new member seeks advice...

[dave420]

hey guys...newbie here needs advice on buying a truck....i have the chance to buy one of two trucks, an 87 chevy SWB(red), or an 86 GMC SWB(black)...both priced within $500 of each other, both have 350's...theyre in pretty good shape, from what i can tell...but i havent owned a truck(89 GMC 1500) since i was 17, ive driven cars since then...right now i have a 85 mercedes 300SD diesel sedan, but i cant afford to have it as my daily driver any more...it takes too much of my time to keep it on the road....

what id like to do, is buy a truck to have as a daily driver, and keep the benz as my weekend time and wallet killer....i just need to know what to look for when buying one of these, what are some common weaknesses? i dont know whether these are TBI or carb., which is better? is it mainly just personal preference?

i was told to check out the spot where the steering box is mounted to the frame, they say its a thin spot in the frame that can crack....i need to know things like this, stuff that only a person who owns one of these trucks would know to look for...im leaning heavily towards the 87 chevy, its interior is really nice, no cracks in the dash, no rips in the seat, tinted windows have kept the color from fading...its got dual exhaust, fresh red paint(not more than a couple years old)....i think im going to try and take another look at it today, drive it and also ask the owner some more questions about it....thanks in advance for any suggestions, im really looking forward to getting back into the Chevy game

[dave420]

heres a couple of pics

[Folks1]

OK, Me I'd shoot for that red number. being an '87 it should be factory fuel injection. As for the the frame craking, I believe this is only something that is on four wheel drives. '86 should be carb.

[N2TRUX]

Welcome to the forum dave420. It looks like you do have a tough decision to make because they are both sharp trucks. Since you plan to use it as a daily driver I think the 87 would be the better choice. Your going to get better mileage with the TBI and should be a more reliable truck all around if it's been well cared for like it sounds.

Folks1 is correct. The frame cracking issue is more of a concern on 4wd trucks. The other thing to look for is rust. Check the cab corners, and fender bottoms.

My concern would be "why" was it repainted. Look closely at the quality of the paint job. Has it been wrecked?

Check these things out and let us know what you find....

[Prerunner1982]

as for the frame cracking, it can happen on 2wd trucks as well, but mostly ones like mine with larger tires.. the lower profiles shouldnt be a problem, but still something worth checking...

[TrainD5115]

Welcome aboard! In addition to the other advice take a good look underneath for any signs of leaking fluids. Make sure things like fuel tank switches (if equipped with dual tanks) work. Wipers, cruise, etc..if not this could affect the final price of the vehicle.
Fuel injection is definately the way to go for your daily driver. Good luck.

[dave420]

appreciate the help....im going back up there in a little while to give it a good look-over and a test drive....i,too, was concerned with why it was painted...the guy that owns it wasnt there when i went the first time, maybe hell be there today so i can grill him with questions....ill try and shoot a few more pics of the engine bays and the interiors, you wont believe how nice the black one's engine looks...saweeeet....ill post my results when i get back this afternoon

[dave420]

one more question....how does $6500 sound for the red one, assuming everything in it works and doesnt have rust or leaks anywhere?

[Blue Beard]

Hate to say it but $6500 is above average unless the drive train is redone.

go to http://www.nada.com

they have book values that go back a long way. This type of truck usually goes for about $3500

[Eyegore]

I agree with Blue Beard, unless they have reciepts for the work on engine & trans it may be a bit to high. The 87 looks like my 86, if its been cared for like mine - washing & waxing it more and likely needed repainted, on mine the black primer is showing through and needs paint.

[Blue Beard]

I just bought a 78 that they were asking $8k for......paid $4k and it was from a car lot.

Very nice shape, new motor and trans.

[JonnyTechMech]

Welcome Dave420,

I'm new also. I'd take the sweet RED.

1) I would check for dry rotted gaskets and seals on the engine, and windows, etc. (You’ll have to look closely at these components to see if there’s been any recent work.)
2) Stand outside the truck and try to start it without applying any gas (TBI’s should start the engine with no effort, if the engine is tuned up well.
3) Listen for missing or hesitation in the engine idle and check for any thick blue smoke as it idles. (Verification of bad piston rings).
4) Stand outside and gun the throttle on the engine to see if the engine jumps on one side (Checking for bad motor mounts).
5) If there AC, verify if it get cold when turned on. Check the heat as well
6) Look closely at the upper and lower ball joints and tie rods for ware, dry rot, or cracked seals on both sides.
7) Look the differential seal to see if there’s a new gasket. If not, verify if there’s any leaks at the bottom
8) Run your fingers gently and slowly under the door wells. (Check for rust or rot in a place where rust could exist and but not commonly seen in everyday use.
9) Make sure all electrical options work of course
10) Look in the radiator and look for any tattle-tail signs of corrosion.
11) Listen for exhaust leaks (sound like ticking in concert with the idle)
12) Listen for engine knocks when giving it gas (checking for any bad engine bearings)
13) Check fluids, (tyranny should be clear red, oil should be clear not black, brake should be clear not too cloudy, power steering should be clear, and does it have coolant/antifreeze)
14) Check how easy or not easy the door, tailgate, hood close (looking for any miss alignments)


My 2 cent x 14

JonnyTM