older chevy trucks? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

85drtysthbenz · #1 02-10-2005, 07:37 PM

ive been sort of browsing around looking for a truck to buy lately....i need something that can haul various things from time to time, and can tow a boat...also something to drive so i can be free to leave the 300SD home when i have it all torn apart working on it....i ran across a great looking 1987 chevy silverado today...its SWB, has great looking red paint, 350 with 160,000 miles, automatic trans, dual fuel tanks, dual exhaust, power windows and locks, no rust anywhere...im in love with this truck...the guy is asking $6400 for it....IMO these older silverados are about the truck equivalent to our diesel benzes...everyone ive known that has owned one has had nothing but good things to say about them, granted its only about 4 people but praise nonetheless....just wondering what you guys have to say about them...anyone here owned them? is the asking price about right? ill talk him down off of it as much as i can, but that seems to me like its a decent price for a truck in that condition....just fishing for some opinions, thanks guys

85drtysthbenz · #2 02-10-2005, 08:11 PM

yeah, i plan on checking up on it some more tomorrow...the guy that was selling it was on his way out the door when we got there....he told me the man that owns it will be there tomorrow and could answer any questions i had and that i could drive it then...this guy is just selling it for him, he has sort of a makeshift car lot....not really more than 5 or 6 cars at a time, all classics...seems like they are just a couple of buddies who enjoy older vehicles, and sometimes sell them...he got into a super sweet SS 396 El Camino when he left....price? $25,000

....he also had a 1986 GMC, same as the silverado basically...but it was black...his own personal truck, interior wasnt quite as nice as the chevy, no power locks or windows...seems he would be a good person to buy from....ill post results of the test drive, and also see what the owner has to say tomorrow

#3 02-11-2005, 12:15 PM

I had a 94 C1500. It will be the same body style as the 87 you're looking at. I wouldn't have wished it on my worst enemy. If you want solid, look at an older Ford or Dodge.

boneheaddoctor · #4 02-11-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Power

I had a 94 C1500. It will be the same body style as the 87 you're looking at. I wouldn't have wished it on my worst enemy. If you want solid, look at an older Ford or Dodge.

No you didn't...........88 was the first year of the revised body on pickups and I think it was 92 for suburbans and blazers.

I have a 87 GMC (same exact truck, only longbed, and 4 wheel drive.) and its the older body style and the last year of it.

#5 02-11-2005, 02:56 PM

I stand corrected. I still wouldn't wish one on my worst enemy. The late 70's and 80's were some of the worst years in US automobile history.

boneheaddoctor · #6 02-11-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Power

I stand corrected. I still wouldn't wish one on my worst enemy. The late 70's and 80's were some of the worst years in US automobile history.

Those trucks may have been more prone to rust....but they were far more rugged than the newer ones...............

That was the last of when a truck was a real truck.

Hatterasguy · #7 02-11-2005, 03:36 PM

My Unlce has a 94 Silverado as a work truck. It is ok but seems kind of cheap. Ford seems to make a better product. My dad has had his 94 F150 since early 96 with 6k miles on it. Not really any problems and it seems to be holding up rather well. The paint was perfect until he took a year off from waxing it now it is fading. Dark green is a bad color for a truck.

Ford vs GM here we go...

boneheaddoctor · #8 02-11-2005, 03:56 PM

My brother has a 1/2 ton chevy 4x4, 350,000 on the second engine. And it has led the life of a work truck. And not highway miles either.

Wodnek · #9 02-11-2005, 06:46 PM

In my opinion nothing beats a 73 to 79 body style Ford truck, if your looking for an in-expensive older truck. These were very over-engineered, had the twin I-beam suspension with great handling, and had heavy sheet metal that wasn't as rust prone as the 80s models. There are so many out there that parts are still very easy to come by. If you get one with the 351, 400 or 300L6 you will get a long, long long lasting truck. Avoid the 302 though.
Wodnek

85drtysthbenz · #10 02-11-2005, 07:12 PM

well, i went by the place today and they had already closed..i didnt have time to get there after lunch like id planned....but i stopped by and took a few pics of them...tell me what you think..

the other pics i took were too large, this is the only one that made the 65kb cutoff

boneheaddoctor · #11 02-11-2005, 07:35 PM

Sharp looking...............

85drtysthbenz · #12 02-11-2005, 07:36 PM

im leaning heavily towards the red truck, i think its quite a bit better than the black one...the black one is $5900 compared to $6400 for the red one...the black one doesnt have tinted windows or dual exhaust, also the interior is a little subpar compared to the red one....

i live in florida, so rust isnt a major issue...i didnt find any rust on it, other than a tiny bit on the inside of the tailgate...but its just on the surface, its not rusted through or anything...

i picked up a copy of AutoTrader the other day and was looking through it....this was before i saw these two....i was originally thinking about trying to get the latest year model chevy or dodge with the lowest miles that i could afford....but youre going to have to fix stuff on whatever you get, no matter how old or new...that just goes without saying....now compare parts prices of a 1987 chevy silverado with those of a 1997-99 dodge ram, or a 1997-99 anything for that matter....one hell of a difference, GM parts for older trucks are dirt cheap...plus theyre much easier to work on...now my bro-in-law has an 01 dodge ram, you shouldve seen the hell we went through one day just trying to change the spark plugs, also the parts cost twice as much, if not more....dodge is extremely proud of their parts.....

as for fords, nuh uh....i dont like em....in this auto trader i have, more than HALF of the entire issue is ford listings...that has to tell you something in itself...and i just plain dont like the look of a ford much

85drtysthbenz · #13 02-11-2005, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

Sharp looking...............

yeah, ive always loved the stance these trucks have...very much badass

....BHD, how do you like your 79?

boneheaddoctor · #14 02-11-2005, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85drtysthbenz

yeah, ive always loved the stance these trucks have...very much badass

....BHD, how do you like your 79?

the '79 is my 300SD......LOVE IT!

If you mean my GMC.....thats an '87....It's not particularly fast........I haven't put a turbo on it yet......still gathering parts, 6.2 N/A diesel with a banks stinger kit. I have had heavy Clay dirt 3 feet over the bedsides..at least 5 tons.....and thats an 8 ft bed..........but only had to drive a mile like that.........10 times....

Only complaint I have is with they had a heavy duty Overdrive tranny for it then........ 4.10 gears in the axels is mightly low gearing even with 33" tires when you don't have an overdrive.

85drtysthbenz · #15 02-11-2005, 07:58 PM

yeah, sorry...my bad...i meant the GMC

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