I bought a 1984 and don’t know what to do???

[justhorns]

What do You want the truck to be? this should guide your decisions, as well as your budget

 

[618Syndicate]

Figure out your budget (then add 50%, trust me) then figure out what you want it to do, then research how to make it do that for your budget. As mentioned it doesn't need to be LS swapped, but for a reliable fun cruiser fuel injection and overdrive are a must, and it'll need gears since you're lifting it.

 

[Thrillseeker]

That looks familiar! Check out Goat's Garage on Youtube and see ours. We put rear disc brakes on it. Had to rebuild the TH350 and now it looks like the V8 in it at least needs a rear main seal. Gotta check compression and see if it runs before we commit to that ordeal. Got a 350 on a stand that could go in right now, but may be savinig it for another project. Do whatever makes you happy!

 

[peats]

Fuel injection and overdrive? Not needed. Guessing a malfunctioning q jet. I would have had it rebuilt. That lift will create as many problems as it solves but it's your truck and your vision. Looks fine as is.

 

[CheemsK1500]

It looks like a solid start. All I'd do with it is put headlight bezels on, get it running good, fix any leaks, and make sure the AC blows cold. If you can achieve everything I just listed, you already have a better square body than a lot of people.

As for engine swaps, I'd keep that 305 running for as long as possible, it'll do everything a 1/2 ton truck needs to do. If you insist on a swap, a 5.7 Vortec would be the easiest "modern" option since it's based on the old school small block architecture and pretty much bolts in. A LS swap is far more involved and difficult, but it has been done many times.

Pay attention to your steering and front end components when installing a lift kit, it's easy to end up with a wobbly mess if you don't adjust things correctly or use the wrong parts.

 

[ucs75]

What known issues need to be resolved?


What items would you like to do for fun or for learning with your son?


What kind of budget did you have in mind for the truck to work on with your 17 year old son?
Monthly?
Annual?
Total?


Knowing the end goal, and expected resources could help with ideas....

 

[Grit dog]

@Kevin Hays
You tear into that thing yet?
Btw most of the truck is original paint (where the black primer is showing). Gray primer spots have been repaired or repainted.

 

[618Syndicate]

Fuel injection and overdrive? Not needed.

I guess if you want to drive everywhere at 55, never get on the interstate, and fight starting it in the cold or hot they're not needed, but fuel injection and overdrive make driving easier and more convenient. That's why modern vehicles have them.

 

[Dixie Pride]

I bought my 1985 K20 new, lot of memories and a lot of fun in it.i recently took off the bed by using my tractor. New gas tanks,brake lines rear brakes on and on.Sanded primed and painted ever inch underside. Once you start you find all kinds of stuff to replace. Bolt are a bitch to remove .Heat and a cut off wheel help a lot. Put a 4" RC lift. 3" body lift with cut out fender flares.Also pinned and welded 1 1/4" block in the front to give in the stance i wanted.Yes i know it is not recomended to block the front . I have had small welded block in the front for years and yes it has been air borne with no problems. Not the best thing but it worked for me. 44" swampers look great on it too ,not much tire clearance but it will never get muddy again.You will wear everthing you try to drink while driving it is that rough riding.Mine is what i call retired. I keep it in the barn and make a beer run on Sundays.It sure gets some looks now days. You may have to drop the transfer case an inch or so because of your truck being a shortbed because of the driveline angle. front drive shaft may be an issue if you are going to do any off roading. Lengthing the front brake lines will be needed too. All and all with a 6" lift it will ruin the ride but look great. Took me 2 years and a lot of nuckle busting and cussing to get mine semi restored .Dont get started until your back can handle it it is not an easy job unless you hace a garage with a lift in it ,i did not. Good luck, remember once you get started it is hard to stop working on it. And about for me 10 K poorer

 

[Carbie]

What these last 3 posts said, drive what you have and see what you want out of it. I bought a 1984 Scottsdale with a Diesel in 1989 it ran but had gotten hot, so I put a Brand new 1990 6.2 Diesel back in it, it was still in the crate 1st new motor I ever had, before that I would get or have chevy engines and parts and use the best crank best pistons best of what I had get a gasket and bearing and ring kit and put it together, it is fun to work on this older stuff. I still have it and it runs great I have hauled tons of equipment 5th wheels. it is a great truck.

 

[peats]

I guess if you want to drive everywhere at 55, never get on the interstate, and fight starting it in the cold or hot they're not needed, but fuel injection and overdrive make driving easier and more convenient. That's why modern vehicles have them.

I'm sorry your 81's wont do more than 55. My '81 takes me to my cabin in the Pocono Mts 65mi. each way every other week 9 months of the year. Interstate 78,33, and 80. Left lane most of the drive. Qjet with no choke. Never a problem starting hot or cold.

 

[Grit dog]

Fuel injection and overdrive? Not needed. Guessing a malfunctioning q jet. I would have had it rebuilt. That lift will create as many problems as it solves but it's your truck and your vision. Looks fine as is.

Well that’s one view…

 

[618Syndicate]

I'm sorry your 81's wont do more than 55. My '81 takes me to my cabin in the Pocono Mts 65mi. each way every other week 9 months of the year. Interstate 78,33, and 80. Left lane most of the drive. Qjet with no choke. Never a problem starting hot or cold.

Lol. You're funny.
A non overdrive tranny means more engine wear for a given speed as you well know. Fuel injection is better for a street driven cruiser, and if youve driven anything newer than a square then you know that as well.
It's ok to be wrong.

 

[Ellie Niner]

It's ok to be wrong.

It's okay to not know how to tune a carburetor.

Some of the rest of us are driving carbureted trucks that start easily when cold and don't flood when hot... without bogging, stumbling, stalling, or loading up. Cruising, working, climbing, off roading, towing. My truck can be hopped in and driven by someone who's never set foot in an older vehicle, and other than having to depress the accelerator to set the choke when it's cold, they can drop it in gear as soon as the engine fires and treat it like they would a fuel injected vehicle from there. And I'm pretty fond of sound of the secondaries opening on a Q-jet.

A lot of the "half ton" trucks got stupid tall final drive ratios circa 1981-forward, so many would be capable of of 100mph+ without stressing anything (though wind resistance usually limits your speed to around 100mph and often less. I don't think I'd want to trade my 700R4 for a THM350 or 400 though, as the extra gear does make the truck more versatile.

 

[82sbshortbed]

I'd take that edelbrock carb back to auto zone and get your money back. Then I'd spen that money on a new quadrajet from national carburetor in Florida. Call them first and tell them what you have. That's what I did when I first bought mine with a 305. Then I was lucky enough to find a 454 to swap in. I just put that new carburetor on the 454 and it runs like a champ. Even with a rv cam, intake and Lt hedders. Gm put the quadrajet on your truck for a reason and I'd stick with that. Nice looking truck tho.