79 K10 SWB, might purchase - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**leddzepp** · 10-25-2013, 02:09 PM

OK.

I am a 67-72 guy and know almost squat about square body trucks, but do like them and have a chance to purchase a nice 79 K 10 SWB truck. It is very solid, California truck with original paint and next to no rust. Body is in great shape, runs good. I know y'all need pics so here are some. What do I look for besides the obvious stuff like rust? It is smog legal here in California as well. What should I offer for it? I will be looking it over completely and driving it on Saturday evening.

**leddzepp** · 10-25-2013, 02:11 PM

Pic

**leddzepp** · 10-25-2013, 02:12 PM

Another

Gigem · 10-25-2013, 06:02 PM

$3750

Prong · 10-25-2013, 06:23 PM

Check the frame around the steering box for cracks. If it's not cracked badly, there's aftermarket repair kits available to fix it for about $90.

cadillac_al · 10-25-2013, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigem

$3750

That's what I was thinking. That truck is easily $3-4k around here.

y5mgisi · 10-26-2013, 12:45 AM

In Cali, probably about right. No more than $4000. But i would offer $2500 and see how that goes.

**leddzepp** · 10-26-2013, 01:02 AM

Thanks for all of the input! It is appreciated. I will be examining it closer tomorrow.

**78 Big10 454** · 10-26-2013, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prong

Check the frame around the steering box for cracks. If it's not cracked badly, there's aftermarket repair kits available to fix it for about $90.

Prong hit the nail on the head. Typical problem with these trucks, especially 4WD models.

**leddzepp** · 10-26-2013, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78 Big10 454

Prong hit the nail on the head. Typical problem with these trucks, especially 4WD models.

Yep, good reminder. The truck was not abused and had supposedly been sitting in a garage since 91 until about six months ago, so I am hoping there are no cracks!

83GMCK2500 · 10-26-2013, 02:16 AM

It has been lifted and has oversize tires on it...and half-ton frames are not very robust. That frame could still very well be cracked around the steering box. Geometry has been thrown off and stresses increased, not good math. It does look like a nice clean truck and still very solid. I'd say keep it under $3,500. Bolt-in Steering Box Brace Kit and Weld-in Frame Repair kit

**leddzepp** · 10-26-2013, 02:32 AM

Good point. The lift and tires were added recently so again I am hoping for the best...I will take some pics of that area and post them up here for evaluation. I'm really excited to pop the hood and see the engine compartment, if it passes smog I'm guessing it will be very original.

83GMCK2500 · 10-26-2013, 02:37 AM

Awesome. Looking forward to seeing more pictures. One thing I recently discovered, my engine crossmember has a crack developing in it. Yeah, I have half a million miles on it, but they are very well cared for miles, never lifted or abused, just driven and worked.

SamsAutoParts73-87 · 10-26-2013, 03:50 PM

yeah almost every pre 81 truck has the crack in the x member, (81 and up had a small reinforcement tab there). I would check there for the crack, and use it as a bargaining point, but it would not make me afraid to buy it. It will be on the passenger side in front of the motor mount, normally about an inch long.
-Sam

jlk · 10-27-2013, 01:27 AM

Is it a 400? I hate those things. Look for the scalloped balancer. Must be a 203 transfer case since it's an automatic. Shift the trans in and out of gear with the engine idling and listen for a clunk in the trans. I've seen {heard} more than one TH350 trans with a bad center support which necessitates a re-case job. Has the transfer case been converted to partime with manual hubs? 1979 was the first year for non-optional power steering so it should have that going for it.

hopped up · 10-27-2013, 01:31 AM

Good questions! I'd like to get a square body too but I. Afraid of the trouble of having to deal with sim gun California

KrazyRay · 10-27-2013, 10:24 AM

Look very closely at the passenger side rear shock. The frames like to crack in half at the shock mount. Also, the passenger side engine crossmember likes to crack close to the frame rail. The hoods like to "taco" so look at the sides of the hood to see signs of early tacoing. If there are no DMV back fees, you should try to get this one for under $2000.

10-25-2013, 02:09 PM	#1
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,032	79 K10 SWB, might purchase OK. I am a 67-72 guy and know almost squat about square body trucks, but do like them and have a chance to purchase a nice 79 K 10 SWB truck. It is very solid, California truck with original paint and next to no rust. Body is in great shape, runs good. I know y'all need pics so here are some. What do I look for besides the obvious stuff like rust? It is smog legal here in California as well. What should I offer for it? I will be looking it over completely and driving it on Saturday evening. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

10-25-2013, 02:11 PM	#2
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,032	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase Pic Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

10-25-2013, 02:12 PM	#3
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,032	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase Another Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

10-25-2013, 06:02 PM	#4
Gigem Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lakeway, TX Posts: 335	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase $3750 __________________ 1972 GMC Sierra Grande (current truck) 1980 Chevy Stepside (gone) 1987 Chevy Blazer (gone) 1972 Chevelle SS Convertible (gone) 1973 Chevy Corvette (gone) 1967 Chevy Camaro (STOLEN!)

10-25-2013, 06:23 PM	#5
Prong Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: CO Posts: 475	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase Check the frame around the steering box for cracks. If it's not cracked badly, there's aftermarket repair kits available to fix it for about $90.

10-26-2013, 12:45 AM	#7
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase In Cali, probably about right. No more than $4000. But i would offer $2500 and see how that goes. __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.

10-26-2013, 01:02 AM	#8
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,032	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase Thanks for all of the input! It is appreciated. I will be examining it closer tomorrow. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

10-26-2013, 02:16 AM	#11
83GMCK2500 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State Posts: 1,515	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase It has been lifted and has oversize tires on it...and half-ton frames are not very robust. That frame could still very well be cracked around the steering box. Geometry has been thrown off and stresses increased, not good math. It does look like a nice clean truck and still very solid. I'd say keep it under $3,500. Bolt-in Steering Box Brace Kit and Weld-in Frame Repair kit __________________ Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96

10-26-2013, 02:32 AM	#12
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,032	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase Good point. The lift and tires were added recently so again I am hoping for the best...I will take some pics of that area and post them up here for evaluation. I'm really excited to pop the hood and see the engine compartment, if it passes smog I'm guessing it will be very original. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

10-26-2013, 02:37 AM	#13
83GMCK2500 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State Posts: 1,515	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase Awesome. Looking forward to seeing more pictures. One thing I recently discovered, my engine crossmember has a crack developing in it. Yeah, I have half a million miles on it, but they are very well cared for miles, never lifted or abused, just driven and worked. __________________ Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96

10-26-2013, 03:50 PM	#14
SamsAutoParts73-87 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rome PA Posts: 340	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase yeah almost every pre 81 truck has the crack in the x member, (81 and up had a small reinforcement tab there). I would check there for the crack, and use it as a bargaining point, but it would not make me afraid to buy it. It will be on the passenger side in front of the motor mount, normally about an inch long. -Sam __________________ 1987 Chevy R30 CC 454/4spd Work Truck 1979 Chevy K10 SWB 350/4spd/NP205, 1979 Chevy C10 LWB 350/TH350 Project 1981 Chevy K30 350/Th400/NP205 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV 6.2L/TH400/NP208

10-27-2013, 01:27 AM	#15
jlk Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Richland, WA Posts: 28	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase Is it a 400? I hate those things. Look for the scalloped balancer. Must be a 203 transfer case since it's an automatic. Shift the trans in and out of gear with the engine idling and listen for a clunk in the trans. I've seen {heard} more than one TH350 trans with a bad center support which necessitates a re-case job. Has the transfer case been converted to partime with manual hubs? 1979 was the first year for non-optional power steering so it should have that going for it.

10-27-2013, 01:31 AM	#16
hopped up Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: los angeles,ca Posts: 3,617	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase Good questions! I'd like to get a square body too but I. Afraid of the trouble of having to deal with sim gun California

10-27-2013, 10:24 AM	#17
KrazyRay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 4,827	Re: 79 K10 SWB, might purchase Look very closely at the passenger side rear shock. The frames like to crack in half at the shock mount. Also, the passenger side engine crossmember likes to crack close to the frame rail. The hoods like to "taco" so look at the sides of the hood to see signs of early tacoing. If there are no DMV back fees, you should try to get this one for under $2000.



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