years ago. Currently it has 19,000. It is in great shape and is 99% original. Non original parts are 5 inches of lift, battery, air cleaner element. (I kept original springs and shocks)

After looking at all the pictures of the great trucks on this site I get the hankering to frame off and restore it, though it really doesnt need it. My original plans were to keep it original but now I kind of want it to stand out. It's not like a Corvette where keeping it all original pays off.

So..my question to the forum is do I restore/build a nice truck, or leave it original. Just looking for an outside opinion, thanks.

[jchav62]

Looks great to me. I wouldn't mess with it. Just drive it and enjoy it...

[ChaseDale3and8]

Originally Posted by jchav62

Looks great to me. I wouldn't mess with it. Just drive it and enjoy it...

Me neither. Why mess with perfection? ...Joe

[Walts_restoration]

I agree with the above, i mean its 19k miles, its only that way once, the lift and tires make it look nice, so you shouldnt enjoy it untill something breaks. I mean, if it were my truck id drive it as is and build a sport truck on the side, get something that needs a restoration, your truck right now is a survivor and would be something id be proud of having sitting in my driveway becuase it does stand out.

If you wanted to, i would put the chrome mirrors on, make it stand out a little more, maybe dress up the engine, but really it needs nothing to be cool.

[xtreme80]

I agree. Leave it alone. That is such as sweet truck as is...

Find a beater and restore that if you're itchin to get your hands dirty!

[slug]

leave it as is

[cochino12]

beautiful truck. I'd leave it as is expect for maybe the mirrors. Any more pics?

[geunther]

Several other pics. I will post tomorrow. I do appreciate the input.

[Zoomad75]

Leave it be. You can't recreate a survivor. Sure you can restore it to stock specs, but it's no longer original/unrestored.

Enjoy it as is. If something happens to it you can always restore it later, but there aren't many of these trucks with less than 50k let alone 30K miles on them.

[wedgemon]

That poor thing. I be out with a trailer Saturday. I'll only ding ya the cost for gas to haul that dog away...

- Dave

[streetstar]

another vote to leave it be ---- get a 2wd shortbox if you want a hot rod

Un-restored with only 19k --- thats a beautiful setup ,

if it had 75 or 80k on it, i'd say let your heart be your guide -- but that thing is a time machine now

[Mickey_D]

If you want something to restore, I'll trade you!!

[78 Chevyrado]

I'd leave it alone until it needs a resto. It does stand out just like it is, because its an original unmolested truck. You can tell those trucks apart from the rest, even the nice resto's. I get comments all the time about mine because its unrestored and still looks good.

[PhilaTruck]

Don't touch it man, that is a beautiful truck!

BTW- OT: I heard on the radio that Cheyenne has the nation's cheapest gas prices of $2.75/gal of regular.

[kevinr1970]

I vote to not make any drastic changes.

I don't know what your area is like as far as rust goes, but I am sure there is a project needing a restore/rodstore close enough. Hell, I have an '85 GMC swb I would give you if you wanted to come get it. But it NEEDS to be restored...

If you have the space then start pulling one apart to make as "stand-out" as you like. But if there is no need on the one you already have I wouldn't throw that money away.

[f.monroe]

That truck already stands out . I wouldnt change it at all . I even like the truck style mirrors on that truck . If it were a short bed 2 wheel drive , I would say change the mirrors . With it being a 4 wheel drive , they look perfect to me . As far as modifying it goes , I wouldnt . There are only so many original trucks left and that one is a great example . I like it a lot . Frank

[N2TRUX]

I have to agree with the group here. It ain't broke, so don't fix it till it is.

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I have to agree with the group here. It ain't broke, so don't fix it till it is.

Strong words from this guy -- read his build threads -- he tinkers with his own truck for seemingly no reason at all except for being a perfectionist --- if he says don't touch it -- listen

[geunther]

So what you're saying is, "Leave it alone." That is what I am going to do. It is going to remain as is with the exception of adding the wheel well trim and a few odds and ends that do not require the drilling of any holes.

I've had to replace the valve guide seals due to it sitting most of its life, along with making sure the bearings were good and greased. I drive it about 2k miles a year so that should keep things lubed up engine topside wise. I live where rust is not an issue and of course the truck sits inside most of the time.

I appreciate the input. I have seem some great mods on this site so I know you are all not afraid of them. That actually gives more weight to the advice of leaving it alone.

Engine pic is when I was replacing the guide seals.

[thinair]

It's your truck,you do what you want to do with it............but I agree with everyone else,don't blow it to pieces when there is no reason to........I would change the mirros to chrome,dress the engine compartment...not too much though,some people go way overboard,especially with wire covering....and a nice set of Welds (keep the ralleys on the side). There are all kinds of small things that you can do to change appearence,but the most important thing I think that there is to appearence is "clean" and from the looks of your pics,that is what you have...............

[Fraser Beatty]

Don't touch it! If you're lookin for a project I'd trade my beat up old 79 1 ton Camper Special for your truck...and I wouldn't charge you a thing

[old Rusty C10]

please leave that truck be its gorgeous as it is you dont find many unmolested trucks these days

[Gregs71]

That truck stands out just the way it is!!!

Greg

[bigblock73]

Touch it and die.

Seriously, beautiful truck!

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Touch it and die.

Seriously, beautiful truck!

And this is one of the few times me and bigblock73 have agreed on anything since i have been posting on this board