What to build??? Having a hard time deciding '87V2500 or '94K2500

[arkracing]

I've been away from the board for a few years. Things got rough and I got out of projects and trucks altogether. Getting back into it now and basically have the choice of building a '87 GMC K/V2500 or a '94 GMC K2500.

I like both styles, but can't seem to decide which one to "build" If I had a '71 I would even be asking as that would be my perfect K20.

'87 - I picked it up recently and tecnically I am the second owner. A town in CT bought it brand new and never registered it - I even have the original Certificate of Origin from GM made out to the town. It basically needs a rehab. 89,xxx original miles but the chassis still has the factory black paint on it. A good solid truck to start with. Has a Meyer Plow, 350TBI/TH400/NP208/10b/14bsf

'94 - it's 2wd 2500sierra, but I have a '92Silverado K2500 parts truck with a nice nice chassis that was never plowed or towed with - has a bad 4L80E trans. Basically this would be a body swap, trans rebuild - also needs cab corners, rockers, minor work on the bed and probably paint to get rid of that lovely dark brown.

The '88+ trucks seem to have nicer interiors/creature comforts - but don't have as much "cool factor" as the squares.

Does the comfort of the GMT400series '88+ truck with AC, Overdrive, non-drafty vent windows out wiegh the "IFS" front 4x4 set up compared to the '87 solid axle truck?

Sorry for the long read, just struggling with what to do. I would love to do the both but time and $ aren't on my side. The '87 is a working 4x4 right now. Do I leave it that way and build the '94 - then sell the '87 when the '94 is done?


The Blue Square is actually mine the one that I recently bought. I can't find any pictures of my '94 but it is the color of the brown one and those are 2 good examples of nice K2500's

[Zane M]

Ultimately you should build the style you prefer.
What are your intended uses for the truck? Street cruiser/"Mall Crawler"? Hard core wheeling machine? Something in between?
The IFS isn't much of an issue if you aren't going for a lot of lift and aren't planning on wheeling hard. You can obviously SAS the IFS truck, but that is a fair amount of time and money to do.
If it were me, and I really wanted the GMT400 style truck, I would roll the '87 until the GMT400 truck is finished since that would allow you to have a functional truck while the project is on going.
But in doing this, you may grow to love the ol' squarebody.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

That's a tough call I do love both body styles as well. I was also wandering what exactly you are wanting for your completed project. Off road warriour, town cruiser or what? Think it depends on what you want and would work better for your needs. Good luck either will be fun.

[arkracing]

Thanks for the replies guys. The end use is basically a nice clean "shop truck/ work truck". I have no plans of lift or wheeling. Stock Height/Tire 3/4t 4x4 is what I need. Pulling the car trailer, hauling scrap, hauling firewood, plowing snow etc. etc.

Believe it or not my biggest gripe about the Squares is the gauge cluster. They are just dark and dingy looking. When you compare a '87 gauge cluster to a '92-'94 GMT400 "needle type" tach dash there is no comparison.

I drove the square about 300miles last week when we had some snow and I was actually suprised and impressed at the overall ride quality even on dry pavement. I was not impressed with the crappy interior, whistling vent window and luke warm heat. All stuff that can be fixed with enough $$$, but the GMT400 just seem to have a better level of comfort.

I guess I'm leaning toward doing the body swap from the '94 to the K2500 chassis and just use the '87 for work duty until the swap is done. Only problem with that is it hurts the wallet a little more. I originally was going to sell the '94 in 2wd form and put the $ in the '87, but I've had it on lovely CL for short $ for 2 weeks with no response at all.

[ryanroo]

Ill chip in!

gmt400 here. i like those in RCLB. i wish i still had one. i like the squares too, but the 90s trucks are better looking to me, and they are more comfy to me too

[arkracing]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

Ill chip in!

gmt400 here. i like those in RCLB. i wish i still had one. i like the squares too, but the 90s trucks are better looking to me, and they are more comfy to me too

Thanks for the responses guys. Of all memebers to chime in I figured you would be a vote for the square. I am definately leaning heavily in favor of the GMT400. I drove it again (in the 2wd version) yesterday and it has a much nice interior and "driver experience".

Now I just have to get going on the swap.

[Tx Firefighter]

GMT400 for me too. I actually just bought a regular cab K2500 for my next project.

I've had a pretty good number of square bodies, but the very first time I drove a GMT400 in 1988, I knew GM had built the perfect truck for me. They just fit right. And, let's be honest, the square body wasn't the best quality GM truck ever built.

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by arkracing

Thanks for the responses guys. Of all memebers to chime in I figured you would be a vote for the square. I am definately leaning heavily in favor of the GMT400. I drove it again (in the 2wd version) yesterday and it has a much nice interior and "driver experience".

Now I just have to get going on the swap.

Haha! if you had tossed a 67-72 truck in the mix i'm sure that's where i would have voted... i like squares too, but they have just never been my favorite. one of my favorite "new" trucks was my 96 K3500. vortec 454 and a NV4500. so comfortable and plenty of power. they drive and ride really well and are a really close second in looks for GM 8 lug trucks to me. right behind the 67-72s. Since Tx Firefighter bought his ive been causally looking for another. this thread isnt helping me much either. the only gripe i have is the average age of vehicles at my house is currently 1970 1/3. if i get a 90s vehicle that blows my average.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

Haha! if you had tossed a 67-72 truck in the mix i'm sure that's where i would have voted... i like squares too, but they have just never been my favorite. one of my favorite "new" trucks was my 96 K3500. vortec 454 and a NV4500. so comfortable and plenty of power. they drive and ride really well and are a really close second in looks for GM 8 lug trucks to me. right behind the 67-72s. Since Tx Firefighter bought his ive been causally looking for another. this thread isnt helping me much either. the only gripe i have is the average age of vehicles at my house is currently 1970 1/3. if i get a 90s vehicle that blows my average.

Just wait till my dually is finished. I'm gonna get serious on my 4wd. I plan to keep it a long time. No reason to cut corners on ot.

[ryanroo]

Well if i buy one, i want to ship it to you for a refurb! im sure your refurb will have me scouring CL more so than i already do. I really want to give a GMT400 the treatment (6bt swap etc)

[arkracing]

Another surprising choice from Tx. I really appricate everyones input on this. Looks like I'll be going with the GMT. I'm not going to really doing anything crazy with the truck. Rebuild the front suspension, stainless brake lines & fuel if available. Basically a nice stock height stock tire (well maybe a 235/85) - for some reason I like the tall narrows on a stock height 8lug truck. Maybe tighten up the torsion bars to level it out.

I'm not usually good for keeping track of stuff for a build thread, but maybe I'll try since it will be a cab/body swap as well.

Finaly found a pic of the '94. The "work truck"/glass head light look is starting to grow on me as well. I have the silverado type grille, but would like to stay GMC.

[arkracing]

Well I think I've made the final desicion to stick with the GMT400. Something happened yesterday that edged it out.

I had to go to my local scrap yard - not junk yard, but scrap yard to see if I could find a wiring pigtail for a dodge crank sensor. I know the yard owner pretty well and if they have something there they haven't crushed usually you can buy it very reasonable.

So I found the pigtail and across the asile I see a '93 silverado with a tan gut. "gee I wonder if the seat is any good". Other than being a little dirty and 2 small burn holes - I would said it was close to mint - and it was the desirable "plush" version with the fold down armrest. I quick run up to the owner and ask how much for the seat.

"If you take it out just give me $35".