is this 79 rare? should i restore or restor-mod?

[Nathanf44HH]

i recently was givin my grandfathers 79 gmc heavy half. He worked for the county dept and special ordered this truck. it has the f44 frame and woodin inlays in the box which i was told could be rare. i was going to resto-mod the truck but if its vauluble i think iwould rather restore it back to original condition

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[RoryH19]

I don't know about rare but it is heavily optioned and looks to be a survivor.
I personally would take care of any mechanical issues, clean, polish and enjoy.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Yes, the wood bed option is rare in the fleetside. Also, much of the sheet metal for the wood bed is different. It is not like you could easily convert a metal bed to wood.

Not many clean survivors from what I have seen.

 

[Midnightmoon]

I agree with the above. I would want to keep that one close to original.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I wouldn't say the wood bed is rare. Harder to find intact? Yes. I've seen quite a few wood floor trucks.

I also think your grandpa bought the truck that way, because that's what he liked. So I would keep it how it is with maybe a few touches.

 

[Grit dog]

Damn nice truck there!
The beauty of it is, it’s a 79 so pretty simple under the hood. So you could pull the original engine and accessories even and drop in the engine of your choice. Slap a built trans in or build the one that’s in it. And if you ever wanted to go back to original freshen up the original engine and put it back in.
Same with rear axle too. Dime a dozen if you wanted to keep the original one and re gear or posi/locker a different one

 

[Ellie Niner]

I would try to keep that one original... I just would want to experience it how your Grandfather did. As much as I've been around these trucks, I can't remember seeing a Fleetside with a wood bed!

This also had to be getting close to the end for getting a 454 in a 1/2 ton?

Any chance of getting a clearer shot of that SPID?

 

[bucket]

All I can say is WOW, what a great optioned truck! It has all the good stuff and an awesome color combo too!

Compared to how many trucks there were with a steel floor, the wood floor is rare. The truck itself is not rare, but the combination of all the good options all in one truck is pretty rare these days. Probably very uncommon when new too.

Imho, it's one that would be best to keep at least near stock. Stock colors and trim (looks like it would clean up pretty well as it is) and only make changes that could easily put back to stock. Lowering it, but not slamming it and cutting the frame (if you would even want to lower it). Wheels are no biggie, do whatever you want there. Engine upgrades would be fine too, keeping the big block.

I guess what I'm really getting at, I think it would be a poor choice to shave the body, change the color, put it on air ride and LS swap it.