2 trucks, have to pick 1...

[Laser145]

I know this gets asked frequently, but I'm torn between 2 trucks and looking for opinions.

For background: I own an 87 SWB 2wd with 305, 700r4, 2.73 rear, and typical Northeastern rust. It's my daily driver. I'm looking for another daily driver as I contemplate a move down south. I require no rust, 4wd, and as close to stock as possible. I've found 2 I like very much...

1: Truck 1 is an 86 SWB K10 with 305, 700r4, 3.08 rear, low miles, manual windows and doors, mostly stock with the exception of some chrome bits added by the PO. I'm hoping they'll come off easily. It has a spotlight mounted on the drivers side (like the ones cop cars have), was that an option?

2: Truck 2 is an 82 SWB K10 with 350 crate motor under 5k miles ago, TH350, Standard rear end (I don't know what that means) Power everything. All stock with a quality respray at some point. $1000 lower asking price than truck 1.

Both trucks are super clean, no rust. I prefer the color on Truck 2... but I've never owned the TH350 and I'm concerned about it being a daily driver and eating my wallet. If they had the same tranny, I would go with truck 2... and it's cheaper.

Thoughts?
Thanks

[school boy]

buy truck 2 and take the $1000 and swap in a 700r4 or better yet a 4l80e

[Laser145]

Originally Posted by school boy

buy truck 2 and take the $1000 and swap in a 700r4 or better yet a 4l80e

Is it really that simple? I don't have a shop set up at the moment...

[school boy]

It requires a little work and research but is doable.

[Laser145]

Originally Posted by school boy

It requires a little work and research but is doable.

I've done a decent amount of research. I'm pretty handy but I've never pulled a motor or tranny. I guess it just makes me a little nervous having never done it.

After digging into each truck more I've learned a little more.

Truck 1 has 49,000 original miles. Looks to have been garage kept all it's life. Though it's still the original 305.

Truck 2 still has a mystery rear end... haven't been able to get any more codes from the seller.

[andrewmp6]

Swapping the 4l80e 4x4 in one of these trucks is not that easy.Unless you find the rare 91 4l80e/np205 combo its gonna take a adapter to use a older t case.And to use one you gotta swap gauge clusters from a 90/91 k5 blazer or suburban.Then you got to make or make a oem trans crossmember fit and probably cut two driveshafts which are around 300 each.Swapping a 700r4/np208 from a 81-87 truck is all bolt in and you can use oem driveshafts,The rear being a short bed will be harder to find but doable.The spot light on the one truck was aftermarket everyone ran them in the 90s as a cheap off road light.

[Your41Plague12]

In all honesty a TH350 will take more abuse than the 700R4 anyway. I'd go with the '82. I'm a sucker for '83 and older squares with the wipers on the dash and the dimer switch on the floor.

[andrewmp6]

In the real world what is the mpg between the two like 5mpg?

[Laser145]

I still need to figure out the rear end on truck 2. The only codes I have are these:

[Laser145]

Since we all love pics... Here are each of the trucks...

Truck 1... Has plenty of chrome I would want to remove, bed cap, etc...



Truck 2... Love the look...



Cheers!

[3672300]

Originally Posted by Laser145

Since we all love pics... Here are each of the trucks...

Truck 1... Has plenty of chrome I would want to remove, bed cap, etc...



Truck 2... Love the look...



Cheers!

How much are each?

[cadillac_al]

I see the dilemma now, pics are worth 1000 words. I wouldn't worry much about a rear end. If it was replaced, it was replaced with another similar GM rear end. If it failed it wouldn't be a very expensive fix. I would go for the truck with the cleanest least rusty undercarriage.

[Laser145]

Rust would be the deciding factor... But neither have any, according to the sellers!

[dieseldawg142]

the '82 for me, it is a good looking truck, a couple mpg's more aint worth the trade for more cubic inches, especially in a heavy truck
a GQ1 standard axle i belive is just a open, non-posi diff. most GQ1 came with 2:56's or 3:08's, you need to spin a tire to figure it out, or crack the cover...
maybe Keith or Hatzie have some codes...

[Laser145]

If I'm reading this sheet right, then the red one has 2:56 rear end.

Does this look correct?

[dieseldawg142]

yeah, i'd say that looks right. i would still jack it up & spin a wheel just to make sure of the ratio, never know if it's been swapped or......
with them gears & tranny's in both trucks, i would'nt give to much consideration to mpg's, to me it would'nt be a deal breaker, i would pick the best of the 2 & which ever one suits my needs more....

[Laser145]

I just want the truck to be able to haul a gently loaded 6x12 enclosed trailer with my old BMW motorcycle in the bed down the east coast... I'm concerned about the 2:56 rear.

But it's only 1 trip... I can go slow.

[dieseldawg142]

in that case i would take the '82.
with the motors & gearing the trucks have, you prob would'nt be using od that much anyways. at least with the 3 spd you should always be up a bit on the rev's (1:1), helps with towing, you will prob like the 350 better than the 305 first decent hill you hit....
as long as you are'nt grossly overloaded, i think the usual stuff, go slow, good brakes, & throw an external tranny cooler on it

[Laser145]

The red one is 1K less than the white...

[3672300]

and how much is that?

[Laser145]

Originally Posted by 3672300

and how much is that?

I've not listed the prices in an attempt to keep the conversation from getting into a debate over whether the trucks are a "good deal" and instead focus on each truck relative to one another.

In my experience, "deals" are relative to location, swings in market, etc.

[3672300]

Originally Posted by Laser145

I've not listed the prices in an attempt to keep the conversation from getting into a debate over whether the trucks are a "good deal" and instead focus on each truck relative to one another.

In my experience, "deals" are relative to location, swings in market, etc.

Oh, completely understand.

[tucsonjwt]

Are you sure that both trucks are rust free? Have you personally inspected both? Nice paint can cover a lot of unseen rust, which would be a deal killer for me on any vehicle.

For the money spent on these old trucks which are in nice shape, I would rather do a ground up restoration of a rust free frame and body. I am assuming that you are spending multiple thousands on these trucks.

Also, I would always take TBI over a carburetor any day for fuel economy and quick start, reliability issues.

[Laser145]

I haven't seen either in person yet. Of course that will be the next step, but right now I'm running on faith.

The red truck has been painted, white truck is original, again... According to the sellers.

I have the TBI right now and really like it... Just haven't found a TBI truck that fits my criteria.

[86c20]

if it where me i would go with the red and white. i think it looks better and its more original. and when towing just pull it down out of od and let her go. just my .02