Well...drove 2800 miles round trip and trailered the '84 back to its new home! Unfortunately wasn't able to get the rust free bed, the owner's schedule and mine didn't work out to get the bed off the other truck in time.
Either way, truck runs/drives! Needs an alignment and powersteering pump looked at as it squeels when turning right but is full of fluid.
Now the search begins for a CCLB 3500 4x4 Duramax!
figured I'd update this...
I sold the '84, 3-4 weeks after bringing it home. A guy made me an offer I could not refuse. I was in the process of gathering funds for my pole barn, so this just helped perfectly!
Anyways, been out traveling all summer for work, searching more down in the south, and out west. When I was out in Idaho a couple months ago, I stumbled upon this '81 GMC K2500 4x4, 350, 4spd, regular cab, long bed, super clean interior. Cab corners have some bubbles on each, but other than that it is solid! The old man I bought it from had owned it since '84 and I knew it was well taken care of.
pics to follow...