Too many trucks, what should I do?

[ElGracho]

I'm having a dilemma. I have the opportunity to buy a truck from my uncle. It's an 86 LWB 2wd 6.2 diesel for $2500. It is very similar to my 87, but LWB vs SWB and fleetside vs stepside.

The 86 is in immaculate condition, paint and interior are exceptional and is mechanically sound.

I'm in the middle of rebuilding the front suspension on my 87 and just finished rebuilding the rear diff. I had the seat recovered, put in new carpet and headliner. The truck needs to be painted and I have some new sheet metal for it. I've been quoted $5000 to have it painted, but I think I can probably get it done for $2-3000.

I'm tempted to part the 87, keeping the new parts I've bought for it (fenders, hood, doors, grille, stepside bed parts, rear diff, front suspension stuff) for my other projects. I figure I can have a truck that is as nice as mine would be when I'm done but without the work and probably for less money. If I would put the 87 back together, I could sell it and recoup some of my money, but probably only about 1/2 to 2/3 of the 5k or so I have into it.

What should I do?

[Blue Beard]

No such thing as too many trucks.

I'd say add another to your stable........

[old Rusty C10]

why not store the stepside and make a rod or custom out of it i agree you can naever have too many trucks and the LWB is great to have it holds more!

[arveetek]

The stepside diesel is indeed a rare truck. I don't think I've ever seen one. I wouldn't mind having it myself!

[bigblock73]

I disagree...you CAN have too many trucks. I have three vehicles and it is damn hard to keep them all insured, running, clean, and gassed up. Not only that, but you can only drive one at a time.

It sounds like the 86 is in better condition, and possibly more practical since it is a fleetside long bed as opposed to a short stepside.

I say either part the 87 or sell it outright. I personally would part it...that way you get some cash and you get a whole bunch of spare parts for the other trucks or "backups" in case something happens to one of them.

[arveetek]

Hey Joe,

I just realized that you must have put the stepside on the '87, eh? The pic in your website shows a fleetside. I guess it's not that rare after all since it isn't factory. They made quite a few of the SWB fleetside diesels, but I don't know about stepsides.

[Slonaker]

I found an '84 GMC SWB about 6 months ago. It was a beautiful, 42,000 mile, original elderly owner truck with all the options. I wanted it really badly, but I could not give up my truck to buy it. I just have too much work in it. I also have 5 other vehicles if you include my Honda Helix. I had to let it go.

I sympathize with you...

[ElGracho]

Originally posted by arveetek
Hey Joe,

I just realized that you must have put the stepside on the '87, eh?...

Yeah, actually, right now it has no bed. It was a special ordered SWB fleetside diesel. They are pretty rare in their own right. I was on my way to copying the look of this and this street coupe truck, but never actually got my bed painted. I'll probably just use it for my 86 project and use the perfect fleetside bed I picked up for my Indy Hauler.

I guess I'll figure out what to keep and what to put on the parts board / ebay.