72 GMC Jimmy 4x2 or 71 Suburban 4x2 big block

[gcm]

Hello All

I have been reading posts and questions on this blog/site for a few years and usually end up finding what ever I am looking for on someones post...which is awesome. For the first time ever I didn't see it but then again its is a very specific question

So I found a 72 GMC Jimmy 4x2 350 automatic medium blue but has been repainted Iroc Blued. It has the glove box sticker.....I know from reading the blogs here that could be one of 400 and maybe 120 that came to Canada (where i live).....Now the Jimmy is being sold for $17,000 which is a tad high i would guess but seems to be fairly clean and the owner isn't sure if the 350 is original or a just another 70's 350 that has been swapped for the original....he has the original transmission but needs a rebuild but has a new 700 transmission matted to the 350 which seems to have been upgraded.

Now the Suburban is all original the owner even has the build sheet and the glove box build sheet.....it is a factory 402 big lock auto, with factory tilt power steering, factory tachometer and bucket sits. Its a Bronze color with a white roof and its the tail gate style not the door 3/4 ton 4x2 C20....so seems like a total of 1203 were build but cant find how many of the 1203 are big block, or have the tilt and bucket sits.....I am also aware from reading on this site that GMC's are more rare but harder to confirm as it seems there is not very good records of it. How ever I believe from what i have read that chevy factory big blocs are rare (correct me if I am wrong)...the price for the suburban is $11,000.

So which is more rare between the 2? and would you recommend to get?

thanks

[72gmguy]

Buy what you like! I have had suburban and blazers and for pure enjoyment it's tough to beat a convertible. I would choose the GMC Jimmy but that's just me. As far as collectibility I feel that convertibles will always lead the way over a similar non convert vehicle. Look what broncos have done value wise in the last 10 years! Blazers, Jimmy's and IH scouts have been on the way up as well.

[Tom Vogel]

Jimmy. But I like Burbs too.

[68350]

Do you plan on just using it for pleasure cruising or for work too? The Jimmy will be a better cruiser. But the suburban could haul a trailer too being a 3/4t

[gcm]

thanks for all the great input i really would love to buy both in a perfect world because i would like to restore either and put them in stock condition...the main attraction to the Suburban was one that i could tow a 15 camper trailer and it would do it with out any issues......But like 72gmguy said a convertible is hard to beat for fun. And GMC's are more unique.....I always thought it was so strange that GM pushes GMC's so so so much with more chrome and even options that only GMC's gets but they still don't out sell Chevy not sure why but its interesting how stubbornly GM keeps making both trucks ha ha ha ha.

Is it true that at least for the time span between 67 to 72 the number GMC's made were only 10% that of the chevy counter part (trucks, jimmy's and suburbans)?

Thank you again

[68350]

I've always heard a rule of thumb is 1:6 to 1:4 for GMC to Chevy's but all documents were lost for GMC so its impossible to know

[68350]

Do you have pics of these two? It might make decision easier considering the large price difference

[pat english]

I i had to choose,it would be the gmc jimmy.I think you can tow just fine with the jimmy too.Ive seen a few towing before.

[gcm]

oh yes i have pictures i just have two of the gmc jimmy but the owner of the suburban sent me lots and lots of pictures....However I hope to go see the Jimmy this Saturday I will ask and take more pictures.

[gcm]

As you can see the is even a Build sheet with the suburban

[gcm]

Here is the jimmy

[kwmech]

You guys are slipping 11 posts and nobody told him to buy both?

[gcm]

ha ha ha i cant afford both

[hugger6933]

The Jimmy needs a lh door from what I see but I do like that blue and white. Jim

[gcm]

i know which ever one i get it maybe a long time before i get one that is as good as the one i dont get..................I love both the suburban and jimmys/blazers....they are fun for different reasons and have so so much potential for restoration and having fun with them. So having said that im left with the choice which is more rare get that one and hope i can find one like the other one......I have no clue how rare big blocks in suburbans are can anyone tell me? or Tach, tilt steering and bucket sits.....how rare is that i know they made 1203 suburban 3/4 tons and those are the ones with gates not doors in the back....so what percent of them would be big block and have the options this one has?......I personally never have seen a truck of this time period with a build sheet for sale...

[68350]

Honestly both look priced high to me. But for the pricing they have, I'd take suburban over Jimmy. It's way cleaner from what I can see. I'd imagine if door has rust on Jimmy then rockers and outer floors have rust too

[gcm]

its a medium blue jimmy that colour is just what was painted in the 80s i would have to restore it i like the 2 tone also that i believe is original.

[gcm]

I dont spose you know what number of the suburbans in 71 came with big blocks, tach, bucket sits and tilt steering? I know the total is 1203 suburbans but from what i have seen very few people were getting big blocks in trucks back then

[68350]

There isn't any break down in production numbers as far as options go. It's unusual to get a big block in a suburban. I'd say it's rare to get bucket seats. I'm assuming the prices you listed are in Canadian dollars?

[gcm]

yes they are in Canadian dollars......most of what i have learned is from these forums and reading all the cool stuff you guys know.....I use to have a 72 long bed c10 that was my first vehicle i ever got and it burned down in a garage fire which was sad.....I have been looking for a long time to find something that is kinda out there and unusual to restore in a 67-72 truck, suburban or K5.....So I wanted to ask you all here I didnt want to get one and find out that i got the wrong one and missed out on a rare gem......I will restore which ever i get maybe put some after market wheels on them Foose maybe. And level the Suspension but still keep all the original parts and stuff.....im not going to chop or do anything that will require a welder to undo

[gcm]

so kind of an idea like this were the truck is still all original and retains its nice look and is clean

[gcm]

do you think if i email GM's Heritage Center they may have some numbers on how many suburbans had big blocks?

[68SWB4x4]

The Suburban is WAY cleaner but the Jimmy will always be more collectable/valuable especially if it is originally a 2wd.

It really depends on what YOU want out of the truck.

Cruiser/collectable = Jimmy

Some work and driving around and most likely less work that needs to be done = Suburban

[gcm]

they are both original 4x2

[68SWB4x4]

Originally Posted by gcm

they are both original 4x2

Orignal 2wd blazers/jimmys are increasingly hard to find and had low production numbers the key is they are also desirable.

My Suburban is probably less than 1,000 made but there isn't a huge market the desirability isn't there like it is for the blazer/jimmys yet rare doesn't = value

People here may geek out about it but to a wider scale no.