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Custom Paint: 1992 GMC 3500 Crew Cab

There can be many reasons why an owner may treat their classic to custom paint, with some more left-field than others. The original owner of this 1992 GMC 3500 Crew Cab personalized the truck’s appearance for a less common reason than most, but it helps this classic stand out. However, after a year in the care of its current owner, the time has come for it to find a new home. The GMC is listed here on Facebook in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The seller set a price of $22,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Dave for spotting this custom classic.

Chevrolet released the Fourth Generation of its C/K truck range for the 1988 model year. It wore both Chevrolet and GMC badges during its production life, with the original owner purchasing this GMC 3500 in 1992. It appears they were fond of aquatic activities because they chose to have a custom paint job applied to match their boat. The appearance won’t appeal to some, but I definitely class it as distinctive. It may pose a few challenges for the new owner because the supplied photos reveal some scratches and marks requiring attention. Achieving a perfect match may be beyond the average person in a home workshop, but a reputable shop should address the issues satisfactorily. The panels are straight, and this truck is rust-free courtesy of the fact it has spent its life in a dry climate and been garage-kept from Day One. The trim and wheels are excellent, and the seller recently tinted the flawless glass.

This Crew Cab’s interior carries the hallmarks of a vehicle that has been treated respectfully. The cloth seatcovers show minimal wear and only some light marks that a professional might be able to remove. The remaining upholstered surfaces are spotless, and the carpet only shows light wear. The dash sports a cover that makes it impossible to assess the state of the pad, but I suspect it may be there purely as a protective measure. There are no signs of crumbling plastic, and the only aftermarket addition is a recently installed Retro Sounds Bluetooth stereo. This should complement the factory appointments, including air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped tilt wheel.

The 3500 Crew Cab is a heavy beast, but the Gen V 454ci V8 should provide the muscle to move it effectively. It produces 230hp and 385 ft/lbs of torque, which feeds to the road via a four-speed automatic transmission. Combine the power and torque with the Firestone rear airbags and the brake controller, and this truck should comfortably utilize its hitch receiver as an effective tow vehicle. The listing indicates an odometer reading of 59,900 miles, and the overall condition makes the claim plausible. The seller supplies no information on how this classic runs or drives, but I see no reason why the news shouldn’t be positive.

This 1992 GMC 3500 Crew Cab would make a bold statement in unmodified form, but the custom paint helps it stand out for what I believe are the right reasons. Some may disagree, but varying opinions is one of the attractions of the classic scene. The seller’s price is above the market average, but this is anything but an average example. However, it is also about ⅓ the price of a new vehicle. Hmm, I know which I’d choose. What about you?

Comments

  1. Troy

    It would be a really nice truck if it wasn’t lowered wonder if it would be worth the cost to return it to factory specs

    Like 2
    • MammothStu

      I put a 3/5 drop on my ’94 with drop spindles and drop-leaf kit. This looks like a 5/7 drop, but if they kept the original parts like I did, it’s not a difficult project to return to stock.

      Like 3
  2. C

    where did the camper top come from, i have a 93, and need one.

    Like 2
    • Shell Game

      Try SnugTop or ARE. Sometimes they will do a vintage shell to order( depends how busy they are. Stockland also used to make them as did possibly Leer.

      Like 0
  3. Uncle Buck

    Love the flipped over air filter cover

    Like 8
    • HoA Howard A Member

      Does nothing but increase noise, I tried it.

      Like 7
      • $ where mouth is

        .. pardon me HA for once again being contrary, but
        that may require a dyno run.
        theres a fine gent on YouTube that builds and dynos 7.4s

        hey, Rich Holdener, if your reading this, flip a lid and let us all know at last ?! huh ?, please

        after all, it is more air, and i suspect an OBD11 would detect and adjust for it,, right ?
        regardless, its not a Vortec

        Like 0
      • HoA Howard A Member

        Sorry, in a stock configuration, the “snout” provides all the air that can go through the air horn. In some cases, turning the cover over does more harm as it can affect sensor output, not to mention, warm air intake. These aftermarket air filter crooks, making you think their low restriction air filters will gain valuable hp,,,just not so.

        Like 1
    • Chris Cornetto

      Bwah, ha,ha, ha. Yup, haven’t seen that since high-school. No doubt a real missile there..wait….I can see the grudge match…This..and, and a U Haul…

      Like 0
  4. Autoworker

    Nice 90’s looking truck. Wonder the width and length of it.

    Like 2
    • Billy

      Same as all the other ones that rolled off the line same year that this one did.

      Like 0
  5. HoA Howard A Member

    Be hard pressed for any truck nut not to like this. I don’t see a trailer brake control, and more than likely, just pulled a speedboat of some sort,,,in the left lane with the hammer down,,I bet. That’s not a HD hitch for say, ultimate behemoths. Still a bit early for the mainstream to accept pickups like this in the early 90s,, as most pickups were still toiling in the fields. This changed everything for pickups, and I bet rolls like thunder. Not sure if any other parts of the world had trucks like this, but I can proudly say, USA,,USA,,,

    Like 0
  6. A.G.

    I especially like the hide-away trailer hitch.

    Like 2
  7. Big C

    Nice truck. But you’d have to be rockin’ that mullet to get the full effect going.

    Like 2
  8. MammothStu

    I had the ’94 Chevy version. It had every factory option available and was a great truck for traveling with two kids, towing a jet ski or dirt bike trailer. I added a 3/5 drop – drop spindles in front and drop-leaf kit in back. This one looks like a 5/7 drop. In 2002, the Alcoa’s were subject to a recall and replaced for free. By 2006, the dreaded GM paint peel arrived on the passenger A pillar. Still a great truck. This one looks like it will be the same – a great truck – for the new owner.

    Like 2
  9. Rumpledoorskin

    I knew immediately that there was a boat with this paint job this rig used to pull. I don’t know how I knew, I just did. I love the lid flip on the air filter too, should be good for +30hp.

    Like 3
  10. Billy

    W o w, you guys are funny! I love it!
    C, those camper toppers are available pretty much everywhere you find a truck specialty shop.
    The only thing that flipping a filter top does is screw up EVERY THING!
    Okay, picture this…a 19′ Tahiti flat bottom with a blown 427 reverse shaft prop weekend lakeside cruiser rooster tail throwing blow the skier out of the boots type towable behind it.
    Nice visual. Have fun. Nice truck. I wouldn’t change anything. Maybe do a FUEL SERVICE for a base line. Put some fuel in and go “Strut my Stuff”. Get the picture?

    Like 0
    • Rumpledoorskin

      You’ll be better at stuttin’ if you leave the lid flipped. All the cool kids know that…

      Like 0
  11. Billy

    Rumpledoorskin, if the engineers that designed the intake for this vehicle were so inclined to have a open intake directly above the carburetor I tend to think that they would have most likely built it that way. There’s a reason it was designed this way. Now if the engine is modified I would think that all of the intake would be removed and a no nozzle simple 360° intake would the cats meow. Your thoughts?

    Like 1
    • Rumpledoorskin

      Honestly, I know better. However it is more fun to say it will make more power like a 17 year old Doorskin (before it rumpled) thought.

      Like 0
      • Billy

        I figured you did. Honestly I used to think the same thing at the age of 14 when I bought my first 57 Bel Air 2dr hard top. Didn’t make any difference just more noise when the secondaries opened up on the Rochester. Sounded like a bawling calf.

        Like 0
  12. Mike Maue

    I guarantee you I saw that truck blow past me on HWY 62 heading to the Parker Strip in 1997. Yee HAW !!

    Like 0

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