Thinking about getting another one of these trucks.

[rs74]

I am usually on the 73-87 section but thinking about getting back into another 88-98. I had a 91 Z71 short bed that I sold two years ago which I had for about 12 years. I just picked this 84 GMC short bed diesel up which I have to replace the transmission. Bought it for a daily driver but I am thinking instead of the newer body style for a daily. A friend of mine sent me a pic of this 93 step side that supposedly has had a 400 put into it but has kept the fuel injection on it. I haven't seen it first hand since this was done.

I do remember seeing the truck around town a few years ago before it was sold. It had the 454SS style rims on it but now has rally rims on it with no trim rings. Guy is asking $2500. I think my friend is going to go look for me until I can get away to go check it out for myself. The pic isn't the best but the only one I have. I think this style of truck is more feasible for a daily driver and a better candidate for a newer drivetrain if using as a daily driver. Just thought I would post over here since it has been a while from the last time I was on here. Here are the pics of the 84 diesel that I might sell and the 93.

[rs74]

I have just got too many projects and need a good dependable truck to drive. If I decide to jump up to this style I would rather have a fleet side 96-98 short bed truck and preferably not red even though they look good.

[iluvmy72]

Stick with the 84. If you already bought one, save your money.

[rs74]

I am up in the air about it at the moment. I already have an 86 GMC K35 and another 85 short bed that is in the middle of a frame off rebuild. Just tossing it around.

[rickpilgrim]

I can understand the draw to to the newer sleeker cleaner looking truck that you posted but take your 84, update to LS power and overdrive trans plus add the same aftermarket styling parts to the 84 and you'll have something just as nice or better IMHO

[rs74]

Originally Posted by rickpilgrim

I can understand the draw to to the newer sleeker cleaner looking truck that you posted but take your 84, update to LS power and overdrive trans plus add the same aftermarket styling parts to the 84 and you'll have something just as nice or better IMHO

Just wanting a nice daily driver at this point. I already have an 85 short bed that I am building now and am wanting to do an LS in it. This is my third square at this time. I bought the diesel thinking I would drive as is but having second thoughts. My 85 short bed will be my leisure truck that I can play with. Had it 15+ years and started a frame off two years ago.

[iluvmy72]

85 seems to be the popular year on these.....why is that?

[rs74]

Originally Posted by iluvmy72

85 seems to be the popular year on these.....why is that?

LOL. I am not sure. I have an 84, 85 and 86.

[rs74]

I really think that if this truck had a different color scheme I would like it a lot better but not going to put a paint job on it. It is a pretty solid truck but I just don't like the color and not sure if the diesel in a short bed is for me.

[rickpilgrim]

When our 82 C2500 crew cab was powered by a na 6.2 with K&N cold air, dual 2 1/2" exhaust and a touch of turn up on the pump with 4.10's and TH-400 we averaged 18 mpg empty and 16mpg with 24' trailer full of lawnmowers.
In your little truck with an OD trans you'll do way better than that in mileage, power will be ok, insurance cheap and if what happened to our 82 happens(winter accident on hwy, pinned between bridge rail and 18 wheeler that sideswiped us) you won't feel a great sense of loss. To me that's the perfect daily driver.
The red truck is so nice that the first scratch would send me into a fit, and the last 400sb I ran was about the same use of fuel as our 427 TB with less torque. To me more of a toy than a DD but that's just me.

[rs74]

I think I may have found a transmission for it. It is a gas trans though. Thinking about getting it and buying a new diesel torque converter and putting my governor in it and seeing what that does. I will know more about the truck then but still leaning towards selling it and getting a newer style for a daily. If so then that would leave me with my 86 K30 dually and my 85 short bed to finish. Time will tell I guess.

[rickpilgrim]

700R4 gas or diesel are the same except those 2 things. Make sure you are getting a late 83 to 86 trans, 87 has different control system and earlier has smaller shaft/spline for the converter.
Up here in the land of rust we have to update to newer trucks due to rust. My 86 is Swiss cheese in the floor/rocker/cab corner/door area and if I want to do it again it will be the 4th time the cutoff wheels and mig will be in there.
I can see you have enough to do I can see the appeal for a newer already done truck to add to the fleet and can't argue with that. Around here today it was $372.40 for fuel for snow plowing, i would love to drive something that does better that my 12.4 mpg Suburban gets. Buy the done truck if finances allow, a least you won't have to fix it or redo it first before driving.

[rs74]

Originally Posted by rickpilgrim

700R4 gas or diesel are the same except those 2 things. Make sure you are getting a late 83 to 86 trans, 87 has different control system and earlier has smaller shaft/spline for the converter.
Up here in the land of rust we have to update to newer trucks due to rust. My 86 is Swiss cheese in the floor/rocker/cab corner/door area and if I want to do it again it will be the 4th time the cutoff wheels and mig will be in there.
I can see you have enough to do I can see the appeal for a newer already done truck to add to the fleet and can't argue with that. Around here today it was $372.40 for fuel for snow plowing, i would love to drive something that does better that my 12.4 mpg Suburban gets. Buy the done truck if finances allow, a least you won't have to fix it or redo it first before driving.

We have the rust issue as well. That also makes me wonder if I really want to subject the 84 through the abuse of sale and mag chloride. I don't think I would feel soo bad if it were a newer truck. Shoot when I had my 03 crew cab the rockers were starting to go and while it bothered me it it wasn't the same as if it had been one of these older trucks. I do like these old squares don't get me wrong. They are my favorite body style. Thanks for your thoughts.