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Anyone here refurbish an old square body Chevy?

Posted on 11/23/25 at 9:21 pm
Posted by TigersHuskers
Nebraska
Member since Oct 2014
14403 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 9:21 pm
Thinking about doing this. How hard was it finding parts and is it worth the trouble?
Posted by bad93ex
Walnut Cove
Member since Sep 2018
33829 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 9:24 pm to
Most likely won't get your money back on it but would drive the heck out of one.

Posted by BigD45
318/936/830
Member since Feb 2007
1718 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 9:26 pm to
quote:

Thinking about doing this. How hard was it finding parts and is it worth the trouble?


It's not hard to find parts for any of the OBS Chevy pickups. The main question is how much you're willing to spend and what your goals are in the end. Summit Racing, Edlebrock, Rock Audio, etc., etc..

They make all kinds of stuff for them.
Posted by FahQGump
Auburn, Al
Member since Dec 2021
1388 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 9:29 pm to
I dont know about restoring one, but I know they are expensive af when they are done right
Posted by MasterDigger
Member since Nov 2019
2616 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 9:38 pm to
quote:

Anyone here refurbish an old square body Chevy?
Following...

Was daily driving an '86 3/4 ton suburban until 5 yrs ago.
Needs major work and is sitting in my garage as a project vehicle. Last model year for the carburetor and no catalytic converter.
The kids called it 'The Beast'...



Posted by saintsfan1977
Arkansas, from Cajun country
Member since Jun 2010
9848 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 9:38 pm to
I thought about doing it. You want to find OEM for the body if you need those. Those Chinese panels aren't made for replacements. They are patch panels.

LMC has alot of parts but I'd try to find OEM on Fakebook or ebay first.

It can be done if you have a good truck to start with. If you are replacing alot of interior and body because you started with a project, I'd just buy a truck that's in great shape.
Posted by FightinTigersDammit
Louisiana North
Member since Mar 2006
45866 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 9:49 pm to
I've got a 93 Chevy that's a good candidate
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
60302 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 10:06 pm to
quote:

Anyone here refurbish an old square body Chevy?


I haven’t restored one of those particular trucks, but I have restored some older sports cars. You will have no trouble finding both OEM and knock-off parts for that age domestic truck because some people still drive them.

Restoring vehicles is only to be looked at as a hobby, as you never get your money back when you sell them. They are seldom as dependable as a newer vehicle either…you will always need another more dependable vehicle.
Posted by Darth_Vader
A galaxy far, far away
Member since Dec 2011
71817 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 10:08 pm to
I helped a buddy swap out the engine and transmission in a 1970 Chevy C10 once. Inline 6 and 3 on the tree. But that was 40 years ago.
Posted by Bread Orgeron
Baw Bakery
Member since Aug 2006
11866 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 10:40 pm to
Parts are abundant for most GM vehicles of almost any era. I worked on a 74 C10 for a while.

Whether it’s worth the trouble depends on what your plan is. If it’s to flip something, it could be worth it but that depends a lot on how much you plan to do yourself and how much you value your time. If it’s just to have something you enjoy working on and enjoy driving, then yeah it’s definitely worth it.

Square bodies are great vehicles and Chevy engines are so easy to work on. As I mentioned, parts are everywhere and there are so many resources out there (YouTube, forums, etc) if you need help.

Rust can play a huge role in the decision making process though, even in the South. Body rust isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, just keep in mind what is required to fix it and whether you will do that work yourself. If the frame is rusted, I personally would walk away.

So what are you thinking about working on?
Posted by MountainTiger
The foot of Mt. Belzoni
Member since Dec 2008
14910 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 10:55 pm to
quote:

Thinking about doing this. How hard was it finding parts and is it worth the trouble?

Check out this guy's videos:
Posted by saintsfan1977
Arkansas, from Cajun country
Member since Jun 2010
9848 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 11:00 pm to
quote:

93 Chevy that's a good candidate

No it's not a square body.
Posted by FightinTigersDammit
Louisiana North
Member since Mar 2006
45866 posts
Posted on 11/23/25 at 11:05 pm to
Ok
Posted by holmesbr
Baton Rouge, La.
Member since Feb 2012
3863 posts
Posted on 11/24/25 at 12:09 am to
Is JC Whitney still around? Pretty sure you can order all the parts from there to assemble one.
Posted by VooDude
Member since Aug 2017
2167 posts
Posted on 11/24/25 at 12:11 am to
Ever considered a Prius? Sounds like more of your style.
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