Opinions on which ride.

[norville]

hey folks little help here.

I called and got some mor info on an 87 shorty. The owner is firm on $2500 he say's thats what he has into it.

Painted by pro 2 yrs ago with new cab corners installed. ew gas tank, pump, brakes, suspension work, tires. It has 120K on the clock with OD tranny. It was his fathers truck and doesn't know if it ever had engine or tranny work. No smoke and starts right up.

He said the 6 has lot's of power no problems pulling up hills etc. Body is exelent and drives straight and tight down the road. Near perfect interior. New exhaust.

Issues: No cat and inspection has run out.

My other choice is an 86 long. I know I said I wanted a shorty but , Orig paint near perfect truck. I mean cherry. 700r was swaped for a 350c. and has 87K. this has the 305 and is in fantastic shape. Ready to lower and drive .
$2000

So I'm looking for opinions here .

will I be happy with the v6?
Is the 305 much better?
Needs to hold me over fo 2-3 years.

I planned on doing an enging swap in the future. Which would be easier.
I like tbi. Shortys are a little scarce here. But a minty oig long is cool.

I'm looking for pro's and con's so almost any input or pics would be welome. I plan on a 2/3 drop daily driver.

thanks
norv

[N2TRUX]

I say buy what you want now. If you don't want a short bed with a V-6 (I wouldn't) then look at of you area for what you want. I'm in Texas and I'm looking at a truck in New York....

[gldevall]

Don't buy anything. Keep looking until you find what you want. Mine was originally a V-6. Power was at a bare minimum. It would pull a boat, would do good to spin the tires on a wet road. However, the performance mods for the 4.3 are plentiful now. What tranny is in the 87? If it is a 700 it may not would be a bad idea to snatch it up and freshen up the motor a bit. The gas mileage would be a lot better than with the 305/350.

[norville]

Thanks,

that's just it, not really sure exactly what I want. I really like the swb's but a clean lwb is nice also. It's a part time daily driver -- grocery getter run to home depo and look good. Looking good is more important than power. I just need to get out of my own way.

What kind of performance mods can I get for the 6. Intake, cam, and chip?? What about supercharger???? My Ideal HP is 200-250 in a full size. (more is alway's better) Is 50 hp do-able in the 4.3 v6 and still be a good daily driver???


norv

[bigblock73]

Its easier to change an engine than it is to convert a lwb into a swb. Besides, no matter which truck you get, more than likely you will put in at least a 350 anyhow. I say get the swb, drive it for a couple years, then make it into what you want.

EDIT - if you plan to upgrade the V6 to get performance, it might be just as easy (and about the same $$) to put in a crate 350 from GM and call it a day.

[Russell]

Maybe I am on crack, but I've heard that the seller is required to have the vehicle up to spec to pass emissions before selling it. If so, take him up on getting a set of cats installed, and to get an inspection done.

Personally I'd go for the SWB with the 4.3, then swap the 4.3 out for a 5.7 later on down the road.

[beaterC10]

Get the SWB, if its a stepper thats even better. I used to have a LWB that folks kept asking to borrow, I don't have that problem with my SWB stepper.

I agree with bigblock, if you own the truck for any length of time it will end up with a 350. I replaced the the 305 in mine with a 350 last year. It was like driving a different truck.

[cliffsta]

yeah i'd get the one with the 305. You don't gotta swap out the 305 for a 350 is you don't want to (I'm not!! Screw Everyone!!). If you don't do actual emissions, just the "Do you got a cat", then you can eliminate all the smog stuff, dual exhaust and headers, etc, and you can make that 305 put out a decent bit. Won't be a 350, but it'll still boogy if the motor isn't too old and worn out.