Help me buy / choose a tow rig/truck

ufunnyguys · 02-07-2007, 10:10 PM

Came across two trucks in my price range. Each are similar but different. Here me out and give me your opinions. I can't decide which I think is a better deal / option for me. I intend to use it mostly for hauling or towing, limited four wheeling.

Truck 1:
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 High Sierra standard cab
Three speed automatic and 350 small block. Seems to run and shift good including the four wheel drive.

Exterior: the bed rail that goes across the back of the cab has a small crease in it. Outside of that, the body is straight, no dents or rust. Paint is faded and chipped and it could use a paint job. Oh ya, and one wing window is caulked in to keep from leaking. Will need tires soon (33x12.5)

Interior: Original seat needs to be recovered. Needs new door panels. Dash is cracked and holes ( I guess a dash cover would take care of that), needs new carpet, gauge bezels need to be cleaned/repainted. All electronics seem to work. Truck has no radio. It has tilt wheel but the steering wheel is VERY loose (can move it a round, and its not from the tilt wheel) The truck is equipped with a/c, but the compressor was removed / been disconnected.

Truck #2 1986 Chevy 3/x ton 4x4 Scottsdale standard cab.
4 speed manual, and 350 small block.

I have only seen pics, but the guy says it runs and pulls good, but WILL NOT pass smog. Guy claims it has dual exhaust, and no cats. He said when he tried to have it smogged "one side of dual exhaust passed and one side didnt". Make sense??

Interior: truck looks REALLY CLEAN inside. The body looks straight as an arrow. Paint appears faded but not scratched up chipping. Even has the original stock hub caps. The body inside and out, is totally stock and clean.

This truck is two hours away, so if I decide to buy it, it will be on the spot.

It comes down to truck #1: automatic, really rough interior, a/c (despite being disconnected), but it did pass smog (more mechanically sound??).

Truck #2: Manual 4speed, interior super clean, body just as straight as #1, but doesn't need paint job as bad, and WILL NOT pass smog.

Does this guys smog story make sense?? Is cleanlisness more indicative of a truck that has been taken care of?? Is a stick vs auto more important.

Thanks for the help!!!
Greg

bnold · 02-08-2007, 09:02 AM

Honestly I would say keep looking... If I had to chose for a tow vehicle I would choose #2 just because of the stick... About the SMOG if he is not running a crossover in his duals it is very possible that one bank is running richer than the other causing a difference in emissions.

Red90YJ · 02-08-2007, 09:57 AM

Save some money to upgrade your price range. I suspect these are less than a grand. A very decent none diesel tow rig can be had in the 2500-3500.

CHRIS SHELBY · 02-08-2007, 12:24 PM

If I had to decide between the trucks you listed it would be #2

NWFLYJ · 02-08-2007, 07:53 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-...QQcmdZViewItem

2500 CTD 4x4 no bed on the back, put a flatbed on it and rock. 20 hours left and right now its 1875.00. Its says 1980 but I think its a 1992 Just a suggestion.

If you have to choose though I kinda favor truck number 2.

pcorssmit · 02-09-2007, 07:03 AM

#1 truck should be TBI, whereas #2 is carb'd. If you haven't driven something with an older 4 speed like that before, make sure you take it for a good long test drive to see if its acceptable to you.

As far as the "dual exhaust, and no cats", its quite possible that thats the original setup for that truck, I know it was in '85. The emissions standards for 8600+ lb GVW trucks is different than for the lighter ones, hence the no cats.

The tilt steering on #1 is usually a cheap/fairly easy fix.

Pete

02-08-2007, 12:24 PM	#4
CHRIS SHELBY Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Member # 47390 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 259	If I had to decide between the trucks you listed it would be #2 __________________ Country

02-08-2007, 07:53 PM	#5
NWFLYJ Wheeler Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 66907 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 200	http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-...QQcmdZViewItem 2500 CTD 4x4 no bed on the back, put a flatbed on it and rock. 20 hours left and right now its 1875.00. Its says 1980 but I think its a 1992 Just a suggestion. If you have to choose though I kinda favor truck number 2. __________________ Please don't tell my Mom that I'm a pilot. She thinks I'm a piano player in a whore house. Last edited by NWFLYJ; 02-09-2007 at 06:45 PM. Reason: Choose number 2

02-09-2007, 07:03 AM	#6
pcorssmit Rock God Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4406 Location: Denver Posts: 2,246	#1 truck should be TBI, whereas #2 is carb'd. If you haven't driven something with an older 4 speed like that before, make sure you take it for a good long test drive to see if its acceptable to you. As far as the "dual exhaust, and no cats", its quite possible that thats the original setup for that truck, I know it was in '85. The emissions standards for 8600+ lb GVW trucks is different than for the lighter ones, hence the no cats. The tilt steering on #1 is usually a cheap/fairly easy fix. Pete __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways , beer in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOW, what a ride."

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02-07-2007, 10:10 PM	#1
ufunnyguys Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Member # 78935 Posts: 4	Help me buy / choose a tow rig/truck Came across two trucks in my price range. Each are similar but different. Here me out and give me your opinions. I can't decide which I think is a better deal / option for me. I intend to use it mostly for hauling or towing, limited four wheeling. Truck 1: 1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 High Sierra standard cab Three speed automatic and 350 small block. Seems to run and shift good including the four wheel drive. Exterior: the bed rail that goes across the back of the cab has a small crease in it. Outside of that, the body is straight, no dents or rust. Paint is faded and chipped and it could use a paint job. Oh ya, and one wing window is caulked in to keep from leaking. Will need tires soon (33x12.5) Interior: Original seat needs to be recovered. Needs new door panels. Dash is cracked and holes ( I guess a dash cover would take care of that), needs new carpet, gauge bezels need to be cleaned/repainted. All electronics seem to work. Truck has no radio. It has tilt wheel but the steering wheel is VERY loose (can move it a round, and its not from the tilt wheel) The truck is equipped with a/c, but the compressor was removed / been disconnected. Truck #2 1986 Chevy 3/x ton 4x4 Scottsdale standard cab. 4 speed manual, and 350 small block. I have only seen pics, but the guy says it runs and pulls good, but WILL NOT pass smog. Guy claims it has dual exhaust, and no cats. He said when he tried to have it smogged "one side of dual exhaust passed and one side didnt". Make sense?? Interior: truck looks REALLY CLEAN inside. The body looks straight as an arrow. Paint appears faded but not scratched up chipping. Even has the original stock hub caps. The body inside and out, is totally stock and clean. This truck is two hours away, so if I decide to buy it, it will be on the spot. It comes down to truck #1: automatic, really rough interior, a/c (despite being disconnected), but it did pass smog (more mechanically sound??). Truck #2: Manual 4speed, interior super clean, body just as straight as #1, but doesn't need paint job as bad, and WILL NOT pass smog. Does this guys smog story make sense?? Is cleanlisness more indicative of a truck that has been taken care of?? Is a stick vs auto more important. Thanks for the help!!! Greg

02-08-2007, 09:02 AM	#2
bnold Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 86197 Location: Denton, TX (North of Dallas) Posts: 6	Honestly I would say keep looking... If I had to chose for a tow vehicle I would choose #2 just because of the stick... About the SMOG if he is not running a crossover in his duals it is very possible that one bank is running richer than the other causing a difference in emissions.

02-08-2007, 09:57 AM	#3
Red90YJ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Member # 15397 Location: Hamilton, OH Posts: 68	Save some money to upgrade your price range. I suspect these are less than a grand. A very decent none diesel tow rig can be had in the 2500-3500.