Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wildwilly · 03-12-2008, 06:36 AM

Hey All,

Ever since I was a kid and was picked up from elementary school every day by in a 4x4 71ish Chevy, I was hooked. I am a GM guy at heart for sure. I have been looking for a 4x4 truck in these years (67 to 72) for a while ... seem pretty hard to come by (rare?), especially in a 4x4 worth working on. I am writing for a little advice on a purchase I found as I am new to looking into any details on these years trucks.

I have located a long box '70 GMC 4x4 for an asking price of under 3k. (Would prefer a short box, but long is OK too.) I have attached a few pics. In my pursuit of finding one of these guys, it is hindered by the logistics, cost, condition, and availability.

The VIN seems to check out as much as I can find for an original 4x4: KE134ZZ#####: 4x4 half ton from Fremont I think ... is this correct?

I took a look a the truck and for the price it seems like it is worth it, but would appreciate any further comments, as it has some issues. The glove box did contained the original owners manual, a metal tag with same VIN and dealership info as well as original owner. The glove box still had an original sticker on the outside for 4x4 instructions.

Here is some more of what I noticed:

- The wiring is a nightmare of splices everywhere ... an aftermarket A/C that is gone, but bits left over from other things. Several toggle switches drilled into the dash, alarm, A/C, aftermarket auxiliary tanks, Cd player after market stereo nightmare, fog lights, etc.

- Two tanks were added at some time on each side, so now three tanks total including the one behind the seat ... and one of the aux tanks was indicated to be leaking when full.

- A 4 speed trans., told to me to be original, yet the dash seems to have a column that may have had a shifter there, not sure.

- The engine is a Non original V8, told to me to be a 350 with unknown mileage and unknown what it is out of.

- The front drive shaft is gone and in the back of the bed as they indicated it needed to be rebuilt.

- The frame is solid and very little rust.

- The bed is also solid with little rust, but the left rear panel has alot of "work" as it was indicated to be hit there ... and mentioned something about bending something on that side around the axle. He had it fixed and "bent back" but that side does not sit center in the wheel well.

- The door sills have some rust and into the floor pan a little, but not too bad as far as I could see.

- Manual drums all the way around. It runs pretty good and the clutch feels good.

- The frame rails under the doors are orangeish red for some reason. I asked, but he did not know what that was all about. It looks like heavy overspray, but why orange as he said it was always blue and everything seems to indicate it was.

- I jotted down numbers on the frame rail:

3975 198 160 9 1912 Right side
3975 197 160 7 309 Left side

I could not find any information on what this means of anything.

Any advice or opinions would be appreciated, otherwise I am going to make this one a winner!

Thanks.

L0WRIDE · 03-12-2008, 08:43 AM

Welcome to the boards

shaneschevys · 03-12-2008, 09:58 AM

welcome from FT Worth TX.

jsbgump · 03-12-2008, 10:09 AM

Welcome to the board from Texas

krue · 03-12-2008, 02:34 PM

Welcome, post this on the 67-72 Truck board for more opinions but it sounds like more trouble than it's worth to me. Especially the whole "it was bent but I fixed it" part.

Cyclone44 · 03-12-2008, 04:01 PM

from Knoxville Tn....

72BlckButy · 03-12-2008, 05:03 PM

to the board from Mid-MO!!!

Old Chevy Mech · 03-12-2008, 07:58 PM

From CT!

Frank

**Ron 586** · 03-13-2008, 10:24 AM

Welcome to the board from West Tennessee.

72freak · 03-13-2008, 06:09 PM

Welcome from marietta!!!
Im kicking around selling mine..........head on to Ga.

BACKYARD88 · 03-13-2008, 09:07 PM

from South Texas!

DREAMS OF A 67 · 03-14-2008, 03:46 AM

Welcome From Knoxville Tn!!!

CJ5 Convert · 03-15-2008, 01:55 AM

Welcome from Super Windy New Mexico. Hope you get as much good info out of this board as I have. These folks are great. -Jason

03-12-2008, 06:36 AM	#1
wildwilly Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bellvue, CO Posts: 7	Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase Hey All, Ever since I was a kid and was picked up from elementary school every day by in a 4x4 71ish Chevy, I was hooked. I am a GM guy at heart for sure. I have been looking for a 4x4 truck in these years (67 to 72) for a while ... seem pretty hard to come by (rare?), especially in a 4x4 worth working on. I am writing for a little advice on a purchase I found as I am new to looking into any details on these years trucks. I have located a long box '70 GMC 4x4 for an asking price of under 3k. (Would prefer a short box, but long is OK too.) I have attached a few pics. In my pursuit of finding one of these guys, it is hindered by the logistics, cost, condition, and availability. The VIN seems to check out as much as I can find for an original 4x4: KE134ZZ#####: 4x4 half ton from Fremont I think ... is this correct? I took a look a the truck and for the price it seems like it is worth it, but would appreciate any further comments, as it has some issues. The glove box did contained the original owners manual, a metal tag with same VIN and dealership info as well as original owner. The glove box still had an original sticker on the outside for 4x4 instructions. Here is some more of what I noticed: - The wiring is a nightmare of splices everywhere ... an aftermarket A/C that is gone, but bits left over from other things. Several toggle switches drilled into the dash, alarm, A/C, aftermarket auxiliary tanks, Cd player after market stereo nightmare, fog lights, etc. - Two tanks were added at some time on each side, so now three tanks total including the one behind the seat ... and one of the aux tanks was indicated to be leaking when full. - A 4 speed trans., told to me to be original, yet the dash seems to have a column that may have had a shifter there, not sure. - The engine is a Non original V8, told to me to be a 350 with unknown mileage and unknown what it is out of. - The front drive shaft is gone and in the back of the bed as they indicated it needed to be rebuilt. - The frame is solid and very little rust. - The bed is also solid with little rust, but the left rear panel has alot of "work" as it was indicated to be hit there ... and mentioned something about bending something on that side around the axle. He had it fixed and "bent back" but that side does not sit center in the wheel well. - The door sills have some rust and into the floor pan a little, but not too bad as far as I could see. - Manual drums all the way around. It runs pretty good and the clutch feels good. - The frame rails under the doors are orangeish red for some reason. I asked, but he did not know what that was all about. It looks like heavy overspray, but why orange as he said it was always blue and everything seems to indicate it was. - I jotted down numbers on the frame rail: 3975 198 160 9 1912 Right side 3975 197 160 7 309 Left side I could not find any information on what this means of anything. Any advice or opinions would be appreciated, otherwise I am going to make this one a winner! Thanks. Attached Images

03-12-2008, 08:43 AM	#2
L0WRIDE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,166	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase Welcome to the boards __________________ 49 CHEVROLET 1/2 TON, 52 CHEVROLET SEDAN 62 HARDTOP NOVA 65 CHEVROLET BB LWB FLEETSIDE 90 CHEVROLET EXTRA CAB CHEVY ONLY - NZ Chapter http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=137984

03-12-2008, 09:58 AM	#3
shaneschevys Its always something! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FT Worth,TX Posts: 4,992	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase welcome from FT Worth TX. __________________ 79 p10 stepvan 72 Short Fleetside 72 Suburban 67 GMC One Ton Flatbed 64 Short Fleetside 57 Chevy 2DR Hard Top 57 Chevy 2dr wagon 65 f* short fleet 63 C 60 Flatbed Member of the patina club**

03-12-2008, 10:09 AM	#4
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase Welcome to the board from Texas __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616

03-12-2008, 02:34 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase Welcome, post this on the 67-72 Truck board for more opinions but it sounds like more trouble than it's worth to me. Especially the whole "it was bent but I fixed it" part. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-12-2008, 04:01 PM	#6
Cyclone44 Step Brother Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: K-town Posts: 4,029	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase from Knoxville Tn....

03-12-2008, 05:03 PM	#7
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase to the board from Mid-MO!!! __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

03-12-2008, 07:58 PM	#8
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase From CT! Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

03-13-2008, 10:24 AM	#9
Ron 586 RIP Mr Ron Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Sandy, Tn. 38221 Posts: 8,166	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase Welcome to the board from West Tennessee. __________________ Ron (Mr Round Tuit) Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle TN Message Forum TN Facebook Group SETN Truck Show My Photobucket

03-13-2008, 06:09 PM	#10
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase Welcome from marietta!!! Im kicking around selling mine..........head on to Ga. Attached Images __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere! Last edited by 72freak; 03-14-2008 at 04:12 AM.

03-13-2008, 09:07 PM	#11
BACKYARD88 On the fast track to nowhere.. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Splendora, Texas Posts: 5,316	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase from South Texas! __________________ -Mike Owen- Support the board here! 71 Chevy short fleet build thread Double D Norwood, Houston, Cecilia, Jackson, Monroe and counting

03-14-2008, 03:46 AM	#12
DREAMS OF A 67 Step Brother Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: knoxville TN Posts: 1,950	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase Welcome From Knoxville Tn!!!

03-15-2008, 01:55 AM	#13
CJ5 Convert Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 1,079	Re: Advice on a '70 GMC 4x4 purchase Welcome from Super Windy New Mexico. Hope you get as much good info out of this board as I have. These folks are great. -Jason __________________ - Jason *Orange Crush - 1969 K5 Blazer CST 4WD MONEY PIT* 1975 CJ5 Renegade - Levi's Edition - 304 V8 original paint



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