Looking for my first squarebody

[Norcal]

Ok so I just joined the forum in hopes of learning from the other members. I am currently looking for a squarebody project truck. At this point I am interested in a 2wd short bed 350/350. I do live in California and pre 1975 is currently smog exempt. I was hoping you guys could give me some advice on what to look for in a project truck (year, features, etc.). I am thinking this would be a long term build doing the majority of the work myself with the end goal of a nice old truck that could be a daily driver. I don't expect it to be a daily driver but I do anticipate upgrading the suspension and brakes for safety and reliability. Sorry for the long post, and I look forward to any info you guys can provide.

 

[Camar068]

Welcome aboard. While looking, make sure you aren't paying too much. I didn't know any better and paid about $2k too much. Read up on the issues known to these, check prices for brakes parts (local rear drum prices shocked me), front end parts, etc. Utilize some of the vendors that support us. Sorry to the others, but I really like RockAuto prices (we 5% off on top of that. That money you save could pay for the next bit you need to fix/upgrade n such.

 

[skysurfer]

I do live in California and pre 1975 is currently smog exempt.

Just want to clarify that 1975 is smog exempt so you have three production years to choose from.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Well, I have a rust free 74 shortbed daily driver that would be an easy project that I'd be willing to part with, but since I use it daily I'd have to find a replacement first, but seems like 73-75 1/2 ton Suburbans are non existent anymore..

 

[Craig 85]

Doing a quick check on Norcal Craigslist, you're probably looking at a minimum off $3-4K for a decent starting point. It's easy to update 73-75 trucks with later model parts, just takes time and money. These trucks will probably have a little rust, but nothing like the ones from the mid-west or east coast. One option I always look for is factory A/C. It always works better than the aftermarket ones I've used.

 

[Norcal]

Do you think it is worth it to look for a smog exempt truck?

 

[skysurfer]

Why bother with inspections if you don't have to? We can't even do an LS swap in Cali without having to meet the much tighter standards for the newer engine. Kinda takes the fun out of it if you don't pass the test and end up with a vehicle you can't register. Buy pre-'76 and do whatever you want with it.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I'm not a Californian so I say this knowing 100% that I'm an outsider, but there's diesel, too, which encompasses the entire square body lineage. I know that limits you to a 6.2 in a stock powered truck, but those are workable within reason of knowing what they are and what their limits are.

 

[Craig 85]

It's definiately worth looking for a smog exempt truck. I would just plan on spending a little more for a good truck since they are more desirable. I have a 79 K15 I'm about to sell and when I went to smog it, It won't pass at idle. So now I have to spend about $500 to fix it just to smog it before it sells. What a waste!

Be careful about folks selling converted diesel trucks. They are smog exempt, even for diesels, but I was recently talking with a friend that is a CHP officer and well informed. He said the state is ramping up more mobile emission tests. They can pull in any vehicle to test it. I can vouch for this. Over the past 5 years, the Calif Air Resources Board and CHP set up in my former home town (SF Bay Area) 3 times randomly testing vehicle on a mobile dyno.

 

[Norcal]

It's definiately worth looking for a smog exempt truck. I would just plan on spending a little more for a good truck since they are more desirable. I have a 79 K15 I'm about to sell and when I went to smog it, It won't pass at idle. So now I have to spend about $500 to fix it just to smog it before it sells. What a waste!

Be careful about folks selling converted diesel trucks. They are smog exempt, even for diesels, but I was recently talking with a friend that is a CHP officer and well informed. He said the state is ramping up more mobile emission tests. They can pull in any vehicle to test it. I can vouch for this. Over the past 5 years, the Calif Air Resources Board and CHP set up in my former home town (SF Bay Area) 3 times randomly testing vehicle on a mobile dyno.

Good information I appreciate it. I definitely am not interested in a diesel, and I have seen the trucks that people swap a gas engine in and leave it registered as a diesel. I definitely want to be legit about this and not have to worry about someone looking under the hood. I think I will hold out for a smog exempt.

 

[1973c10]

Welcome