New member - Semi Resto - Grandfather's 85 k10 4x4

[RaDoubleD]

About 80% committed to making my grandpa's 85 a reliable and fun weekend truck. Plans now are to do a crate swap, fix some body/trim issues, spruce up major interior pieces and then see where it leads.

Truck backstory: purchased new by a great uncle in Atlanta, GA and driven for a few years. Then purchased by my aunt from said uncle and brought to South Carolina. From there my grandfather bought the truck from his daughter and has driven it since I (34 years old) can remember. The interior still smells like I remember from back in early to mid 90s when I used to ride around with grandpa. It's been sitting under a barn at the family farm since 2013. He passed away in 2017 so this particular truck has more meaning than buying a "pre-built" rig.

Specs: has a newly rebuilt 700R4 with a knocking 305. Plan is to keep the good tranny and find a best bang for the buck crate to make the truck fun but reliable. Would love for it to tow a 20-25ft bay boat one day also. Hoping to make this happen for around $5-6k (possible?) doing all the work myself.

If anyone has suggestions on how to make this happen or options for the truck please chime in!

 

[Corvette Ed]

Welcome aboard from East Tennessee ,looks like a great start. Congrats.

 

[animal]

 

[CalSgt]

Welcome & cool truck!

$5-6K should be very do-able for making it reliable,

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

 

[squaredeal91]

Why only 80%?
And welcome from Oregon

 

[Shorty81]

Welcome from Ohio

 

[ali_c20]

Welcome from Austria. Squares need at least 120% commitment.

 

[Ken B]

And 150% of budget at least.
Once you pull that thread.......

 

[Ricko1966]

Welcome from Austria. Squares need at least 120% commitment.

How would we commit 120% of square owners?
Welcome to the forum 5/6k it will be easy. Here's a different thought for you,I've done many times. Look for a good parts vehicle,wrecked,rusted,no title,something major you don't need anyway is bad. I've run ads on Craigslist stating just that and ended up with several parts vehicles cheap. I end up with what I need and spares,sell what I don't need and usually recover my entire investment.

 

[Mr Clean]

 

[RaDoubleD]

Haha, on the 80% percent that means definitely going to do the project. I know its going to be 100% over budget if I 100% commit to it so some hesitation!

Thanks for the replies all, glad to have a resource like the forums here. Will post pics as the project comes along.

 

[CalSgt]

Haha, on the 80% percent that means definitely going to do the project. I know its going to be 100% over budget if I 100% commit to it so some hesitation!

Thanks for the replies all, glad to have a resource like the forums here. Will post pics as the project comes along.

Best way to stay within budget is to re-use everything that isn't busted or a wear/maintenance part. Also keep every part that is going to get replaced until the project is done.

I've seen too many people go straight to the sawzall to remove the exhaust instead of unbolting it, throwing things away as it gets disassembled, and cutting out the wiring because "This 40 year old wiring is garbage."

During my build there have been a ton of parts that I planned to replace that I've had to go find in my pile to rob screws, bolts, connectors, mounts Etc from. There have also been parts that were surly going to get replaced that have been impossible to find or the only available replacements are cheap Chinese junk.

 

[Terry Wilkerson]

Welcome from KC

 

[Cyrillious]

Welcome @RaDoubleD from Toronto. I'm in the same boat as you doing the work myself