1996 GMC K3500 DRW, Extended Cab, Flatbed, 454, NV-4500

[83GMCK2500]

I spent a lot of time and a little whiskey trying to figure out the best course of action. Rebuild/replace? Rebuild...replace...? I've done quite a bit of work on this truck, as well as the other things that have been done. Rebuilt rear axle with new differential, clutch, rear main seal, engine oil cooler lines...so much more, I have a folder of receipts over 1/2" thick. I could've got everything sheetmetal and plastic needed from local wrecking yards for cheap, bought new radiator, fan clutch, etc. The problem was paint. Paint = $$$. The damn thing is red, red is the devil to match, would blend across most of the adjacent panels. The doors still have gaping holes in them from old mirrors, so if I paint it I should get new doors. Would basically end up painting whole truck. $,$$$...f***. So, the hunt was on for color matched parts. That shade of red was used '94 to '96. Hit up craigslist, search all of the local yards for trucks/suvs in that year. Nada, zip, zero, zilch. Next step, build a list of parts, got prices, estimate paint, total = f***ed. The big question to answer became, get a whole truck for around the value of f***ed? Back to CL...after a few misses I went and looked at a truck with a good friend of mine. I came home with this:



1997 GMC Sierra SLT K1500. Recently replaced motor, rebuilt trans. The person I bought it from...special. I don't think I will be able to adequately describe him using publicly appropriate words, leaving it at that.