Scrapping Truck -- Parts To Keep?

[KCKKen]

Hi Everyone!

Finally got the 1985 GMC parts truck over to the house to start dismantling it -- a friend of mine is going to use the bed/chassis for a trailer (cab is toast, way too much rust). While I don't want to save every nut and bolt (don't have _that_ much room) I do want to save parts that might save me some bucks down the road, or parts that might be of value to someone else.

The truck was originally a V-6 with a TH-400 (previous discussion), I know I'm keeping the following:
Engine
Transmission
Radiator Mount/Front Fender Mount
Rear Axle (swapping it to my project truck)
2-Piece Driveshaft Assembly
Wheels (spares for my project truck)
Shell
Washer reservoir/pump
Wiper Motor
Sliding Rear Window

The truck doesn't have very many options (no power windows/door locks, no cruise, no special radio), so not sure what else is worth keeping. Once they cut the front suspension off I may check the brake rotors and see if they're salvageable, I think the calipers are stuck so they might not be even good for cores.

If there are any items people are looking for please let me know, but otherwise what's worth holding on to?

Take Care,
KS
Kansas City, KS

 

[Blue Ox]

I know you were being facetious about the nuts and bolts, but factory hardware is somewhat unique and it's a good idea to keep as much of it as you can.

Also, trim pieces, grille, headlight doors, rain gutters, glove box, ashtray etc. All those bits that you'll be hunting for later.

 

[1STLS1]

Having dismantled a couple trucks, I have found that all the things I thought were worth saving cost me more to store and move around than if I just would have purchase it when I actually needed it. Brake parts, due to what they actually do and how I value my safety, I just buy new. Same with front suspension parts. Anything body parts with any rust get scrapped. If an engine or transmission is obviously a good one, it gets discounted to a sure to sell place just so I don't have that greasy chunk of metal stuck in my garage for the next 5 years until I find a use for it.

I put an ad in the local Craigslist, what ever sells, sells, I grab what I need and scrap the rest

 

[animal]

AC controls, If the dash has not been cut for a single DIN radio I would cut that out and keep it.

 

[Grit dog]

Depends how much of a packrat you are and how cool your wife’s is with the Sanford and Son motif.

 

[Ricko1966]

Kcks! we are neighbors kind of. Maybe interested in the manual doors and a good windshield.

 

[oldretiredafguy]

I'll take the TH400, if it hasn't been previously spoken for (If you're not planning on using it on some future project).

"Have truck, Will Travel"

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Hi Everyone!

Finally got the 1985 GMC parts truck over to the house to start dismantling it -- a friend of mine is going to use the bed/chassis for a trailer (cab is toast, way too much rust). While I don't want to save every nut and bolt (don't have _that_ much room) I do want to save parts that might save me some bucks down the road, or parts that might be of value to someone else.

The truck was originally a V-6 with a TH-400 (previous discussion), I know I'm keeping the following:
Engine
Transmission
Radiator Mount/Front Fender Mount
Rear Axle (swapping it to my project truck)
2-Piece Driveshaft Assembly
Wheels (spares for my project truck)
Shell
Washer reservoir/pump
Wiper Motor
Sliding Rear Window

The truck doesn't have very many options (no power windows/door locks, no cruise, no special radio), so not sure what else is worth keeping. Once they cut the front suspension off I may check the brake rotors and see if they're salvageable, I think the calipers are stuck so they might not be even good for cores.

If there are any items people are looking for please let me know, but otherwise what's worth holding on to?

Take Care,
KS
Kansas City, KS

Being a GMC, all the GMC specific parts are hard to come by and not reproduced like chevy parts. Grill, fender emblems, dash badge, horn cover, tailgate trim if there is any.
Id be interetested in all that too if you do have it.

Another thing I'd save is the gauge cluster amd bezel. Theyre always in demand and useful.
Trim strips, cab trim, gutter rails, grill trim, headlight bezels, parking lamps. Things that break or get messed up easy.
Door panels if they're good. Mirrors are always good, the always sell easy and quick.
If its a low trim level, id love to have the plactic parking lamp and headight bezels, if good.

 

[tobiahr]

If it happened to have the rear speaker factory mounts, keep them. those have a market.

 

[Juggernaut]

As I have been putting my truck back together, I've found there's been a number of "little things" that are not being reproduced that I wish I had kept from my doner trucks. My suggestion would be, if you can find a spot, keep it until you are done with your project. Then sell or trash what's left over.

 

[peats]

Non AC dash pad inserts can be hard to find. Cut the speed nuts off with a dremel. Twisting will just shear the plastic studs.

 

[peats]

I would also keep the auto cross member.

 

[GaK10]

That plastic piece under the steering wheel

 

[tobiahr]

I would also keep the auto cross member.

Really? I have one of those with all the hardware (those 1 inch spacers) that I couldn't give away here in Houston/Austin.

 

[scrap--metal]

Being a GMC, all the GMC specific parts are hard to come by and not reproduced like chevy parts.

Keep the entire steering column. There's lots of parts/switches that can be used as future replacements. And there's no need to disassemble it beyond removing it from the truck. Prop it somewhere out of the way and it will come in handy.

A friend just asked me for a smaller '88+ style steering wheel last week. He recently got a crusty plow truck, and it has the factory steering wheel on it.

It rubs his belly when he's driving, so he wanted the '88+ style steering wheel to fix that problem.

Edited to correct my steering wheel references.