Wiw

[1969k10stepside]

Looking at this truck.I don't know much about 88-98s but I'd like to have a K1500 or K2500 for a work truck.I found one,I don't know what year it is but looks to be a early 90s K1500.V8/auto longbed 4wd,mostly complete.It needs a passenger side fender but can get one pretty easy.The motor doesn't run but can get a 350 rebuilt a year ago for around $300 complete.What's a general price range for a early 90s longbed 4wd basically as a complete "parts truck"? Sorry,no pics.It isn't really rusty or dented.Any issues with these?

[JohnO356]

First thing I'd be wondering about is the transmission. If the engine's been run to death, the trans is probably gone with it.

I know this doesn't go to your question, but since you didn't mention trans I figured I would.

[1969k10stepside]

That's something I was thinking of.While swapping motors out I will probably pull the tranny and have it rebuilt now.I'd rather do that now than down the road...My cousin works at a GM dealership and can get a rebuild kit and rebuild it for me for $200...I think it's worth $200 to have it rebuilt now.What tranny did they have,700R4?

[JohnO356]

My '88 has the TH400. It's a 3 speed with torque converter, RPO code M40

[toomanytoyz]

Dustin,

Price range is all over the Place for these yr Trucks, I Bought one for $ 400.00 with a Good running 4.3 & 5 speed . Used the Body for my 85 3/4 4x4 plow Truck........

Anywhere from $ 400 - $ 800 is about Going Price as u Described it.............

Rick

[get me on the road]

I know its not a K1500, or a complete parts truck, but I bought my 89 C1500 as a daily driver for $1500. Below is a picture, the driver cab corner was really the only rusted area.

[1969k10stepside]

Get me on the road,where in Indiana are you? Hey Rick,sell me that truck I think it looks good with the lift and them tires..

[bigtruck81]

a little OT, but toomany, how bad was the body swap? i'm picking up a 79 tomorrow that is a solid runner, with some rather severe cosmetic issues. i'm considering nixing my 93 SFA project (no time, no $, and a baby on the way), and was considering selling the body. if the swap wasnt too bad, i might consider doing that.

[1969k10stepside]

Bigtruck81,I asked him the same thing....I would like to do this too.73-87 longbed 4wds are easy to get here,and so are 88-98 2wds.

[toomanytoyz]

Originally Posted by bigtruck81

a little OT, but toomany, how bad was the body swap? i'm picking up a 79 tomorrow that is a solid runner, with some rather severe cosmetic issues. i'm considering nixing my 93 SFA project (no time, no $, and a baby on the way), and was considering selling the body. if the swap wasnt too bad, i might consider doing that.

Wheelbase Came out Perfect & The Way That I did Swap was not Difficult at All..........

Since this was a Plowtruck for mainly Doing My Lane with Virtually no Regular Driving, I Used the Stock Mount from the 85 Frame & Made the Body Match up with Them. I just reenforced the Floor area where i ran the Bolt Holes for the Cab Mtgs, Kinda the same way a 67-72 front cab mount is. I used a Steering shaft from a 90's Jeep Cherokee that has u joints in it to take care of alignment of Column.

The Rear of the Cab only sits about an inch up off the Frame the Way i Did it ............

I Will Post a Few Pics of How i Did mine, Not Saying this was Best Way, It Was What worked for me...........

I Stripped Down the 85 4x4 Frame, Powerwashed it & Painted it up, I Then set the 89 Body on Frame & Figured out where to mtg the body using the Stock 85 Frame Mounts. Since my only end use of Truck was for Plowing my Lane i Felt This was a safe enough way of Doing it.............

[toomanytoyz]

From This Point i Figured out how to get the Cab to sit where i wanted it & This is how i made that work...........

For Front of Cab i used some 3x3 Square & Stock Body Mtgs, Drilled new hole in the Cab Floor & Used some 1/8 in. Plate on Floor for Extra Strength, For the Rear of Cab i just used the stock 85 rear mtg location & Drilled new holes behind Seat & Used 1/8 Plate on Cab floor for that also.

The rear of cab is only about 1 in up off Frame, Here are some Pics of that.........

Rick

[toomanytoyz]

Too get the Steering to all line up i used a Coupler from a 90's Cherokee to align this, it has ujoints in it & is readily available in the Junkyard,..........

I got the Pc pictured for $ 5.00 from local Yard

Rick

[toomanytoyz]

For the Bed of Truck i used some 2x3 Tubing that was cut into footlong sections to mount up to the Stock locations in the Bottom of Bed & To the Stock Locations in the 85 Frame, Had too go with this size to get the Bed to sit level with the Cab................

Had to notch the one end where bolt's went up into bed floor, One corner sit to low w/out a couple washers for shims.........

As i said this is just what worked for me with out having to put a whole lot of Time into it.............

Rick

[toomanytoyz]

As Far as the Front Doghouse i was able to use the Stock 85 Mounts & Drill new holes in the Radiator support & Again use 1/8 in . Plate across the hole Bottom of Support Channel.............

I did not take a lot of Pics of this as i was Doing it as i did'nt think anyone would ever be interested, This is how i Made a 89 2x4 Gmc fit on a 85 4x4 Frame..........

if you have any ??? feel free to ask...........

Rick

The Truck has a 4' Lift & 14x36 in Tires & Works Great for keeping my 1/4 mile long Lane Cleared when & If Needed......

Rick

[toomanytoyz]

one last note on all this would be with the Body Bushings, I used the same bushing at all locations of cab & Doghouse, Here is a Pic of the type i used........

Rick

[67HEAVEN]

Fantastic. I love to see this sort of stuff. Thanks for the photos and the explanation.

[cayoterun]

Thanks for posting these pics, toomanytoyz. Very helpful info.
That's what's great about this site. You can always learn from others.
Cayoterun

[toomanytoyz]

Glad it was of Interest & Possible help to Someone out there.............

Rick