73-87 Daily Driver - Need Help

[str82666]

Hey Guys, I am looking to buy a 73-87 to use as my daily driver, but I'm not sure if there are certain Year/Engine/Tranny combinations that would be better than others. I drive about 80 miles a day round trip for work and very little on the weekends. I am just looking for a reliable truck that will get me to and from work. I know gas will be a little pricey but with the money I will be saving by having lower insurance and no loan payment, I should be fine. So with all that said, I am looking for any suggestions. My budget is about $5,000 – I know it’s not much, but I have seen many decent trucks on Craigslist within this price range. Thanks

[GmtGmt]

i would get something like a 1984-87 C/K-20 with 6.2 diesel and a 4 speed manual

[str82666]

Really? A diesel? I agree with the newer 84-87, but I was looking to stay in the 1/2 ton area and I don't really need 4 wheel drive. The added weight of the 3/4 ton just wouldn't so me much good. Why do you say deisel though?

[Stitch]

because a diesel will get great gas mileage and it's fuel injected...as long as you keep it maintained, it'll run for alot longer than a gas motor also...look at my sig...I bought the truck with the 6.2 for $1800, it needed some cosmetic things, but it ran and still runs like a top...I've had it two years and haven't done anything besides changed the fluids and the filters and put diesel in it...I also fixed alot of the cosmetic things also...it also has A/C that blows COLD...so there are deals out there to be had...my was worth a little bit more than what I paid when I bought it...

[grinch4om]

mine...take a look

[str82666]

OK, well I do agree with that, but the only problem is I haven't come across a deisel for sale within the Baltimore/DC, Maryland Eastern Shore, or Deleware area. I will look around for one. But, assuming I can't find one, how about any suggestions using strictly gas engines? I really appreciate all this help.

[GmtGmt]

Originally Posted by str82666

Really? A diesel? I agree with the newer 84-87, but I was looking to stay in the 1/2 ton area and I don't really need 4 wheel drive. The added weight of the 3/4 ton just wouldn't so me much good. Why do you say deisel though?

the reason i say 3/4 is because they are plentyfull and in expensive
C10s are becoming quit desirebel and pricey

[str82666]

Ok I see where you are coming from now. I appreciate the thought, but I really would like to stick with the 1/2 ton chassis.

[primetime]

you need to get any 73-87 that has an inline 6. my 77 has a 250ci and (get this) 1 barrel carb(called a monojet). i also have a manual transmission. that just adds up to perfect gas mileage for a classic truck. and yes it does have enough 'get up' to stay up with traffic. it will be perfect for you as a daily driver.

[primetime]

oh yea, you can get one as short bed and 1/2 ton that is 2wd. so yes its do-able for under your budget of $5,000.

[str82666]

OK, cool. What about common problems with certain years and stuff like that. Shoudl I not consider any certain years for any reason (ie. brakes, fuel line, electrical problems)?

[Jonboy]

I would try to find an '87, so it will be injected and have overdrive. That will be your best bet as far as V8 and fuel mileage. Honestly, my advice will be to try to buy the nicest one you can afford, with a little left over to tackle some maintainence that may have been overlooked by any previous owners.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

I would try to find an '87, so it will be injected and have overdrive. That will be your best bet as far as V8 and fuel mileage. Honestly, my advice will be to try to buy the nicest one you can afford, with a little left over to tackle some maintainence that may have been overlooked by any previous owners.

Agree. It's "modern" fuel injection technology with an "old truck" vibe.

Mine happens to be a V6, so I gain some fuel economy there as well. Approx 22 mpg on the highway (daily driven).

K

[primetime]

i think the 87 is also the best year due to the fuel injection and power everything. but i doubt you will find one that is better for a daily driver than a inline 6. and seeing how folks with a 87 already know it is hard to find one in good condition, they normally price them well past your price range. so i would get an inliner. next best thing.

[tucsonjwt]

Some people are lucky and buy old vehicles which are reliable with little need for repairs. I am not so lucky. Are you lucky? Do you have another $3000 or so available for repairs if your $5,000 truck is not reliable?
I have owned 3 old square body trucks, and many new GM cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Carefully compare full cost of a new (or slightly used) economy car with an old truck and the 21,000 annual miles you plan to drive. The better fuel mileage on a newer economy car and the lack of repairs that will likely be needed on any old truck driven that much will probably mean the new economy car makes much more economic sense. Not to mention, when your old truck breaks down and you don't make it into work - don't you lose some pay? Also, the more miles you drive the more likely you are to have an accident - compare airbags, anti-lock brakes, etc. to an old truck's safety equipment.
If I were in your shoes, I would buy a new or slightly used economy car, drive it for 6 months and 10,000 miles, then trade it in on another new/newer car. This sounds crazy, but I have done this kind of thing for years and it doesn't cost more than $1,000 - $1500 per year total cost of ownership - if you buy and sell right - with no repair costs or worries about breakdowns.
If you must buy an old truck, get a second professional opinion and reserve funds for repairs.
Good Luck.

[SatisTraction]

driving 80 miles a day i would buy something else. sorry i drive 42 miles round trip at 18mpg and it gets old fast.

[Colesnsty68]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Some people are lucky and buy old vehicles which are reliable with little need for repairs. I am not so lucky. Are you lucky? Do you have another $3000 or so available for repairs if your $5,000 truck is not reliable?
I have owned 3 old square body trucks, and many new GM cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Carefully compare full cost of a new (or slightly used) economy car with an old truck and the 21,000 annual miles you plan to drive. The better fuel mileage on a newer economy car and the lack of repairs that will likely be needed on any old truck driven that much will probably mean the new economy car makes much more economic sense. Not to mention, when your old truck breaks down and you don't make it into work - don't you lose some pay? Also, the more miles you drive the more likely you are to have an accident - compare airbags, anti-lock brakes, etc. to an old truck's safety equipment.
If I were in your shoes, I would buy a new or slightly used economy car, drive it for 6 months and 10,000 miles, then trade it in on another new/newer car. This sounds crazy, but I have done this kind of thing for years and it doesn't cost more than $1,000 - $1500 per year total cost of ownership - if you buy and sell right - with no repair costs or worries about breakdowns.
If you must buy an old truck, get a second professional opinion and reserve funds for repairs.
Good Luck.

Ouch. Breakin him in easy eh?

[81ratrodc10]

i dis agree definatly dont buy anew supcompact crap stick with the truck idea

[tucsonjwt]

I hope I did not offend anyone - it's just that I have been down this "road" before and would like to save a fellow poster $$ and hassle.
Old truck - good for occasional use/second vehicle/going to the dump or Home Depot/park anywhere without worry/nostalgia, etc. - but not for fuel economy or daily highway driver reliability. But my opinion is economic, not emotional, so others will differ and more power to them - each to his or her own.
BTW, I will likely always have an old truck for the reasons stated above.

[Benelli]

Man, I'd have to agree with some posts. 87 or a C20 w/ 6.2 diesel and a manual.

Or I'd get a newer Chevy truck. I mean, I drive 80 miles round trip daily during the summer with my 97(Like 19.5 -21mpg), and it sure as hell beats the 9.2 MPG with the 79. Not to mention the ride, AC, cruise and modern safety.

[79gmcc15]

Also one thing about the 3/4 tons. From what Ive heard. They have a little bit better ride quality. If it was me, I would buy a 73-81 model just because I like them more then the 80's trucks. "Typically" speaking if you buy an 87 it will be the "newest" you can get. But ultimately buy the one you cant walk away from when you see it. You will know it when you see it. You can buy a 73 chevy and it be the more reliable then death and taxes and buy a 87 and it be a POS. I suggest you look through the picture posts and look at the trucks and find that "look" you like and search and test drive! Good luck! And it is mandatory that you come back with pictures of it! Good luck!

[fpjr0]

I agree with the post about the safety issues, about the air bags, abs, better mpg, how ever I also agree with the diesel engine truck my ex-boss has had his 84 diesel silverado, for 24 years, hid dad bought slightle used, he has driven that truck daily to work and he works about 25-30 to work and 25-30 back , then some time a few years back he had to drive 100 miles a day, the only think since I had known him he had to changed a couple of transmissions an the injector pump a few times... truck has more than 400k miles,,,
it also depends on what you are able to do, about repairs, can you do most of them on your own?

[Jonboy]

with a little repower action, my truck gets 18-20 MPG, has A/C, rides great and looks even better. (it's not my DD, though). The only thing about having a square as a DD is that the newest ones are almost 24 years old. Stuff wears out. It's a tradeoff you have to have with any older car as a DD. There will be sometimes you will have to fix it to be able to get to work.

[USSkoval]

IMHO, the year and engine really doesn't matter if you just want reliable. The best thing to do is just check the truck over really well, and take it for a test drive longer than just a few minutes.

My wife DD's a '88 Suburban (TBI), and in the summer, I DD my '77 Blazer. They are just as reliable as any newer vehicle (that are more than a few years old anyway).

Routinely give things a good looking over, and make repairs before they cause other problems or leave you stranded.

[Damien]

I would go for fuel injection. A Blazer or burb, will be easier to find with fuel injection, but a pic up is do able. I just searched Cl and found a dozen trucks and a few more burbs and K5s. Only two were over $4000. I really doesn't matter if it is a V6, 305 or 350. I really would stay away from a carb'd truck for a DD. Will it work well, yes, but cold weather and fuel injection is easier.