Which year is best & why? Looking to buy

[PsRumors]

Hi All,

Looking to buy my first older Chevy / GMC truck. It will definately be pre-1980. I like the 73-87 models also but am leaning heavy towards the 67-72's. Was there a bad year for these trucks or were any a better year? While shopping are there any problems I should be looking for? Did any particular year have any major refinements over the past year? I need all those type of blah blah blah questions answered.

I am in N GA and will be looking for a rust free 4wheel drive 4 spd truck. I haven't decided at what stage I want the truck. I have a budget of $10k. What do one of these trucks go for restored? I have been watching E-bay but I guess there isn't alot out there or no one is selling. The local auto-trader has like 2. Any suggestions on finding one would be helpfull to.

Thanks
Ron

[Longhorn Man]

Since you have some cash to spend, you'll be able to get a kick ass truck. www.rustfreeclassics.com always has some, and I think there is a 4X4 or two there right now. They are priced a bit high, but when you consider the time and cost it would take you to go out west and get cream puff trucks, the cost does not seem so bad. I have gotten e-mails from ppl who have bought from them and these people say the guy does not blow smoke up your tail pipe, he advertises what he has, nothing more, nothing less.
As for things to look for, really, other than the amount of options and grills, about the only thing that is really important is the disc brakes that stared in '71. Everthing before was 4 wheel drum.
I think there are a couple other things that were standard on the later ones on a 4X4 that are better in the last few years, but I don't pay much attention to the 4X4 trucks. (stuff like open knuckle verses closed, one transfer over another...blah blah blah)
Any way around it, welcome to the board, you have found the best place to get info on these rigs.
PS..I say go for the 67 - 72....there are about 10 billion 73-87 trucks out there and they are just too common. But that's just my opinion.

[lukecp]

I agree....for a 4x4, try to find a '71 or '72. You will get goodies like a open knuckle front end, lock-in hubs, NP205 transfer case, 12-bolt rear, and front disc brakes.

[dinnut]

yeah, you dont see too many 67-72s around. 73-87 everybody owns own. ebay has like a billion under c10 and other trucks under chevy. or at least they used to. 71-72 were cool because of the front disc brakes and the 5x5 bolt pattern chevy used on almost all 5 lug trucks since then. 67-68 has the cooler hood and fenders. 67 had no sidemarkers. but 68 had the grill surround which is cool. 69-70 were cool because of the grill. 70 started to have the larger engine. from 327 to 350. just keep looking. get auto trader or something. good luck

[Longhorn Man]

However, the GMC trucks look the best...hands down, no arguing.
(that oughta stir up some mud. )

[dinnut]

oh man, i forgot bout the gmcs. the gmcs have the tightest front clip. i like all the front clips though. ill have to post some pics since thats all i ever dad and prob half my posts are from posting pics

[dinnut]

1
this is a 71-72

[dinnut]

2
this is a 70

[dinnut]

this is a 67

[dinnut]

this is a gmc. not so shiny. i have shinier but i cant post them right now due to size or height/width regulatiosn

[dinnut]

sweet 68

[dinnut]

69

[dinnut]

71-72

[dinnut]

i know none of them are 4x4 but now you know what all the front clips will look like. as far as feature wise, longhorn man can help you out there.

[70 net440]

I'm a newbie to this board too. If you are looking for a 4X4, beware of 73-74's with winches or huge gumbo goober grabber tires. The frames weren't great and the extra load would bust the steering boxes out of the frames or tweak the frames. If you get a full time one that has been converted to part time try to find out which kit was used. Doug Nash makes a very good kit, the others weren't as durable.

[PsRumors]

Thanks for the info. From what I have heard so far it is a 71 or 72. ahem....and a ahem....Chevy. The GM grill well the Chevy looks better. Plus I want the disk brakes and 205 transfer case.

Thanks for the help guys....now the quest begins.

[500HP/SB]

I usualy have some luck on ebay, i can usualy find at leat five if not ten 67-72 4x4s. What are you searching for? Try searching for "19-- 4x4" ther were quite a few nice 72's last time I checked. Good luck!

[Blue_71]

if you want my personal opinion, 70 or 71 chevy, is the absolute best! ive got a 70 grill on my 71 and its starting to grow on me but i never think you can get better then 71

[NuBomb]

Ron - You won't regret going with any 67-72 truck. I'm in your area so if I see one I'll try to let you know. Where are you in North Georgia?

[PsRumors]

NuBomb I am just over the hill from ya....Cartersville

[mtdave2]

good taste there! i love the 71 and 72s. but really other than the front brake thing, they are all great trucks.

[dtlilly]

I have to agree with Andy, the GMC grille is the best. They are rarer too

[palallin]

I'm partial to my '69.

The brake thing is a red herring--I've never had trouble stopping my truck--and my closed-knuckle Dana 44 and Rockwell T-221 have stood up under a LOT of abuse.

Besides, "69" is a cool number

[dinnut]

lol. 69 is a cooler number

[Randy70C-10]

That's my favorite hobby too. lol .......Hey, did you notice that the 69 and 70 you posted both have '72 sidemarkers, and the first 71-72 posted has 70 sidemarkers? ......and the 68 has 67 fenders? lol