Picking up an unfinished project is a potentially risky proposition, but there are some platforms where the rewards greatly outweigh the risks. This 1987 Chevrolet C10 pickup is a desirable short-bed driver that has been upgraded with a 5.3L LS engine and 4L60E transmission. It has some teething issues to sort out, and there are some isolated rust spots that should be fixed at some point, but it’s a runner that can likely be sorted out over a few weekends. The Chevy is said to run and drive well and looks slick on a dropped suspension. Find it here on eBay where bidding is at $9,400 with the reserve unmet.
One of the few makes and models that have maintained exceptional consistency in terms of value and desirability is the C10 pickup. The short bed is the clear winner, with enthusiasts seeking out both projects and preservation-class examples alike. And whether you keep it bone stock or create a mild street rod like this seller has done, there will always be a buyer waiting to scoop it up. It’s pretty hard to screw up, honestly, if you’ve got one of these that isn’t a total heap. This one has some rough edges but nothing that can’t be improved – or you can just live with it and make it even stouter mechanically.
The interior isn’t perfect, either, following the general theme of driver-quality. that it exhibits on the outside. The cracked dash and mismatched bench seat definitely remind you this is not a concours example by any stretch, but at the same time, you won’t hesitate to drive this truck anywhere and park it among the legions of SUVs at the mall. The interior does come with its original rubber floor liner, but I’d be tempted to restore the cockpit while keeping the exterior exactly as it is. The seller notes two rust holes in the lower cab corners and an area in the front bed floor near the cab.
The engine has approximately 148K on it as based on the odometer reading of the vehicle it was swapped out of. Wiring has been addressed with an aftermarket wiring harness paired to the stock ECM. The seller notes that the speedometer does not work with 4L60E, and that a set of additional gauges has been wired in with reading for oil pressure and volts. New parts include the driveshaft, exhaust, fuel pump, and more. The suspension features lowering springs and a rear flip, and the factory wheels have been painted. Overall, this is a desirable driver that could be made even better with some basic improvements.
What’s up with the tiny wheels/tires?
Those are actually the stock size wheels & tires.
Cool build! Wait.. 5.3? Why drop in a 5.3 when a 6.0 or 6.2 would be just as easy? I suppose a 5.3 costs less than the others, and it’s still a nice upgrade from stock. Wait… 148K and no mention of a rebuild? Either this is was a very low-budget build, or one that was being slapped together quickly without concern for longevity.
Wheels are fine, no sidewalls suck.
To me a waste of a truck in great shape, I would rather have an 8 foot bed and 4×4. But that’s just me. I would think the stock truck would have more interest in this condition.
15 in Chevy 4×4 ralley wheels no caps or rings would be my choice.
1987 chev. pu is called R10, at least mine is. First year fuel injection (throttle body).
I like it.
Howard ,here we go again. Reserve on this truck is 12 K+. Maybe a fair market value, it has some issues, but lots of positives, for the sport truck market. Side bar ,Connecticut Mark, have you heard the phrase “Compare apples and apples, not apples and oranges”. The truck you want is not this one, I get that, because ,I don’t want the one you do.
Bravo Joe…
148k is no miles for a 5.3 and the guys doing these swaps regularly use 250k+ mile motors and most want the 4.8 for the swap when going turbo with one or two Ebay turbos , they are cheap to source (u-pull-it yards around me sell 4.8 and 5.3’s for $150-200 , iron 6.0’s $300-350 for just a motor) and take an unreal amount of boost and abuse . Hot Rod Magazine did a low buck turbo LS build a few years back and used a highmile junkyard 4.8 and parts from the salvage yard and got over 900 HP on the dyno . Only sad thing here I see is , it’s a shame it’s an 87 , only square body half ton that had EFI . Here is a link to the article . https://www.facebook.com/hotrodmag/posts/we-build-a-low-cost-48l-ls-turbo-kit-from-junkyard-parts-and-make-over-900-hp-on/10156892698902540/
I can confirm 4.8’s love boost. I did a 4.8 in a 86 pickup with a single turbo. It made 500 hp to the rear wheels on only 7 pounds of boost. The only engine mod was a turbo grind cam & 80lb injectors. It could have easily made 700 with 15lbs of boost, & more if I had switched to E85. But at 500, it would melt the 305-55 tires as long as I held the pedal down, & would break them loose at 70 mph when you kicked down into passing gear. Sold the truck pretty quick because I was honestly scared of it.
Only one picture so can’t see the quality of the swap, but from what you can see, there were some shortcuts taken. For instance, a gauge cluster from a 90-91 Suburban or Blazer, easily available for a couple hundred bucks on eBay, or for less than 50 if you get lucky at the pull a part, is a direct bolt in, & only needs a couple pins swapped around to get all the gauges including the speedo to work with the LS engine. It’s an AC cab truck, but there’s no mention if it’s hooked up. It’s got a 4 port steam vent, which was only available till 2001, so either it’s an 99-01 engine, or it was added, & they are very difficult to find. And the reason it allegedly only runs 180 degrees is because the sensor probe is barely getting any coolant to it with that adapter. LS engines like to run warmer than that, usually 200-210.
Now, with all of that being said, I think it’s a decent buy at the reserve. There are a few things that are easily addressed, such as the seat cover, dash pad, etc. You can even add power windows & locks for about $500. Someone is going to have a nice truck when done.