Best Square Body to Buy?

[1970ChevC10]

I currently have a 70 C10, 92 OBS (C1500) and a 98 OBS (C2500), looking to expand my fleet to include a Square Body. I did own a 1980 Scottsdale in the late 80s so I am looking for any feedback or advice about the best year to focus on between 73-79. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[1970cstblazer]

I would get a 1973 Cheyenne Super. I like the black headlamp bezels, and the recessed grille.

[3drburb]

I would not say one year is the best, (debatable) but I think the 77-78 GMC short bed or stepside would be a very nice addition to your fleet.

[Dead Parrot]

What are your area's emissions rules? There were a LOT of emissions changes between 73 and 79. Cats, air pumps, EGR, and such. A lot of which depended on year and GVWR. Heavier rated trucks tended toward fewer emissions pieces. Example is my 75 C10 with the HD rating. No Cats, Air pump or EGR. Just PCV and THERMAC. The same truck except with the LD rating came with Cats and possibly other stuff.

Also, HEI came in for 75. Not sure when the internal regulated Alt came in but it was there by 75 as well.

If you are not a stickler for perfect year restoration, much of the later tech improvements can be fitted to earlier trucks.

The front factory sway bar is nice to have.

Tailgates changed a few times in that year range. 75 seems unique to that year. But the bed frames stayed the same and as long as you get all the mounting hardware, tailgates are swappable between the run of squares from 73-87.

There isn't really a bad choice so a lot depends on your style preferences and luck in finding one in decent shape and affordable price.

[old Rusty C10]

I prefer the round headlights some prefer the square they are all good the older the less emmissions but they all qualify now for antique plates so that may not be an issue

[Shifty One]

For me, it'd be a round-headlight step-side, 2wd.

[Pontiac1976]

It would deepen on the look you want option of the years for body trim/long or short body, electric options, 4x2 or 4x4, diff option it got, motor option, -If you want it to stay factory. Or you ok with adding your own option to truck any year. These are the Question you have think about.

[shoguns]

My personal opinions..

73-79 best looking year models
73-74 have the best looking grilles
73-76 have best looking door panels

If you're not too concerned about originality just piece together what you like.

[66gmcguy]

I concur with just about everything everyone else has said. The 73-74s were by far the best looking ones in my opinion. Best grille, headlight bezels, best color options (i like all the different reds and greens), best interiors, etc. The 75-76 had basically the same interiors as the 73-74, but had different grilles which look good, but not as good as the 73-74

[KQQL IT]

87-1/2 w EFI
75/76 gmc

[57taskforce]

Any 77-91 K(V)30 will do, but prefer a crew cab.

[350TacoZilla]

For me its the 79 or 80 round headlight front end on a crew cab SRW truck. My least favorite is an 80 square headlight front end lol.

[chappys4life]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

For me its the 79 or 80 round headlight front end on a crew cab SRW truck. My least favorite is an 80 square headlight front end lol.

Same! I have a 70 gmc c1500 and 90 jimmy. Recently added a 79 burb to round out the 3 major generations and styles

[Myself]

I like the front fender body line a lot better on the '81-up.

[350TacoZilla]

I have had about every style and won't turn my nose up at any of them including the square light 1980. I always seem to prefer the work truck front ends which is funny since the 79-80 has about the most chrome with the extended headlight bezels. But the late 4 headlight square front everyone loves I always sell. I don't mind them but for awhile I could sell that core support\grille setup and buy the single headlight setup for about half the money so that's what I ran. Now then again prices weren't what they are now, I could buy a whole truck back then and drive it home for less than a true rust free cab would cost me now I think

[wbort27]

75-76 best looking interior more detail in my opinion

[Lokin4AReason]

start on 74 on up

didnt they have a strike at the factories in 73 and lacked some material on the sheet metal that is prone to rusting ?

[D13]

Why? Collecting? early trucks have some unique bits, or one of the rarer packages (Gentleman Jim comes to mind, or Street Coupe). If you are looking to drive or use, 1987 TB trucks are the nicest drivers. I'm assuming your are interested in not using as a beater. Be prepared for some $$ for a nice one. Or maybe a K5 Blazer for fun?

[Honest Bob]

Although I love the 73-75 trucks I would avoid the early ones. They have weird quirky parts that everyone says "oh it should swap in from any squarebody" but it doesnt.

I have a 75 and every time I go to replace, modify or upgrade a particular part it doesnt work on my truck out of the box.

For example,

1. Fuse boxes with glass fuses
2. amp meter instead of volt meters (differences in gauge cluster wiring)
3. wind shield wiper switches are different
4. steering column wiring is different
5. seats are different
6. ac components are different
7. hydroboost and power steering use sae threads instead of metric for the hoses and lines (good luck finding readily available sae threaded reman units!)
8. bed mounting holes dont line up with later frames

and probably a couple other things I forgot about. I believe 76/77 on up are more compatible parts wise.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Honest Bob

Although I love the 73-75 trucks I would avoid the early ones. They have weird quirky parts that everyone says "oh it should swap in from any squarebody" but it doesnt.

I have a 75 and every time I go to replace, modify or upgrade a particular part it doesnt work on my truck out of the box.

For example,

1. Fuse boxes with glass fuses
2. amp meter instead of volt meters (differences in gauge cluster wiring)
3. wind shield wiper switches are different
4. steering column wiring is different
5. seats are different
6. ac components are different
7. hydroboost and power steering use sae threads instead of metric for the hoses and lines (good luck finding readily available sae threaded reman units!)
8. bed mounting holes dont line up with later frames

and probably a couple other things I forgot about. I believe 76/77 on up are more compatible parts wise.

Number 7 Hydroboost? When did these trucks ever come with a hydroboost brake system?

I like them all
My 77 and 85

[Honest Bob]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Number 7 Hydroboost? When did these trucks ever come with a hydroboost brake system?

I like them all
My 77 and 85

All one tons and diesel equipped square bodies had hydro boost.

[ray_mcavoy]

Originally Posted by Honest Bob

8. bed mounting holes dont line up with later frames

Are you referring to the 2nd set of holes back from the front? If so, I don't think that is a year-specific difference. Instead, it has more to due with the spring hanger differences on C10 vs. C20/30 & K10/20/30.

From what I've seen, the C10's with 8' beds typically have that 2nd set of bed mounting bolts directly inline with the spring hangers. Since the frame cross member that runs between the rails in that location blocks easy access to the inside of the frame's C-channel, they used long bolts that go all the way down through the frame with nuts at the very bottom.

But all of the K-series trucks (and I believe C20/30 as well) have added reinforcement brackets on the spring hangers that would interfere with that type of bed mounting bolt arrangement. So the beds on these trucks have that 2nd set of holes moved forward to where there is easy access to the inside of the frame C-channel so they can use shorter bolts like the 6 others. I don't know why GM didn't just use this bolt pattern on C10's as well to make them all the same.

[Honest Bob]

Originally Posted by ray_mcavoy

Are you referring to the 2nd set of holes back from the front? If so, I don't think that is a year-specific difference. Instead, it has more to due with the spring hanger differences on C10 vs. C20/30 & K10/20/30.

From what I've seen, the C10's with 8' beds typically have that 2nd set of bed mounting bolts directly inline with the spring hangers. Since the frame cross member that runs between the rails in that location blocks easy access to the inside of the frame's C-channel, they used long bolts that go all the way down through the frame with nuts at the very bottom.

But all of the K-series trucks (and I believe C20/30 as well) have added reinforcement brackets on the spring hangers that would interfere with that type of bed mounting bolt arrangement. So the beds on these trucks have that 2nd set of holes moved forward to where there is easy access to the inside of the frame C-channel so they can use shorter bolts like the 6 others. I don't know why GM didn't just use this bolt pattern on C10's as well to make them all the same.

It was the 2nd set of bolt holes that were not there. I moved my 75 C30 body to an 85 K30 (CUCV) frame and had to drill those mounting holes. Everything I could find said it should just bolt up.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Honest Bob

All one tons and diesel equipped square bodies had hydro boost.

Cool . I had a 6.2 suburban for a short time couldnt deal with it towing never knew it had a hydro boost never owned a 1 ton

[HeavyD]

Originally Posted by Honest Bob

Although I love the 73-75 trucks I would avoid the early ones. They have weird quirky parts that everyone says "oh it should swap in from any squarebody" but it doesnt.

I have a 75 and every time I go to replace, modify or upgrade a particular part it doesnt work on my truck out of the box.

For example,

1. Fuse boxes with glass fuses
2. amp meter instead of volt meters (differences in gauge cluster wiring)
3. wind shield wiper switches are different
4. steering column wiring is different
5. seats are different
6. ac components are different
7. hydroboost and power steering use sae threads instead of metric for the hoses and lines (good luck finding readily available sae threaded reman units!)
8. bed mounting holes dont line up with later frames

and probably a couple other things I forgot about. I believe 76/77 on up are more compatible parts wise.

Agree with all of this..the grilles look great and had some cool color schemes, but changes every 2 years is a complete pain.

Tailgates latch differently every couple years in the 70's to add to the frustration. late 70's more standardization, easier to find parts.