Little advice from the square body guys

[chopnchaneled]

Hi Guys,,,, I normaly hang out on the 68-72 side of this site,as i have a 68
swb c-10 and i'm now thinking about a squarebody10 series and i have a question?

Of all the years of the squarebody, which one would be the better of them
to start with, kinda looking around at swb,no side moulding,a/c,powersteering,
etc.

Any advice would be great
Thanks

[J Knight]

Me personally I would much rather have a 73-80 round headlight squarebody than the 81-87(I have an 82). It's getting harder to find a good 73-80 in decent shape that the seller isn't trying to pad his 401k with the proceeds of the sale. 81-87 are more abundant and are less rusty, they also have more repoped parts available.
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[77chevyinline6]

the 73-79s are getting harder and harder to find each day paid 2700 for mine found it downtown mayberry wasnt even expecting it. first truck for me and i will never sell it lol

[N2TRUX]

Its really a matter of personal preference. The 73-76 trucks did not offer power windows if thats a concern. There were a lot of changes in 77 that might make the 77-80 more desirable, but most can be added to the earlier trucks. In 1981 they changed the front clip from rounded lines to square eyes. If you want EFI you will have to get an 87.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

I have a 77 and I for one would love a brand new 78. My 77 had the yellow trim (yuck) and instead of paying a lot of $$$ for new black trim (also the yellow bad messed up) I just took it off. Also the 78 had intermittent wipers which I've found out is a big plus. Oh and it was the switch to brushed aluminum interior trim instead of the woodgrain I don't care for.

[Corts60]

If you are looking for simplicity more along the lines of your 67-72 style, then the 73-76 trucks are arguably the simplest. After that more electronics, options, vacuum routings, etc., etc. were added over the years making the trucks more and more complex, but still very easy to work on through all years. However, I do believe that same 4 year period had the worst sheet metal as far as being prone to rust goes.

[chopnchaneled]

Originally Posted by Corts60

If you are looking for simplicity more along the lines of your 67-72 style, then the 73-76 trucks are arguably the simplest. After that more electronics, options, vacuum routings, etc., etc. were added over the years making the trucks more and more complex, but still very easy to work on through all years. However, I do believe that same 4 year period had the worst sheet metal as far as being prone to rust goes.

So the general "STILL" didn't think they needed to install any good drain outlets still even from all the rust issues from earlier years?

[chopnchaneled]

While i'm thinking about them, Is a place where parts are sold from these perticular year models?

What i meant to say was is there a place on the froum for parts on these trucks.

Just found it, sorry for the confusion.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by chopnchaneled

While i'm thinking about them, Is a place where parts are sold from these perticular year models?

www.lmctruck.com

[made2drag]

i like the 81-87 syle a tad better. the front clip is different, the dash instrument panel is different, bumpers are a little different. the vortec 4.3 is a 85 and up thing. mine has more hp (30hp) and about the same torque as an early 350. if you had to have a 350, the 1987 is the best year for the 350 in these trucks....correct me if im wrong. also, not sure what year c10s started getting the rust prevention before they were sprayed with color but you would want to find out and make a choice maybe by that.

another thing that some people look at..... the nada value on a 73-77 is much higher than a 78-87 due to the age bracket a 77 and lower happens to be in. i wouldnt worry too much about these #'s because everybody knows trucks shouldnt be bought to use as an investment and the #'s dont really matter much. if i were you i would figure out what front clip you like better then make the decision on if you want a 1980 or a 1987. seems the groups got better as years passed.

[72freak]

1987.....throttle body!

[slammed427]

There are features of both body styles that I like, for instance, I love the round headlights on the 73-79(80) but I like the body line on the 81-87(91) fenders. And the 73-74 grille is the best looking one they made in the 14 years of the line, just my opinion.

I'd weigh what you like about both, then buy one based on that. It's easy enough to find a stripped down model and upgrade to suit your personal tastes.

And I recommend Brothers or www.73-87chevytrucks.com for body parts. I've yet to see an LMC panel that wasn't junk.

[jimboh247]

In my opinion, the side trim on the 73-80 is a whole lot nicer than the trim on the 81-87. I like the round headlights better than the square. The grills on the earlier models look better too.
I have an 85, but would trade it in a skinny minute for an equal condition early model.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by chopnchaneled

So the general "STILL" didn't think they needed to install any good drain outlets still even from all the rust issues from earlier years?

That and the fact that for some reason the sheet metal they were using was very poor quality and rusted super fast.

[sethv]

I like the 73-79 (or 80) round eye trucks! IMO they look more aggressive and has a better front clip.

[franky69c10]

81-87 FTW
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[Goldfinger]

I prefer the 85 for a few reasons. Still carbureted and no ecm to go wrong. good brakes. the panels are more rust resistant. they weigh a little less. power steering is great. they will tow anything you ask even if not recommended. overall amazing vehicles.

[ghettoluxury]

73-76 still have glass fuses

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by ghettoluxury

73-76 still have glass fuses

My 77 has glass fuses.

[ghettoluxury]

I love the round eyes so much I swapped the front clip on my 88 crew cab over to a 73. Now I have the styling of the 70's with the fuel injection of the late 80's.

Sorry I knew that my 76 had glass fuses and my 79 does not.

[1985-GMC]

My 78 has glass fuses..

[ETex Chevy Truck Guy]

Originally Posted by ghettoluxury

I love the round eyes so much I swapped the front clip on my 88 crew cab over to a 73. Now I have the styling of the 70's with the fuel injection of the late 80's.

Sorry I knew that my 76 had glass fuses and my 79 does not.

79' should have still had the glass fuses, I have a 1st series 80'. has someone used a later model cab on your 79? they are almost the same...

[superwade57]

if you had to have a 350, the 1987 is the best year for the 350 in these trucks....correct me if im wrong.


imo one of the worst 350s ever made, bad flow in the heads and the intake, smogged up, really not that effeicient, the computer wasnt smart enough to really mod in any way to get a good power or mileage increase, yes they were pretty reliable and a keystone in the progression of gm truck drivetrain but a total dog, sign me up for a good carburated 350... three pumps a quarter turn of the motor and off you go... good, reliable, power.

[ghettoluxury]

Originally Posted by ETex Chevy Truck Guy

79' should have still had the glass fuses, I have a 1st series 80'. has someone used a later model cab on your 79? they are almost the same...

Nope sorry it is a numbers matching '79, 305/TH350/12 Bolt with 2.76 gears.

[Low84]

My opinion as far as the most desired years for c10s:

Round eyes: 77-78 (77 having a slight edge due to the gold lined trim) which you don't care about so a custom deluxe either year is fine I suppose.

Squared headlights: 85-86 (dual headlights configuration, and the grill on them with the bar extending out from the bowtie is the cleanest look for the 81+)
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