Change the tranny fluid, install a shift kit, and a big ass trans fluid cooler. If the truck's never been used to tow it might last a while. If you do any serious towing/ hauling, lock it out of OD. Nice that it's a GMC. Classy. My first truck was a '77 GMC Suburban.
Yeah, I never understood the camper shell hate, so much sheltered room for, uh, activities. Thinking back it seemed the adults were the only ones outspoken about it being a unattractive grandpa's truck thing.
Yeah, for a popular young guy having a camper shell on the back of the truck could really come in handy. Keep it.
I am a big supporter of staggered 15x8 and 15x10 wheels on 90's and earlier trucks and vans.
US Wheel 70 series white steelies are likely gonna be the most modestly priced set you can find. And they are so cheap you wont feel bad about spraying them satin black, if you want black wheels...
275/60R15 in the rear and 225/70R15 in the front if you plan on leaving it stock height, if you are going lower consider a 295/50R15 for the rear and 245/60R15 for the front.
White lettered tires, without a doubt.
Nice! In the picture, it looks like a sort of pearl grey colour. I like it, and I think it's pretty rare. You must be pretty happy not to see Ontario rust.
If it were mine, and I had unlimited funds, I would look into getting a W/T front fascia so I could add a set of those LED drop-in headlights Keith raves about.
Thanks, guys! Yes, it is going on the big summer road trip, and the topper is staying because I love camping but hate hard ground. I would drop it, but I'd have to get it re-certified and then bend over for insurance, so that probably won't happen for a while. The Rally Wheels look fairly good on it, and I'm thinking of refinishing them in black with white letter tires to really make them pop. I'll make sure to take more pictures when I go to collect it. As for a W/T fascia, I would, but I love the look of the composite headlights. I'll just have to get an LMC truck Hi-beam relay so that all four bulbs illuminate when the high beams are on.
pick up some tires on your big summer road trip in ohio and i'll mount them for you if you make it this far.
Nice truck man!
I spent a lot of time in my high school days driving my parents' 94 K2500 around, doing dumb E36 M3. That thing was better at just being a truck than anything else I've ever driven, it just did what was asked of it and didn't give any E36 M3s about it. I think the exhaust rusted out and had to be replaced and the exhaust manifold gaskets leaked at one time, never needed anything else. Towed horse trailers on the reg, hauled a ton of hay bales without breaking a sweat.
My mom once had a Neon pull out in front of her in the truck and t-boned it, caving the side of the neon in like a soda can (girl in the Neon was lucky to walk away.) The truck drove home with the front bumper ever so slightly askew. Thing was a beast.
My sister eventually killed it by driving it into a tree, a deed for which the family has never quite forgiven her (kidding - sort of.) That thing will eternally hold legend status in the Furious Family, though.
I have to agree on the topper, I'd keep it. Especially for camping.
Nice find!
G_Body_Man wrote: Thanks, guys! Yes, it is going on the big summer road trip, and the topper is staying because I love camping but hate hard ground. I would drop it, but I'd have to get it re-certified and then bend over for insurance, so that probably won't happen for a while. The Rally Wheels look fairly good on it, and I'm thinking of refinishing them in black with white letter tires to really make them pop. I'll make sure to take more pictures when I go to collect it. As for a W/T fascia, I would, but I love the look of the composite headlights. I'll just have to get an LMC truck Hi-beam relay so that all four bulbs illuminate when the high beams are on.
Furious_E wrote: Nice truck man! I spent a lot of time in my high school days driving my parents' 94 K2500 around, doing dumb E36 M3. That thing was better at just being a truck than anything else I've ever driven, it just did what was asked of it and didn't give any E36 M3s about it. I think the exhaust rusted out and had to be replaced and the exhaust manifold gaskets leaked at one time, never needed anything else. Towed horse trailers on the reg, hauled a ton of hay bales without breaking a sweat. My mom once had a Neon pull out in front of her in the truck and t-boned it, caving the side of the neon in like a soda can (girl in the Neon was lucky to walk away.) The truck drove home with the front bumper ever so slightly askew. Thing was a beast. My sister eventually killed it by driving it into a tree, a deed for which the family has never quite forgiven her (kidding - sort of.) That thing will eternally hold legend status in the Furious Family, though.
Yeah, these trucks just do not care what you do to them. They are tough rigs. I once centerpunched a deer at 55mph in my '94 K1500. It sent the deer flying and tossed it off into a ditch, dead instantly. Stopped the truck and it literally had not a scratch on it. No broken headlights, do grille damage, nothing. I was amazed. Got back in and carried on my way.
The only real complaints I ever had was the 4WD could get touchy to get in and out of and they seem to have a much larger turning radius than comparable Fords. But other than that I loved it. The TBI 350 only made 190hp but it had 300lb-ft of torque and that truck would pull like a freight train. And they have the best bench seats ever, especially in the awesome blue or red interiors.
In reply to NickD:
That's incredible.
Good score! I like the GMC grille better than the Chevy. Keep the big mudflaps on there, they really help deflect the salt and crud. The doors and rockers will thank you. Do you have a limited slip diff? If not, swapping in a 3:42 LSD will pep it up a bit without killing your gas milage. Look for 4x4's in the JY. (I assume you have a 3.08 now). Camper top can go on and off as needed.
There is nothing wrong with the 305 despite what someone will certianly say at some point. A good used LT1 cam from a Caprice/Roadmaster will give you another 20-30hp with a chip and exhaust. Did that on my 305 Firebird to great result for minimal dollars and again didn't hurt fuel milage.
Nice score, growing up in the south you had to have one of these in z71 guise to not be gay...I drove Miatas so I never fit in.
Only suggestion is yank off or paint that chrome wheel trim. And I second the 3.42 and g80 rear end. Best mod you can do.
chiodos wrote: Nice score, growing up in the south you had to have one of these in z71 guise to not be gay...I drove Miatas so I never fit in. Only suggestion is yank off or paint that chrome wheel trim. And I second the 3.42 and g80 rear end. Best mod you can do.
I think it has a G80,but I'd have to look at the RPO codes to be sure. And althought some may not like the beauty rings, I'm not sure if I want to take them off, for fear of what lies underneath.
patgizz wrote: you will get good at changing the idler arm every 25k or so because none of the aftermarket stuff, even the moog HD, is anywhere near as good as the GM parts. after a moog heavy duty one got sloppy after 25k, i started buying the $7 rock auto ones and they last almost as long.
I couldn't disagree more. Here are two pictures I took when I rebuilt the suspension under my own GMT400. Compare the Moog Super Duty idler arm to the GM arm. Massive difference in beef.The Moog arm lasts infinitely longer than a GM arm.
I worked in a GMC/ Pontaic dealer shop back in 1994. We would sometimes go down the street to Hi-Lo Auto Parts (now Oreilly's) and get a Moog to install rather than GM.
G_Body_Man wrote: I would drop it, but I'd have to get it re-certified and then bend over for insurance
Uh, what? You're in Ontario? O M G...You need to get out of there. I suggest anywhere west of Manitoba.
Cousin_Eddie wrote:patgizz wrote: you will get good at changing the idler arm every 25k or so because none of the aftermarket stuff, even the moog HD, is anywhere near as good as the GM parts. after a moog heavy duty one got sloppy after 25k, i started buying the $7 rock auto ones and they last almost as long.I couldn't disagree more. Here are two pictures I took when I rebuilt the suspension under my own GMT400. Compare the Moog Super Duty idler arm to the GM arm. Massive difference in beef.The Moog arm lasts infinitely longer than a GM arm. I worked in a GMC/ Pontaic dealer shop back in 1994. We would sometimes go down the street to Hi-Lo Auto Parts (now Oreilly's) and get a Moog to install rather than GM.
i've put millions of miles on 88-94 gmt400's and the moog arms wear out just like everyone else's. from real world experience, they're beefier looking and heavier but still wear out. i put one on my 89 at 180k and it was sloppy again at 218k. that was back when moog was better quality than it is now, half of it comes marked "made in china" anymore and i can get the exact same part in a mevotech box.
G_Body_Man wrote:chiodos wrote: Nice score, growing up in the south you had to have one of these in z71 guise to not be gay...I drove Miatas so I never fit in. Only suggestion is yank off or paint that chrome wheel trim. And I second the 3.42 and g80 rear end. Best mod you can do.I think it has a G80,but I'd have to look at the RPO codes to be sure. And althought some may not like the beauty rings, I'm not sure if I want to take them off, for fear of what lies underneath.
Do the two wheel peel test for certainly. I've seen them wear out. Aside, they call those fender chrome things beauty rings too? We always called the chrome rings on steelies beauty rings. Yeah I thought about the rust under, that's why I suggested or paint
Calm yourself, Doc: He's in BC now, and so is his new truck. (Check the plate in the picture.)
doc_speeder wrote:G_Body_Man wrote: I would drop it, but I'd have to get it re-certified and then bend over for insuranceUh, what? You're in Ontario? O M G...You need to get out of there. I suggest anywhere west of Manitoba.
He's in BC. He used to be in Ontario.
chiodos wrote:G_Body_Man wrote:Do the two wheel peel test for certainly. I've seen them wear out. Aside, they call those fender chrome things beauty rings too? We always called the chrome rings on steelies beauty rings. Yeah I thought about the rust under, that's why I suggested or paintchiodos wrote: Nice score, growing up in the south you had to have one of these in z71 guise to not be gay...I drove Miatas so I never fit in. Only suggestion is yank off or paint that chrome wheel trim. And I second the 3.42 and g80 rear end. Best mod you can do.I think it has a G80,but I'd have to look at the RPO codes to be sure. And althought some may not like the beauty rings, I'm not sure if I want to take them off, for fear of what lies underneath.
Oh sorry, I thought you meant something else. The chrome fender trim might go, it all depends on how I feel.
patgizz wrote:Cousin_Eddie wrote:i've put millions of miles on 88-94 gmt400's and the moog arms wear out just like everyone else's. from real world experience, they're beefier looking and heavier but still wear out. i put one on my 89 at 180k and it was sloppy again at 218k. that was back when moog was better quality than it is now, half of it comes marked "made in china" anymore and i can get the exact same part in a mevotech box.patgizz wrote: you will get good at changing the idler arm every 25k or so because none of the aftermarket stuff, even the moog HD, is anywhere near as good as the GM parts. after a moog heavy duty one got sloppy after 25k, i started buying the $7 rock auto ones and they last almost as long.I couldn't disagree more. Here are two pictures I took when I rebuilt the suspension under my own GMT400. Compare the Moog Super Duty idler arm to the GM arm. Massive difference in beef.The Moog arm lasts infinitely longer than a GM arm. I worked in a GMC/ Pontaic dealer shop back in 1994. We would sometimes go down the street to Hi-Lo Auto Parts (now Oreilly's) and get a Moog to install rather than GM.
Very impressive. 1988 was 28 years ago. Millions of miles, assuming that means 2 million, puts you at 71,428 miles per year on a GMT400 truck. I can't compete with that, but there's never been a year since they came out that I haven't owned one.
Cousin_Eddie wrote: Very impressive. 1988 was 28 years ago. Millions of miles, assuming that means 2 million, puts you at 71,428 miles per year on a GMT400 truck. I can't compete with that, but there's never been a year since they came out that I haven't owned one.
used to drive deliveries all over the northeast and great lakes areas. i was given a new 98 c2500 flatbed delivery truck for that job and put 420k on it when i left there to start my own business in 2001 - it wasn't uncommon that i was doing 800 mile round trips in a day. prior to that i had a new 97 that got 78k in one year. when i left there i exclusively drove tbi trucks and averaged over 50k a year until recently when i stepped into the 21st century a couple years ago and bought the avalanche(regrettably, i was shopping for the elusive 99 2500 crew cab short bed and couldn't find one). 2 million might be high but at least 1.5. thankfully i drive less now, but i still have my 90 c1500 that has somewhere north of 300k, the odometer broke at 218 about 10 years ago. it's a local runner now, and is slowly getting restored as time permits. and yes, the idler arm is sloppy 
So, just to be clear G Body, you are putting a set of Truck Nutz on it correct?
What are these drop in w/t led headlights your talking about? I have a 98 c3500hd that I was gonna swap to silverado style but...
You'll need to log in to post.
