1971 GMC 2500 3/4 Ton 4x4 with Service Box (Similar to Chevrolet K20)

1971 GMC 2500 ¾ Ton 4x4 with Service Box K20

Highly collectible truck with a great history! This 1971 GMC 2500 Custom has some very desirable factory options. In addition to being a ¾ ton 4x4 model, it has a factory 350 cubic inch V8 and factory 4 speed. It also has factory option front locking hubs, power steering, upgraded instrument cluster, factory chrome bumper and limited slip differential. Other than the lack of the original bed and the addition of fire suppression equipment, this truck is equipped much as was when it left the Janesville Assembly plant.

Behind the optional 350 cubic inch 4 barrel engine, the truck has its factory Saginaw SM 465 manual 4 speed transmission and NP205 transfer case. It also has the 8 lug 3,200 pound rated front axle with Spicer hubs.

Though the truck left the factory with a Fleetside bed, it was modified by its first owner and received a Powers Utility Box and fire suppression equipment. The original owner was a small fire department in Central Oregon. This fire department owned the vehicle until the 1980s when it was transferred to a local land owners association, for continued fire suppression purposes.

The odometer reads 19,532 miles. Though I lack complete documentation to establish this as actual miles, I believe that it may be. An invoice for the current tires shows that the truck has only been driven 1,049 miles in the last twenty years. (Date code on tires establishes manufacture date of the 17th week of 1998. Tires installed November of 1998 when the truck had 18,483 miles.) In addition, with a 200 gallon water tank effectively taking up the entire bed, the truck, as currently configured, would have a limited number of practical uses beyond fire suppression. Finally, vehicles with similar fire fighting backgrounds often have low miles.

This truck will offer the new owner the opportunity to go any number of directions. The vintage service bed gets a lot of positive feedback and may be an asset for someone in a construction trade looking for unique truck for daily operations. Or swap out the service bed for a conventional fleetside box and restore this desirable model back to its original configuration. Or finally, maybe you have a need for a fire suppression vehicle or other private or commercial use for the tank and related equipment.

As with all 47 year old un-restored vehicles, this truck will need to be inspected and refreshed to be a reliable daily driver. Despite this, it’s proven to be reliable when started and moved. At a minimum, tires need to be replaced due to their advanced age and the brakes merit a full refresh.

The bad: One door in the service box has damage in the top right corner. I believe the panel can be fixed by a body shop. Both truck doors have paint damage where a fire department insignia was removed. There’s also a large square hole in the right front wheel panel where a component in the engine bay was removed by the fire department. (Damage visible in engine compartment picture). Panel should be readily available and can be bolted in or existing panel could be fixed. Finally, some or all of the fire suppression may need to be removed for your desired configuration.

I encourage a vehicle inspection and will assist in facilitating this.