You're going to think I'm crazy!!!!

[Dalaigh]

I've had my 84 GMC K20 for awhile now and it's been a blast, but it's time to part ways. I've done everything I wanted to do to it. And now that it's done, I realize that I really don't want a lifted truck. Instead I'd rather have a stock truck or at least closer to stock then I have now. So, I've sold it, well traded it actually. I traded a gentleman for his stock 1984 GMC K10 plus cash, for my truck.
So I went from this:


To this:





I know what your thinking "Man thats a step backwards", but for what I want in a truck it's perfect. My plan is to paint it the colour of the box and change the interior to tan.
It's got a rebuilt 305, 700r4, and np208 in it. With the stock suspension and tire size I'm already doing better gas wise, but with the 700r4, theres the added bonus of the 4 speeds. I'm building this truck to be a reliable, efficient and capable truck to be used for everything I do. The K20 was a great truck but not very efficient, or usable really (hard to get stuff in and out of the bed).
So this truck will get good on and off road tires, limited slip up front, and some sort of locker out back. It only has a single tank, may put on a second or may use that location for an air tank.

So what do you guys think, I know nuts right

[Dalaigh]

The truck is going to sit for a bit while I'm working up north, but every time I come back on my week off I'll do a little work here and there.

[79 blue monster]

I think it is like you said a step backwards, but ahh well, you've had fun with your previous truck and its time to move on. At least you'll have the truck u "accually want" now, and you'll be able to use it for what you want.

[|ow|ife]

The build is a big part of the fun for me, so I'm totally with you on your "downgrade" :p

[btimike]

just like legos when you were a kid, build and then smash -start over.

[AntiGov]

no big deal, a square for a square.....at least you didnt trade it for a rice car or some crap like that

[big10ratrod77]

i woulda probly done the same thing man. me personaly i love planning out projects and building motors and making the truck the way i want it and sometimes you do have to just move on.

[donut]

Works for me.
Then again my K-20 was stock height and I kept the plow gear, even down south. It's all about what works for you.

[Dalaigh]

That's basically it, I enjoyed that K20, but I never used it for what it was built for. And it just seamed like it was a waste in my hands so I found someone who will use it. And hopefully take care of it.

The 1/2ton needs fenders, doors, and new hood. But, it's coming with better doors and hood so thats a start. It has a small hole in the floor but it has been patched (cheaply) to get thru a safety. And It needs a sill on the drivers side. I'm looking forward to the work. Once I get sometime I'll get some more pics and get a build thread going.

This truck is going to be a capable, reliable, and efficient truck that I can use when I go camping, and put to work. Do some light duty towing, parts hunting, rescue work for over zelus friends when they go off road, and just all around truck like duties. Basically I'm building a work truck this time not a mud truck.

[old Rusty C10]

as long as you are happy and its a step in the direction you now wish to follow i think you got a good deal.. keep us updated with lots of pics

[MYNAMEISMUD]

I just traded an '01 supercharged 4wd Tacoma for my '80 Shortbed. You live once so do what makes you happy.

[mud.man.rj]

I liked the first lifted truck, nice but your choice, now you have to start working all over again, plus spend, but some like that, oh ya I have done that about 115 times now, so now I am crazy and just figured it out by your thread, hmm. Oh well enjoy your new build.

[cory d]

i totally understand it, for some people half the fun is building it up and the first drive after you change something

[mud.man.rj]

I usually only drive my stuff for about a month after it is done then someone else bugs the hell out of me and brings cash or a real cool trade then goodbye on to the next build with stars in my eyes, maybe be getting a bit blind or starting to listen to the wife more so I'm keeping this one now that I bought it back again. I"ll build my 64 Fairlane instead for my girls.

[tucsonjwt]

Good move - much more practical idea for the great white north.
I have an old beater 83 and put a tan interior in mine for cheap (SEM paint and help from a local upholster). You can easily spend $2K in a professional stock interior, but I did mine for about $400. I like the dump hoist conversion I had installed on my truck more than anything. Personally, I would prefer a solid color but each to his or her own. You can search for my interior pics for ideas about a cheap restore, if you want to go that way. I used SEM Palomino because the stock Buckskin was too light in color and I did not want to show a lot of dirt. I strongly recommend Huskyliners and a DIY vinyl mat (I used Walmart treadmill mat) over new carpeting to keep your new carpeting clean. I also got a good stock match type seat cover from Walmart which seems to work well.

[Your41Plague12]

I like them both! If you decide to do a custom grille and bezels though, I want the 83-84 GMC grille . I've been looking for one forever. Anyway, I'm starting to like the idea of a stock truck more as mine burns a bigger hole in my pocket at 6 MPG.

[Dalaigh]

Originally Posted by Your41Plague12

I like them both! If you decide to do a custom grille and bezels though, I want the 83-84 GMC grille . I've been looking for one forever. Anyway, I'm starting to like the idea of a stock truck more as mine burns a bigger hole in my pocket at 6 MPG.

The fuel economy was a big reason as to why I did it. I'm thinking about installing a billet grille, but I'm gonna keep the factory grille incase I ever wanna go back

[terryj]

When it stops being fun, then it's time to move on to something else. I'd done the same thing. My C20 is completely stock body wise, I've done some changing on the engine to make it a little easier on the gas. It has 138K on it, no dents, a few scratches but all in all it's in great shape. This summer it's getting a new paint job, Almond, as I want to keep it as it was built.

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by Dalaigh

The fuel economy was a big reason as to why I did it. I'm thinking about installing a billet grille, but I'm gonna keep the factory grille incase I ever wanna go back

Aw . Those things are so darn hard to find. Mine is really a GMC but someone built it with chevy parts. I'm looking to make it what it really is, an 83 GMC.

[Dalaigh]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Good move - much more practical idea for the great white north.
I have an old beater 83 and put a tan interior in mine for cheap (SEM paint and help from a local upholster). You can easily spend $2K in a professional stock interior, but I did mine for about $400. I like the dump hoist conversion I had installed on my truck more than anything. Personally, I would prefer a solid color but each to his or her own. You can search for my interior pics for ideas about a cheap restore, if you want to go that way. I used SEM Palomino because the stock Buckskin was too light in color and I did not want to show a lot of dirt. I strongly recommend Huskyliners and a DIY vinyl mat (I used Walmart treadmill mat) over new carpeting to keep your new carpeting clean. I also got a good stock match type seat cover from Walmart which seems to work well.

I liked the solid blue on the K20, but I've always love two tone colours, they just look better to me.

As for the interior, I've done many an interior on these trucks. I'm going to gut it, get a new tan dash pad, paint the interior metal the darker brown of the box, clean and die the rest of the trim pieces tan, and then put a new tan seat in. Found one online locally going to pick it up weds. I have a tack gauge cluster here that I'm cleaning up and restoring, and I also have a complete headliner trim set I'm going to die tan to match. All I need is a headliner, which I'm thinking I'm going to get the LMC liner with the speakers.

[Dalaigh]

This is the two tone I'm going for

Only I'm also thinking of doing the roof in tan as well, Only if I can find good rear cab trim

[munice]

Alright another Sarnia local! I'm just down in Corunna. I basically did the opposite of what you're doing, work truck turned into a toy truck as soon as I bought a new DD. PM me if you need any trim or interior bits, I've got a decent supply of those sort of things. cheers!

[Dalaigh]

Yeah theres at least three of us on here, one doesn't come on here much if at all anymore, and strangely I just found the other guy, who actually has my old 79 C20, lol. I think I've seen your truck around town a few times. A buddy of mine and myself have plenty of parts lying around as well.

[weider1717]

I like the 1500 myself 2500s suck IMO my dad has a 4 door duramax 4x4 black loaded out ya it looks bad but it sucks to park and drive it.

my little k10 turns on a dime and looks a lot more sporty if I lift it etc than that big tank of his.

you did good just get that 1500 where your k20 was.

[Dalaigh]

Originally Posted by weider1717

I like the 1500 myself 2500s suck IMO my dad has a 4 door duramax 4x4 black loaded out ya it looks bad but it sucks to park and drive it.

my little k10 turns on a dime and looks a lot more sporty if I lift it etc than that big tank of his.

you did good just get that 1500 where your k20 was.

It all depends on what you need. Personally I prefer 3/4tons they are just stronger and more capable then 1/2tons.

Do you need a truck or do you need a truck capable of towing heavier loads.

When I bought the K20 I needed something capable of towing, now I don't.
The benefit of the 73-87 1/2tons is that they are a set of axles and heavier springs away from being 3/4ton capable. So if they need ever arises again I can always upgrade. Or I can just buy a 1ton, if I have the room.

But, that said, this truck is not going to get a huge lift kit (if any) and larger tires. I'm thinking that it's going to get 265's or at most 285's and no lift.