UPDATE- I bought a new (to me) 93 K2500

[69Chevy]

It's a 93 K2500 (with 6 lugs) with 177000 miles at a price I couldn't resist. Reason being is that it needs a bunch of work and they (used car dept.) didn't want to put a bunch of money into it.

Main issues are-
needs a radiator
t-case needs pulled out to replace front seal
both doors need the pins and bushings replaced
transmission doesn't shift quite right (may be the dirty/low fluid)
RF hub needs replaced
front axle actuator wires are cut (no idea why)

I figured it would make me a good winter beater and my dad a good hunting rig. He'll split some of the cost with me.

Just the one pic for now of it on my lift at work as I was lookin it over.

[chakis24]

congrats, those things are tanks and can take a beating. i loved my 96 cheyenne. mine was a 1500 though.

[shadams]

Main issues are-

needs a radiator - Easy

t-case needs pulled out to replace front seal - easy

both doors need the pins and bushings replaced - so, so, but not the end of the world, just hope the hinge holes arent wallerd(sp?) out

transmission doesn't shift quite right (may be the dirty/low fluid) - eek, trans issues are never cheap or easy, on the other hand, if needed you can get a used one form a salvage yard for a couple hundered bucks.

RF hub needs replaced - easy

front axle actuator wires are cut (no idea why)- eek, possible 4wd issue??

I figured it would make me a good winter beater and my dad a good hunting rig. He'll split some of the cost with me. - Even better!

But I guess you know all that, your a tech arent you? Anyway, projects are sweet, even better when you can work on them with your pops. Good luck, keep us updated.

[69Chevy]

Thanks shadams, and ya I'm a tech, that's why I bought it. The t-case was way over full so I'm sure the input seal in the t-case has given out and the transmission is pumping fluid into the t-case. I'm hoping that that, coupled with very dark fluid is the main reason behind the transmission not shifting right. It flares when you have your foot in it but it shifts ok under normal use. I haven't really had a chance to drive it very far seeing as how the radiator is leaking, but I have a nearly brand new radiator with a pinhole in it I'm gonna fix and put into it. I have no idea what the deal is with the front axle, we'll find out I guess, probably go over Saturday to work on everything. It has various other smaller issues too, but those will be adressed all in due time. As long as I can get it road worthy I'll be happy.

[ctaylorzl1]

Ahh, you must be a farmer at heart! That is the perfect farm truck! I love old beat up Chevys like that! We have a 89 GMC Z71 that is your trucks twin!

[69Chevy]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

Ahh, you must be a farmer at heart! That is the perfect farm truck! I love old beat up Chevys like that! We have a 89 GMC Z71 that is your trucks twin!

Not quite a farmer, but definitely all for a cheap reliable ride. And I plan on makin it look better along the way so it doesn't look like quite the farm truck anymore.

I'm plannin on signing the papers and ordering parts tomorrow then going over Saturday to work on it. Might try to work out a deal on some take-off wheels/tires we have from a GMT-900. Maybe I'll post some updates and more pics.

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by 69Chevy

Main issues are-
needs a radiator
t-case needs pulled out to replace front seal
both doors need the pins and bushings replaced
transmission doesn't shift quite right (may be the dirty/low fluid)
RF hub needs replaced
front axle actuator wires are cut (no idea why)

I figured it would make me a good winter beater and my dad a good hunting rig. He'll split some of the cost with me.

Just the one pic for now of it on my lift at work as I was lookin it over.

Does that mean that when you open the door it drops about 1"-1.5"? What's with that? Older GM trucks always seem to do that.

Anyway, congrats! I always liked '90s Chevy trucks. Do you get to use that lift to do repairs, or is that just while you were checking it out?

I wish I had a nice lift to work under.

[likearock00]

Originally Posted by King Riffle

Does that mean that when you open the door it drops about 1"-1.5"? What's with that? Older GM trucks always seem to do that.

Yes, you are right. Those pins in both the Silverado and S-10 models sucked!

Congtrats on your "new for you" truck. I'm sure you'll love every minute in it. A truck is like a child- you'll love it no matter what.

[darndot]

The body doesn't look to bad on this side. I hope you don't find something really bad.

[69Chevy]

Originally Posted by King Riffle

Anyway, congrats! I always liked '90s Chevy trucks. Do you get to use that lift to do repairs, or is that just while you were checking it out?

I wish I had a nice lift to work under.

Thanks, it's at the dealership I work for as a tech, so I can use it for personal stuff when I'm not busy, it's very nice.

Originally Posted by likearock00

Congtrats on your "new for you" truck. I'm sure you'll love every minute in it. A truck is like a child- you'll love it no matter what.

Thanks, never heard it put so eloquently, almost poem-like. A man and his truck is a beautiful thing.

Originally Posted by darndot

The body doesn't look to bad on this side. I hope you don't find something really bad.

I cleaned it out today, ended up with a full garbage can of bottles and jugs from the bed alone. Several coolant jugs, 6 or 7 Stop leak containers, lots of Mtn. Dew bottles. Only after cleaning it did I find a big hole through the middle of the bed and the area around it was weak. Looks like it had a 5th wheel plate in it that caused some rust under it, no biggie though.

[69Chevy]

Well I got it to the point I could drive it home tonight (had to leave my Cobalt in the shop, don't like doin that). Here's what I've done so far in regards to my original list.

needs a radiator- I had a nearly new radiator with a small hole fixed for $40 and put in a thermostat since it didn't have one...
t-case needs pulled out to replace front seal- Pulled out the t-case and replace the front input seal which was indeed cracked, also replaced the front output seal.
both doors need the pins and bushings replaced- Nothing done yet, next go around.
transmission doesn't shift quite right- Replaced the trans filter and added new fluid, shifts great now.
RF hub needs replaced- Next go around
front axle actuator wires are cut (no idea why)- Wires were for the 4x4 light switch. Front actuator didn't work at all though. I installed the new updated actuator in my service writer's truck and he gave me his old actuator, rewired the cut wires, 4WD works fine now.

Of course during the drive home I found more issues-
Window fogged over and had a slight smell of coolant, so I assume the heater core is leaking.
Doesn't idle very well, need to look over the injectors and probably do a tune-up.
Needs an alignment, steering wheel is off-centered.
Needs a CD player, not important, but still...

So far I've only spent about $80 in parts, not bad but I'm sure I'll find other problems as I go.

[ctaylorzl1]

Originally Posted by 69Chevy

Doesn't idle very well, need to look over the injectors and probably do a tune-up.

I have 2 Chevy TBI trucks on my farm, a 89 Z71 305, and a 93 2500 350/utility. None of them idle good, especially when cold! Getting them to warm and go down the road without dying is half the fun of having it!

[AndrewGS]

That'll make a great workhorse after the bugs are ironed out. Which engine is in it? Any rust besides the bed?

Being a GM tech is definately a bonus.

[69Chevy]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

I have 2 Chevy TBI trucks on my farm, a 89 Z71 305, and a 93 2500 350/utility. None of them idle good, especially when cold! Getting them to warm and go down the road without dying is half the fun of having it!

You say fun I say annoying, but it does about the same as you just described. It has plenty of power and wil try to spin the tires without much effort though, so it can't be too bad.

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

That'll make a great workhorse after the bugs are ironed out. Which engine is in it? Any rust besides the bed?

Being a GM tech is definately a bonus.

It has a 350 and the bed is the only rust I've found so far.

Yes being a GM tech is indeed a bonus, especially when it comes to parts discounts.

Also discovered this morning that something screwy is goin on with the blinker, they randomly increase speed then slow back down. Haven't ever seen that. It also needs a cruise/wiper switch/lever, whenever the wipers are turned to "mist" it kicks off the cruise, but again, not a necessity.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by 69Chevy

Also discovered this morning that something screwy is goin on with the blinker, they randomly increase speed then slow back down. Haven't ever seen that. It also needs a cruise/wiper switch/lever, whenever the wipers are turned to "mist" it kicks off the cruise, but again, not a necessity.

Just needs a flasher unit. Sounds like the old thermal unit is going crazy. I'd get an electronic unit.

I've got a working SmartStalk from my Sonoma, too bad it won't fit. I spent $125 to replace a perfectly good part.