A Ford guy with a soft spot for a squarebody!

[oddball427]

Hey there!
I've been creeping around for a few weeks now, and I figure It's time to say hello! As the title says, I'm a true Ford man at heart (I own 5 of them), but I have wanted a squarebody since I drove my grandfathers, from his lap, at the age of 7. I have finally been able to add one to my collection, and at (what I think) a great price too!
I picked up this 79 GMC Sierra Grande, with original documentation, for just about $800 with of gun parts.
Let me know what you think!
Yes, it has the dreaded 5.7L diesel in it, BUT it has been well kept and runs great! A swap is inevitably coming though.












Full gallery of 60 some pictures...

http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/bigblock545/library/1979%20GMC

[LTZ C20]

Welcome. Nice truck. You will defect from the dark side soon. Haha.

[oddball427]

Thanks!
And in no way could I ever defect, I bleed blue! Haha

[LTZ C20]

Oh well. A square body is a start.

[fitz]

  Welcome from Mass.
  That 350 diesel must feel like a rocket after driving a Ford. Just kidding.
  What do you  have planned for a motor swap? I'm a huge fan of step sides.  It looks like you found a solid one to work with.
Fitz.
 

[Car10s]

I love looking at the original documents on these trucks. That's a great deal 800

[oddball427]

  Welcome from Mass.
  That 350 diesel must feel like a rocket after driving a Ford. Just kidding.
  What do you  have planned for a motor swap? I'm a huge fan of step sides.  It looks like you found a solid one to work with.
Fitz.
 

An International/Navistar DT360 is the planned swap, but my buddy offered me a fresh 454 outta his Chevelle for cheap. I would prefer to keep it diesel, but the instant gratification of the big block swap has its merits. Whichever road I go, it'll be low and mean.

I love looking at the original documents on these trucks. That's a great deal 800

I do too! There are a few better pics of the documents in my photobucket gallery, if you're interested.

[zieg85]

Welcome from NW Indiana

[illinoisk30]

Welcome from Northern Illinois. I think that is the first diesel step side I have ever seen. That is very rare. Good luck with whatever you do with it.

[Irish_Alley]

welcome from maryland

[FlatBlack77]

must be quite the change for you. buying a truck without hand warmers in the bumper for pushing it out of the snow.

i kid i kid

Very nice buy man i cant say i have every seen a 2wd diesel. let alone a stepside diesel

in for more progress pics!

what transmission does it have?

[oddball427]

Welcome from Northern Illinois. I think that is the first diesel step side I have ever seen. That is very rare. Good luck with whatever you do with it.

Thanks! Is it truly that rare? I haven't had a chance to research production numbers and such, but I hope to do so soon. Like yourself, many locals tell me it's rare and they've never seen one either.

must be quite the change for you. buying a truck without hand warmers in the bumper for pushing it out of the snow.

i kid i kid

Very nice buy man i cant say i have every seen a 2wd diesel. let alone a stepside diesel

in for more progress pics!

what transmission does it have?

Everyone has jokes! Haha
No hand warmers here, but I did get another dog. So I have a friend to walk home with when breaks down. 

Transmission is currently a TH350. I am considering a 200-4R swap for better mileage until I decide which engine to swap.