Overpriced CHEVY SQUARE BODY Trucks. TOP 5 Tips Before You Buy

Here are the top 5 things to look for when buying a 73-87 Chevy C10 Square body. Too many folks are overpaying for junky trucks. Watch this video nd go into the sale armed with information.
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[@6footdirtnap]

i bought a clapped out 85 k10 silverado 10 years ago. rusty leaky 305 th350 destroyed interior. I went mad max on it and im pretty happy with the way its turning out.

[@Rays_Bad_Decisions]

If you keep it EFI and use age correct tire size it's a nice daily!!!

[@michaelgerry2119]

Got my grandson a square body 1985 put some money into it and I am happy with the results

[@coyotech55]

I got an '88 3/4 ton Chevy truck from a friend. I call it Clyde Truck. Trade for work, so basically free. It was kind of beat up and sun-dried, but it worked enough to drive it home. However, it needed things right away and didn't keep working. Very soon it needed a rear end, a distributor, tires, fuel pump, starter, front brakes and new front brake lines, and a fuel injection system rebuild along with some misc smaller stuff. Some of it probably didn't need to be done, because I'd probably misdiagnosed a couple of problems. But I'm glad to know they're all good. The transmission was going out, and not having that much mechanical experience, I didn't realize how bad it was. I blew the engine by revving it too much trying to get it home when the transmission had nearly given out. The engine probably would have been fine if I hadn't done that. Anyways, new engine and new transmission on top of all the other things I'd done on it. A very expensive truck! But it runs great and probably will be going for longer than I will. It still needs lots of work, but it's second and third string repairs now. The truck runs, shifts, and stops reliably, and that's the main thing. Worth it? I put a little over $6K into it, and I have a reliable homely truck with no surprises left to give. I know things it'll be needing soon ... front end work is the biggy. It'll be $8K by the time I catch it all and make Clyde Truck handsome again. But a reliable old truck in good shape for $8K? That doesn't sound too bad.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Still cheaper than any new truck!

[@Harrell423]

I'd pay 8k for a truck like that!

[@cleansweepbayarea]

We have a 73’ 3/4 ton 4x4 manual in Catalina blue, Warn winch and hubs plus dual gas tanks. Truck was ordered new in late 72’ at Van Ness Chevrolet in San Francisco and was build in the Fremont plant. Zero rust, never seen snow. Can’t believe we still have it.

[@farkhatdarayev9065]

I love simple cars. Thank you for the info on these trucks - straight to the point.

[@tdkeyes1]

The hoods on these trucks would get bent from the owners pulling against the dry hood hinges. If you lube those hinges on a regular basis and not force them, you will avoid most of the problem. People would also use re-enforcing plates between the hinge and the hood.

[@BaldDogM71]

The hood was designed to fold if it was in a head on collision. I lubed the hood hinges on the 79 Blazer I had everytime I changed oil

[@jimmywesberry]

There’s also a technique when closing. Push forward as you are pulling it down. I seen a lot of people back in the day get in a hurry and try to yank it down creasing their hood. Can’t get in a hurry and force it. The aftermarket brackets helped, but it was just a horrible design. I was glad to see them change the hinges in I think 1973 or 1974! Hardest problem I have is figuring out which one I like best! HaHaHa!

[@plowboygill3025]

Good video. You are correct, prices are going up just like everything else. Recently purchase a ‘76 with major body issues, but it’s straight and original for $6,500. Then a month later found a ‘73 with original paint and interior that looks brand new, and the original poly glass spare tire, for $9,250. And hope I haven’t gotten taken to the cleaners.

[@ramonramos7006]

Good video, love your truck .All applies to k5 as well ..lil expensive but so much fun to own and work on a SB..👌

[@BaldDogM71]

I grew up with the square bodies I am from Wyoming they were everywhere!! I had a 79 Chevy Blazer I really liked the truck!!

[@Sl33pyh3ad.]

That 2 tone is so pretty man! Hopefully ill have a light blue 2 tone one by June or July, thanks for the tips!

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

Wow Jason. Excellent video! I will reference it in my next post. I've finally gotten "around" to reviving my 79. the more I tinker with it, the more I'm falling in love... ❤❤❤ lol take care m'friend. keep the video's coming!

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Thanks Ken!

[@gregorydavid7755]

Excellent and well done video with great info for anyone, even the experienced buyer. People have to look beyond the shiny paint when getting into classic or tey can burned pretty quickly. May I add one tidbit to your video, you have to realize that know matter how long you own a classic or how much you have spent on it, they are never ever done or finished !!!

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Thanks Gregory!

[@we-r-one_automotive.daniel3108]

Hey guy.. I got that 30003 fi tech and the same throttle bracket. I cut the return spring section of that bracket. It cleans up that area, less mess with the springs just laying there and less chance of throttle accidentally getting stuck. 🤘 rock on brother

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Thanks bud!

[@richardbates2367]

Cool I had a 1993 GMC Sierra slx light duty 3/4 ton cloth deluxe bench seat in my 86 Chevy k20 custom deluxe midnight blue and frost gloss white two tone except for the roof lol good comfortable seat and I already had it and what people wanted for a useable 80's Chevy or GMC truck seat,I was not even gonna consider paying for a seat I also have to fix part of it to use it

[@franksgarage8551]

Good one! Lots of good points to watch for. Myself i always assume it needs everything. Bonus if it rolls. But im all tooled up and able to repair most everything. My advice to those less handy, buy one that is running and driving, in my case here in manitoba, safetied. That being said,not all safeties are created equal, be dilligent when looking them over.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Great point Frank!

[@richarddoherty8090]

Had a C10 about twenty years ago. Wish I kept it, but then I wish I kept all of the great old cars I had.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

I hear ya!

[@matthewmarkle1839]

I did too. It was lowered and custom painted and interior. I daily drove it in NY so it rusted apart.

[@donaldhalls2189]

Great video, all the best to you and your loved ones

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Thanks Buddy

[@gonzalosanchez6341]

Thanks for the advice. I am about to buy a Chevrolet k 30 truck with manual transmission but what really catches my attention is that it comes with the 292 engine, something a little strange in my opinion but thanks to these tips and from what I have seen of the truck I think it It will be a great purchase (I hope so)

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Glad to help

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Good overview. When you buy a 67-70 Mercury cougar, you can do a video on that.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Exactly!

[@MigMonkey]

Just found this while day dreaming about building a pair of square bodies with my brother. I usually don't connect with the stories in these type of videos since most are US southern restorations that you'd never find here, but when I saw that NB plate I got way more invested. lol My brother is a licensed mechanic, and I'm a red seal welder who loves body work, so I feel confident we can save a truck or two. Just gotta figure out a budget and find the right starter trucks

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Your determined budget can be your friend or enemy! Choose wisely! And hello from Charlotte County NB

[@Robert-mz9hi]

I have a 1986 square body suburban 2500 with a 454 GM crate motor. It's a real headturner☺️.

[@calvinsallee]

Got a pretty sweet 1990 suburban silverado 2500 in real nice shape, thankfully the price on these hasn't gone up quite as much as the rest

[@victoroneill7924]

I have an '80 Chevy CK20 with the original 350" bored .030" over and rebuilt, new valves, forged Erson rockers, TH400, NP205 and 4.10 positrac 14 bolt differential. Truck is from California so it's rust free except for the bottom rear corner of both front fenders (patch panels $15 ea). It has five 16.5" forged aluminum Weld off road racing wheels. Needs paint, interior and new tires. The tires still have a lot of tread left but they're over 10 years old. I bought it from a guy who bought it in California after he got discharged from the Navy. He then drove it to Texas. I spent over $7500 on parts before I started driving it. I bought and installed an AGR blueprinted high pressure pwr steering pump and an AGR blueprinted power steering box. There is zero play in the front end unlike most of these old trucks. It has a sealed water proof high torque Tilton starter, high flow water pump, FloTech headers and a blueprinted Q-Jet. I paid $2500 for this truck in 1995. I wonder what's it worth today?

[@OldeCarrGuy]

That my friend sounds like a $25k truck! Thanks for sharing.

[@victoroneill7924]

@@OldeCarrGuy I hope you're right but I'll never sell it. This old truck still goes straight down the road like it was on rails. I already told my son he could have it when I kick the bucket and he will probably leave it to one of his sons. I just discovered your KZbin channel so I'll watching for new videos..

[@OldeCarrGuy]

@@victoroneill7924 Thanks for watching. I have an entire playlist on this truck right from the day I bought it! Check it out!

[@greasyboykustoms]

I had a 77 k5 with the gold stripe on the trim. Miss that thing. Paid 400$ for it and drove it home lol. That will never happen again

[@OldeCarrGuy]

No sir! Not today

[@lawrencehastings2101]

I have a 92 1500 payed 1200 people think that the trucks should never brake down you work as hard you ask them to work you will have a few problems

[@gimmefuel7268]

Terrific video bud!! 😁👍🏻

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Awesome! Thanks

[@thecollectoronthecorner7061]

Just liked and subscribed. We are junking 16 of the square cabs. and have one running 82 1/2 ton thats on a 3/4 ton frame. We just prefer the 72 and older trucks.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Sad state of affairs! However there’s millions more where those came from!

[@jimthomas1989]

I got two 67 Trucks A C -10 and a K-20 A K -20 Truck 68 A C - 10 Truck 78 And 4 OBS Trucks

[@victoroneill7924]

Don't ever buy any vehicle from state that salts their roads in the winter! The truck in the video looks like it came from one of those states. When you see rust spots and paint bubbles you will be replacing a lot of sheet metal. The frame will be rusty too! It's much cheaper to find a truck in a state that doesn't salt their roads and go get it.

[@NickFortier]

So true

[@OldeCarrGuy]

This truck was originally a New Mexico truck and only spent a few years in upstate New York where I bought it. A few yea too many!

[@tdkeyes1]

Depends. The early years didn't have a lot of rust proofing from the factory. My California since new '75 K-10 eventually rusted pretty much everywhere pointed out.

[@Robert-mz9hi]

​​@@OldeCarrGuyAnother tip is never buy from a dealership because they mark up the prices like crazy. Therefore, you will overpay.

[@JessicaFright]

@@OldeCarrGuy I just saw a 1985 square body Chevy pickup on the internet rusty body, needs a lot of mechanical work. The seller was asking $9,000 but, only would come down to $7,500 which is still way too high. I offered only $2,200. I would like to know what you think? What would be your opinion?! Thanks

[@richardbates2367]

Yep most of the square body trucks I've had $600-$2,500 for the majority of the ones I look at is about the most I'd pay for some of them very few I want to spend more for lol

[@dimitrig3739]

If you want to laugh, just picked a 77 c20 up in a Manitoba. Needed a truck up there and in the northern US for about a month, and Rental costs are wild. Well, 3 months later and he’s down in Florida enjoying the sunshine. Not as tidy and well kept as your Scottsdale, but it’s a decent little dump truck that costed less than renting a truck for 3 weeks ;) A lil bit of the crusty stuff but it’s a hit every where I go!

[@hermyherm365]

Dude everything c10 related is going up in price !!

[@OldeCarrGuy]

You got that right!

[@kylergoodson1961]

Even k10s are getting expensive

[@jermainesmith4788]

Im looking for a C20 now to pull my camaro to the drag strip. As a family man i cant afford a new diesel

[@cadenwagner4387]

just bought a super clean 76 no rust anywhere that i could see paid 10,200 with a brand new engine and trans in it

[@OldeCarrGuy]

nice

[@tdkeyes1]

Another common rust point is just above the windshield.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Good call

[@BustedRadialGarage]

Great video sir!

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Thanks so much!

[@tonyg3644]

I have the same problem with the hood bending on the same side (right) I don’t open the hood all the way if I can avoid it. Less stress when I have to close it on my 78 step side.

[@odizlee]

I just scored on a spotless, rust free from original owner 86 c10 with only 77k miles!

[@87fubar]

i inherited my grandfathers old forestry 1977 gmc c2500 has 350 sm465 with 4.10's though it had been parked in his driveway from 2010 till the time i had it towed to my house it runs great from bottle but will not pick up fuel from either tank

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Either a bad pump or the tank switch is bad. Either way it sounds like you may need to be replacing the entire fuel system!

[@87fubar]

@@OldeCarrGuy i haven't really dug into it yet figured it needs everything rubber replaced lol but i did have it running driving off a boat tank

[@davecarey7452]

Stay focused on the frame and not on the body. NB is harsh on vehicles of course and in NL, where I’m from, it’s even worse. I’ve even had to swap a whole front crossmember from an ‘81 to put in an ‘84 that was rotted out, and this was in the mid nineties. Other than that it’s all good and, by the way, nice shirt.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Exactly!

[@b.s.adventures9421]

Desert trucks avoid most of those rust issues. The hot sun tears up the rubber and interiors though.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

True story!

[@Harrell423]

For the white part of paint down the side of the truck, what year is it that separates them from not going all the way to the front. I like the version where it stops before the front. Thanks in advance

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Not sure 100%, but the body lines changed on the front fenders on the 1981 trucks, so possibly then. Keep in mind on a repainted truck the owners may have opted to not have the middle colour reach the grille and some may have for ease of masking and pinstriping!

[@Harrell423]

@@OldeCarrGuy that helps. I always figured some that have been repainted may or may not have. Thanks for the response

[@robertjackson3898]

What kind of rims do you have on this beautiful rig! I just bought a 77 with the same paint scheme! Also how much did you lower the rear and the front?

[@OldeCarrGuy]

American Racing Torque Thrust 2 and a belltech 4/6 lowering kit. I have videos of the whole process!

[@overdriveeagle]

I just came across your channel and noticed that the license plate is from New Brunswick on the Olde Carr Garage truck,is that where you’re from?

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Yessir! Good ole Charlotte County!

[@overdriveeagle]

@@OldeCarrGuy cool, I live in Freddy! Sold my 89 Silverado SWB looking at a 79 GMC on Marketplace, located in SJ have you seen it? It’s black and he’s got 5 grand in the engine🤷‍♂️

[@overdriveeagle]

@@OldeCarrGuy I graduated in the first graduating class from Fundy High, in ‘78, are you on Messenger?

[@OldeCarrGuy]

@@overdriveeagle Yes! I'm on facebook! You can message me through my Olde Carr Guy page!

[@Leo-DaGreek]

What do you think my 74 Super 20 454 all original Cheanne, 3/4 ton, little rust , Bronze/white patina ,a/cC20?runs and drives TX?

[@OldeCarrGuy]

According to today’s prices? Probably $20-25k

[@madcowusa4277]

Can someone tell me what an "OBS truck" is? New at this and I've heard this mentioned half a dozen times on other videos with no further explanation. Have a good running 1983 Silverado with a 305 I bought for $1100.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

OBS stands for old body style which in Chevy trucks are 1988-98.

[@jasondavis9644]

Do you still have the White mirrors that you took off your truck and are you interested in selling them. Need them for my 78

[@OldeCarrGuy]

I do still have them and would be more than happy to give them a new home. Reach out on IG or FB and we can arrange something.

[@GottiSelfmade]

Where you get the bed cover. Thanks in advance

[@OldeCarrGuy]

It was on the truck when I bought it!

[@treboy]

I’m currently looking at some and they are all starting at 8500 and look like hot shyt

[@OldeCarrGuy]

I currently have this truck for sale @ $20k usd

[@LIFEONWHEELS10]

Stopped by

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Much appreciated!

[@MikeBallers310]

Did you tint your front windshield too?

[@OldeCarrGuy]

No! Stock windshield!

[@meh-canics9628]

I cant recall ever paying full price for a vehicle 😆

[@OldeCarrGuy]

It’s not the full price it’s the over price!

[@Simple_Jack82]

This is totally a project truck I would consider...my wife would actually appreciate it, go figure.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Get on it before she changes her mind! lol

[@Leo-DaGreek]

It would take $10g to have me sign the title over!

[@DumbCarGuy]

Wow, that truck looks just like you.

[@movieguy1985]

Here in Canada, $5000 basically gets you a parts truck...

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Yup!

[@ek6648]

I dont have a squarebody, but im the proud owner of an OBS Chevy C1500 stepside from 1997. She's a beauty! It has some spots but with some love and care you can fix alot. Those are going up alot aswell. And such truck under 160k miles is fairly rare.

[@mikem5475]

Checking by to se if it's a 1nzfe...

[@OldeCarrGuy]

You looking for Yugo videos Mike?

[@mikem5475]

@@OldeCarrGuy yes the engine swap in particular

[@OldeCarrGuy]

@@mikem5475 I’ll be pulling both cars in the shop this weekend. Stay tuned!

[@billskalicky5400]

Your welds have poor penetration. It looks like your amps setting was too low and you didn't get enough heat on the weld which is why they look like "blobs" of bead .

[@OldeCarrGuy]

I appreciate the tips. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a welder! 😂

[@BaldDogM71]

The 73-76 square bodies had a rust problem because the body didn't have proper drain holes in the body GM found and corrected the problem by the 77 model year after that they weren't that bad about rusting out

[@truckerdave5122]

I'm famous ...again mentioned twice in a month lol

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Infamous Dave! 😂

[@truckerdave5122]

@@OldeCarrGuy definitely

[@bigpapi1184]

Not really a fan of these square body's lots of takuaches and wannabe people get them only chevy I like is the 69 the rest are pure junk unless it has a cummins

[@unclesquirrel6951]

Personally I blame squirrels

[@OldeCarrGuy]

No you don’t!

[@willr69420]

🐿️

[@unclesquirrel6951]

@@willr69420 👉🏻🐿✅

[@johnbecker5213]

dude , please shave !!!!!!!

[@OldeCarrGuy]

I'll take it under advisement!

[@moremortskerepair4354]

Squarebody pickups are junk. Quit buying them. Leave them for me.

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Haha! You only seem to find the junky ones!

[@moremortskerepair4354]

@@OldeCarrGuy That's all we can afford!