1969 4x4 is it worth it?

[gcm]

Sorry posted about this truck before but could not for the life of me post the pictures.

So, the truck is a 1969 Chevy factory 4x4 the truck says Custom 10, and under the front side markers says 4 Wheel Drive. The person selling it has all the info since the truck was new. Use to belong to his best friend. It has a tachometer but unfortunately its a 307 engine hahaha.

Is it worth getting this old girl? I checked and they only made 521 4x4 long bed step sides in 1969.

[franken]

No price so no point of reference.
The bed doesn't look original and it looks rusty.
I can't see if it's 6 or 8 lug and have no idea which you prefer. It looks like a half ton.
I'd ask if it has an NP205. 205 is more desirable.
In short, way too little info.

[57taskforce]

Yep it would be worth it to me, but I like K trucks a whole lot… probably atleast a chance it may not have been a factory long step though. That bed is from a 55-66 truck. I like the look of that truck as a whole quite a bit.

[gcm]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Yep it would be worth it to me, but I like K trucks a whole lot… probably atleast a chance it may not have been a factory long step though. That bed is from a 55-66 truck. I like the look of that truck as a whole quite a bit.

WOW good eye i totally missed that! thanks

[gcm]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Yep it would be worth it to me, but I like K trucks a whole lot… probably atleast a chance it may not have been a factory long step though. That bed is from a 55-66 truck. I like the look of that truck as a whole quite a bit.

Is it possible it was just the fender flairs that are from the 55-66 era? I have to ask the owner again.

[gcm]

Originally Posted by franken

No price so no point of reference.
The bed doesn't look original and it looks rusty.
I can't see if it's 6 or 8 lug and have no idea which you prefer. It looks like a half ton.
I'd ask if it has an NP205. 205 is more desirable.
In short, way too little info.

My apologies, generally i would like a 69 4x2 Jimmy or a 1967 GMC short bed truck. This one caught my eye because it seemed rare but as pointed out it probably isn't a real stepside

['68OrangeSunshine]

Looks like an ex-Fire Department brush truck. Red. Big whip antenna. Front winch platform. Steel rear bumper.
You could put '67 - '72 step fenders on the bed. MY '60 - '66 step fenders would not be original.

Probably a K/20 since that's how most longbed stepsides came. Shortbed Stepsides tended to be half-tons. [Not to say an Original Buyer couldn't special order a longbed stepside half-ton, or a shortbed 3/4 ton, if he showed enough money to get the dealer's attention. That's so rare, I don't recall seeing one.] Half-tons with roof marker lights? Emergency vehicles maybe.

Even at 300% enlargement, the SPID and lug nut count is unreadable.
Rusty lower end sheet metal. Shot rockers, etc. [Contact with a lot of sprayed water.] Someone waxed the upper body a lot. [Firemen.] Of course a Fire Department could order a long bed half ton stepside. Guys could hold on to the bedrails, standing in the side steps when running to a brushfire. Old school style.
Can't you rebuild a 307 into a 327?
I'd bet, being Canadian, it's got a rare SM 465/T-221 [68/69-only] transmission/transfer case.

Nice rig. I'd take it home if I liked the price and it wasn't 1600 miles North.

[68bowtie]

I say worth it just because it has roof marker lights. Those things are just cool.

[dagnabbitt]

The fireman hat cab lights are particularly rare in Canada.

Looks like a fun project, just need to learn a little more about it.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

The fireman hat cab lights are particularly rare in Canada.

Looks like a fun project, just need to learn a little more about it.

Maybe they were only on fire trucks?

[franken]

Originally Posted by gcm

My apologies, generally i would like a 69 4x2 Jimmy or a 1967 GMC short bed truck. This one caught my eye because it seemed rare but as pointed out it probably isn't a real stepside

But, you could answer the questions raised...

[cbeerman]

Isn't there a special GM Heritage service for Canadian vehicles?

[cbeerman]

Looks like if it was built in Canada or if was exported there new then they can get the build info

https://www.vintagevehicleservices.com/

[special-K]

It certainly is worth buying without a doubt. It will not have the NP205. That came out the next year in trucks. 307s are great engines. They seem to run forever, once you install a steel double roller timing chain set-up. The clearance lights on the cab must have had the lenses replaced. '69 was the first year for the raised pad in roof panel design, but only '69 used what we call hockey puck lenses. Since you're in Canada maybe those were removed and used up for hockey games...ey? It could be a factory Stepside. The model # will indicate that. It's either a complete bed swap or fender swap. If fender swap you will see the fender mounting locations inside the bed for the 67-72 style fenders. Custom/10 means it's a 1/2t with mid-level trim. The front hubs appear to be 1/2t by their size. I'm not sure what those wheels came off of, but they look to be 16" 6-luggers. Low production numbers on a truck that was mostly delivered with base trim. You have a great find there

[palallin]

Agree w/Tim all around. It will have the Rockwell T-221 transfer case (if it hasn't been swapped out). Bed or, at least, rear fenders not original but easy to change (if you can find them--the spare tire cut-put fender is not reproduced last time I checked). Looks muchly like mine (except mine is white) though my bed isn't original,either.

I spent a lot of time with a 307 in my ex's '68 Malibu, and that engine was tough enough.

[HO455]

The lack of floating axle bearings confirms the rear axle is 1/2 ton.

[BLAZERMAN]

If the truck is within your budget and you like it then get it. Not sure how original it is past that bed but don't get caught up to much in production numbers, low numbers don't always equate to desirability or a higher price when selling. The longstep is a Love Hate kinda thing and I myself love the longsteps especially in a K series. Buy it and build it the way you want. If you do get it post some pics from underneath and the interior. Those wheels are interesting, they look like the heavy duty railroad wheels but I've never seen those in 6 lug...only 8.

[gcm]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Looks like an ex-Fire Department brush truck. Red. Big whip antenna. Front winch platform. Steel rear bumper.
You could put '67 - '72 step fenders on the bed. MY '60 - '66 step fenders would not be original.

Probably a K/20 since that's how most longbed stepsides came. Shortbed Stepsides tended to be half-tons. [Not to say an Original Buyer couldn't special order a longbed stepside half-ton, or a shortbed 3/4 ton, if he showed enough money to get the dealer's attention. That's so rare, I don't recall seeing one.] Half-tons with roof marker lights? Emergency vehicles maybe.

Even at 300% enlargement, the SPID and lug nut count is unreadable.
Rusty lower end sheet metal. Shot rockers, etc. [Contact with a lot of sprayed water.] Someone waxed the upper body a lot. [Firemen.] Of course a Fire Department could order a long bed half ton stepside. Guys could hold on to the bedrails, standing in the side steps when running to a brushfire. Old school style.
Can't you rebuild a 307 into a 327?
I'd bet, being Canadian, it's got a rare SM 465/T-221 [68/69-only] transmission/transfer case.

Nice rig. I'd take it home if I liked the price and it wasn't 1600 miles North.

Soooo, the SPID was totally worn out just could get the vin on the and that's it. The truck use to belong to the owners best friend who bought it brand new from Calgary where I live. The original owner died of cancer and he was a farrier that's why the back bumper has a vice welded to it. The roof marker lights have caused the roof to rust too above the windshield. just not sure if its worth it now that I can see the fenders aren't original 67-72. I was so excited to see a long bed stepside half ton that i totally missed it but it was pointed out to me in this thread. So, at least i can use it as parts truck for when I get my 67 GMC short bed.....I dont think this truck was even an original stepside anymore. Maybe if the guy can show me some pictures of the truck new? to prove it was an original stepside. Otherwise ill pass on it. I like rare trucks. My plan was to fix it up a bit and trade or sell it to get my 67 GMC short bed.

[gcm]

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

If the truck is within your budget and you like it then get it. Not sure how original it is past that bed but don't get caught up to much in production numbers, low numbers don't always equate to desirability or a higher price when selling. The longstep is a Love Hate kinda thing and I myself love the longsteps especially in a K series. Buy it and build it the way you want. If you do get it post some pics from underneath and the interior. Those wheels are interesting, they look like the heavy duty railroad wheels but I've never seen those in 6 lug...only 8.

I can go by there next time and take more pictures for you guys for sure, if i get it ill be cuttin it up as a parts truck seems like a waste of time and money to get it. Maybe cut the frame and make a short truck sell it as a cut fram truck to put money toward a nicer 67 GMC short bed. I have a 59 Apache short bed, big back window, fleetside. I am not a fan of long bed of any kind. Just figured this was a rare truck with a cool story maybe worth restoring now looks like its just a old 4x4 thats beat up lol. It does have CB radio from late 1960s/early 1970s

[gcm]

Originally Posted by cbeerman

Isn't there a special GM Heritage service for Canadian vehicles?

Not sure I usually ask you guys hahaha

[gcm]

Originally Posted by HO455

The lack of floating axle bearings confirms the rear axle is 1/2 ton.

how did you see that in my crappy pictures wow good eyes

[gcm]

Originally Posted by special-K

It certainly is worth buying without a doubt. It will not have the NP205. That came out the next year in trucks. 307s are great engines. They seem to run forever, once you install a steel double roller timing chain set-up. The clearance lights on the cab must have had the lenses replaced. '69 was the first year for the raised pad in roof panel design, but only '69 used what we call hockey puck lenses. Since you're in Canada maybe those were removed and used up for hockey games...ey? It could be a factory Stepside. The model # will indicate that. It's either a complete bed swap or fender swap. If fender swap you will see the fender mounting locations inside the bed for the 67-72 style fenders. Custom/10 means it's a 1/2t with mid-level trim. The front hubs appear to be 1/2t by their size. I'm not sure what those wheels came off of, but they look to be 16" 6-luggers. Low production numbers on a truck that was mostly delivered with base trim. You have a great find there

It doesn't seem original though...I was hoping it was a real step side and original but as it was pointed out the fenders aren't original and pretty sure they wouldn't replace the fenders only.....now not sure why anyone would replace a fleetside bed with a stepside but I was told the original owner took it 4x4ing all the time maybe stepside beds are better for that not sure....I am asking.

I like to race for speed on a track I 4x4 for work so tend to not want to do it for fun which makes most of my friends mad that I won't bring my rig out to play. I rather go race or drag race

[gcm]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Maybe they were only on fire trucks?

As far as I know the truck wasn't a fire truck the original owner was a farrier

[gcm]

Originally Posted by cbeerman

Looks like if it was built in Canada or if was exported there new then they can get the build info

https://www.vintagevehicleservices.com/

Thanks for the link I'll check it out

[gcm]

is there a way to decode the portion of the vin on the SPID?