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Custom 1989 GMC R3500 Crew Cab 4×4

$109,999

Year

1989

Make

GMC

Model

Sierra

Odometer

5,000 (TMU)

Engine

6.0L LS V8

Fuel Type

gasoline

Transmission

automatic

Drivetrain

4×4

VIN / Chassis #

1GTHR33N6KJ503384

Seller

private party

Location

Springfield, MO

Title Status

clean

Frame-off restored, custom squarebody crew cab converted from long-bed R3500 configuration into the short-bed 4x4 GM never factory-built, this 1989 GMC Sierra 3500 is finished in factory Bright Blue and powered by a cammed 6.0L LS-based V8 paired with a built 4L80E automatic transmission and NP205 transfer case. Located in Springfield, Missouri and offered by a private seller with a clean title, it shows approximately 5,000 miles since completion and rides on one-ton axles, 5.13 gears, a custom Offroad Design 4-link suspension, King coilovers and bypass shocks, hydro-boosted 4-wheel disc brakes, PSC hydro-assist steering, and 41-inch Michelin XForce tires.

Restoration costs reportedly exceeded $175,000, and the build combines show-quality squarebody presentation with serious off-road hardware. A prior BaT listing for the same VIN described the truck as a modified 1989 GMC R3500 Crew Cab 4x4 and noted its replacement short bed, 6.0L V8, 4L80E, NP205, one-ton axles, King shocks, and hydroboosted 4-wheel disc brakes.

Frame-Off Short-Bed Crew Cab Conversion: GM did not offer this body style as a factory short-bed crew cab, which is the whole point of the build. The cab and bed were removed from the frame, a new short bed was installed rather than cutting down the original long bed, and the truck was refinished in factory Bright Blue with gray-painted bumpers, grille, mirrors, and side steps.
Cammed 6.0L LS Power and Built 4L80E: The iron-block 6.0L V8 runs a Brian Tooley Racing Stage 1 cam, factory GM engine management, ceramic headers, custom dual MagnaFlow exhaust, an aluminum Entropy radiator, and dual electric fans. Power is backed by a built 4L80E automatic, NP205 transfer case, heavy-duty Derale transmission cooler with electric fan, steel front driveshaft, and 5-inch aluminum rear driveshaft.
One-Ton Axles, 5.13 Gears, and Serious Steering/Brakes: Underneath, the truck uses a Dana 60 front axle, GM 14-bolt rear axle, 5.13 gearing, Warn front lockout hubs, hydro-boosted 4-wheel disc brakes, and PSC hydraulic-assist steering. That hardware matters because this build is not just a lifted squarebody; it has the axle, gear, steering, and brake package needed to support the tire size and suspension.
Custom Offroad Design 4-Link on Kings: The suspension centers on a custom Offroad Design 4-link with coilovers at all four corners, approximately 10 inches of lift, King 2.5-inch coilover shocks, bypass shocks, and removable King nitrogen-filled bump stops. Reid Racing steering knuckles, raised HD crossover steering, front and rear custom splined sway bars, heavy-duty 4-link bars, Heim joints, and a rear axle truss round out a chassis built well beyond a basic lift kit.
Show-Level Interior and Audio: The interior has been fully reworked with late-model front and rear bench seats in gray leather, armrests, consoles, cup holders, new carpet, floor mats, suede headliner, Suburban overhead console, color-matched GM dash pad, Dakota Digital gauges, Billet Specialties steering wheel, billet shifter arm, billet pedals, LED interior lighting, and a high-end Creative Audio system. The RetroSound Bluetooth head unit keeps an 1980s GM look, while Wavtech amplification, Focal speakers, a 12-inch Wavtech subwoofer, and JL Audio digital signal processing modernize the sound without making the cabin look hacked up.

About the 1973–1991 GM Squarebody Crew Cab

The 1973–1991 GM C/K and R/V-series trucks have become one of the strongest segments in the classic truck market because they combine usable size, simple mechanical architecture, broad parts support, and instantly recognizable styling. Crew cab squarebodies sit at the more desirable end of that world because they offer real passenger space while retaining the classic proportions buyers want.

This build goes one step further by creating the short-bed crew cab layout GM never sold in this era. That combination gives the truck a more balanced stance than a factory long-bed crew cab while preserving the visual identity of a one-ton squarebody. For buyers cross-shopping high-dollar restomods and show-quality 4x4 conversions, the value is in the amount of custom fabrication, drivetrain hardware, and interior execution already completed.

Powertrain

6.0L iron-block LS-based V8
Brian Tooley Racing Stage 1 camshaft
Factory GM engine computer
Ceramic headers
Custom dual MagnaFlow exhaust
Aluminum Entropy radiator
Dual electric cooling fans
Built 4L80E automatic transmission
NP205 transfer case
Heavy-duty Derale transmission cooler with electric fan
Steel front driveshaft
5-inch aluminum rear driveshaft
Dana 60 front axle
GM 14-bolt rear axle
5.13 front and rear gearing
Warn front lockout hubs
Odyssey battery
On-board air compressor
Air tank
Air horns

Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes

Frame-off rebuild
Frame and chassis painted black
New nuts and bolts
New fuel lines
New brake lines
Custom Offroad Design 4-link suspension
Approximately 10 inches of lift
Coilovers at all four corners
King 2.5-inch coilover shocks
King bypass shocks
Removable King nitrogen-filled bump stops at all four corners
Reid Racing steering knuckles
Offroad Design raised HD crossover steering
Front and rear custom splined sway bars
Heavy-duty front and rear 4-link bars
Heim joints
Rear axle truss
PSC hydraulic-assist steering
Hydro-boosted 4-wheel disc brakes
20x10-inch Vision Cheyenne aluminum wheels
Michelin XForce tires, approximately 41 inches tall

Exterior

Factory Bright Blue repaint
Converted short-bed crew cab configuration
New short bed
Gray-painted bumpers
Gray-painted grille
Gray-painted exterior mirrors
Gray-painted side-tube step bars
Billet front grille
Custom-designed and machined badging
GSI billet door handles
LED exterior lighting
New window seals
New door seals
Tinted windows with lifetime window film
Spray-in bedliner
BedRug bed floor kit
Tailgate converted to bear claw latches
Paint-matched SnugTop locking bed cover

Interior

Late-model front bench seat wrapped in gray leather
Late-model rear bench seat wrapped in gray leather
Armrests
Consoles
Cup holders
New carpet
New floor mats
Suede headliner
Suburban overhead console
New GM dash pad dyed to match
Dakota Digital gauges
Billet Specialties steering wheel
Billet shifter arm
Billet pedals
LED interior lighting
New ashtrays
New floor shifter knob
New window switches
New lock switches
Cold air conditioning
Hot heat
Power windows
Power locks

Audio System

Creative Audio-built sound system
RetroSound Bluetooth head unit with stock-style GM appearance
Wavtech amplifiers
12-inch Wavtech subwoofer
High-end Focal speakers
JL Audio digital signal processor
Custom subwoofer enclosure wrapped in matching gray leather
Custom speaker kick panel mounts wrapped in matching gray leather

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