Old GMC Sierra Question

whoatherechunk · #1 07-03-2009, 12:23 PM

So I tried looking up stuff on car sites and those price quoting car dealio's on the net and didn't get much info. My friend is selling a 93' GMC Sierra 1500 truck for $1500. For me he'd bump it down to $1200. It's got 180,000 miles, automatic, A/C, power windows, short bed, 2 door, v-8 and runs just fine. The reason I wanna get a truck/van or anything of the sort is to haul my equipment because right now I have a Honda Civic and it's a ***ch to move stuff. What experiences have you had with these trucks? Good/bad? Is this a good price? Thanks.

hover · #2 07-03-2009, 12:33 PM

Kelly Blue Book has the equivalent Chevrolet Model in short bed 1500 series at around 4100 bucks retail value....if that is any indicator...they are in general a good workhorse truck. Not sure if at that vintage whether the appointments are drastically different between marques, but if it has the 5.0 v8, it's a capable motor, but really anything is a tossup with that kind of mileage. Parts are plentiful, and chevrolets on the average are easy to work on...

Best of luck in your decision.

malthumb · #3 07-03-2009, 12:37 PM

4.3L V6 or 5.7L V8? The CORRECT answer would be 5.7L V8.

hover · #4 07-03-2009, 12:59 PM

sorry, I was merely going by the list of available motors for the chevy equivalent from that vintage. There was a 5.0, and a 5.7 available.

Mike N · #5 07-03-2009, 06:30 PM

Great trucks, and they're pretty much bulletproof. Either the 305 or 350 is adequate for what you'll priobably going to do with it.

Pricewise it seems fair, especially if it's a clean salt free truck. I would disregard anything that Kelley Blue Book says about value, as there is no way a 16 year old 2wd truck with 180,000 miles is worth $4100. I've always found kbb to be way high on any car I've ever looked up.

tplyons · #6 07-03-2009, 06:33 PM

Both the 305 and 350 motors are fairly bulletproof. The 305 isn't that powerful, but it'll run forever.

When I sold my El Camino, it had 188,000 miles on it and the motor still had plenty of life left. No problems there.

Just check out and make sure it's not too rusty, and you should be good.

Pilgrim · #7 07-03-2009, 07:59 PM

Both small block V8s are great, and I agree, KBB is always high. Check edmunds.com for more realistic figures.

whoatherechunk · #8 07-03-2009, 08:54 PM

thanks guys its a 5.7L V-8. Friend also told me the motor on one of the windows is broken, the AC needs works, and it has a fresh set of tires. the reason im asking you guys is cuz i suck at knowing about cars.....all i do is drive em hahaha. thanks!

fdeck · #9 07-03-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

thanks guys its a 5.7L V-8. Friend also told me the motor on one of the windows is broken, the AC needs works, and it has a fresh set of tires. the reason im asking you guys is cuz i suck at knowing about cars.....all i do is drive em hahaha. thanks!

Well, if you care about the AC, then road salt isn't a problem where you live.

Moving to Texas was when I found out that my car didn't have a functioning AC.

Pilgrim · #10 07-03-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

thanks guys its a 5.7L V-8. Friend also told me the motor on one of the windows is broken, the AC needs works, and it has a fresh set of tires. the reason im asking you guys is cuz i suck at knowing about cars.....all i do is drive em hahaha. thanks!

If you're going to buy an old truck, you better learn to do basic work yourself. Windows aren't that hard to fix, and trucks in general aren't that difficult.

Grizzly700 · #11 07-03-2009, 11:13 PM

They are great trucks, my dad used to have one. Lots of people I have spoken to have said they tend to have transmission problems, so be wary of that.

unbridled · #12 07-03-2009, 11:29 PM

The tranny is what I'd be wondering about. The 350 is probably the most versatile engine around and really easy to work on. The price is fair enough. One thing you will have to be thinking of is the extra 10 inches or so you'll be lifting your gear up to get it in the back of the pickup as compared to a van. Also, they are a little more hard on equipment because they tend to ride a little stiffer and aren't carpeted in the back. You'll also need to get good at tarping your load in the rain if it doesn't have a topper. and you will need to unload your gear every time at 3:00 in the morning when you get home from a gig because there will be no locking up the back. Unless you can pull it into a garage!

whoatherechunk · #13 07-04-2009, 02:24 AM

wow unbridled! good thinking!!!!!! im thinking i need a van now ha. good good good good advice. i thought about the topper....but i think a van has some better pro's.

unbridled · #14 07-04-2009, 03:23 AM

You bet!

Yeah, the pickup is a decent deal but it does have it's limitations. One thing you have going for you is the market for full-size vans has dropped out a little because everyone likes mini vans. (which aren't bad either) Let us know what you decide!

kanonfodr · #15 07-04-2009, 06:37 AM

If you're still looking at getting that pickup, I'd say that for 1200 and not being a daily driver it's probably a sweet little deal.

Grizzly700 and unbridled are correct in questioning the transmission in that truck, particularly if it has seen a lot of quick take-offs from a stop. That truck features a 700R4 automatic tranny, and while it has some decent gearing and torque capacity, some of them can be fairly fragile.

If the window motor is out, it will cost you about 60 bucks and a few hours of working with/cursing at the door panel. Not too many tools are involved, but the plastic fasteners that GM used on the door panels suck.

If you have any mechanical questions, PM me. I currently drive (and work on) a 95 C1500 that is the second one of those model trucks I've owned, and the third in my family. I'd keep it forever, if I could.

Peace,
Greg

Mike N · #16 07-04-2009, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

If you're still looking at getting that pickup, I'd say that for 1200 and not being a daily driver it's probably a sweet little deal.

Grizzly700 and unbridled are correct in questioning the transmission in that truck, particularly if it has seen a lot of quick take-offs from a stop. That truck features a 700R4 automatic tranny, and while it has some decent gearing and torque capacity, some of them can be fairly fragile.

If the window motor is out, it will cost you about 60 bucks and a few hours of working with/cursing at the door panel. Not too many tools are involved, but the plastic fasteners that GM used on the door panels suck.

If you have any mechanical questions, PM me. I currently drive (and work on) a 95 C1500 that is the second one of those model trucks I've owned, and the third in my family. I'd keep it forever, if I could.

Peace,
Greg

The early 700's were weak, but that was the mid 80's. By the 90's GM figured it out and they're actually pretty strong transmissions. Plus, with 180,000 miles on it there's a chance it's already been rebuilt.

kanonfodr · #17 07-04-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike N

The early 700's were weak, but that was the mid 80's. By the 90's GM figured it out and they're actually pretty strong transmissions. Plus, with 180,000 miles on it there's a chance it's already been rebuilt.

It's either been rebuilt already or it's soon to go out

.

But seriously, you'd be surprised at how long GM was half-assing it's engine choices to continue using that transmission. I think they are still using that tranny, as it is now called the 4L60E, with the V6 and little V8 engines. They were actually programming the engines for reduced performance so that the transmission would last longer, since it's rated for a maximum of 600 lb-ft torque through the gearsets, which equals about 340 lb-ft MAX off the crankshaft.

Granted, I have no complaints about the 4L60E in my truck, but since I've owned it I swapped the 3.08 ring and pinion in the rear diff for a set of 4.11s, which actually helps relieve stress from the transmission. I also roll-on my accelerations, versus just mashing the gas pedal, which for that tranny does wonders as well.

I still think the OP is getting a nice deal.

Peace,
Greg

whoatherechunk · #18 07-04-2009, 01:25 PM

great great great suggestions guys! is there any other mechanical questions i should ask him?

Pilgrim · #19 07-04-2009, 01:42 PM

Ask him if the tranny has been power-flushed. My rule is to target power flushes for automatics at 30,000 mile intervals. The recommendation came from a friend who's a tranny mechanic. It's cheap insurance compared to a rebuild.

Mike N · #20 07-04-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

It's either been rebuilt already or it's soon to go out

.

But seriously, you'd be surprised at how long GM was half-assing it's engine choices to continue using that transmission. I think they are still using that tranny, as it is now called the 4L60E, with the V6 and little V8 engines. They were actually programming the engines for reduced performance so that the transmission would last longer, since it's rated for a maximum of 600 lb-ft torque through the gearsets, which equals about 340 lb-ft MAX off the crankshaft.

Granted, I have no complaints about the 4L60E in my truck, but since I've owned it I swapped the 3.08 ring and pinion in the rear diff for a set of 4.11s, which actually helps relieve stress from the transmission. I also roll-on my accelerations, versus just mashing the gas pedal, which for that tranny does wonders as well.

I still think the OP is getting a nice deal.

Peace,
Greg

You'd be surprised how much abuse a 700R4 can take. I've got one in my Z71 with 211,000 miles on it, and one in Wifey's K5 Blazer spinning 38" super Swampers, and both tranny's have held up well. We also ran a 140,000 mile one in a 12 second 93 Firebird without a problem.

By swapping your 3.08's for 4.10's you've made first gear useless, and probably murdered gas mileage at the same time. It's a move I personally wouldn't have done, but if it works for you than so be it.