Wanting an Upgrade

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bshipley08

Junior Member
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Dec 7, 2024
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9
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4
Location
Rose Hill KS
First Name
Braeden
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10 Scottsdale
Engine Size
305ci
I have a 83 K10 ScottsDale that did not come with headliner. I am wanting to add a headliner and the trim pieces for all the posts in the truck. I did not come with any of this. I would like to have a cargo light switch since the cargo light is currently missing and I will be rewiring the entire truck to replace broken wires. Now seems like a good opportunity for this and I was wondering if it's possible.
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CalSgt

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Location
CA
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Casey
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
Chevy K-10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
I have a 83 K10 ScottsDale that did not come with headliner. I am wanting to add a headliner and the trim pieces for all the posts in the truck. I did not come with any of this. I would like to have a cargo light switch since the cargo light is currently missing and I will be rewiring the entire truck to replace broken wires. Now seems like a good opportunity for this and I was wondering if it's possible.
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My truck didn’t come with a headliner or trim. I bought the LMC headliner “kit” and the headliner itself wasn’t bad but the rest of the kit was cheesy upholstered cardboard. I ended up buying all of the trim pieces separately and spending a bunch more money. It’s a fairly simple process just difficult to hold everything in place to get the holes drilled and screws installed.

Honestly I’d put a cargo lamp switch somewhere in the dash or at least somewhere accessible from the driver’s seat instead of on the B pillar. I’d bet GM put it there for cost savings instead of convenience/ease of use.

I’ll add: if your stock wiring isn’t totally trashed it’s worth repairing instead of replacing. The factory wiring is actually high quality stuff compared to aftermarket harnesses.
 

Grit dog

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Auburn, Washington
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Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
It’s totally possible, just have to buy the pieces and like @CalSgt said, get them mocked up right and holes drilled.
Idk if any of the classic parts suppliers sells a whole trim kit or if you have to scrounge for used pieces. There’s plenty of used pieces out there in old squares. Note the A and B pillar pieces and kick panels are plastic. The roof surround that holds up the headliner is metal. Used plastic pieces may be pretty crispy.
And drilling the lower holes for the A pillar may need to be done with the windshield removed. However the front roof piece I think fits over the windshield gasket so plan accordingly when you’re mocking it up to layout the holes to drill.
 

bshipley08

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2024
Posts
9
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Location
Rose Hill KS
First Name
Braeden
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10 Scottsdale
Engine Size
305ci
My truck didn’t come with a headliner or trim. I bought the LMC headliner “kit” and the headliner itself wasn’t bad but the rest of the kit was cheesy upholstered cardboard. I ended up buying all of the trim pieces separately and spending a bunch more money. It’s a fairly simple process just difficult to hold everything in place to get the holes drilled and screws installed.

Honestly I’d put a cargo lamp switch somewhere in the dash or at least somewhere accessible from the driver’s seat instead of on the B pillar. I’d bet GM put it there for cost savings instead of convenience/ease of use.

I’ll add: if your stock wiring isn’t totally trashed it’s worth repairing instead of replacing. The factory wiring is actually high quality stuff compared to aftermarket harnesses.
I think GM out the switch there so you don't have to get into the truck to turn on the switch, since I doubt most people are using it while sitting in the truck.
 

bshipley08

Junior Member
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Dec 7, 2024
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9
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Location
Rose Hill KS
First Name
Braeden
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K10 Scottsdale
Engine Size
305ci
I think GM out the switch there so you don't have to get into the truck to turn on the switch, since I doubt most people are using it while sitting in the truck.
I should also add that the wiring on this truck is a massive fire hazard. It was a snow plow trucj owned by a farmer, so wiring is everywhere all willy nilly and cut for who know what. I plan on using American Autowire for this.
 

Steelbuddha

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Mar 16, 2024
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24
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Location
Central North Carolina
First Name
Jonathan
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K20 (dump bed)
Engine Size
350
I have (no financial interest) only good things to say about the big (27 circuit) Painless harness. Totally straightforward replacement, everything is labeled, all the color codes are right. Since my truck is a "Custom Deluxe" (meaning stripped but with power steering and brakes), that gave me several extra circuits for accessories.

It's worth it to pop for their Kevlar/Aramid braided wire wrap package as well. The stuff is heat and abrasion-proof. Also rodent-proof. Looks good in an installation, too, if that matters.

I also upgraded to a 140-amp alternator and 2/0 copper battery cables. And extra grounds. Definitely worthwhile.
 

duece1951

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Oct 7, 2023
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Location
Fort Myers, FL
First Name
thomas
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
GMC C1500
Engine Size
305
My truck didn’t come with a headliner or trim. I bought the LMC headliner “kit” and the headliner itself wasn’t bad but the rest of the kit was cheesy upholstered cardboard. I ended up buying all of the trim pieces separately and spending a bunch more money. It’s a fairly simple process just difficult to hold everything in place to get the holes drilled and screws installed.

Honestly I’d put a cargo lamp switch somewhere in the dash or at least somewhere accessible from the driver’s seat instead of on the B pillar. I’d bet GM put it there for cost savings instead of convenience/ease of use.

I’ll add: if your stock wiring isn’t totally trashed it’s worth repairing instead of replacing. The factory wiring is actually high quality stuff compared to aftermarket harnesses.
I would also go with LMC. I had to replace a few of my interior parts that were broken. Fit was good and not too expensive. They are easy to work with as a company.
 

Old Guy Bill

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Sep 10, 2023
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Location
KY
First Name
Bill
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
My ‘78 Scottsdale had no headliner, but does have the Cargo light option.
I had to replace the light as it was damaged, installing the wiring between the switch and light can be difficult to deal with, the cab is doubled walled there.
LMC offers a one piece headliner that doesn’t require all the trim, it isn’t an exact factory look though.
 

Bloodhound1981

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Nov 15, 2016
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Location
MA
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C-10
Engine Size
5.7
I had no headliner or trim in my 1981 Custom Deluxe, I got the ABS backed headliner covered in perforated black vinyl from LMC, along with all the headliner trim and visors. I was very happy with the quality. It was definitely no fun to install by myself, if you have a helper it will be a much better time. Drilling all the holes is nerve wracking but it all came out awesome. I added an LED interior light to the middle of the headliner. This is the only pic I have, I had just put in the headliner but not the rest of the trim.

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