K10 vs K20 vs K30: Which For Me?

[semperfidoordie]

Yeah I like the 5.3 motor..my only question is how bolt in is the LS swap? I know that a 454 will literally bolt right in just about. By the way if anyone knows of a nice shortbed square body 4x4 for sale around the SoCal/AZ/NV area let me know

[Mr. 250r]

I used dirty dingo ls swap mounts which bolt to your motor and use your old clam shell pieces so that part is basically drop in, then i got 99 5.3 radiator hoses which are basically a perfect fit, followed by a walbro 255 in tank pump which is a two wire hook up and pretty simple i would say the hardest part is the wiring and fuel lines which is what i have left

Mine was a 6.0 from an 05 but you have to be careful on the snout spacer certain years require a spacer some don't i know the info is all over here somewhere

[semperfidoordie]

Hmm...keeping my options open

[andrewmp6]

You can get a ls swap crossmember and motor mounts from http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=487797 The 5.3 is nice but if you can find a 6.0 right i would use it.On the wiring you can use the factory harness and ecu but you have to have the anti theft turned off on the ecu.Or you can go aftermarket msd has a box that will control the coil packs but the efi would be another system or you could even run a carb its up to you.And if you want to move the ac compressor up high where its easier to work on if needed http://www.kwikperf.com/lsx_ac.html

[Mr. 250r]

My 6.0 fit in with the stock cross member although its close to the oil pan, it is nothing i am worried about

[Mr. 250r]

My 6.0 fit in with the stock cross member although its close to the oil pan, it is nothing i am worried about now i just wished someone would make some exhaust for us 4wd guys it seems we are on are on besides i think herron performance

[semperfidoordie]

I don't know that I want to get into the whole EFI thing though. Plus the cost vs a big block swap is outrageous I can only imagine.

[Zane M]

Do you have to worry about California's harsh smog laws, or are you in one of the few lenient "pockets". Smog laws would probably make a 454 swap virtually impossible.

[semperfidoordie]

No smog worries here. I am in the military so all my vehicles are registered in my home of record Alaska. I found a few I want to go look at tomorrow so wish me luck

[semperfidoordie]

What's with people not registering vehicles? I mean this is beyond ridiculous. Spoke with probably 10-15 truck sellers...2....count that again 2 had trucks with current registrations. I work on a Marine Corps base you won't be able to drive that thing to work without a current reg not to mention I don't know if there is any grace time on a private party sale...getting frustrated. Also had a question looked at a 92 ext cab silverado with a solid axle swap with what looked to be a D44. Well he didn't account for the transfer case/axle not lining up what is the easiest way to fix it? New t-case or new axle?

[semperfidoordie]

Here's the best prospect I have:

77 K10 4-speed 350 long bed, stereo, working gauges except gas, registered, some kind of special edition. What do you think it is? Do you think it's worth the $2800 asking price? Potential new truck: 77 K10

[Zane M]

Need to see pics of the outside, how many miles, etc. to even think about trying to give you advice on the value.
2800.00 seems high as hell from what i am seeing in your pics, but then again, I don't live in CA.

[semperfidoordie]

Outside pics from CL

[Your41Plague12]

Looks like a decent truck. I say go for it. Offer him $2500 and see what happens. It already has the 4 speed and 205 T-case, which is what I would want. Drop an engine in and swap some axles and you're good to go!

[semperfidoordie]

That's what I"m thinking...looks pretty good. I have a seat cover to get rid of the torn up seat and call it a day for now. Lift it when money allows...throw tires on it when money allows and toss the 1 tons under then when I deem it is necessary.

[Mr. 250r]

If you are not able to look at it up close before you buy it ask for as many pictures as possible if they refuse then i would say there is something wrong, the more pictures you get the better idea you will have of what your getting yourself into. Me personally i would ask about rocker pictures, cab corners and wheel wells because those are the most common rust spots and it is nice to see just how good or bad they are. It is also nice to ask about electric related stuff like the lights, blinkers, etc because it might have a huge electric problem which for some people its not a big deal for me i cannot stand wiring related stuff so i would look elsewhere

As far as the 'newer engine' claim this to me can be good or bad but for me its basically always been bad. In my cases people made claims on how its a rebuilt motor or a stroker or has all these great internal parts but they have no proof of any of this. After dealing with enough craigslist people i have learned basically not to trust anything they say lol

And as far as the special edition you could run the VIN # although i am not sure it would bring that up, but it seems to have a wood dash which is usually used in conversion style trucks although i am not sure how the older style square bodies did they're interior

This is what i would do but feel free to ignore it all =-p

[semperfidoordie]

Saturday I will be going out and taking a look at it in person and deciding on the purchase. Talking to the seller he seems like a real straight shooter and honest. Again I will get a better feel in person since reading people is a gift of mine Never owned a manual in one of these trucks before...anything special to look for or just regular operation?

[andrewmp6]

Look for rust in the cab corners and rocker panels,When you drive it run it through every gear even back it up.Then try the 4x4 see if it works fine or not.If nothing big is wrong 2500 is about fair price for it here don't know about where you are.

[b454rat]

Body looks real nice. 4-speed is a plus, also the 205. It's a Silverado so it will have the "fancy" interior, the simulated woodgrain. Looks like it has a small lift on it now. Check for cracks around the steering box. Even if it does, (in less they are huge cracks) it's not a big deal, you can get a brace that will stiffen it up after the cracks are welded. That steering column is worth a small fortune....

[semperfidoordie]

So the side emblem says Trailering Special. Also what makes the steering column worth a good bit? Sorry I'm new to square bodies
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[b454rat]

The steering column is tilt with a floor shift. I've only seen not even a handful of them. Others are tripping over them so, who knows.

It looks like it says trailering special. If so, then probly has wiring for lights/brakes from the factory, heavy hitch and probly some 4.10s in it. That would be my guess....

Oh as far as gears go, look under the hood or in the glovebox for the RPO build sheet. It will have alpha-numeric codes for the options on the truck. Say it has 4.10s, it will show GT5, then it will be spelled out, rear axle ratio 4.10 or something like that. IF it's still there. Might be a tag on the front axle saying the ratio as well...

[semperfidoordie]

Nice. Looks like I stumbled onto something good. Pretty excited to see it and buy it just nervous cause I haven't driven a manual in years lol. I've heard the SM465 aren't bad to drive though. Thanks for the help so far. Hopefully tomorrow I will post pics of it at my house
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[b454rat]

The 465 are pretty much bullet proof. Can't shift them fast tho, no matter how hard you try.

that's what we're here for....

[semperfidoordie]

Getting excited boys! I'll post pics tomorrow. Owner says the carb is running rich...I'm sure I'll post dumb @$$ questions since I haven't owned a gasser that I've worked on or had a carb in 4+ years lol

[semperfidoordie]

Bought the truck. Pretty happy with it overall. Talked him down a little. Now just need help troubleshooting the AC, deleting all the smog crap (reman 350 in it) and tuning the carb as it runs rich at the moment. 6" Pro Comp lift, some crappy M/T tires and 15" rallye wheels. Overall very happy with no car payment lol