Welcome back! We’ve got another pair of vehicles chosen by my lovely wife Erika, a pair of pickup trucks, one each from the two states we passed through today – Utah and Wyoming.
Yesterday, we had a blowout – and I don’t mean of the tire variety. That poor Camaro absolutely got slaughtered in the voting. Some of you wondered if that Yukon was, in fact, a scam, because it sounded too good to be true. I doubt it. I didn’t include the photo, but that front bumper has seen better days. I bet that turned off a few prospective buyers.
I have no use for the Yukon since we already have a newer one, but it is definitely the better deal here. If the Camaro were a manual, it might be a different story, but automatic V6 pony cars are just dull, purple or not.
All right, let’s turn our attention to trucks because really, that’s all you find for sale out here. We’ve got a Ford and a Chevy, but they’re not exactly comparable, because one has thirty years’ worth of advancements over the other. Of course, not everyone considers advancements a good thing, especially when it comes to trucks. There is something to be said for a simple machine that you can tune with a flathead screwdriver. But comfort, convenience, and efficiency count for a lot as well. Which one will prevail? That’s up to you.
1982 Chevrolet K10 Scottsdale – $3,000
Engine/drivetrain: 305 cubic inch overhead valve V8, four-speed manual, part-time 4WD
Location: Casper, WY
Odometer reading: 231,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Here we have the classic Chevy stepside 4×4 truck, a vehicle that probably exists in greater numbers in toy and model form than in full-size. Add a roll bar with lights on it and some crazy graphics, and this thing could be a Stomper, or an MPC model kit. But we all know the vast majority of squarebody Chevy trucks were fleetsides, and long beds. It’s cool to see an actual stepside 4×4, even if it is a bit rusty.
Even better, it’s a V8 and a stick! This truck is powered by a 305 cubic inch small block – not the most powerful weapon in GM’s arsenal, even back then, but it has potential – and our old buddy the SM465 four-speed manual gearbox. Even better, the rear axle is a 12 bolt with a Positraction limited-slip differential, though we don’t know the gear ratio. The seller says it runs and drives well, despite the high mileage.
It’s the mid-level Scottsdale trim, though this is well before the era of luxury trucks. The “fancy” trim on this truck consists of carpet and maybe nicer door cards. It’s in pretty good shape inside, though there’s no telling what’s under that seat cover. The seller says everything inside works, though again, “everything” doesn’t entail a whole lot in this case.
Outside, it needs some help. Rust has been busy on this truck, though the rare part – the stepside bed – doesn’t look too bad. To me, this looks like a cool project waiting to happen, and something you can actually drive while you work on it.
1998 Ford F-150 XLT – $2,888
Engine/drivetrain: 4.6-liter overhead cam V8, four-speed automatic, part-time 4WD
Location: Provo, UT
Odometer reading: 238,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well, but needs new tires
For something a bit more modern, we have a tenth-generation Ford F-150, a polarizing design that’s chock-full of advancements that could only be dreamed of when the K10 was built. An overhead cam engine, fuel injection, electronically controlled everything, and massive improvements to noise, vibration, and harshness make this a much nicer truck to drive.
This truck may be modern compared to that old Chevy, but it’s twenty-six years old, and is rapidly approaching a quarter million miles. Wear and tear are inevitable at that age, though this one doesn’t look too bad. There’s a hole in the seat, and the headliner is drooping, but I haven’t seen a ’90s car with an intact headliner for years. They all seem to droop eventually.
Mechanically, the seller says it runs and drives well, but it’s in need of new tires, and the heat doesn’t work. They suspect a plugged heater core, which is a possibility, as is a failure in the HVAC controls somewhere. But hey, it’s June; you’ve got time to sort it out before winter.
There is one major annoyance with this ad. The photos show a bed-mounted toolbox, which would be a nice little bonus, but the text says it isn’t included. If that’s the case, take it out before you take the photos. It’s not quite false advertising, but it isn’t far off.
So that’s what we’re dealing with today – a couple of old high-mileage trucks from different eras. Both run and drive, and both need a little help. Will it be the old cool model, or the newer and easier-to-live-with pickup?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
The Chevy is more of step-THRU at this point, but it could be fun for a little while.
Unfortunately the rust on the Chevy is well beyond patina. It has lost metal low on the passenger door and at the bottom corner of the driver side cab. The Ford is less interesting, but a simple and honest truck for doing general truck stuff. I’d slap some cheap tires on it and put it to work.
Unfortunately the rust on the Chevy is well beyond patina. It has lost metal low on the passenger door and at the bottom corner of the driver side cab. The Ford is less interesting, but a simple and honest truck for doing general truck stuff. I’d slap some cheap tires on it and put it to work.
Step side for the win.
Step side for the win.
Roadkill the Chev into a muscle truck, it’s the only way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjYII99QqFs
Roadkill the Chev into a muscle truck, it’s the only way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjYII99QqFs
In this instance I’ll take the blue pill
In this instance I’ll take the blue pill
I will take the Chevy, but I would probably offer the seller only $2500. Seller is open to offers and has “no intentions of dragging out the sale of this truck” so I think the seller might go for it. This is a cool truck that probably has the best combination of options (single cab, stepside, manual, 4×4), but it has issues that are going to be very expensive to fix. There is a ton of rust that we can see, so I presume there is a lot more rust we cannot see. I’m not sure this truck is a great restoration candidate, although it could be presentable with some effort. I would drive it as-is, though. It is a bit beat up, but it looks like a lot of fun.
I will take the Chevy, but I would probably offer the seller only $2500. Seller is open to offers and has “no intentions of dragging out the sale of this truck” so I think the seller might go for it. This is a cool truck that probably has the best combination of options (single cab, stepside, manual, 4×4), but it has issues that are going to be very expensive to fix. There is a ton of rust that we can see, so I presume there is a lot more rust we cannot see. I’m not sure this truck is a great restoration candidate, although it could be presentable with some effort. I would drive it as-is, though. It is a bit beat up, but it looks like a lot of fun.
Jellybean Ford trucks were everywhere when I was growing up – gotta vote for it here. Also it will make for a much more usable beater even though the stepside is objectively cooler
Jellybean Ford trucks were everywhere when I was growing up – gotta vote for it here. Also it will make for a much more usable beater even though the stepside is objectively cooler
The F-150 is a way more functional and ready to go vehicle and is the smart choice. But I have several alternatives already so I will take the squarebody. I am sure I will regret it, but despite the rust on the doors it looks surprisingly rot free. That is pending an underbody inspection…
The F-150 is a way more functional and ready to go vehicle and is the smart choice. But I have several alternatives already so I will take the squarebody. I am sure I will regret it, but despite the rust on the doors it looks surprisingly rot free. That is pending an underbody inspection…
If you need a truck to do truck things, the Ford is the better choice. The full-width bed and more modern drivetrain, suspension, and brakes would make towing/hauling easier and safer. For a fun project, the Chevy wins hands down. Since I don’t do truck things, I’ll take the Chevy and add the roll bar, lights and graphics to make a full-size Stomper.
If you need a truck to do truck things, the Ford is the better choice. The full-width bed and more modern drivetrain, suspension, and brakes would make towing/hauling easier and safer. For a fun project, the Chevy wins hands down. Since I don’t do truck things, I’ll take the Chevy and add the roll bar, lights and graphics to make a full-size Stomper.
In MD that would be an insanely good price for that K10. Shortie Stepside AND 4×4??? Easy win.
In MD that would be an insanely good price for that K10. Shortie Stepside AND 4×4??? Easy win.
I’m more of a fleetside man myself, but I’m not turning down a 4×4 V8 stick shift Squarebody!
I’m more of a fleetside man myself, but I’m not turning down a 4×4 V8 stick shift Squarebody!
I have a SEVERE weakness for stepside square bodies. I don’t even care if it has AC!!
Rusty Chevy all the way!!
I have a SEVERE weakness for stepside square bodies. I don’t even care if it has AC!!
Rusty Chevy all the way!!
Stepside FTW
Stepside FTW