Dang, how cheap do these things get ?

[Tx Firefighter]

Today I bought an 80 model truck to use for parts on my 63 project. I have never seen a lesser optioned truck in this generation.

It's a 6 cylinder, 3 speed on the column, manual brakes, manual steering, no A/C, power nothing. Thing is, this truck didn't even have a dome light or a place for one even. Even the seat doesn't fold forward so you can't even store stuff behind it.

It's almost a shame to part this truck. It is the cleanest one I have seen in at least 10 years. I got it from the original owner who bought it brand new and only put 77k miles on it.

The front clip and bed both are astonishingly straight. Original paint, rust free, all of that. It's like a time machine.

Only reason he quit driving it and sold it to me is that the 3 speed manual (Saginaw) transmission failed. That's it. The truck starts and runs great, lights work all of that, just no shifty.

[Rob73-87]

I had such a truck too. It was a "custom deluxe" - and it didn`t had ANY option, same as yours.
I hated the 3-speed tranny - it shifted like sh*t - and after I went to a car & truck meeting about 250 kms away I decided to sell that thing as fast as I could...

the brakes (w/o power) .... horrible!
the steering (again.. no power option) .... a lot of fun in tight parking lots..

I really don`t know why the general made trucks like these ?!!

whatever....it was still more fun than driving a mercedes with a 73hp diesel "engine" with auto tranny....

[70k52wd]

How on earth can you make a post like that without posting at least one pic of it? Sounds nice though.

[81BLAZE]

Hey, why are you making fun of us "Custom Deluxe" owners. Why they picked a name of a vehicle that is neither "custom" or "deluxe" is beyond me. Here's my bare bones 81 when I bought it. 250 inline 6, three speed moved to the floor from the column.

[Dooley]

Likely nothing wrong with the tranny. The shift linkage on these used to get so sloppy and worn that they wouldn't shift. Most around here with the 3 on the tree just buy a cheap Hurst floor shifter and keep movin'on!

[bigblock73]

Kevin, that is a pretty bare bones truck that's for sure! I have had a couple of those, makes you really miss PS and PB for sure. I actually like the column shifted manuals, they are fun to drive.

Is this a long bed or short bed?

If it is a short bed, wonder if we could work out something for the bed itself....

[Jonboy]

The 73 I built had a cardboard dash pad. I had heard of them, but hadn't seen one until that. The option list was really short on that truck, too.

I would like to see pics of it before it gets cut up, too. I nned a cheap, decent truck around my house. (if you are interested in selling it )

[87 STEPPER]

How about some pic's ?

[Tx Firefighter]

Here's pictures. I want you to look closely at the previous owner's address on the insurance card from the glovebox. I doctored out their name simply for courtesy. That address is priceless though. You can't make this stuff up.

The grille and front clip are absolutely impossibly straight. Bumper is tweaked, but nothing else.

I had to give 400 bucks for it, but he did deliver it 60 miles to me. When I heard how solid the engine sounded, I was sold.

I am going to take the engine, rearend, wheels and lots of other stuff, but the body means nothing to me. I hope to recoup some scratch by parting out the carcass. What's a grille assembly like that worth ?

[Tx Firefighter]

By the way, that is barn droppings on the truck. That is not surface rust

[JohnC]

That is a clean truck! Some trucks are rare for their options, this one may be for it's lack of them!

[87 STEPPER]

Nice score and that addy is priceless 4 sure

[old Rusty C10]

you could prolly flip that on here for more than you paid and make enough to buy what you need for the 63 its a shame to see such a nice truck go to parts

[S10Fan]

I think mine may be the cousin to yours. No options, no dome light, nothing.

[heavychevy79]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

you could prolly flip that on here for more than you paid and make enough to buy what you need for the 63 its a shame to see such a nice truck go to parts

I'm with Bob, it's got too much life left in it to part out.

[SBTork]

If you were closer i'd be in the market for some tin, but oh well. If parting out is the thing to do, make sure you do, don't let those good parts go to waste.

[71blksuper4x4]

pm'd ya

[D13]

My 813/4 GMC has L6-250 3spd MT. No spare. No rear bumper. Power brakes only because it's a 3/4 ton. Manual steering, windows, locks, no dome lamp, headliner, heater only. Sport mirrors (were cheaper than Dumbo's). Rubber floor, vinyl seat, radio delete.
Option content:
Carmine red
HD Radiator
HD Shocks
higway radials
G80 grenade-lock in the 3.43 14b SF

I'd still be driving it if the motor would start and it had floors.

[Pyrotechnic]

Is the cab completely rust free ? What a find ! I really like the stripped down trucks because the interior is dead simple and it easy to get them back to looking good. A Silverado or Sierra Classic is going to be a lot harder to mess with in the interior department if it's worn.

Looks like something to keep together for someone that appreciates long beds. The fate of most long beds seems to be getting worked to death or parted out. There's a few people out that that appreciate them though, and I'm one of them.

[69BBsuburban]

My '80 SWB was almost that bare....but it did have PS. Slowing it down once I swapped in a BB with MB was a workout..haha!
I've always liked cars/trucks with very little options....less to go wrong.

[72BlckButy]

I bet that would buff right out and be a pretty nice looking truck.... *hint, hint*

[Driveway Dreams]

What a find! Looks solid as could be! you oughta flip whatever you are not going to use. Great truck for somebody.