My son is 15, and we are looking at trucks and talking options. Of course he likes the newer trucks, but they are too expensive. We are talking about maybe buying a 1980's GMC or Chevy truck and fixing it up. We can find a 1980's truck for about $3K. On these older trucks, has anyone restored one or done a major overhaul on it? If so, how did it turn out? Cost, reliable afterwards? We are looking to repaint, reupholster, engine work, etc, all the goodies. He and I both love the look of these older trucks, and they look good once they are fixed up.

PM Texashogslayer.

I fixed up an 88 Blazer for my daughter. I have more in fixing it up than I did in the vehicle. It’s fun to fix up and my daughter learned how to work on it so it was probably worth it. If you are mainly trying to save money then you may need to buy something newer.

Go farther back to at least a 1972, there are still restorable ones coming up on the market at reasonable prices. Already a classic and value is great.

Tacoma, hands down.

Charlie

Charlie, don't be so sensible.

Hard to go wrong with a square body 80's 2-door chevy. Need to be careful that you find one that's rust free. 350i/5.7 liter engines are easy to work on and upgrade, and crate motors or rebuilt engines are reasonable options if needed.

Why me?

If you can get a Chevy truck with a 305 or 350 they are super easy to work on and parts are everywhere. I prefer carburetor to fuel injection.

I'm in the same situation. Vehicles are scarce and prices are high.

Just a heads up: Somewhere in the 80's they had problems with the Turbo 350 transmission. I had a friend that had two replacements under warranty. Then another one cratered. Here in small town America he made a deal with our local dealership -- and a local transmission shop -- to come pick up the next Turbo 350 in the box and trade it for a rebuilt Turbo 400.

Likely by now whatever truck you find may already be past that problem.

I would think overall you would be dollars ahead buying a newer truck than try and restore a 35-40 year old truck

I’m in the same boat FYI with my son.

Buy a junker. They're gonna wreck it.

Big old suburban or expedition.......raggedy.

If you’re looking at paint, upholstery, and prob an LS swap, and you aren’t mechanically handy, your going to be around $15,000 or considerably more. It’s hard to find a good painter that will paint a vehicle without doing the body work. After all, the outcome of the paint is his business card and no paint jobs can hide shoddy body work.

I can get you a 04 Chevy 1500 with the 5.3 for 3k.

It doesn't matter what you buy. It matters how your son drives it.

Buy a well used Toyota. The son will be going off to college before too long, and if he’s hours from home you want him to have a reliable truck. Can’t kill a Toyota. Much safer approach than sending him off in a collection of old parts.

My bad. It was my understanding that TEXASLEFTY helped you. Upgrade a pickup for. Your. Son.

Whatever they can afford.

No it was a Jeep and TEXASLEFTY did all the heavy lifting. I was a great observer.

Chad, go to an independent dealer, one of those corner lots with 15-30 vehicles and find a clean 8-12 year old truck with 100,000ish miles. (100,000 is nothing these days, a properly cared for truck should get 250,000+). Those guys make their living turning vehicles over quickly at lower profit margins than the big guys with the big overhead so good deals are easier to find.

84 Chevy short bed. Throw some centerlines on it. Classic.

For my boys we did the Chevy S10 4 bangers with manual shift.
This way they learn how to drive a manual transmission and insurance is low so you win also.
When I called the insurance company the lady said "That's the perfect truck for a new driver."
With the manual shifter there is no way any of there friends will be driving it.

This........reliable, holds its value, and will outlast any other truck you will find several times over even if you rebuild it.

Can probably find some late '90s/early 2000s for what you're wanting to spend. Been there (buying trucks for teens) more than once.

Man you are quite the gossiper

After watching a lot of wrecks with young people I have decided my son’s first vehicle will be slow and it will have airbags

I will no longer promote a giant hunk of metal [censored]. I also like vehicles that work more than they need to be fixed