1978 k10 Survivor

C10conglomerate · February 25, 2020

Howdy, I figured I might as well start a new post about this 1978 square body that we just found in an old shed. I think most of you would get a kick out of this k10. It came from a local farmer who had it parked for the past 15 years. It's only got 12,000 miles on the clock. It's still sitting on the original tires! All we've done so far is air up the tires, put some gas in the tank, and fired her up. Also gave her a good detail. That little 400 small block purrs like a kitten. If you guys have any info on the Bonanza trim level it would be appreciated.

KARNUT · February 25, 2020

Can’t imagine someone parking a nice truck like that. Nice ride.

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99silveradoz71 · February 25, 2020

Wow, very cool.

Styles_888 · February 25, 2020

I remember those sliding heat controls in my old mans truck, cool memory .. thanks for posting

garagerog · February 25, 2020

OP, what a beaut and great barn find! But are you sure it's only a K10 and not a K20? The reason I ask is because of the roof marker lights, swing-out camper mirrors, and what appears to be the camper special emblem ( a teepee) on the cab trim. I can't make out the spring pack on the drivers side picture, but in any case what a beautiful truck and kudos on your find!

C10conglomerate · February 25, 2020

I believe it's a k10 as the badging on the side suggests it is indeed a 1/2 ton.

MaverickZ71 · February 25, 2020

Very nice truck. Thanks for the memories--back in the day, our next door neighbor had one of those, blue with a white topper on the back, without the marker lights, meticulously maintained and cleaned, 4x4. When it snowed a bunch, he used to drive me to school. Saved me from having to walk 5 miles uphill both ways in the snow. Ha.

C10conglomerate · February 25, 2020

7 minutes ago, MaverickZ71 said:

Very nice truck. Thanks for the memories--back in the day, our next door neighbor had one of those, blue with a white topper on the back, without the marker lights, meticulously maintained and cleaned, 4x4. When it snowed a bunch, he used to drive me to school. Saved me from having to walk 5 miles uphill both ways in the snow. Ha.

That's what's so cool about these old square bodies. It seems almost everyone had a family member or knew someone who owned one and has a story about it.

garagerog · February 25, 2020

31 minutes ago, C10conglomerate said:

I believe it's a k10 as the badging on the side suggests it is indeed a 1/2 ton.

Indeed, thanks for the reply! You sure brought out the shine in that old paint! If you would care to share your methods in the vehicle appearance forum, I'm sure many members could benefit and would appreciate it!

JimCost2014 · February 25, 2020

10 hours ago, C10conglomerate said:

Howdy, I figured I might as well start a new post about this 1978 square body that we just found in an old shed. I think most of you would get a kick out of this k10. It came from a local farmer who had it parked for the past 15 years. It's only got 12,000 miles on the clock. It's still sitting on the original tires! All we've done so far is air up the tires, put some gas in the tank, and fired her up. Also gave her a good detail. That little 400 small block purrs like a kitten. If you guys have any info on the Bonanza trim level it would be appreciated.

Great looking truck, time capsule you can drive:

Also offered were several Chevy Bonanza/GMC Royal Sierra option groups. They were special year-end promotional packages (analogous to Ford's old "white sale" Explorer pickup packages) with special discounted price groupings of popular appearance/convenience options. Prior to the 1980 model year, the Bonanza/Royal Sierra packages were based on the Z62 trim level with the addition of floor carpeting; after that time, the packages offered a choice of Z84 or YE9 interiors. In later years, Canadian customers wer offered similarly conceived "Wrangler" packages. The Wrangler packages included some very distinctive and exclusive paint/decal features; really neat collector's items!

JimCost2014 · February 25, 2020

Lower intermediate trim (Option code Z62)

Trim theme: This trim was a minor upgrade of the base trim described above. A little more chrome dressed up the outside. Inside, the most significant upgrades involved the use of a color keyed floor mat (vs. the basic black noted above, with carpeting only in very special cases) and a choice of "custom cloth" or "custom vinyl" upholstery. These two seat upholstery choices were shared with the higher level (Z84 and YE9) trim packages mentioned below. Interestingly, other woven/striped vinyl upholstery selections were exclusively available on this trim level in various years and included carpeting to replace the usual color keyed vinyl mat. Also, there was a little more floor insulation, and the door panels differed only slightly from base with very minimal wood grain or chrome molding additions. Still, no headliner.

Upper intermediate luxury trim (Option code Z84)

Trim theme: This was a truly a luxury level trim and was only a very small notch below the top-of-the-line option. It represented the greatest price jump between levels, and in most years, appeared almost identical to the YE9 trim noted below. In all years, a more deluxe molding package, along with a tailgate insert for Fleetsides, was included. Inside, many major additions to the Z62 level were found, including cut-pile carpeting, and insulated full headliner, and door trim panels with large wood grain or brushed aluminum door appliqués. The door panels also had map pockets. Special hood and cab-to-fender insulators were also found here. Because of the near redundancy of this trim with respect to the YE9 level below, I suspect, option Z84 was discontinued after the 1981 model year.

Top of the line luxury trim (Option code YE9)

Trim theme: A few minor additional exterior moldings complemented those included with the Z84 trim. The most significant outside difference was the inclusion of the V22 Chrome grill/Deluxe front appearance package as standard with this trim starting with the 1980 model year (this package was optional at extra cost with the other lesser trims). Inside, the YE9 level included the BC2 Deluxe instrument panel (a wood grain or brushed aluminum finish instrument cluster with full gauges replacing idiot lights) which was also optional at extra cost with the lesser trims. The headliner, floor carpeting, and insulation features were identical to those found on the Z84. Door panels were almost identical to those found on the Z84, although door pull straps and lower panel carpeting were added to those found on the YE9 after 1976. Finally, full vinyl trim covers replaced the lesser trim models abbreviated covers on the lower kick panels.

C10conglomerate · February 25, 2020

Thanks for that information on the bonanza trim package. I will say that this truck seems to be well optioned with power windows, power locks, cruise control, and tilt steering wheel.

JimCost2014 · February 25, 2020

5 minutes ago, C10conglomerate said:

Thanks for that information on the bonanza trim package. I will say that this truck seems to be well optioned with power windows, power locks, cruise control, and tilt steering wheel.

You are very welcome.

Not sure why the last post came through as a "ghost", I guess if you stare at it long enough you can make it out.

C10conglomerate · February 25, 2020

Here are a few more pictures of that truck for those of you who are interested. I'm trying to date the aftermarket rear bumper. It came originally from a supplier called Mr. Pickup, but that's all I can find about it. It seems a little crooked in the picture...