What to look for in buying a 73-87.. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Smokin72on20s · 08-10-2004, 02:14 AM

when looking to buy an 73-87 what are some common things to look for? also specify if these things are for all trucks or 4X4s.

full foot notch · 08-10-2004, 02:26 AM

the two main things i look at are the cab corners, rocker panels,and floor pans, to look for rust and deterioration, and that requires getting underneath the truck and visually inspecting the underside, usually bring a flashlight to help better illuminate

also check the framerail around the steering gearbox, as they are prone to cracking and you need see how bad they are if they are cracked, becuase if there is just a hairline fracture, you can buy reinforcement plates that weld to the frame and reinforces the area , otherwise if it is too cracked when it breaks, the frame will most liekly be unrepairable

this applies to both the C and K series of trucks

cliffsta · 08-12-2004, 03:53 PM

www.73-87.com/misc/7387ck.htm
its a great article, has all kinds of info, including round about prices and what to look for in a truck.
AAMOF 73-87.com is a good website in general.

greenhorn male · 08-13-2004, 01:39 PM

Thanks for the great article. One thing I didn't read in that article (maybe I just overlooked it) was that they offered TBI in some 1987's. My 87 SWB Silverado has an odd combo: 305 TBI, th400. It's got the indash clock, AC, Tilt and cruise, but manual doors and windows. Is there a website to decipher the codes in the glovebox door?

grayw0lf · 08-13-2004, 02:50 PM

The best thing to look for when buying a 73-87 Chevy truck is to buy a 67-72 Chevy truck instead!

greenhorn male · 08-13-2004, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grayw0lf

The best thing to look for when buying a 73-87 Chevy truck is to buy a 67-72 Chevy truck instead!

I agree, but it is soooo difficult finding an original, completely rust free 67-72. Rust should be listed in the glovebox as standard equipment.

grayw0lf · 08-13-2004, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn male

I agree, but it is soooo difficult finding an original, completely rust free 67-72. Rust should be listed in the glovebox as standard equipment.

You sure cannot argue with that. Rust free 67-72's are about as common as unicorns & pink elephants.

08-10-2004, 02:14 AM	#1
Smokin72on20s Ebay Junky Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CO Posts: 893	What to look for in buying a 73-87.. when looking to buy an 73-87 what are some common things to look for? also specify if these things are for all trucks or 4X4s. __________________ 1972 CHEVY C-10 SWB 2WD - Possible Typhoon 4.3 turbo drivetrain.. 1983 Chevy c10 swb 2wd - possible 350tbi supercharged...

08-12-2004, 03:53 PM	#3
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	www.73-87.com/misc/7387ck.htm its a great article, has all kinds of info, including round about prices and what to look for in a truck. AAMOF 73-87.com is a good website in general. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

08-13-2004, 01:39 PM	#4
greenhorn male Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bay Area, Northern California Posts: 1,344	Great article Thanks for the great article. One thing I didn't read in that article (maybe I just overlooked it) was that they offered TBI in some 1987's. My 87 SWB Silverado has an odd combo: 305 TBI, th400. It's got the indash clock, AC, Tilt and cruise, but manual doors and windows. Is there a website to decipher the codes in the glovebox door? __________________ 03 Tahoe 72 GMC Super Custom 2500 Custom Camper, my reliable workhorse. Dual gauged tanks, dual battery trays.

08-13-2004, 02:50 PM	#5
grayw0lf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clanton, AL Posts: 1,253	The best thing to look for when buying a 73-87 Chevy truck is to buy a 67-72 Chevy truck instead! __________________ 85' CUCV M1009!!! The newest addition! 6.2diesel, Th400, NP208, & only 36k miles! 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside - Looking good these days! 05' Dodge Neon 88' Winner Escape Sport 1750 - 4.3v6 94' Seadoo SP 84' Honda TRX200, bare nekkid. Just a frame & tires. Always looking for another project or any good deal!

08-10-2004, 02:26 AM	#2
full foot notch Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central florida Posts: 3,223	the two main things i look at are the cab corners, rocker panels,and floor pans, to look for rust and deterioration, and that requires getting underneath the truck and visually inspecting the underside, usually bring a flashlight to help better illuminate also check the framerail around the steering gearbox, as they are prone to cracking and you need see how bad they are if they are cracked, becuase if there is just a hairline fracture, you can buy reinforcement plates that weld to the frame and reinforces the area , otherwise if it is too cracked when it breaks, the frame will most liekly be unrepairable this applies to both the C and K series of trucks



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