New 1986 C10 Silverado 305 (or maybe 350?)

Hello! I just got this truck and I think I overpaid. My first truck, got too excited... anyway.

Truck body is in good shape, paint pretty good. Frame and all that in good shape. Guy sold it is a mechanic. Transmission has been rebuilt. Engine runs well, idle wells. Only 99,900 miles. Looks like a 9.5 from 20ft away. Truck badges and trim was eliminated a long time ago. Has sporty wheels which I don't love but don't have $ to change them. Bed has coating.

Interior is not the best. Mostly looking to get newer seatbelts and start fixing up the interior plastic trim pieces, maybe a new gauge bezel. Interior is tan but want to eventually make it dark blue like the outside of the truck. Door panels are new and dark blue but realizing they're probably not the nicest panels. Some gauges are not operating. And no AC which is starting to suck.

Was an Arizona truck but has spent the last 10 years in New England. It gets a lot of compliments from strangers. Way cooler than a Tacoma.

Looking to this forum to learn how to fix stuff and also score some parts that are not crazy expensive.

Welcome to the forum. Post up a few pics.

Here it is in all its glory. Some of the things I'd like to correct without spending money:
- The hood shuts fine but it's not aligned. I believe I might be able to correct this by losening the hinge brackets and tweaking it? With someone helping me of course.
- They installed those silly rods with the pins. They're unnecessary. Can't do much about the holes so I am going to cut the pins off and make a round disc of aluminum and attach it with stainless bolts.
- Need to add a middle belt. Also the current seatbelts I am not 100% sure they work. They are definitely outdated as they don't have the feature when you pull them fast and they stop. What's the best/cheapest place for that?
- And cobble together the rest of the interior plastic and metal trim pieces. Need to make a list.
- And maybe replace the gauge bezel but only if I get a great deal on a decent one.

Thanks for welcoming me to the forum!!

Juan

Welcome!
Truck looks great! Clean everywhere.
Interior looks in good shape except mis matched.
Is the dash pad actually not cracked? That’s a $300+ bonus.
Cheapest way to make the interior match is to pull all the mis matched pieces out and dye/paint them.
Not quite as “nice” as new stuff, but if done with care can look very good and be durable.
Next step, also not expensive, get a quart of matching paint and color match the bedliner on the lower panels and lower dash (when you have the trim pieces out).

Looks like its on good shape. Clean truck.

You could put the wheels and tires up for trades local to you. That way its not, much if any, cash out of your pocket. Most of your other issues are normal ones. Just keep plugging at it.

Welcome!

Welcome from the Buckeye State.

Welcome from Texas nice looking truck.

Pitched my 305 for a bbc 454. I'm glad I did too.

I would be good with dying the mistmatched pieces, I am not looking for perfection. I am just missing a bunch. The dash pad is not cracked at all, just a little distorted above the gauge panel.

Good to know on the wheels, I will probably try that eventually. Would like to get a more 80's set of wheels. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't even know what lug pattern this thing even uses, LOL!!

Yes, I would love a 454. We have a hot rod we inherited with a 454 from an 80's GMC truck, with a TH400. It's a great sounding engine. Someday....

welcome to the best forum ever. Your truck will be full of surprises!!

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

Welcome from Oregon.

Welcome from Florida

Welcome aboard