Bye Bye Sierra...

[Fordeatinz71]

well, if he still decides to go through with it i will, i still haven't heard from him.  but honestly, i really love my truck.  yes, that K5 has lots of potential...so does my Sierra though.  it really bothered me thinking about my Sierra going to someone who wasn't gonna take care of her and she just becoming another rusted out, POS 73-87.  with me i know that'll NEVER happen so even if this deal falls through i am totally happy...i can get a K5 later when i'm in a position to keep my Sierra too...

[Fordeatinz71]

as some of you know, i was suppose to be trading my 1983 K1500 for a 1978 K5 Jimmy. at first i was all for it although i was sad to see my truck go. time goes on and i thought the guy had backed out, turns out today i find out the guy hadn't, he just was busy. problem is, now i don't know if i can let my truck go. i've had it about 2 years and i'm really attached to it.

here's my problem with trading it, it's an all-original, unmolested truck that has MINOR problems and i'm scared its gonna get neglected instead of being restored. it has two TINY rust holes (one in each cab corner, could easily be welded up and fixed now, and no more rust issue) that i know will spread if not taken care of...this guy has already said he HATES body work, so i'm pretty sure they'll just be left to spread. it kills me to think about a truck as nice as mine getting neglected.

here are the pro's and con's of both vehicles...help me make up my mind...pictures welcome, lol.

my truck:
1983 GMC K1500 Sierra shortbed
305 (350 waiting in garage)
700R4 (needs replaceement)
A/C still works
truck is really clean, has the two minor spots of rust i mentioned
80k original miles




the trade:
1978 GMC K5 Jimmy High Sierra
ex-Border Patrol truck
true mileage unknown
350 (newer, runs GREAT)
Th350 (shifts like new)
NP203 (with part-time kit, feels tight)
A/C is there, but doesn't work
needs every bolt-on body panel replaced due to rust (albeit minor on most panels, i just want it to be perfect)
needs passenger floorpan replaced

mechanically it's perfect and the interior is pretty clean too. drives really nice too. the body work doesn't really scare me, i just don't know which way i should go...pics of the Jimmy at the beginning of this post...just posted a few of mine to give you an idea of what i'm giving up...

[VileZambonie]

I love K5's but I would keep that truck and fix her up.

[Bitzer!]

Keep your truck dude! If the other one has had many panels etc replaced you dont know whats underneath it hiding!

I'd rather have a clean cab/body and repair the running gear

[TexasRed]

Won't someone think of the children! Altho, you could keep your pickup and probably pick up a newer SUV fairly cheap because of high gas prices.

[77IndyStepside]

Let it come down to do you ever have to haul anything that requires a bed?  Buying a new refrigerator?  Hauling a new couch home from the furniture store?  Moving and need the bed to haul boxes?  I don't think that I will ever be without a truck in my family for these and a lot of other reasons. 

That darn bed is just too handy to be without! 

[choptop]

keep the truck, k5's a cheap here(I have found several for $2000-$3000 that are nice) I know where a super clean 78 is for $2500 that needs tires and a few oil leaks fixed. However, a K1500 is $4000 just to start, especially a shortbed. Keep the truck, if you wanna K5, lemme know, I will hook you up.

[JRConnieK10]

Ok heres my 2 cents. For all the work you would have to do to the k5 you could proably have your truck totally finished to your liking and she would be preserved and the money you save get ya a little family ride. Then when you want some man time alone with her ya still got it. Just hate to see someone with your passion for your truck you never forgive yourself for gettig rid of it just ask anyone who has. Good luck in your decision. I've had mine over 20 years and my wife knows when I go put the casket in the bed and dig a big hole.

[Captkaos]

I would keep your current vehicle.

[bigkountry]

I agree with capt...keep your truck, it looks great to me. Fix the problems you have and enjoy the ol' girl. I could never imagine getting rid of mine, she's a part of the family!

[werewolfx13]

Definitely, K5s in that condition are easy to come by..$1500 up here will walk away with one in that condition, $1200 for a 2wd..however, a truck in the condition yours is (same as mine) will fetch $3500 easily..mine's 2wd and I've turned down $3000 for it, with a pencil sized rust hole in the drivers cab corner and some scale rust on the passenger door skin. Admittedly, Chopped is a better price reference (I'm 1000+ miles away, hes a few hundred)..

If you need some back seat space, get a camper shell and bolt a seat down in the bed, open the sliding back glass and there ya go 

[Fordeatinz71]

If you need some back seat space, get a camper shell and bolt a seat down in the bed, open the sliding back glass and there ya go 

well, i would, but i absolutely HATE how camper shells look on trucks...lol

[werewolfx13]

I'd love to find one for my shortbed for camping..I had one that was on a long bed trailer, with a piece of plywood covering the front 2 feet of open bed space, but the clamps the PO used to attatch the shell to the trailer gave out and the white fiberglass shell went flying off the trailer into a ditch at 65 mph..

I prefer shells over those in bed tents, since you can put the shell on and then put your gear in the bed and not worry about it getting wet if it rains on the way.

IMO, put a camper shell on a shortbed and it looks almost identical to a k5 at 60/60.

[Fordeatinz71]

well, if it's the RIGHT style camper shell...with the same style windows it might look OK