1971 GMC K2500: Barn find - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigRed Beast · 03-27-2010, 05:23 PM

Well, sorta a barn find. Story is that this was advertised on Denver craigslist in February. The ad described a non-running truck that would need a battery and had some electrical issues. The picture showed an orange GMC that looked pretty straight. It was advertised for $2500 OBO. I called immediately, but didn't get out there for over a month. Meanwhile, the ad was never refreshed and pretty much disappeared.

I went to see it last week and was surprised to find a really straight, seemingly original K2500. Everything that should have been there, was. No ungodly rust, no insane dash modifications...about the strangest thing was the six lug spoke wheels--the VIN identified it as a true 3/4 ton, so I couldn't figure out the 6 lugs--that was a post I started about a week ago to see if I could get an easy answer. Still no answer!

As much as I wanted it and thought it was a great deal, I just couldn't see dividing my time between this one and my son's Blazer. Enter my mechanic...as I described what I had stumbled over, his eyes got wide. Seems his dad, a restorer in his own right, had been looking for pretty much this truck. We looked at it last Sunday, made a $2000 offer on Tuesday and picked it up on Thursday. A little gas and a battery and it fired right up. Drove it onto the trailer, over to his shop and parked it. These are the pics I took this morning:

BigRed Beast · 03-27-2010, 05:26 PM

More pics:

BigRed Beast · 03-27-2010, 05:27 PM

Last round:

BigRed Beast · 03-27-2010, 05:36 PM

The SPID is tough to read, but the VIN's concur. The additional items:

--Heavy Duty Springs: front and rear
--51 amp Delco gen
--4 spd trans
--Heavy duty battery
--Heavy duty radiator
--? foam seat
--Light Red
--frt wheel lock hubs
--Pwr lok rear axle
--350 cubic inch engine
--Power steering
--Front chrome bumper (not anymore!)
--gauges
--black vinyl trim

How'd we do?

vectorit · 03-27-2010, 06:46 PM

I like it!
Give it a good douche, and the rig will look great as is.
But I'd dump those 6 luggers for some 8's

71meangreenc10 · 03-27-2010, 08:14 PM

Nice score,
Id check out the engine, thats a later model 350, looks like its mounted in the six holes. Get the correct accessory brackets so you can clean up the spagetti someone made of the wiring harness

,

Cool lookin GMC though....

Smitty

yfs200p · 03-28-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vectorit

I like it!
Give it a good douche, and the rig will look great as is.

**special-K** · 03-28-2010, 05:02 PM

Looks like a decent truck.I wonder what`s original and what is not.It`s been painted and the motor is later.Is it a 2wd VIN or a 4wd VIN?I`ve never seen 6-lug 2500s.

Sammy · 03-28-2010, 05:49 PM

I would bet the vin on the frame doesn't match. But from what I see, looks like a decent deal.

71swb4x4 · 03-28-2010, 07:03 PM

If the body is straight and solid it is a great deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71meangreenc10

Id check out the engine, thats a later model 350, looks like its mounted in the six holes.

The engine appears to be in the correct 4x4 position to me.

vectorit · 03-28-2010, 08:12 PM

One thing I noticed too, is that the engine has one Ram exhaust manifold and one later model exhaust manifold.

**Joesjunk** · 03-28-2010, 08:43 PM

The "power lock rear axle" option was the "posi" option for the Dana rear end. So it was 3/4ton when it was new. GMC's always seem to have the Dana axle and the Chevys seem to have the Eaton. Someone might have just swaped the axles in it a long time ago??? Does the vin have a "K" in the first part of it?

BigRed Beast · 03-28-2010, 09:41 PM

I forgot that I started a different thread questioning the VIN with the six lugs before we bought it. The VIN and the SPID both match:

K = 4 x 4
E = V8 gas
2 = 3/4 ton
34 = 70-71 Fleetside
Z = Fremont plant
1 = 1971

The rest is 22830 indicating the actual vehicle number. The model number info off the SPID concurs with the VIN.

You guys are all hovering around the same questions I did--if it was a 4 x 4 to start, why change the hubs to 6 lug--assuming it ever was an 8 lug? It definately got a paint job from the light red to the current orange--it's got lots of oxidation, maybe some rust and Bondo under there. The alternator is in the wrong spot--at least compared to the Blazer--so I assume an engine swap at some point.

But the mystery remains--why 6 lug?

67_C-30 · 03-28-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRed Beast

I forgot that I started a different thread questioning the VIN with the six lugs before we bought it. The VIN and the SPID both match:

K = 4 x 4
E = V8 gas
2 = 3/4 ton
34 = 70-71 Fleetside
Z = Fremont plant
1 = 1971

The rest is 22830 indicating the actual vehicle number. The model number info off the SPID concurs with the VIN.

You guys are all hovering around the same questions I did--if it was a 4 x 4 to start, why change the hubs to 6 lug--assuming it ever was an 8 lug? It definately got a paint job from the light red to the current orange--it's got lots of oxidation, maybe some rust and Bondo under there. The alternator is in the wrong spot--at least compared to the Blazer--so I assume an engine swap at some point.

But the mystery remains--why 6 lug?

It could have been for fuel mileage at some point. I've seen it done several times to 3/4T trucks over the years because the Eaton's highest gearset was 4.10's but most were 4.56's. Even if it had the Dana, it would still probably been at least 4.10's.

BigRed Beast · 03-29-2010, 10:09 AM

The axle's will be coming out shortly, so I guess we'll now for sure what's up with the 6 lug. Sure is fun trying to figure out who did what...

**breeh** · 03-29-2010, 12:31 PM

I had a 72 3/4 GMC that had 8 lugs and drum brakes. It also had closed knuckles on the front axle. Mysteriously enough, my 68 SWB 4x4 has 72 3/4 ton running gear with disc brakes. Weird

grayw0lf · 03-29-2010, 01:27 PM

Is that a classic gun rack on the ceiling?

BigRed Beast · 03-30-2010, 08:04 AM

The gun rack, saddle tanks and Dukes of Hazard front bumper are all part of the redneck dealer option package.

Additional redneck dealer options include the Blazer seat option mounted in the bed for additional seating, square driving lights mounted behind the grill, mismatched toggle switches under the dash for the saddle tank fuel pump and the driving lights, column mounted tach and non-matching vacuum and oil pressure gauges under the ash tray. I believe the foam wrap on the shifters was an aftermarket install.

We've desecrated the sanctity of the stock redneck option package by removing the Blazer seat. My humble apologies to the board...

mrein3 · 03-30-2010, 08:26 AM

To me it looks like a typical, western states mutt.
6-lug is probably because the frame is from a 1/2 ton truck. Of course the spid and the VIN match but do they match the frame? I doubt it. Look on the driver's side frame rail under the hood. There is a partial VIN number stamped in there. I bet it doesn't match the matching SPID and VIN.
Another indication that it was a cowboy, pieced together special, is as vectorit points out. The passenger side exhaust manifold is off a car while the driver's side is off a truck.

Nothing wrong with a mutt. Mine came out of Wyoming. It is just more than likely some cowboy had a 1/2 ton truck with a crummy body and a 3/4 truck with a nice body but major issues with the engine, chassis, x-fer or tranny.

Good luck replacing the exhuast on that thing. For sure that is a job for the local custom-fab exhaust guy.

Maxxd07 · 10-20-2010, 12:27 AM

Heavy duty springs front and rear, even the heavy duty springs on a half ton had 3 leaves in them. Looks like 2 in the front, cant tell on the rear. Good project to start with. Seems the rust is minimal.

**special-K** · 10-20-2010, 09:21 AM

GMC K2500s usually had a Dana60 and they were available with 3.54:1...a very hiway friendly gear,especially for a 3/4t of that era.

03-27-2010, 05:23 PM	#1
BigRed Beast Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 140	1971 GMC K2500: Barn find Well, sorta a barn find. Story is that this was advertised on Denver craigslist in February. The ad described a non-running truck that would need a battery and had some electrical issues. The picture showed an orange GMC that looked pretty straight. It was advertised for $2500 OBO. I called immediately, but didn't get out there for over a month. Meanwhile, the ad was never refreshed and pretty much disappeared. I went to see it last week and was surprised to find a really straight, seemingly original K2500. Everything that should have been there, was. No ungodly rust, no insane dash modifications...about the strangest thing was the six lug spoke wheels--the VIN identified it as a true 3/4 ton, so I couldn't figure out the 6 lugs--that was a post I started about a week ago to see if I could get an easy answer. Still no answer! As much as I wanted it and thought it was a great deal, I just couldn't see dividing my time between this one and my son's Blazer. Enter my mechanic...as I described what I had stumbled over, his eyes got wide. Seems his dad, a restorer in his own right, had been looking for pretty much this truck. We looked at it last Sunday, made a $2000 offer on Tuesday and picked it up on Thursday. A little gas and a battery and it fired right up. Drove it onto the trailer, over to his shop and parked it. These are the pics I took this morning: Attached Images __________________ Big Red Beast 1972 Blazer CST AC/Auto/4x4 "Project" 1997 F 350 CC Powerstroke "The Great White"

03-27-2010, 05:26 PM	#2
BigRed Beast Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 140	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find More pics: Attached Images __________________ Big Red Beast 1972 Blazer CST AC/Auto/4x4 "Project" 1997 F 350 CC Powerstroke "The Great White"

03-27-2010, 05:27 PM	#3
BigRed Beast Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 140	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find Last round: Attached Images __________________ Big Red Beast 1972 Blazer CST AC/Auto/4x4 "Project" 1997 F 350 CC Powerstroke "The Great White"

03-27-2010, 05:36 PM	#4
BigRed Beast Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 140	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find The SPID is tough to read, but the VIN's concur. The additional items: --Heavy Duty Springs: front and rear --51 amp Delco gen --4 spd trans --Heavy duty battery --Heavy duty radiator --? foam seat --Light Red --frt wheel lock hubs --Pwr lok rear axle --350 cubic inch engine --Power steering --Front chrome bumper (not anymore!) --gauges --black vinyl trim How'd we do? Attached Images __________________ Big Red Beast 1972 Blazer CST AC/Auto/4x4 "Project" 1997 F 350 CC Powerstroke "The Great White"

03-27-2010, 06:46 PM	#5
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find I like it! Give it a good douche, and the rig will look great as is. But I'd dump those 6 luggers for some 8's __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU Last edited by vectorit; 03-27-2010 at 06:52 PM.

03-27-2010, 08:14 PM	#6
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,159	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find Nice score, Id check out the engine, thats a later model 350, looks like its mounted in the six holes. Get the correct accessory brackets so you can clean up the spagetti someone made of the wiring harness , Cool lookin GMC though.... Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time

03-28-2010, 05:02 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find Looks like a decent truck.I wonder what`s original and what is not.It`s been painted and the motor is later.Is it a 2wd VIN or a 4wd VIN?I`ve never seen 6-lug 2500s. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-28-2010, 05:49 PM	#9
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find I would bet the vin on the frame doesn't match. But from what I see, looks like a decent deal. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

03-28-2010, 08:12 PM	#11
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find One thing I noticed too, is that the engine has one Ram exhaust manifold and one later model exhaust manifold. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

03-28-2010, 08:43 PM	#12
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,697	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find The "power lock rear axle" option was the "posi" option for the Dana rear end. So it was 3/4ton when it was new. GMC's always seem to have the Dana axle and the Chevys seem to have the Eaton. Someone might have just swaped the axles in it a long time ago??? Does the vin have a "K" in the first part of it? __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

03-28-2010, 09:41 PM	#13
BigRed Beast Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 140	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find I forgot that I started a different thread questioning the VIN with the six lugs before we bought it. The VIN and the SPID both match: K = 4 x 4 E = V8 gas 2 = 3/4 ton 34 = 70-71 Fleetside Z = Fremont plant 1 = 1971 The rest is 22830 indicating the actual vehicle number. The model number info off the SPID concurs with the VIN. You guys are all hovering around the same questions I did--if it was a 4 x 4 to start, why change the hubs to 6 lug--assuming it ever was an 8 lug? It definately got a paint job from the light red to the current orange--it's got lots of oxidation, maybe some rust and Bondo under there. The alternator is in the wrong spot--at least compared to the Blazer--so I assume an engine swap at some point. But the mystery remains--why 6 lug? __________________ Big Red Beast 1972 Blazer CST AC/Auto/4x4 "Project" 1997 F 350 CC Powerstroke "The Great White"

03-29-2010, 10:09 AM	#15
BigRed Beast Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 140	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find The axle's will be coming out shortly, so I guess we'll now for sure what's up with the 6 lug. Sure is fun trying to figure out who did what... __________________ Big Red Beast 1972 Blazer CST AC/Auto/4x4 "Project" 1997 F 350 CC Powerstroke "The Great White"

03-29-2010, 12:31 PM	#16
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find I had a 72 3/4 GMC that had 8 lugs and drum brakes. It also had closed knuckles on the front axle. Mysteriously enough, my 68 SWB 4x4 has 72 3/4 ton running gear with disc brakes. Weird __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women" Last edited by breeh; 10-20-2010 at 12:19 PM.

03-29-2010, 01:27 PM	#17
grayw0lf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clanton, AL Posts: 1,253	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find Is that a classic gun rack on the ceiling? __________________ 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!

03-30-2010, 08:04 AM	#18
BigRed Beast Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 140	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find The gun rack, saddle tanks and Dukes of Hazard front bumper are all part of the redneck dealer option package. Additional redneck dealer options include the Blazer seat option mounted in the bed for additional seating, square driving lights mounted behind the grill, mismatched toggle switches under the dash for the saddle tank fuel pump and the driving lights, column mounted tach and non-matching vacuum and oil pressure gauges under the ash tray. I believe the foam wrap on the shifters was an aftermarket install. We've desecrated the sanctity of the stock redneck option package by removing the Blazer seat. My humble apologies to the board... __________________ Big Red Beast 1972 Blazer CST AC/Auto/4x4 "Project" 1997 F 350 CC Powerstroke "The Great White"



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03-30-2010, 08:26 AM	#19
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find To me it looks like a typical, western states mutt. 6-lug is probably because the frame is from a 1/2 ton truck. Of course the spid and the VIN match but do they match the frame? I doubt it. Look on the driver's side frame rail under the hood. There is a partial VIN number stamped in there. I bet it doesn't match the matching SPID and VIN. Another indication that it was a cowboy, pieced together special, is as vectorit points out. The passenger side exhaust manifold is off a car while the driver's side is off a truck. Nothing wrong with a mutt. Mine came out of Wyoming. It is just more than likely some cowboy had a 1/2 ton truck with a crummy body and a 3/4 truck with a nice body but major issues with the engine, chassis, x-fer or tranny. Good luck replacing the exhuast on that thing. For sure that is a job for the local custom-fab exhaust guy. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

10-20-2010, 12:27 AM	#20
Maxxd07 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: ND Posts: 520	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find Heavy duty springs front and rear, even the heavy duty springs on a half ton had 3 leaves in them. Looks like 2 in the front, cant tell on the rear. Good project to start with. Seems the rust is minimal. __________________ Name: Les ---------------------- Couple 80s Couple 70s One 68 Last edited by Maxxd07; 10-20-2010 at 12:27 AM.

10-20-2010, 09:21 AM	#21
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: 1971 GMC K2500: Barn find GMC K2500s usually had a Dana60 and they were available with 3.54:1...a very hiway friendly gear,especially for a 3/4t of that era. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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