Rare 1978 Chevy Silverado 4x4 K10 Longbed Stepside Pickup Truck: Runs nice, V8

  • Location: Eureka, Montana, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Chevrolet
  • Model: Silverado 1500
  • SubModel: STEPSIDE
  • Type: Standard Cab Pickup
  • Trim: SILVERADO
  • Year: 1978
  • Mileage: 61943
  • VIN: CKL148S159469
  • Color: Burgundy
  • Engine size: V8
  • Number of cylinders: 8
  • Power options: Air Conditioning
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: 4WD
  • Interior color: Tan
  • Drive side: Left-hand drive
  • Options: 4-Wheel Drive
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1978 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 SILVERADO Description

1978 K10 Longbox Stepside 4x4 Silverado

This is a good old solid pickup truck. It came from high desert country of Conrad Montana. I was told I am the third owner. The original owner sold it in about 2017 I believe. It was a one-owner truck, from what I was told, until then. The truck is nearly rust free but has two small spots. The rust is VERY minimal though, especially for a squarebody GM truck from the 70's. It has the 350 V8 engine. It looks all original but I can check the numbers for you. The pickup may have been ordered with the stepside. From my experience, the stepside longbox option is rare to find. Most I've seen before are 2wd's. I don't know the production numbers but I've been a fan of the squarebody's for a long time. I've owned many, back before anyone called them squarebody's lol. This truck was probably ordered with the long stepside. I believe the rear bumper and running boards were maybe dealer installed or custom built. They are chromed steel diamond plate. Maybe they were available back in the day, but I've never seen others like them. I have more pics I can send also. Thanks for looking. 

MECHANICAL

This truck has what appears to be the original 350 engine. I have not checked the numbers but it looks original. By original looking, I mean it has the iron intake, manifolds, stock air cleaner, etc. I can check the numbers though if you'd like. Factory A/C. The belt was off for the ac when I got it and I have not hooked it up or tried it. The truck runs nice. No smoke. No ticks, knocks or blowby. No oil in the water or water in the oil. It runs cool, no overheating. This has the 4-barrel which works fine and the choke works. 4-speed manual transmission which works fine. The clutch works good also. No slipping or anything abnormal. The brakes work fine. I haven't inspected them though to see how the pads and shoes are. Parking brake works. Heater fan, controls, and lights work. It needs a couple turn signal bulbs. It has been off the road for awhile so it should have a tuneup, fluids changed and will need new tires. The tires are ok, but one is mismatched and they have weather cracking. These are 235/75r15 tires, and are too small anyways. This truck could have a lift but it has no lift blocks in the front. If it was lifted they used new springs. It comes with a spare tire also that matches. This has an open rear differential (non-posi). Gearing is probably 3.73 but not sure on that. There was no build sheet/option sheet in the glovebox and I haven't looked elsewhere for it. It drives ok, but needs tires. The steering and frontend feel fine though. Overall, it's very mechanically sound and will need no major work. 

BODY

The body on this truck is very solid and has little rust. The drivers side floorpan has a rust spot. About 5x7". Very easy to repair with a patch panel. The passenger side floorpan has rust just barely starting in the same spot. That would not need to be repaired, just maybe POR15 it. It depends on if your doing a high end restoration or just driving it. The only other rust spot is the low rear corner of the passenger side front fender. Rust pit holes are starting to come through there. These are easy to patch too. The rest of the cab, doors, box, fenders, hood, and tailgate have no rust-through. The body is really very nice for an unrestored squarebody. Drivers door need adjustment and maybe a new lower hinge pin. It doesn't close right. The passenger door has a couple dents that may not show in the pics. Cab corners are nice. No rust in the box. The paint is original and has lots of wear as you can see. No filler. No sign of any repaint. Everything is the same color and no overspray anywhere to indicate any paint work. Wood in the box floor is in ok shape. The windshield is cracked. It's usable though but windshields are pretty cheap for these I believe. 

INTERIOR

The interior is original. It's in ok shape but has the usual wear of a truck 41 years old. The seat is original. It needs a good cleaning. The carpet needs replaced. Dash is cracked. Stereo is an old cassette deck which just may work! I doubt it really. It's just nice that the dash hasn't been cut out for a cd player. Seat is comfortable but has the usual wear. Pics tell the story.