Vehicle Description
Someone forgot to remind this 1988 Chevrolet K1500 that it's a
pickup truck. Somewhere along the way, it received a heart
transplant that includes a beefed up 5.3L V8 motor, an athletic
suspension, and a sporty and comfortable interior that makes it
more muscle car than utilitarian hauler.
Finished in red paint, this truck would ordinarily keep a low
profile. However, that all changed with the addition of oversized
aluminum wheels set up with a wide, aggressive stance, a GMC front
grille, and LED taillights, all of which transform this former work
truck into something special. Workmanship is quite good, with a
great shine to the finish and great attention to detail that
includes the wheel arch trim, black mirrors, and AVS vent-shade
window visors, all of which line up beautifully from panel to
panel. The grille was borrowed from a GMC from the same generation,
and the bumpers fore and aft are bright and substantial,
complementing the bright wheels very nicely. Deleted decals give it
a clean look, and the quad exhaust tips centered and tucked
underneath the rear bumper help the burly motor breathe, but we'll
get to that in a moment. Out back, the bed has been neatly finished
with durable, spray-in bedliner, so not only does it look good, but
it's ready for work too. With an aggressive stance, this slick
pickup will make you forget about your chores and instead
encourages you to head out and have some fun.
The interior is a sporty blend of standard Chevy pickup and a few
modern upgrades, but it's not like that's a bad thing. With
handsome black-and-red Corbeau buckets split by a center console,
it is comfortable and attractive for long hauls and given its
condition, it has always been well-maintained. Plush black carpets
and original door panels reinforce that fact and it's also loaded
with options: power windows and locks, a tilt steering column,
all-wheel drive, and an Alpine AM/FM/CD/Satellite stereo system
that still sounds good. A full set of original gauges are still in
the original dash, augmented by a center-mounted EFI controller.
The sliding back window helps with airflow, the four-spoke steering
wheel is likely original, and the overall look and feel of the cab
is very nice and comfortable.
The original engine was yanked in favor of a PowerTrain Products
5.3L LM7 long block that gives this truck plenty of pop. Topped
with an LS Hi-Ram EFI system and intake manifold, the Holley
Terminator multi-port controller manages the block superbly, so it
fires up with ease and runs very well. The engine bay, even with
the added long block, looks quite stock, which is always the
hallmark of careful workmanship: preserving the OEM look and feel
without going crazy with the shiny stuff. A giant radiator keeps it
cool even under heavy throttle work, and the ceramic-coated
long-tube headers feed through a Magnaflow exhaust that sounds
absolutely wicked. The Gearstar 4L80E 4-speed automatic overdrive
transmission with a transmission cooler is a great complement to
the big engine, equipped for quick power placement and longer
cruises as well, and the rugged GM 8.5" rear end with 4.10 gears
won't complain about the torque. Beautiful polished aluminum OEM
replica wheels add a performance look and carry 285/40/20 Nitto
radials that fill the truck's big wheel arches perfectly.
A very neat truck with lots of power on tap and the suspension to
use it. Yeah, it'll still haul, but it would rather be chasing
Mustangs. Call today!