Holy Grail of Squarebodys

[BearKing]

I don't have a specific "holy grail" truck, but mine comes close to meeting all of my ideal criteria. It's a shortbed 4x4 with 3/4 ton axles and an SM465. I just wish it had a 454 (it's a 350) and wish it had the 70's front end. Other than that, it's pretty much perfect IMO....

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And @bucket has a 454 crew cab that's pretty damn ideal.....

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If we're strictly talking all original trucks, that's a really tough decision. Wayyyy too many options to pick just one!

That dually is BEAUTIFUL

 

[Redfish]

Ford still used Cummins engines in medium duty trucks as late as '06. Using the Dodge logic, they are a Ford engine too.

Aww hell, I surely didn't mean to derail this thread with this diesel vs. diesel BS.

I once worked on a 27 foot Lafitte Skiff that started its life with a 4-71 Detroit and we later swapped it for 5.9 Cummins. At no point did we ever call it a GMC or a Dodge.
I used to operate a 38 foot Chris Craft that had begun life with twin 440 Chryslers that had been swapped for twin 8V53 Detroits. At no point did we call that boat a GMC or a Chrysler.
Our 32 foot Lafitte had an old straight 6 Perkins Diesel. We never referred to that boat as a Massey Fergusson.

However, I can right now go find a Dodge/Ram with a Cummins, a GMC with a Duramax and a Ford with a Navistar. It just seems to me that an engine swap should kind of follow the manufacturer of the original vehicle. That's just my opinion which, by the way, is worth enough that if you take that and $1 you can probably buy a Coke. Or a Pepsi, or a Pop or a Soda or whatever makes you happy.

I really want to get back to this Holy Grail thing though.

A Beau James?

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A Gentleman Jim?

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How about an Indy 500 GMC?

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Sorry, that was all GMCs. I can think of a couple rare Chevys too...

The Sport

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or this really cool thing!

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[Turbo4whl]

So in 1974 I ordered my Holy Grail, although many will now disagree. GMC Jimmy (fully removable top) 350 mouse engine with a drive line only available a couple years. SM465 trans bolted to, yes, a full time 4 wheel drive NP203 transfer case!

Gasoline was cheap then and that truck would go where ever you pointed it. With the factory tach it was very easy to twin stick so you could jump out in the low range (unlocked) on any hard surface, run three gears, double shift and run three gears again.

 

[bucket]

That dually is BEAUTIFUL

Thanks. It's definitely a 20-footer though. Or maybe a 30-footer these days. The cheap paint is completely dead now. And the right fender is missing a 3rd of it's paint due to someone's poor prep work.

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Honestly, I'm surprised the paint is even still there. It got a "very expensive" $1000 paint job back in '08-ish.

 

[oldretiredafguy]

Like the trucks, absolutely love the old barn. You're a lucky feller to have the use of it!

 

[BearKing]

Thanks. It's definitely a 20-footer though. Or maybe a 30-footer these days. The cheap paint is completely dead now. And the right fender is missing a 3rd of it's paint due to someone's poor prep work.

You must be registered for see images attach

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Honestly, I'm surprised the paint is even still there. It got a "very expensive" $1000 paint job back in '08-ish.

Holy smokes you have nice trucks. And your barn is awesome.

 

[BearKing]

Aww hell, I surely didn't mean to derail this thread with this diesel vs. diesel BS.

I once worked on a 27 foot Lafitte Skiff that started its life with a 4-71 Detroit and we later swapped it for 5.9 Cummins. At no point did we ever call it a GMC or a Dodge.
I used to operate a 38 foot Chris Craft that had begun life with twin 440 Chryslers that had been swapped for twin 8V53 Detroits. At no point did we call that boat a GMC or a Chrysler.
Our 32 foot Lafitte had an old straight 6 Perkins Diesel. We never referred to that boat as a Massey Fergusson.

However, I can right now go find a Dodge/Ram with a Cummins, a GMC with a Duramax and a Ford with a Navistar. It just seems to me that an engine swap should kind of follow the manufacturer of the original vehicle. That's just my opinion which, by the way, is worth enough that if you take that and $1 you can probably buy a Coke. Or a Pepsi, or a Pop or a Soda or whatever makes you happy.

I really want to get back to this Holy Grail thing though.

A Beau James?

You must be registered for see images attach

A Gentleman Jim?

You must be registered for see images attach

How about an Indy 500 GMC?

You must be registered for see images attach

Sorry, that was all GMCs. I can think of a couple rare Chevys too...

The Sport

You must be registered for see images attach

or this really cool thing!

You must be registered for see images attach

I have the Blue version of that Orange Sport. Mine is 4WD and has the factory 400. I can’t wait to restore that one. @Redfish

 

[Dooley]

Even before Dodge had the Cummins engine you could go to your GM dealer in 1987 and order your new GM light duty truck with a Cummins.
The truck would be built by GM, then sent to a Cummins Re-fit facility in Indiana for the transplant. From there it would go to the dealer and you would pick it up.
I still have some of the ordering info from my GM dealership.
GM covered warranty on the vehicle and Cummins the engine and installation.
Never said GM owned Cummins either.

 

[shiftpro]

For me, this was almost it; 91 V3500 SRW with tbi 350, 4L80E and 205.

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To be the Holy Grail, would it need to be an ultra rare offering from GM or just have everything I want?

My Holy Grail would have been the truck above but my complete definition has changed. At the time I owned it, I wanted to swap in 454, lift it sky high and keep it as a toy. Now, I would want it with a CTD, a 5 or 6 speed manual and keep 35"-ish tires on it then use it as daily.

This but with a big block. Either way, the 4l80 and 205 is BOMB!

 

[78C10BigTen]

Thanks. It's definitely a 20-footer though. Or maybe a 30-footer these days. The cheap paint is completely dead now. And the right fender is missing a 3rd of it's paint due to someone's poor prep work.

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Honestly, I'm surprised the paint is even still there. It got a "very expensive" $1000 paint job back in '08-ish.

One of my absolute fave duallys! @bucket

 

[Vbb199]

Damn I'd love to find a k30, but they're just not as available anymore.

 

[CheemsK1500]

I am not responsible for anyone's reading comprehension.
If you think I implied Ford had owned Cummins that is your problem.

I understood the meaning of your post, I was just elaborating on the possible origin of other people's misconception. I did not intend to be disrespectful, and do apologize if that's how you interpreted the message.

 

[78C10BigTen]

My holy grail would be a 73 c10 short bed stepper with a 250 straight 6. Thats the reason i fell in love with squarebodys.

 

[CheemsK1500]

Damn I'd love to find a k30, but they're just not as available anymore.

A clean K30 is a unicorn. A M1008 CUCV is a little easier to find, but they are getting a little pricier, and lack pretty much all the creature comforts from the factory. The 24 volt electrical system on them makes them interesting as well. They still have the cool ex-military factor going for them though.

 

[82Diesel]

long time since i been here. any of the ultra-low production special editions/diesel trucks. 1981 only 156 ever produced c10 diesel, or some of these. https://autowise.com/all-of-73-87-chevy-and-gmc-special-edition-pickup-trucks-part-i/