(Words and Photos By Greg Rourke) I agree with Chad…I love me some square body GM pickups. I’ve owned several, but not because they were cool. They were rusted out beat up shitboxes that were cheap, easy to work on and got me to work every day. I once tried to buy a brand new 1986 GMC but apparently $10 an hour and a credit score in the low 500’s was frowned upon in that establishment.
So I’m wandering around and wasting gas when I come upon this beauty, sitting for sale in a yard full of Oshkosh ready mix trucks. I like the earlier round eye models, pre 1980. It’s a short wide bed, more correct boxes checked. Since these trucks tended to rust out just sitting in the showroom and this one seems fairly solid it’s likely a tourist and not from around here.
What would I do with this example? My associate Bob Chiluk allowed as how he would install an LS with an even number of turbos, but he’s much smarter than me. I’d go old school with a big block Chevy. Remember the Edelbrock Tarantula intake, where the carb was at about a 45 degree angle from north south? I’d find one of those. And some M/T valve covers. The body would remain unchanged, save for adding door handles and mirrors. Maybe some Cragar S/S wheels for a true 70’s street racer vibe. Yes, it’s a scary place in my head.
And the Oshkosh? Just a big ugly truck I like.
(Chad Note: I love the Vectors! And I would have a hard time deciding between LS turbo and big block nitrous.)
The Oshkosh has a front drive axle, the square body does not (they do look killer in the weeds though). I know what I’d want to take home.
Take the square body, parts everywhere for it.
Half painted also.