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1978 k20....looking to purchase would like some advice


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Hey everyone, as the title says I'm looking at a couple k20's. I have a 2015 Sierra but it's kind of my luxury/family vehicle. So I've been looking for a square body 3/4 ton truck for a hobby/daily driver/back and fourth to work truck so I don't need to use my 2015 as often.

 

I found 2, both are '78's and 4x4 203 transfer cases, the first is an automatic with a 305, mint body on it and runs good but the owner is asking $3800. The other is a 4-speed standard, 350 and has been ran as a plow truck for years. The body is rough, rockers and corners are gone, doors and front fenders are good tho and the box is beat as well. The engine also needs a tune up but it runs. I could probly get it for $600.

 

Now I'm very mechanically inclined and I'm a welder by trade so a project doesn't scare me. But with the info I gave you what truck would you choose? I've been really looking for a 4-speed with a 350 so that's really the only reason I'm even considering the plow truck, otherwise it's obvious the decision would be a no brainer.

 

Also if I could get some info on things to look for on these vehicles before I pull the trigger, any known problems or issues to look out for. Thanks.

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Buy both and put the 350 4speed in the good body, and the 305 auto in the rough body truck. A good body is worth 3200 more than a beat up rust bucket. Option 2 would be move the running gear, then sell all the left over parts. You would probably make an extra couple of thousand that way.

 

Problems that I know of are body bushings worn out and cause the rear cab to sag and they make a knock when you hit rough roads. If you have dual fuel tanks, they can give trouble when swapping from one to the other.

 

Just the normal stuff that a 40 year old truck will have after that.

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Yea I may buy both now that you guys mention it. One other question I would have tho is how easy is that auto to manual swap? I've never done one before but if I was to go that far I might as well try to find a 205 t-case as well and then new driveshaft, or modify one of them to work.

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Its not that hard to do, R & R the clutch /brake pedal assembly, should be able to R & R the transmission tunnel but if its not removable, measure and cut a hole for the shifter, change the steering column, move the clutch linkage and brackets, etc., and it will look like it came from the factory.

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So I just went to look at the 78. She's a Camper Special. Been kinda pieced together as a project over the years. Body is good, brand new box sides and original cab and fenders in great shape, needs paint. Interior is good as well. Used but good everything is solid. 305 is out of a 92, converted to carb. Has an '86 chassis/drivetrain and it's solid, no frame rust, tranny is a 400 and transfer case is a 208, no leaks and all new oils everywhere. Everything in the cab works and all lights work.. Needs a tailgate. What do you guys think? He's asking $3800 but he said price is negotiable.

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You got any pictures you can share with us? Especially interested in seeing the intake manifold on the 305.....depending on how it was done, that engine could be just a boat anchor.

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Unfortunately I got no pictures. I'm not a Chevy engine enthusiast so I wouldn't even know what to look for. All I noticed was it had a 4bbl carb from another 350 he told me he had tuned already, a cheapy plastic in line fuel filter that woulda melted on its first highway drive, and he had the coolant lines from the firewall bypassed to allow for faster heat in the cab. I also asked my buddy who is a body man and he happened to know the truck and told me to stay away and that to the untrained eye it probly looks great but he wouldn't trust it unfortunately. I will admit tho that 305 fired right up and felt fine. And the drivetrain is solid. But at that price I don't believe the truck is worth it.

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