Bought an 83, saying goodbye to my 74😢

[ivorton74]

Its been a while since i posted on here. A buddy of mine found a nice mostly rust free 83 c10 for $300...had a 305/th350 n didnt run. At first i was going to do a body swap(83 body on my 74 frame) cuz my 74 already has an LS swap. But I decided to go ahead n just swap over the LS drivetrain into the 83 n scrap the 74. Its hard to part with my baby as I've had her for over 6 years but she's getting pretty rusty n financially its better just to get another truck with a better body. Since Im busy with my job my buddy is doing the swap for me. As of right now the 305/350 is out of the 83. The whole swap wont be complete until something next year.

My 74

[ivorton74]

My 83

[legendman]

Nice score for$300

[hatzie]

The 74 body looks to be in fair condition and that body style is somewhat desirable. Why not sell it for $300 as a parts truck?

[ivorton74]

Another pic...posting from my ipad n its only letting me post one pic at a time

[ivorton74]

Interior

[ivorton74]

Got another 5.3 for it...the one in the 74 actually got ruined towing the 83 home... Drove on some gravel roads n it bottomed out on a rock on the road n put a holein the oil pan...so it got thrashed. But that motor had over 270k on it anyway n was thinking of getting another one with lower mileage so it worked out ok i guess.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by ivorton74

Interior

Interior looks good, except for the seat needs a new cover.

[ivorton74]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Interior looks good, except for the seat needs a new cover.

Yeah that seat is an eye sore...will get it a cover for it. Plan on replacing it with a split bench seat or buckets like my other truck

[ivorton74]

@hatzie the condition of the body on the 74 is actually not that great...the rockers the floors cab corners fenders n the box are all rusted. The box has a wood floor n its toast...it does have a solid frame tho...im actually taking some stuff off it to put on the 83 like the rear sport bumper b&m shifter stereo system wheels n tires etc. My buddy is actually taking the rest of the truck in exchange for some labor

[74CustomK20]

KEEP THAT BED ON THE 74!!! Those are incredibly uncommon and rare. Also parts are not repo'd for them.

[ivorton74]

The whole truck bed is actually rusty. Its sagging on one side cuz the part that sits on the frame rusted thru n i can actually move it up n down. Coulldnt really haul anything in it. Been looking to replace the bed for a really long time buts hard to find a clean one here in South Dakota. Im surprised the 83 hardly has rust since it came from Minnesota

[ivorton74]

UPDATE...so its been over 6 months and some progress is being made finally. The 5.3/4L60 is in the 83 but not running yet. Hoping to have it going in a few weeks in time for the local burnout competition. Still have to get stuff swapped over from my old truck. Decided to stick with the 10 bolt 2.73 rear end for now til i can get at least some 3:42 gears in it

Heres a pic of it from today

[ivorton74]

5.3 is in...some of the wiring has to be redone cuz the 74 n 83 are a little different..plus the pcm is going to be mounted in the cab instead of the inner fender like it was on my other truck.

[ivorton74]

My old baby sitting waiting to be stripped. Really sad to part with her...but it might not be the end of the road for her yet...theres a kid whos interested in buying it n putting a motor n trans back in...so i guess she'll live on for a while longer👍

[ivorton74]

UPDATE...more progress on the LS in my 83. Wiring, fuel system etc being done...trying to get it up n running by this weekend for burnouts...fingers crossed

[ivorton74]

Got the cab off...lots more room to work

[ivorton74]

Got dual tanks this time

[ivorton74]

Another shot of the cab...its in way better condition than my old truck..although it looks like ill have to replace a part of my floor pan on the driver side

[ivorton74]

My old truck...im really going to miss this truck. This was my first chevy and also my first pickup...had a lot of fun with this baby

[Desert1957]

Originally Posted by ivorton74

My old truck...im really going to miss this truck. This was my first chevy and also my first pickup...had a lot of fun with this baby

If you have the room I would keep it, You never know what the future holds.
Sounds like a lot of sentimental value there....

[f.monroe]

Swap those rear bumpers before the 74 leaves. Its an 81-87 sport bumper anyway. And it will look nice on the new truck

[ivorton74]

@desert1957 i would really like to keep her but the body is rusted...i was actually going to do a body swap but was told it would be easier to swap the drivetrain so i went that route.

@f.monroe...yeah that rear bumper is definitely being swapped over...actually came off a burb...bought it from a forum member a few years back

[ivorton74]

Pic from today...cab is back on for the last time. The exhaust was being put in when took this pic. Tried to use the drive shaft from the 74 but its too long(started a thread about it in the lsx section) so taking to have it shortened n get a u joint for 10 bolt rear end fitted. Still has to be lowered...bought a phantom grill, lower air dam, a seat cover and window visors for it. Cant wait for it to be finished

[ivorton74]

Pics from today..got my drive shortened..i hope it fits..fingers crossed. Everything looks good..getting excited to drive her