The era of building pickups to get around changing emissions requirements seems like a lifetime ago. It also makes me somewhat nostalgic for an era when manufacturers were seemingly working hard to keep customers top-of-mind by offering a truck with the features they actually wanted in a workhorse, as opposed to pivoting to whatever the latest government edict was. Now, I know that’s not the case – relatively few corporations ever care what car and truck enthusiasts actually want – so it was more a case of it likely being more profitable to create versions of emissions-skirting trucks like this GMC Sierra “Heavy Half” rather than abandon exiting inventory to meet federal stipulations. Find this nicely preserved GMC Sierra Heavy Half with the rare stepside bed here on craigslist for $10,000.
It’s amazing what a difference a short bed makes, especially one with the stepside configuration. The seller’s truck may be unrestored but it’s also incredibly original, down to the hubcaps and paint. You can still see the “Heavy Half” decals on the bedsides, which I have to believe have been erased off of any surviving Heavy Half pickups still on the road. The listing reports it has been a California truck since new, assembled at the Fremont factory, and today it shows just 82,000 miles on the clock. The seller indicates he began restoring his truck, starting with the interior, but he simply does not have time to finish it.
Fortunately, it seems like the restoration work won’t be too grueling. The bodywork is obviously rust-free and there’s a running 350 V8 under the hood paired with the 3-speed 350 Hydrostatic Turbo transmission. Aside from a leak at the transmission, the seller doesn’t divulge any other running concerns. The truck likely could use a solid detailing as it appears to be quite dusty, and small details like the hood insulation have clearly seen better days. Those are all mere cosmetic issues, and if the paint doesn’t need to be re-done, I could see this being a very smart project to buy if you’re just polishing the singe-stage paint where it will take a buffing and tackling some deferred maintenance.
The GMC left the factory very well equipped, with the seller noting it came with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, and cruise control. Of course, the A/C doesn’t work, but that’s not a major concern. The seller doesn’t break out in graphic detail what the interior restoration consisted of, but it looks like the door panels have been done recently and the bench seat is in good shape. The GMC features a desirable drivetrain, loads of options, and a rust-free body with the best bed configuration out there, so I don’t expect the seller to have to negotiate much at his current asking price.
Looks like a nice truck,& will probably sell fast.I think these earlier
years of this body style look better,the ones with the round headlights.
Now,a comment by Howard in 3,2,1……
Ah yes, I’m as predictable as 6 o’clock at 5:30,,I’ve made peace with this foolishness, and am pickled tink to be clear of it. Just looking at the engine makes old injuries ache again. This old gal got a slew of miles, in a rust free area, this truck could have HUNDREDS of thousands of miles.. Still, being solid is the key, and it is a very rare truck. Not many got the step side, and you will get above the repairs,,,eventually. Take it from me, not literally, mine is gone,,but having a worn 350, an in line 6 is the way to go with this truck, for maybe half the price.
My dad had a non-Heavy Half longbed fleetside with a stick and 3 on the tree. Shifter on the column, handbrake a pedal way off to the left, headlight dimmer on the floor. I sweartagawd if they could’ve put the steering wheel on the headliner and the brake pedal out back by the left taillight that’s what they’d have done.
Has the rare hydrostatic trans.
Yes, it’s a Hydramatic but we know what Jeff meant, lol. I would swap in a overdrive.
I always prefer the step side over the fleet side and the 350 over any straight 6.
This being a Kalifornia truck. What emissions controls were they trying to skirt? A 350 automatic seems pretty standard for the time.
Very fair price considering it’s rust free, survivor condition. I bought my friend’s 85 C10 for less than half that, but that was between friends. Everything is so easy to easy to remove and or replace. I’m sure it’s already sold at this price. Good find
serious question, did GM ever make a step side “heavy half”? In 55 years on this planet this is the first one I’ve ever seen.
Heavy Half was an option with slightly higher GVWR on 1/2 tons to get around emission regulations for a couple of years
I bought a new “Heavy Half” in 78. It was very strangely optioned. It had 7.50-16 tube type tires. Very heavily sprung and had six lug wheels even though it was 2wd. It did not have the stickers on the bed sides. The selling dealer was strictly a MD & HD truck and bus dealer and told me they spec’d it on a COPO. It sat higher than a 4×4 and I used it for long haul interstate use, got over 300k out of it until rust took it.
That would make a nice project to finish.
I ended up with this truck and its in great shape.