Might be buying a 78 2WD... Have Questions

[cmcolfax]

Same as my other thread about the 89 2WD... this is the other truck I am going to look at.

If ya dig around you can see that I first signed up back in '05.

And a lot of the projects I mentioned have come and gone.

Now I am looking for some opinions...

I have been looking for a basic rig for runs to the dump, runs to the lumber yard, runs to the landscape supply place, etc...

I found a 2WD 78 with the 350 / 4-spd for $1000 OBO

1978 GMC Pick up truck - $1000 (Richmond)

Reliable and dependable black 3 speed manual pick up with strong 350 engine. Asking $1000. O.B.O good hunting truck or work truck

Hello Chuck,

it is a good strong truck. I have had it for two years no mechanical issues alt all. I have replace the fuel pump and filter.
the engine misses a bit...a tune up should resolve that problem. I haven't done that this season.
the cob is n fair condition, the seats are worn. I covered them.. the vent window on drivers side is missing. truck broken into for equipment inside. I did not replace it. the bed has rust spots in it. give me a call 804-651-8949

MIchelle

To the best that I can find, it should be an SM465 granny-low 4-spd, not a 3-spd.

Right?

I am competent mechanically, and expect to have to do "the usual" (brakes, fluids, belts, plugs, wires, filters, exhaust, etc).

PICS:






A buddy of mine in the Jeep world once said that any running/driving 4WD is worth $1K...

This is 2WD, but seems more than servicable.

I've got a pressure washer, a 5-gallon bucket of purple degreaser, a gallon of Simple Green and left-over gallon of grey Herculiner in the garage.

Heck, I've got a spare set of 31" BFG AT's from a previous project out there too...

Is there anything in particular that I should be concerned about?

BIG red flags to look for when I go check it out?

Opinions on the truck in general?

Worth the price?

Thanks.

-cmc-

[bigblock73]

First, verify it is a 78...it has a 73/74 front clip on it and an older bed (by looking at the gas cap vs. gas door). Not a big deal bodywise, but could pose DMV problems if something is up.

Everything else is pretty minor. It might need cab mounts soon (typ of these trucks)...but that is easy and inexpensive. Just look real good underneath for significant rust, steering box location on the frame often causes cracks...check there too.

[Driveway Dreams]

As long as the truck is pretty solid, and is correct as far as title and VIN (like said above) it seems pretty fair. They did say $1000 OBO so don't be afraid to hit them a little low. The worst that will happen is you come up some, they come down some and you both get a fair deal.

[cmcolfax]

Thanks guys... that's some good info... and stuff I would never have known (I'm a Jeep guy...).

Off to check it out now.

Will post up results.

-cmc-

[special70gmc]

looks pretty decent, plus were in NY where everything on land like to revert back to nature lol cmcolfax hows sleepy hollow? i was born there but havent been there since i was 4 year old or so.

[78 Big10 454]

I've had my '78 since new. Never had any issues with it. Mine came with a gas cap, not a door.

[cmcolfax]

Special - I moved to Richmond, VA in 2005... but NY is still "home" to me.

Well guys...

It turned out to be more "project" than "truck".

At no fault of the current owner.

Some highlights... or lowlights as the case may be.

Bed floor paper thin and perforated, bed mounting crossbars too.
Rear frame crossmember swiss cheese
Coupla cab mounts gone.
Black paint was either rattle-can or driveway job.
Hood edges showed signs of "state truck orange" underneath, fenders, rad support and firewall were red, bed was blue.
Motor and tranny covered with oil and sludge.
(It actually dripped on me while I was underneath looking at it.)
It DID fire up on the first twist, but that revealed a gawd-awful ticking and popping.

OH, and did I mention that when I watched it drive away, the cab twisted to one side and the bed to the other?

Oh well...

-cmc-

[SBTork]

that's too bad it turned out to be too much of a project. If you're looking for one of these trucks keep you head up, they're all over the place and usually reasonably priced.