Is it even worth restoring?

[Joec123able]

I think 2000 for it was pretty ridiculous honestly you can find rust free trucks for that price. I just bought one a couple months ago for 400 bucks running and driving and in better shape than that.

[fitz]

I think 2000 for it was pretty ridiculous honestly you can find rust free trucks for that price. I just bought one a couple months ago for 400 bucks running and driving and in better shape than that.

I think 2000 for it was pretty ridiculous honestly you can find rust free trucks for that price. I just bought one a couple months ago for 400 bucks running and driving and in better shape than that.

Keep in mind that location is everything when looking for rust free vehicles.
780k20 is from Canada.  I'm thinking that rust free square bodies are few and far between there.
As far as shipping a rust free truck to Canada, I think there are some hefty import/export taxes to deal with.

[Joec123able]

I think 2000 for it was pretty ridiculous honestly you can find rust free trucks for that price. I just bought one a couple months ago for 400 bucks running and driving and in better shape than that.

I think 2000 for it was pretty ridiculous honestly you can find rust free trucks for that price. I just bought one a couple months ago for 400 bucks running and driving and in better shape than that.

Keep in mind that location is everything when looking for rust free vehicles.
780k20 is from Canada.  I'm thinking that rust free square bodies are few and far between there.
As far as shipping a rust free truck to Canada, I think there are some hefty import/export taxes to deal with.

You're definitely right about that!

[Eastonfrench]

Just my 2 cents, but I have a similar project. My truck came with no bed, and needed some panels as well. The trick is to have money, or be patient. Check craigslist every couple of days, and eventually youll find what you need. I have bought 2 different donor trucks ($600 or less), stolen good panels from them, and then sold the trucks quickly for nearly what I paid for them!
There's a whole community of people out there doing what youre doing, and everyone has a little something different they need.

Keep it up man!

[780K20]

Thanks for all the replies and thoughts!

Up here in Alberta there are crappy old square bodies going for $5000  I don't know where some people get their prices! The salt and sand sure eats holes in everything in the winter. I believe it was used around chemical spraying for agricultural use too, that may have also caused damage as well? Even my '04.5 Duramax has missing paint and rust (no holes though) out the wazoo

Over winter I will be tinkering away and go from there. Time to make a priority list!

[Kren420]

As another fellow Albertan, I agree prices are ridiculous here for old square bodies, especially the rust free ones.  I would say that was a ok purchase for an ok price.

[Dr_Snooz]

At a certain point, the price becomes meaningless. If you're looking at a truck in a condition or configuration you won't ever find again (for instance, a nice, smog-exempt, 1-ton, 4x4 crew cab), price becomes irrelevant. The seller can pretty well charge whatever he wants and you'll either pay it, or revise down your dreams.

[philo_beddoe]

Hey, what do clean square bodies go for up there anyway??

[enaberif]

Hey, what do clean square bodies go for up there anyway??

I tell you what.. If you can find a clean one that hasn't been molested in any way and looks good.. I will personally give you $100 because those things are a rare unicorn my friend. If you DID find one.. You would be forking out $8,000k or more.

I've seen restored ones for over 20k up here

[Kren420]

Hey, what do clean square bodies go for up there anyway??

The problem is there isn't really in Alberta.  If you want a clean one it's usually sourced out of British Columbia our provincial neighbor to the west. Then they usually start around $8000.  The ones you get for $8000 here in Alberta will usually still come with rust.

[Kren420]

lol enaberif beat me to the punch I made my post without reading his, funny we had the same number.

[enaberif]

Yeah well I'm a Albertan boy who shopped around a long and then just found one I could buy lol.

[philo_beddoe]

Is there still a gm plant in canada? Thats where my truck was made.

[AZ87V10]

Is there still a gm plant in canada? Thats where my truck was made.

Are you sure about that? From everything I've been able to find, the assembly plant that is still located in Oshawa, Ontario Canada didn't start building full size trucks until 1981? I've owned 2 different Chevys that came out of that plant. Both were the newer body style, one an 89 K2500 and the other a 98 K1500. My 87 was built in the Janesville, Wisconsin plant.

[1967KaiserM715]

Is there still a gm plant in canada? Thats where my truck was made.

Are you sure about that? From everything I've been able to find, the assembly plant that is still located in Oshawa, Ontario Canada didn't start building full size trucks until 1981? I've owned 2 different Chevys that came out of that plant. Both were the newer body style, one an 89 K2500 and the other a 98 K1500. My 87 was built in the Janesville, Wisconsin plant.

there are actually 2 or 3 sections to the ontario plant- the north plant I believe manufactured the trucks from 1965 on till 2009, when that section was closed, that plant, I believe, was also the one that produced WW1 ambulances in the early 1900's. the main plant still produces several GM models, and anther section does engine and tranny.

someone can correct me on any part, but I am pretty sure that is the correct info

also
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/VIN2.htm

1 is US, 2 is Canada,  first digit beginning 1981 if 3 it is mexico, J is a japan built,

before 1981 the 7th? digit gave specific plant code