popularity

[thump16]

So how many years do we have until our trucks reach popularity status like the 50 thu early 70 models? I see alot of good looking 73-87 trucks going for cheap on ebay.

[Malo83]

I think they already in the custom and classic scene as we speak and getting more attention everyday, see them in a couple of Classic Truck mags that I subscribe to

[bigblock73]

Sledge, it may be a while...these trucks were produced for 15 years (19 when you count the 88-91 OBS)...so there is literally millions left ot be had. But they are increasing in value and popularity, and so are the parts.

[Alex1]

Give 'em time...until most of them rot away!

[Srubydo1986]

At my last week end show we had my truck 2 blazers and one short bed and people loved them. If that helps any

[Jim85IROC]

Around here the 73-87 (and especially 81-87) is already extremely popular with the 4x4 crowd. An 81-87 short bed 1/2 ton 4x4 around here will sell for nearly double the price of an 88-9x truck in similar condition. 67-72s sell for more, but there are also significantly less of them.

About 3 years ago I bought my 87 long bed 1 ton with fresh paint for about $4500. Last year, with 2 leaking gas tanks, a bad brake line, and a few odds and ends that needed attention, a guy driving by stopped and offered me $5,500 on the spot. People want these trucks BAD around here.

Of course, the reason I bought my truck in the first place was because I couldn't find a nice 1/2 ton short box for under $8k, so when I found a nice loaded 1 ton for a little over half the price, it was awful hard to pass up.

[Roper]

Originally Posted by Jim85IROC

Around here the 73-87 (and especially 81-87) is already extremely popular with the 4x4 crowd. An 81-87 short bed 1/2 ton 4x4 around here will sell for nearly double the price of an 88-9x truck in similar condition. 67-72s sell for more, but there are also significantly less of them.

About 3 years ago I bought my 87 long bed 1 ton with fresh paint for about $4500. Last year, with 2 leaking gas tanks, a bad brake line, and a few odds and ends that needed attention, a guy driving by stopped and offered me $5,500 on the spot. People want these trucks BAD around here.

Of course, the reason I bought my truck in the first place was because I couldn't find a nice 1/2 ton short box for under $8k, so when I found a nice loaded 1 ton for a little over half the price, it was awful hard to pass up.

Its the same way around here. Exactly the same. nobody wants 2 wheel drive. Everybody wants 4 wheel drive and the heavier the better. Example 1/2 ton 4x4s can still be bought but a 3/4 ton or bigger 4x4 well they are hard to get because nobody will part with them.
The ideal truck is a single rear wheel one ton 4x4. Example the heavier framed one ton, dana 60/ corp.14FF,350 or bigger motor, TH400, 205 tc.
Regular cab is the most popular with an 8 foot box because you can get around good with them plus you have enough bed space to use it for a work truck. example put a bail deck on it for hauling round hay bails or you can use it for hauling pellets,etc.
See agriculture is pretty big around here. Those pre 87s K30s just make the perfect ranch truck. Like not everybody uses them for that. Example you will see more pre 87s all modified and restored in town than what you see in rural areas. But im just saying this is one of the reasons they are so disirable or me and my friends.
There bullet proof, simple and easy to work at.

[knightlife]

everyone on base loves my truck...especially me. lol

when I first got here, I was the only 73-87 truck on base (literally), now there are 5 or six that are randomly being fixed up, I think its beautiful

[jermasaurus]

I have had a few people stop and ask about buying mine. never discussed any figure. On ebay I kind of think they are going a little high in price.
I want to get another and do things slightly different but around here they command a big price for somthing not rotted out.

If I sold mine, I could never enough money out of it to cover the time I have invested.

-Jeremy

[N2TRUX]

The 73-80's are slowly starting to rise in value. There was a time not long ago that you could find rust free SWB trucks for cheap. They are no where near what the 67-72's are bringing but the cheap ones are getting very hard to come by.

81-87's with lots of options are rising in value too.

[Russell]

Around here a 73-80 3/4 ton 4x4 is essentially impossible to find for less than 5000, regardless of the condition.

I went to a farm auction to bid on an 80 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 earlier this year - The thing was in terrible shape, not a good piece of glass in the thing, not a straight body panel (what was not eaten away by rot anyways), big bail hauler attachment on the back that was obviously abused and repaired in very hillbilly ways. The engine had a rod sticking out of the side of the block, and the SM465's shifter was sloppier than a wet noodle. The NP205's shifter was even worse.

When I saw the thing, I figured I'd bid 100 bucks and haul the thing home that afternoon. Waited around for an hour or so until the auction rig got to the truck. They started the bidding at $700.00, and worked down to 100. I put the first bid in, and was immediately outbid by someone, so I decided I'd go to 300 at max, and bid in 50 dollar increments. To my utter amazement, that rig sold for 2500 bucks!!

Truely showed me just how desperate people are to find these rigs these days, and set my mind in concrete that I was gonna hang onto my 80 and finish it.

[longhorn71]

we when to two show & shines on the weekend.One in ROCKY mountian house there was 2-79 shortys , an 82 long box and Our blazer.The other show was in Drayton valley and only our blazer was there.I have to agree tho the price of these trucks have sure climbed.even the Newer ones 81-87 trucks and the 81-91 OBS cause every one is using them for parts on the older ones

[jchav62]

They are showing up in the Classic truck magazines more and more. I've even seen them on the cover. I think it won't be long for them to gain popularity... Especially because parts for these trucks are easier to get and cheaper in most cases than the older trucks...

[slugish]

30 yr,s old seems to be the magic # for vehicles (cars & trucks to start appreciating the most in value )

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by jchav62

They are showing up in the Classic truck magazines more and more. I've even seen them on the cover.......

Mine was the first 73-87 on the cover.

Well sorta........

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Mine was the first 73-87 on the cover.

Well sorta........

Show Off!

[KMK454]

These trucks are more valuable if they mirror the trends...

For example, today it's popular to have a clean, mostly stock looking truck, but slammed on big fancy rims. N2TRUX's is a perfect example - a very clean stock look with subtle mods such as lowering and rims. This look is what is currently popular and thus sought after, and will probably bring more at the block than an all original piece.

Perhaps someday people will be looking for all original, stock examples, but I think THAT time is far away.

N2TRUX and I have pretty much the same exact truck, only difference is mine is bone stock and his is modified tastefully to his preferences, and also in line with current popular modding trends. I'm willing to bet his would bring both more attention and more money at a show or sale.

[Pyrotechnic]

Short beds can pull premiums. Long beds won't get as much. I ended up with a really nice long bed. I like they way they look but I hate the turning circle, it just seems like you don't get as much wheel cut as the newer trucks have. If a crew cab long bed has the same wheel cut as the long bed trucks, there must be some very skilled drivers out there.

[Srubydo1986]

Heheh wheel cut. I have a long bed that the state put a round about in a back road (dumb idea) well i forget it some time and well let just my truck can drift around that circle very easily. it a 350 with abit of performance and 2wd stock height stock suspension.

but thats just my truck and i dont like to do it but when i do it is fun but there is a cost. Tires, tickets, and life and well cost of wear and tear.