What do yall think? 82 vs 94 silverado

[99z28monster]

Ok folks I am having a hard time deciding on what truck i want to keep. The two trucks in question are my 82 k10 long bed. And my 94 Silverado ext cab short bed. As for mods the 82 is lifted 4inches and riding on 35 Bfg AT's all about 6 months old. 350/700r4 as of now. The body is not in bad shape already have replacement panels for the rusted spots. If I go with the 82 I already have a 4speed complete setup to swap over.

The 94 is pretty much stock except the rear is a 14bolt sf and has an add a leaf. 5.7/4l60e. needs the transfer case swapped since it does not have 4hi, already have one though. Also the engine is kinda weak and wont idle down past 1500 rpm. needs rust repair on all 4 wheel wells, and one rocker panel. Has no carpet in the truck but everything else is in good shape.

I figure both will get close to the same on gas mileage. 82 does about 8-9mpg now and not sure on the 94 but its pretty bad. I really just want a reliable truck that I can DD and if things do break are easy to replace and are cheap. Neither truck is a real looker so I am not really basing anything off looks. What would you all keep as a daily? any opinions on what you think would be better to hang on to?

I know this might be a bit biased on this forum but I know many of the folks here have some experience with both trucks. Thanks for looking.

[79gmcc15]

I would go with the 82. The parts availability is 20 years long, more specific 10 years for your truck. As apposed to 6? For the other truck.

[Tex_50613]

parts are cheeper for the 82 by a long shot and they are also way easer to work on, 1 suggestion though, if you do a 4 speed swap spring the little extra dough for a good dual friction clutch from Clutch Masters or the sort, most clutched from the parts stores don't last, and I know after tearing the center outa 3 Advance Auto parts Premium clutches in 2 months in my 79 I won't by anything but a Clutch Masters clutch again ran one for 5 years befor I sold the 79 and am running one in my 83 currently, and I run a 91 Silverado extended cab longbox 4x4 in the summer so I can play with the 83 in the mud so I know the pro's and cons of each of the trucks

[motornut]

where i am the 82 sounds cheaper,no smog test,less computer stuff to deal with

[99z28monster]

Originally Posted by motornut

where i am the 82 sounds cheaper,no smog test,less computer stuff to deal with

Yea they do all that good stuff up in NY but I will have them registered in a different state that does not test. I do like the like of computers though.

[Chief Bail]

Ummm I like them both to be honest. Can we see some pics.

[cochino12]

Keep the 82, 88-94 has to be the worst interior GM has ever had.

[99z28monster]

Originally Posted by Chief Bail

Ummm I like them both to be honest. Can we see some pics.

No current pics of the 82, I am stuck in Iraq so they will be hard to get.






these are the only pics I have of the 82, it is now lifted like I mentioned with black wagon wheels. Also the doors are black I wanted manual and the PS door was messed up. Sorry if the images are not sized well.

[99z28monster]

Originally Posted by cochino12

Keep the 82, 88-94 has to be the worst interior GM has ever had.

I reckon the previous owner of the 94 thought the same as you, being he ripped out all the carpet.

[Chief Bail]

Ok 1st off keep your head up bro. Second the room in the 94 is a lil better I agree. But I would keep the 82. Easy to work on and just a mean looking truck and sturdy.

[JohnC]

It's kind of a toss up in my eyes too. Both being 4x4 is a wash. The 82 is more classic to me, but the 94 is ext cab so you would have more room. To me it really just comes down to what you are really wanting out of the truck. I personally think the 94 would be a better DD, and the 82 more of a play toy. I say keep both for those to duties.

[99z28monster]

Originally Posted by JohnC

It's kind of a toss up in my eyes too. Both being 4x4 is a wash. The 82 is more classic to me, but the 94 is ext cab so you would have more room. To me it really just comes down to what you are really wanting out of the truck. I personally think the 94 would be a better DD, and the 82 more of a play toy. I say keep both for those to duties.

I have an 08 z71 for the daily if I end up keeping the 82. On second thought I need to trade that thing in on a newer 09+ for the 6 speed auto and 4x4. Yes its a 2wd z71

[68 TT]

The TBI motor and electronic trans in the 94 are very nice when they work right but with your idle problem you have some work to do. It should get 14+ mpg in good tune. The extended cab is nice to have and so is the canopy.

The 95-99 interior and dash can be swapped in there with no issues if you really don't like the earlier interior.

The 82 is definitely easier to work on but being a regular cab and a long bed they are very different animals.

With the bad transfer case added to the poor running engine in the 94 I would go with the 82 even with the worse gas mileage.

[grinch4om]

then again, the money you would get out of the 82 would freshen up the 94.....hummm...or visa versa

[thirdstreettito]

Eighty Two!

[99z28monster]

Originally Posted by grinch4om

then again, the money you would get out of the 82 would freshen up the 94.....hummm...or visa versa

I would not want to spend money fixing up the 94 other than whats needed to keep it running right. As for the 82

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by 99z28monster

I would not want to spend money fixing up the 94 other than whats needed to keep it running right. As for the 82

That answers your question right there then. Sell the 94, and put the money in the 82.

[OJOE]

on this board it will be keep the 82. if you want to keep the 94 ask the question over on the 88-98 board. any way good luck with your decision. joe

[andrewmp6]

If you want something for off road use,The 82 has a solid axle vs the irs the 94 has which will break off road.And I'm with most of them i like the 94 body style hate the irs and the interiors designed and the blue and red have no place in a truck.

[ToughBowtieTruck]

By the way, unless that 14 bolt was actually swapped, it is factory. It was part of a Heavy-Duty Chassis Package available on the 1500s for the 88-98. I have a 95...includes gvw of 6600 (standard is 6200), engine oil cooler, 2nd external factory transmission cooler, bigger rear drive shaft, and some other stuff . . .

I think the 81-82 front clip really sucks....however the 92-94 interior wasn't all that bad...what sucked was the 88-91 with the white disc gauges.

All in all, the 82 is now a classic vehicle, probably cheaper on insurance. I know my '77 is dirt cheap on basic insurance and plates....$45 for a year on plates and about $40 a month. Whereas my '95 is $79 for a year of plates and about $60 a month on insurance.

Now I am not for sure, but the '82 MIGHT have the computer assisted carburetor in it...I know 83-84s had them.

The 82 will probably be better if you don't end up needing the extended cab for storage/people transportation.

Or sell them both and get something nicer in either year range.

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

If you want something for off road use,The 82 has a solid axle vs the irs the 94 has which will break off road.And I'm with most of them i like the 94 body style hate the irs and the interiors designed and the blue and red have no place in a truck.

Coming from someone who runs a Z-71 with a Western Pro plow on it....ummm no it won't if you don't put some torsion keys or what-not on it. Those front suspensions are tough when the geometry isn't messed with, and will last a LONG TIME. My brother's Z-71 is at 287,000 miles on the original wheel bearings, lower ball joints, and CV shafts. 4 wheel ABS still works, too.

Funny thing, my '77 3/4 ton with plow prep has a gvw of 6,300, and my '95 1500HD has a gvw of 6,600. Both are within a few hundred pounds dry weight too.

So actually, if DOT ever checks up on me, I am better off with the half ton than the 3/4 ton.

--It's all your choice, whatever rig you want to end up with.

Personally, I like the '82 as it sat stock. Might end up taking my '77 down to stock, don't know yet. They perform better....it is silly using a 4" lift to gain 1 1/2" of ground clearance with bigger tires.....frame height doesn't matter when the axles are what gets hung up.

[ToughBowtieTruck]

agh double posted.....I hate not being able to delete screwed-up posts on this forum!

[andrewmp6]

Stock the irs is iffy once you lift it 6 inchs and run 38s or bigger then you have problems.

[99z28monster]

Well reckon the 82 it is. Thanks for all the input folks I really appreciate it.