Best thing about 1973 to1987 gm full size trucks

[silverbear]

WOW did this thread get off topic. Reeling it back in... best thing... solid axle 4x4 , sharp body lines and no fluffy stuff like today's trucks. These were meant to work and to be worked on.

[pontgta]

Well the best thing is that i own at least 1. I like the fact that i can work on it, and its amazingly simple. When i was about 7... I told my self that i would be driving a squarebody. Yes i do see the " fluff "and its nice to have, but i am a simple man and do not need it.

[Rubble]

Originally Posted by silverbear

wow did this thread get off topic. Reeling it back in... Best thing... Solid axle 4x4 , sharp body lines and no fluffy stuff like today's trucks. These were meant to work and to be worked on.

yes!!!

[gmachinz]

I like how really clean trucks get more rubbernecking looks than any new truck!

[kalbert]

The best thing? Low cost and high availability! Easily the cheapest "hot rod" platform out there. You can buy or build a pretty decent pickup for a few thousand bucks!

[D13]

Best thing is that big expanse of seat. They are the most comfortable vehicles I have ever owned. And after over 40 GM cars that's pretty impressive.

[motornut]

I like how the parts are interchangeable for many years.
And some car parts fit too.
Not having to jackup the truck to work on it.
When I drive around and see new trucks/cars rotting already,I'm glad to drive real steel!

[bigblock73]

One of the best things about these trucks...they rode so much better than the previous model...and the Ford and Dodge offerings as well. On top of that, the aftermarket support for them (back then and now). Finally, the popularity now, relatively inexpensive to get in to, and the wide range of years for parts swapping.

[Rich84]

The most interesting thing to me about the 81-87 especially..Is that they are one of the few vehicles from that era that is worth worth having today. You don't see to many vehicles from that era on the road anymore.

[Keith Seymore]

I like how you can have a vintage truck vibe with new technology underneath (power steering, power disc brakes, modern transmission and even fuel injection).

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by D13

Best thing is that big expanse of seat. They are the most comfortable vehicles I have ever owned. And after over 40 GM cars that's pretty impressive.

I had to pick the twins up from school one day this week and they raved about the seat (and the fact that it is warm in the red truck).

K

[Hiluxxulih]

Way off topic , if you know any gm engineers can you ask them why I can't roll start or push start my 2004 Chevy Silverado regular cab 4x4 with the 4.3 liter with a 5 speed , I tried it a few times on some hills and absolutely will not start , I am stumped .

[kalbert]

You will get a better response in a new post in the 99-06 section.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Hiluxxulih

Way off topic , if you know any gm engineers can you ask them why I can't roll start or push start my 2004 Chevy Silverado regular cab 4x4 with the 4.3 liter with a 5 speed , I tried it a few times on some hills and absolutely will not start , I am stumped .

I can't sneeze without hitting a GM engineer.

(lol)

First off, does the truck start otherwise? (ie, does it start with the key)?

If it does - it should "push start" as long as you have spark and fuel. Back to basics: Do you have the key on? Can you hear the fuel pump run for about 3 seconds? Are you choosing the right gear?

My '87 starts by rolling down a hill. I do it all the time (4.3L fuel injected, MY6 4 speed), as does my '06 Vibe, so there shouldn't be anything unique about a pickup truck.

I sent an email to one of the GMPowertrain calibration engineers to see if there were any intentional safeguards built in to the software to prevent push starting.

K

[andrewmp6]

I love wing windows as a smoker they are nice or if you just want a little fresh air.

[dfrank]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

I love wing windows as a smoker they are nice or if you just want a little fresh air.

+1 although I am not a smoker I absolutely love vent windows! No need for ac IMO with a vent window. I really miss vent windows in our company trucks. Except the big trucks they have them still.

[V30 mongo]

There paid for.....

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by V30 mongo

There paid for.....

and cheaper to fix when they break.

[natedogg]

IMO the best looing trucks GM has ever built. Longest production run of any GM truck and you can't go anywhere without seeing a squarebody. Atleast, that is the way it is around here in West Tennessee.

[dman1982]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I like how you can have a vintage truck vibe with new technology underneath (power steering, power disc brakes, modern transmission and even fuel injection).

K

ha! i love my modern motor in my k10!!! want to do another one in a c10!!!

[dman1982]

Originally Posted by kalbert

The best thing? Low cost and high availability! Easily the cheapest "hot rod" platform out there. You can buy or build a pretty decent pickup for a few thousand bucks!

i picked my k10 up for 500 bucks a little more than 5 years ago...put about 10 times that into it now!!! love it tho

[Hiluxxulih]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I can't sneeze without hitting a GM engineer.

(lol)

First off, does the truck start otherwise? (ie, does it start with the key)?

If it does - it should "push start" as long as you have spark and fuel. Back to basics: Do you have the key on? Can you hear the fuel pump run for about 3 seconds? Are you choosing the right gear?

My '87 starts by rolling down a hill. I do it all the time (4.3L fuel injected, MY6 4 speed), as does my '06 Vibe, so there shouldn't be anything unique about a pickup truck.

I sent an email to one of the GMPowertrain calibration engineers to see if there were any intentional safeguards built in to the software to prevent push starting.

K

The truck starts normally with key and clutch in it just won't push start or roll start , the only reason I found out is because I was up in the woods and was sitting on a hill and tried roll starting it and it would not start the road was good three or for hundred yards too , truck has all original parts no security system .

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Hiluxxulih

The truck starts normally with key and clutch in it just won't push start or roll start , the only reason I found out is because I was up in the woods and was sitting on a hill and tried roll starting it and it would not start the road was good three or for hundred yards too , truck has all original parts no security system .

Hmm. It should start.

I've had one response so far and the only thought was that you have to have oil pressure in order to run the fuel pump - but - if the fuel pump runs for three seconds to charge the system - and - the engine is turning over then you should have oil pressure and it should fire right up.

According to this engineer there were no safeguards built into the software so there's no reason as long as all systems are functioning properly.

K

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Hmm. It should start.

I've had one response so far and the only thought was that you have to have oil pressure in order to run the fuel pump - but - if the fuel pump runs for three seconds to charge the system - and - the engine is turning over then you should have oil pressure and it should fire right up.

According to this engineer there were no safeguards built into the software so there's no reason as long as all systems are functioning properly.

K

Would it have anything to do with the clutch safety switch??? Switch not closed, no power to the start circuit???

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by silverbear

Would it have anything to do with the clutch safety switch??? Switch not closed, no power to the start circuit???

Nope. Since the engine is being turned over by the driveline there is no need to engage the start circuit (safety switch is not impacted). Vehicle is in "run" mode.

K