Why This Car Is Special

The 1987 Chevrolet K10 represents the final two years of what collectors now call the Square Body generation — the third-generation C/K trucks that ran from 1973 through 1987. By 1987, Chevy had refined this platform considerably, adding fuel injection to the 5.7-liter V8 that year, which makes the last of these trucks mechanically distinct from everything that came before them in the same body style. When GM replaced the Square Body with the all-new OBS (C/K) platform in 1988, demand for the old design faded. Thirty-plus years later, the market has fully reversed. Clean, honest examples of these trucks — especially short bed 4x4 configurations — are pulling serious money because they combine classic proportions, simple mechanicals, and a parts supply that will never run dry.

This particular 1987 Chevrolet K10 has been built with a clear focus: a well-engineered suspension system, quality paint and body work, and enough comfort features to be driven regularly rather than trailered. It is not a show truck that happens to run. It is a built driver with real thought behind the component choices.

The VIN confirms this is a genuine factory 4x4 K-series truck — not a C10 that was converted — with the short bed configuration. That short bed on a 4x4 is the combination collectors want most. Long beds on 4x4 trucks were common because farmers and ranchers needed the cargo room. Short beds on 4x4s were ordered by buyers who wanted maneuverability and appearance over utility, which means the survival rate for clean examples is lower.

Features List

• 5.7-liter V8 with throttle body fuel injection
• 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission
• 6-inch Rough Country lift kit
• Dual Fox shocks at all four corners
• Fox BDS steering stabilizer (dual)
• Aftermarket Redhead steering box
• Stainless headers and exhaust
• 4-wheel power disc brakes
• Power steering
• Dual fuel tanks
• Lockout hubs
• 22x14 American Force wheels
• Air conditioning
• Power windows
• Power door locks
• Tilt steering wheel
• Pioneer stereo system with Kicker amplifier
• Sliding rear window
• Goodmark cowl induction hood
• Rhino-lined spray-in bed liner
• Billet door panel inserts
• Tinted glass
• Receiver hitch
• PPG base coat / clear coat paint in Maroon

Mechanical

The engine in this 1987 Chevrolet K10 is the 5.7-liter (350 cubic inch) V8 with throttle body fuel injection — an important distinction for the final year of Square Body production. In model year 1987, Chevrolet phased in throttle body injection across its truck lineup, replacing the Rochester carburetor that had fed these engines for years. The result was more consistent cold-start behavior, better fuel distribution across the engine, and improved reliability compared to the carbureted versions. The 350 in this configuration produced around 160 horsepower from the factory, a conservative rating that understates how well these engines respond to basic bolt-ons. The stainless headers and stainless exhaust system on this truck will improve flow out of the engine meaningfully, and stainless construction means you are not looking at a rusty exhaust hidden behind polished chrome tips.

Behind the engine sits the 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission. GM introduced this unit in 1982, and by 1987 most of the early durability issues had been sorted out. The key advantage of the 700R4 over the older TH350 it replaced is the overdrive fourth gear, which drops engine RPM significantly at highway speeds. On a 350-powered truck running large tires, that matters for both fuel economy and long-distance comfort.

The suspension is where this build distinguishes itself from typical lifted trucks. The 6-inch Rough Country lift kit provides the height, but the shock package goes well beyond what a basic kit would include. Fox shocks are running at all four corners — two per corner, meaning dual shocks front and rear. Fox builds their shocks with a remote reservoir design that dissipates heat during repeated compression cycles, which is what separates their product from budget shocks that fade after rough road use. A BDS Fox steering stabilizer manages front axle wander, and the Redhead steering box is a known upgrade for these trucks — Redhead remanufactures the original GM box with tighter tolerances, which eliminates the vague, wandering steering feel that worn Square Body boxes are known for. The combination of dual Fox shocks per corner with a remanufactured steering box and dual stabilizers tells you this suspension was set up by someone who understood what each component does, not someone who bolted on whatever the kit included.

Four-wheel power disc brakes round out the mechanical package. The factory K10 ran drum brakes at the rear from the factory, so the conversion to four-wheel discs is an upgrade worth noting — stopping a lifted truck on large tires requires more braking capacity than drums can reliably provide. The dual fuel tank setup is factory-available on these trucks and provides extended range, which pairs logically with the overdrive transmission on a truck of this size.

Interior

The interior of this 1987 Chevrolet K10 is grey cloth in the Square Body bench seat configuration — the full-width seat that is as much a part of this truck's identity as the boxy sheetmetal outside. The upholstery presents clean and firm, which matches the overall character of the build. The dashboard retains its factory layout, with the six-gauge cluster that Chevrolet used through the end of Square Body production. The gauge faces are legible and the panel shows no cracking, which is typical of trucks that have been kept out of sustained UV exposure.

Factory equipment that adds daily-driver comfort includes air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, and a tilt steering column. These features were optional on K10 trucks in 1987 and were not always specified — finding all of them together on a 4x4 short bed means this truck was optioned thoughtfully from the start. The sliding rear window is present and functional, which is the factory-style ventilation method for these cabs.

The billet door panel inserts are a period-correct custom touch that works well with the maroon exterior. They are machined aluminum pieces that fit into the upper section of the door card, replacing the factory wood-grain applique. This was a popular customization on Square Body trucks built for show-quality presentation, and it has been done cleanly here. The Pioneer head unit and Kicker amplifier provide actual usable audio, replacing the factory AM/FM unit that was never adequate for road noise at highway speeds.

Exterior

The exterior color is maroon applied in PPG base coat / clear coat — a two-stage paint system rather than the single-stage enamel that came from the factory. PPG is a professional-grade paint supplier whose products are used widely in body shops doing quality work. Base coat / clear coat finishes allow for a deeper gloss and are easier to polish and maintain over time than single-stage paint. Looking at the photos, the panels show consistent color with no visible orange peel or overspray at the trim edges, which indicates the paint was applied with care.

The Goodmark cowl induction hood is a fiberglass reproduction piece that follows the factory cowl hood profile Chevrolet used on certain K10 configurations. Goodmark is a recognized supplier of restoration-quality sheetmetal and body panels for these trucks, so this is not an aftermarket hood of unknown origin — it is a product built specifically for this application. The cowl design feeds air from the high-pressure area at the base of the windshield directly into the engine compartment, which improves airflow at speed.

The 22x14 American Force wheels are a significant visual element on this build. American Force produces forged aluminum wheels and is known for extreme negative offset fitment that pushes the tire outside the fender line. On a lifted Square Body with this size wheel, the stance is aggressive and intentional. The tires visible in the photos are Terra Hunter all-terrain compound — a pattern suited to both road and off-road use without the constant road noise of a full mud-terrain tire. The Rhino-lined bed is sprayed in and covers the bed floor and sides consistently, which protects the steel against moisture and cargo damage without the bubbling and peeling that bolt-in liners develop over time. Chrome bumpers front and rear contrast with the maroon paint, and the rear bumper accommodates the receiver hitch for towing.

Conclusion

The 1987 Chevrolet K10 is the right year to buy in the Square Body lineup if you want fuel injection, overdrive gearing, and four-wheel disc brake capability in a platform that still looks and drives like the classic truck it is. This example has been built with specific, quality components at each stage — Fox suspension, a Redhead steering box, stainless exhaust, PPG paint, and American Force wheels — rather than being assembled from whatever was on sale. The interior retains its factory bench seat layout and factory gauge cluster while adding the comfort equipment that makes it usable every day. Short bed K10 4x4 trucks in this condition with this level of suspension work are not common, and the Square Body market has shown consistent appreciation over the past decade with no indication of reversing.

To schedule a time to see this 1987 Chevrolet K10 in person, call Skyway Classics at 941-254-6608. We are located in Sarasota, Florida and welcome out-of-state buyers.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.