almost a newbie, but not yet

[DetroitDan]

Hello, I am looking at a 65 GMC 2wd longbed, I want to buy it if the planets align and my Jeep sells this week. In the meantime I thought I'd snoop around and see what I can learn about the truck. Just read 8000 posts about the trucks, mostly just looking at pictures. Came up with a couple questions.

Whats the 305 v6 like in a pickup? I've driven one in an old firetruck (which finally got retired) was a great runner but dreadfully slow. Probably had in excess of 20,000 lbs to carry though. And it wasn't much for shifting either, took a lot of patience. The truck in question has a 3 speed column shift. I'm just curious as to what it will be like to drive. In the future it may see an SBC/4speed auto conversion, but for the time being I'd love to keep it original, as long as I can stand to drive it. I realize it's not a sports car, but I don't like driving things that can't get out of their own way.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for a racetruck, just want to know opinions of the 305s performance.

Truck is on the road now, looks fabulous in pictures. When I travel to look it over, what are some things I should look for; known trouble spots on the frame or anything like that? Mechanical issues that could run to a lot of money? Right now I'm just looking for a local puttin' around truck, not another project. Already got a couple of those I'm trying to work on at the same time.

How different are the Chevys and GMCs? Is it just the grille and tailgate, or would there be a lot involved in converting it to a Chevy? Although I must admit the GMC look is growing on me after looking at a lot of pictures.

Lastly, if someday I wanted to do a big project, is a Suburban or other GM 4x4 chassis anywhere near the same wheelbase?

Thanks in advance for any input. Sorry if my post seems scatterbrained, trying to ask multiple questions at once, probably getting ahead of myself. I usually do.

[apachedaddy]

Stovebolt has a what to look for thread to look at.

[lakeroadster]

Detroit Dan,

I got just one word for you Woogeroo
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bu...uide_60_66.htm

[DetroitDan]

AWE SOME!!! Thanks guys, that is great stuff. I'll read it over a couple times before I go. Most of that stuff I was aware of, but some of the stuff like the roof and so forth I wouldn't have known to look at.
If I get her, I'll be sure to get some pics up in the "lets see some pics" thread.

[jonzcustomshop]

gmc/chevy --grille, tailgate, hood,and the dash, also gmcs from 63-66 had a leaf spring rear, not a coil like the chevy.
I have seen quite a few threads asking about frame swaps, and unless you want a super short 4wd (blazer frame), the way to go is to keep your original frame, and just transplant the diffs,springs and hangers from a modern truck to it

[DetroitDan]

thats weird, I would have thought if you could put one on a Blazer, you could put a longer one on a Sub or a crewcab pickup or something. I saw a 64 on a 78 Blazer frame once, bed was shortened on the front so the fenders were almost up to the back of the cab, but the rear wheels still werent nearly centered in the fenderwells. I think my main reason for doing it would be to gain 4wd, ps/pdb and OD auto all at once.
I really should talk myself out of the 4wd swap, since I wouldn't be using it offroad or snowplowing, really no need at all except for looks. I love how 4wds look. But I already have two 4wd 1 tons, a 4wd Wrangler, and a 4wd Avalanche. And except for my plow truck, I almost never use 4wd in any of them.