What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

No More Square Bodies

I am currently without a square body but I am always on the hunt for the next one. My daily driver is a 2005 Suburban Z-71 with 163K miles on it. I love the comfort, lack of wind noise, love the working heat and A/C system, love the way it rides over bumps and dips and it is very capable on the EZ off road challenges I put it through. I guess I'm getting old....
 
I don't know, my 85 k30 that is stock as hell rides really frickin good. Way better than my 06 dodge which has a long arm and progressive springs front and rear.

My square bodies are like a sore pecker. I just can't beat it.
 
Greg Ducato said:
I am currently without a square body but I am always on the hunt for the next one. My daily driver is a 2005 Suburban Z-71 with 163K miles on it. I love the comfort, lack of wind noise, love the working heat and A/C system, love the way it rides over bumps and dips and it is very capable on the EZ off road challenges I put it through. I guess I'm getting old....
Click to expand...

I hear ya, my 02 Tahoe with 250K on the clock is the family cruiser.
 
obijuank5 said:
I don't know, my 85 k30 that is stock as hell rides really frickin good. Way better than my 06 dodge which has a long arm and progressive springs front and rear.

My square bodies are like a sore pecker. I just can't beat it.
Click to expand...

Well there's the problem!!!! You're comparing it to a Dodge!!!!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

But seriously, I feel the same about keeping my old trucks, but I still want to get something newer. I like my Dad's 02 , and my son's 03....
 
My 84 K10 has been an absolute pain in my ass for the 14 months that I've owned it (my first square body), but at the same time its probably my favorite vehicle I've ever owned. Theres been times Ive gotten close to 20 "thumbs ups" from other drivers in a single day. If I spent 40k on a new one one would care... hopefully I'll be closer to getting the bugs worked out of it by the end of this year.

I'm with you guys on the newer stuff. Newer trucks fail to impress me in just about every category but towing capacity. They kick ass in that regard. Otherwise, I see a 40k truck with 20k of content I don't want, and several design characteristics I don't agree with. No ground clearance, thin body panels, tin foil bumpers, gigantic front ends that dont allow any visibility or approach angle... and the #1 characteristic of new vehicles that I cannot stand is throttle by wire (unless custom tuned). Most are so numbed up and laggy to meet MPG requirements that driving the vehicle is entirely zero fun. Theyve also changed everything over to electric power steering which is pretty terrible at providing feedback.
 
Last edited:
So many failure prone and computerized things that needed no "upgrading",the electric P/S is a prime example...wonder how many accidents get caused by an electrical glitch that makes the steering lose power assist,or it starts steering itself ?...transmissions that rely on solenoids that are computer controlled that can crap out and fry the clutches--another un-needed device is an electric fan clutch--one Dorman ad states they have a "100% failure rate"...great way to sell more engines and new vehicles--just let them overheat a few times..

I cant see all the computerized hi-tech crap in all these newer vehicles lasting more than 10 years--once they start frying circuit boards and capacitors and resistors expire,will the vehicle still run,be able to be driven safely ?...or will it have to be scrapped,because no replacement parts for your "obsolete" electronics exist ?...

Already it is a chore trying to get a dead digital dash repaired,or an ECM,for trucks built after 2000 around here...those who can repair them get big bucks too...

The truck I want most now that I'm older and not able to do major repairs to,would be a square body or even older GM truck,one with a straight six and a manual transmission,4wd,and bare bones interior--a rubber mat is fine with me,carpet only encourages rust--and no power door locks or windows to F up...don't really need A/C either,another "luxury" thats non essential here in New England,thats expensive to keep working,and never seems to work for very long..

Was at a friends house last week,his son has hoarded no less than 4 old Chevy & GMC pickups--has 3 1960-66 pickups,two are 60 to 62 models with the "eyebrow" hoods,and have 235 straight sixes coupled to a SM420,the other is a 64-66 model with a 292 & SM420,and all 4 of them are 4x4's,I think they have Rockwell transfer cases...he also has a nice '74 GMC K-10 with a 350/TH400 that looks like it just came from the body shop--it does have some rot that was repaired semi-professionally..makes my truck look like scrap iron..

Sadly the 3 60-66 trucks have sat right where I first saw them 2-3 years ago,surprisingly they have not rotted that much considering how long they have sat previous to him buying them--all run good,were driven to his home a good distance with no issues (one all the way from Maine!)--and have the "oven door" small back window...and no,he's not willing to part with any of them---I ask every time I go there!..

The 60-62 models with the eyebrow hood are the ones I'd like to own most..the 60-66 years are probably the hardest GM trucks to find around here in ANY condition,never mind one that could be "restored" to a daily driver in a few weeks time..
 
Old trucks just have more character. Sure, the newer ones are more comfortable, powerful, fuel efficient and superior by virtually any measurable category. But I get far more attention and compliments driving my K5. It's still in great shape, I'm going to keep it and keep tinkering with it. They're starting to get rarer and interest is picking up. It's nice to have something special that's also easy to fix.
 
I love the old 73-87/91 trucks. Always have. But come on, the only place they are better than newer stuff is styling. My 06 is knocking on the door of 200K miles, and the only thing causing it to drive any different than 100K miles ago is a worn idler arm. Wheel bearings got replaced at about 150K, transmission at 170K. I'm planning on having the rockers replaced, because the rest of it is still so nice. If needed tomorrow, I would be confident driving it anywhere in the country, and I would be comfortable the whole time. Not many can say that about a 73-87/91 anymore. That said, I'm still hanging on to my old blue 79, I figure now its a good restoration candidate, and would be fun to haul tractors to the pulls with. Speaking of that, I need to get the SM465/NP208 for it.
 
new trucks may be better in every way for daily driving, but I don't care what anyone says they dont even come close to comparing in off-road capability. Its almost a surprise they haven't taken away selectable transfercases like has been done in the majority of "SUVs" nowadays. (emphasis on the quotation marks). Square bodies are vastly superior to the new K2XX trucks when it comes to ground clearance and flexing enough to keep all four wheels on the ground. I usually only have to spend a couple hours at the dunes before I see a modern truck running around with its tin foil bumper folded up under the chasis and the air dam hanging on by a thread.
 
:D whatever gets the job done brother

1916-Ford-Model-T-Ramp-Travel-Index.jpg
 
I've always liked square body trucks and I love mine. I'll probably never sell it, hell they're probably going to burry me in it. That said new trucks are better in just about every way. What I mean is the frames aren't made of wet noodles, body lines and gaps are tight and consistent from the factory, triple door seals mean no perpetual wind noise, even the 4.3 V6 base engine now comes with more power than the smog era 454 ever did and triples it's fuel economy, I mean serpentine belts are pretty sweet, how about alternators that aren't maxed out by the dim sealed beam headlights and running the wipers at the same time, oh and did I mention cup holders?
 
JoeliusZ28 said:
new trucks may be better in every way for daily driving, but I don't care what anyone says they dont even come close to comparing in off-road capability. Its almost a surprise they haven't taken away selectable transfercases like has been done in the majority of "SUVs" nowadays. (emphasis on the quotation marks). Square bodies are vastly superior to the new K2XX trucks when it comes to ground clearance and flexing enough to keep all four wheels on the ground. I usually only have to spend a couple hours at the dunes before I see a modern truck running around with its tin foil bumper folded up under the chasis and the air dam hanging on by a thread.
Click to expand...

I don't agree 100%... If your comparing two completely stock trucks of both eras with lets say 50,000 miles on the clock....I remember those days of trying to keep the engine running on any kind of hill cause the carb would flood, the same if you hit bumps at speed. Ground clearance... don't forget stock tires were only about 30" tall and the axle housing in the front hung pretty low. Run though some mud, ever try and stop a truck with only the front brakes because your rear drums stopped working because they were packed with mud? Flex...The front end has that sway bar that fought you every step of the way and the shocks of that time were marginal at best. Component strength goes to the old trucks hands down.
But if you comparing, Carbs to FI, Drum brakes to disc, Old tech leafs/shocks to independent/struts.....I don't see the old stuff as better off road in any way.
You do have a case if your talking about modified older trucks compared stock new trucks ( And most modified new trucks too ) which is what I believe you are doing with your dune story.
 
One of the things I hate about the new trucks is most engine & transmission work Begin's with...

Remove Cab From Frame...

Kinda force's most folks without a lift to go to shops...

Old School cars and trucks for me...

Square body's rock!
 
beags86 said:
No doubt about it that the newer trucks have thinner sheetmetal to deal with the higher mpg requirements....
Click to expand...

And a lot more plastic, and aluminum parts than the old school trucks...

In 30 years there will still be steel body square body trucks on the road... These plastic & aluminum trucks will be recycled for Hyundai's and other foreign crapola.

Love the Chevy Steel Truck Bed vs Ford Aluminum Bed Commercial...
 
Bohemian said:
And a lot more plastic, and aluminum parts than the old school trucks...

In 30 years there will still be steel body square body trucks on the road... These plastic & aluminum trucks will be recycled for Hyundai's and other foreign crapola.

Love the Chevy Steel Truck Bed vs Ford Aluminum Bed Commercial...
Click to expand...

And old trucks have wood beds...
:saweet:

IMG_20170708_092743919_HDR.jpg

finishedbed Page 001.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom