1883 gmc k1500

**ippielb** · 08-26-2009, 05:47 PM

So, my girlfriend has their old truck sitting there behind the barn, and i offered to buy it from them, since the truck doesn't move. I offered $300, instead of the $400 you would get from cash for clunkers. It's a 1993 GMC k1500, it has 371,xxx Km's on it, a 305(yes i figured it out, i didn't know that the 305's had two exhaust valves going through, what looked like one part of the exhaust manifold), it has 4x4 on the floor, mechanical, new tires, which i'm going to take off the truck, and sell, and give them the money, since i just got lucky and found mud tires for $100. The engine is pretty much done, but i'm wanting to drop a 350 in there, pre vortec so i don't get any computer problems. I'm not the smartest electrical person. But I offered $300, and i'll give them the money back from the new tires they just put on it, less then 1000km on the tires. I took it for a drive, and it sounds like it has a cracked exhaust manifold, and when i looked, i confirmed this. And it leaks oil from the passenger side somewhere, i haven't had time to actually look around in there. But it also looks like 4wd hi doesn't engage. I took it on a dirt road, dropped it in 4wd hi, and stomped on it, the rear tires spun, but the front two didn't, put it in 4wd low, touched the gas, and the truck dug into the dirt. So, 4wd hi doesn't work but 4wd low does. Truck has 6 lug, 16 inch rims, so the tires i got will fit(made sure before i bought them).

What do you guys think?

**retired2001** · 08-26-2009, 06:17 PM

Sounds like a good project. I had a 305 in a '85 model I had and it was a good motor, just not as much power as the 350. For the money, I think you have a good deal. Have fun!

**ippielb** · 08-26-2009, 08:23 PM

Haha, dang my girlfriend has an old truck... 1883 haha, It's a 1993 GMC k1500. Sorry if anyone thought i was looney. And yeah, I'll be doing a 350 swap, as soon as i find a nice 350 for cheap.

**unplugged** · 08-26-2009, 08:34 PM

Here at GMTC we don't flame you for typo's. They do that over at the mensa.com forums. Were all about hanging with other GM owners and trying to get the most from them. We especially like those who get involved in project trucks, because we learn alot from our shared experience. Glad to have you aboard and we look forward to helping out and learning a little along the way.

btw, I think you got a great deal. Even if all you do is part it out, you're way ahead.

**Z71_guy** · 08-26-2009, 08:38 PM

sounds like a good project

**ippielb** · 08-26-2009, 08:52 PM

Yep, my friend just bought a 1979 Chevrolet C10 4x4, bought it for $500, it's for 33" all terrain tires, 15" rims with the locking hubs in the front. It's in a little rough shape, but for $500 it's a sweet truck! It also has a lift on it. it's somewhere around 4"-6". So it's going to be a lot of fun!

Almost all of my friends are mechanically inclined, another one of my friends that has an early 80's gmc, with a 305, said that if i had it planned out, i could do a 305 to 350 swap in one day. He's got all the equipment too, so if he would help, it would be quick.

Edit:
So, i was bored, and i was looking at lifts for this truck, and i see this one.

Skyjacker 2"-3" lift for that truck, they want $500 for it. That's ridiculous! By looking at the parts in this kit, i bet i could make a lift, for around $200. with the same general idea. I have one friend who has access to equipment that can custom fabricate parts. From a cad design on the computer. Plus this lift just looks so simple, that i don't see how hard it could be to remake this.