What should I do with this '83 K10 shortbed I just bought?? (pics!)

[MannyDantyla]

Here it is, a 1984 K10 shortbed 4x4, Muncie SM465 manual tranny, on 5" Goodyear mudding tires and I believe a 4" lift, and a chevy 350 with a bunch of Edelbrock stuff on/in it. Bought it for $3500.

Here are the options I'm considering it:

1. Turn it into my daily driver. That means smaller tires, stock height, get all the redneck out of it
2. Fix it up a little and sell it when the weather get's better, hopefully get my money back
3. Fully restore it and put it on the ebay

I realize I'm asking a mostly 4x4 forum, so you might be wondering why I don't have "turn it into an awesome rock crawling machine" listed. Because I live in Kansas and there's not a whole lot of off-roading to do around here, unless you drive to Colorado, but this damn truck get's less than 10 MPG.

Not sure what transfer case it has, but it has a 10 bolt diff and I suspect the gearing was never changed when the bigger tires where added. The 350 runs alright I guess but it is gutless when going up hills.

What would you do??

 

[MannyDantyla]

and no, I can't resize the images just use your browsers zoom function to zoom out (keboard shortcut Ctrl+'-', Ctrl+0 to go back to regular size)

Alright, here's some problems that I have found.

The left blocks on the rear where constructed out of sections of C-channel with diamond plate welded to make it rectangular. The passanger side is buckling.

The spark plug wires are in really bad shape and the PO just wrapped the burn markes with electrical tape which will not stop them from arching. But the real problem is that it looks like the back cylinder in the pic is not firing. You can tell because the black paint on the headers is still new looking, while the rest all have the red heat marks that is expected.

 

[rampage]

Did the PO modify the rear of the front fenders?

I'd keep it. Seems like it's in decent shape. Just fix a few things and it'd be a really nice looking DD. If you sell it then sell it as is. Wouldn't get the money back that you put into it. Same goes for the restoration.

EDIT: Just saw the second set of pics you added. Whether you sell or keep it you obviously need to replace those dangerous lift blocks for safety reasons and fix the electrical issue.

 

[82355]

We drive to Kansas to go off roading . . . . . . .

Martin

 

[GWeakland620]

Where exactly do you live in KS?

 

[MannyDantyla]

The story behind the truck is:

It was owned my an older man in Wyoming for many years, possibly the original owner (if anyone has a carfax membership, let me know! ). Grandpa got too old and his knees hurt from operating the clutch and getting in and out, so he gave it to his grandson. The grandson drove it from Wyoming to Missouri, where he dropped in a 350, jacked it up and put on big tires. Then he joined the Marines, so he needed to sell it. Sold it to the guy I bought it from. I think. Marine boy did a pretty alright job, but took a lot of short cuts and he doesn't have the same eye for detail that I do.

Did the PO modify the rear of the front fenders?

I'd keep it. Seems like it's in decent shape. Just fix a few things and it'd be a really nice looking DD. If you sell it then sell it as is. Wouldn't get the money back that you put into it. Same goes for the restoration.

EDIT: Just saw the second set of pics you added. Whether you sell or keep it you obviously need to replace those dangerous lift blocks for safety reasons and fix the electrical issue.

I believe the rear bumper might be aftermarket. There's two ball hitches, side-by-side like I've never seen before, so it was was doing some serious hauling. Definitally fixing all those problems, I have a set of spark wires and looms on the way from Jegs.

We drive to Kansas to go off roading . . . . .

Do you go to Tuttle Creek ORV area? I'm definitally going there as soon as I can.

Where exactly do you live in KS?

Lawrence

 

[82355]

Yes, we go to Tuttle Creek. Lawrence is pretty close to Tuttle, and basically on your way to Colorado (with a long ways to go when you get there.

Side be side ball hitches is a pretty common thing.

Well it use to be. Most people use receivers now.

Martin

 

[82355]

Oh, put a shackle flip on the rear of that thing.

Martin

 

[beags86]

Fix the PO cobbled up messes. Paint it. Put some nice wheels on it. Drive and enjoy. Truck looks like a nice starting point for a mild build.

 

[GWeakland620]

Any time you go to Tuttle hit me up. And I will do the same. We go all the time(when my turd runs). You can have a lot of fun there.