78 4x4 for $500 just how far is to far gone?

[Leroyswift]

I will have some pictures in a bit but im looking at a 1978 chevy 4x4 with a running 350 that doesn't smoke or tick. The title is good to go and the frame/axles are in good shape as far as rust goes. However the body is a different story. The bed sides are so rusty and broken down they would flap in the wind like a retrievers ears, rockers and cab corners were prob gone before any Bush seen office and the door jams where the hinges bolt on are...Ominous to say the least. One floor pan is ok the other side is gone. These trucks are plentiful but I may be able to work the price down some. The folks that have it cant figure out why it wont run and just as i suspected it was a neutral safety switch issue. Im just more or less wondering if its worth it? How much is too much to fix?

[JRANGER]

I would say $500 is well worth an engine and frame but your gonna have to replace the body

[Your41Plague12]

I agree. Keep it for the drivetrain and the frame, and start completely over with the body. It's definitely worth $500.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

What they said times three^ just collect another bed and cab and maybe a front end and have fun restoring it
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[Redcap]

$500 for motor/trans/t-case/running gear (1/2t or 3/4t)? Run/drive? Even if not, sounds like a pretty fair deal to me. You can easily make that cash back parting it out.

[shipma2]

500 dollars if motor does not smoke is a heck of a deal, buy it for the drivetrain if in good shape and swap the body, bodies for these squares are not to terribly hard to find at all. i paid around 1100 for my 78 a couple years ago and it has the 454 you will not regret getting a 1973 to 1979 chevy truck soild as a rock and good trucks. id go for it man

[str8axle55]

Sounds like a fair price, if the running gear and frame are good. I would say $500 is about srap value on that truck also. Around here if you tried to lowball them, that is the first thing you`d hear, the junkyard will give me $5-600.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Yea I would swipe it up fast if the drive trains all in good shape. Then just look for another cab and bed and let the fun begin haha Might try to offer them a little bit less might go for it. Got to post some pics up if you do buy it.

[Leroyswift]

Well i dropped the hammer and bought it. Upon further examination the ign. switch is stuck in the "on" position so im guessing the column needs to be taken apart and diagnosed further. I talked to the couple (who are a "go green " bunch way in the hills complete with solar panels) and we agreed on $450 if i get it out tomorrow. The fenders and front end arent bad at all i guess just off road use without care has rotted the floor and bed. I may get it running and tag it for the winter, But have a tbi 454 4 bolt out of an 89 3500 that may wind up in there. Too bad the drop is wrong side to use the 5 spd nvg 3500 i pulled from an 88 k1500

[motornut]

pull the rod out and see it it moves by hand...
some stuff is pricey when you want it,priceless when you need it
800 got me this ....

[Leroyswift]

Thats a real peach!My 78 is so rusty. The bed had a plastic liner and under it was just the supports. It was so rusty i climbed in the back hung down and sawzall-ed off the rusted turbo mufflers. I am almost too embarrassed to post the pics. The interior is terrible also, but I drove it home 20 miles after it sat for two months thru twisting hairpin curves of western NC mountains, With no fault.I found a bed and LH door for $180 and with little add ons like new terminals, Universal joint, and other odd and ends puts me around $700. I read about the transmissions was the sm465 the only 4 speed used in the 70's? how about T-case?

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by Leroyswift

Thats a real peach!My 78 is so rusty. The bed had a plastic liner and under it was just the supports. It was so rusty i climbed in the back hung down and sawzall-ed off the rusted turbo mufflers. I am almost too embarrassed to post the pics. The interior is terrible also, but I drove it home 20 miles after it sat for two months thru twisting hairpin curves of western NC mountains, With no fault.I found a bed and LH door for $180 and with little add ons like new terminals, Universal joint, and other odd and ends puts me around $700. I read about the transmissions was the sm465 the only 4 speed used in the 70's? how about T-case?

If it's a 4-speed truck, it had an NP205 transfer case. That's the one everyone wants. It's gear driven, cast iron, and built like an absolute tank.

[Sodak]

Me i bought my 78 for the motor(New under 1000 miles and 4 new tires) and he through in the rest of the truck.lol
Only things not being changed is the roof and front grille ,Everthing else is gone and being replaced.

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by Your41Plague12

If it's a 4-speed truck, it had an NP205 transfer case. That's the one everyone wants. It's gear driven, cast iron, and built like an absolute tank.

Not necessarily. The NP203 (era correct) and NP208 (could have been swapped in) were both put behind 4-speeds, neither of which are desirable.

Easiest way to tell if the T-case is a NP205 or not is look between the rear output and front output rear bearing support. Is there a little round cover held on by 3 bolts? If so...that is a NP205. If not, that transfer case is junk.

The Rockwell T221, which was attached to the SM420 (unsure if they ever came behind the SM465) was also a good, tough transfer case.

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by Redcap

Not necessarily. The NP203 (era correct) and NP208 (could have been swapped in) were both put behind 4-speeds, neither of which are desirable.

Easiest way to tell if the T-case is a NP205 or not is look between the rear output and front output rear bearing support. Is there a little round cover held on by 3 bolts? If so...that is a NP205. If not, that transfer case is junk.

The Rockwell T221, which was attached to the SM420 (unsure if they ever came behind the SM465) was also a good, tough transfer case.

I've never seen a factory 4-speed/NP203 combo. I was pretty sure all 73-80's came with NP205's behind a 4-speed, and sometime into the early 80's. You're correct about the NP208's though, it could have been swapped in. I agree, just check for the 3-bolt cover and let us know!