Buying my first truck

[Memphis]

Hey CK5, I don't post much but I lurk a lot. Anywho, I have been so on and off with these damn pick ups and now I finally found one...

I want to go and check it out tomorrow but I have a couple questions and concerns I should be looking out for...

First of all, this truck is currently in Canada and the seller wants $5600 (This is the lowest they go for)
Anywho what I know about her:

1985 Chev K10
"300 horse, 327 ci, 4 spd., solid body, susp. lift, body lift. 36x12.5 Mickey Thompsons. Need some TLC. Has spare trans & transfer case. Front & rear difs. $5600."

Thats the ad, I called him up, he says the tranny has play in it (which is why it comes with a spare tranny), he couldn't tell me if the tranny was a 465 or 420, however in the truck, the spare tranny is from a 73' (also 4 spd) so I am assuming that one is a 420, however I have to pull that one out of the donor truck... also comes with the tcase from the 73' along with the drive shaft.

Truck also has headers which are leaking right where it bolts up to the block... I have gasket poop to seal those bastards up though
Alternator also needs to be replaced, which should be an easier fix along with the windshield.

I am thinking about dangling $4900ish in his face and see if he bites it, what would you guys do?

Suspension + Body lift (not sure how much either is) again, I am assuming 3+3, when the guy picked this up seller said the truck had 159k on it(5 digit odometer so who knows)

Anywho, CK5 I am asking you guys to school me on old chevs, I know a thing or two but I need some wisedom and words of encouragement

 

[81K5GUY]

Thats kinda high for all the problems it has,I would think more around $4500

just my .02

 

[stockk5]

thats def. way to high for whats wrong

 

[BizeeB65]

I'll sell you mine with a strong 350, rebuilt TH350 trans, recently swapped in NP205, custom front and rear driveshafts for that price.

 

[Avery4jc]

Yeah way to high. I picked up my '85 K10 w/ a 9" superlift 38.5" Baja Claws, strong running 350 and solid 700r4/208 combo for $3500 and I have the papers for all the work done to it too.

I'd say unless they come way down keep looking, it may be hard but like BizeeB65 said, you can get his in much better shape for that price.

-Avery

 

[BizeeB65]

Just be patient. Thats the trick. I could bought 15 blazers before mine came along... and I actually got a better deal than I thought!

 

[jekbrown]

you'd better get either 3/4 or 1 ton axles and/or a good FI'd engine for that kind of coin.

j

 

[1985_K5_Silverado]

you'd better get either 3/4 or 1 ton axles and/or a good FI'd engine for that kind of coin.

Yep, I think that if I was going to buy a pickup truck (rather than a K5 Blazer/Jimmy), I'd just buy a K30 (or K20, if my budget was tight) instead of a K10.

 

[benchseat4speed]

my $.02 for what it's worth

Patience is key, never buy out of lust like I did. I bought my Jimmy for $500 without really looking at the body, just the trans and t-case. The body turned out to be junk under all that bondo I overlooked. I got what I paid for in the end, now I wish I'da held out for a better body and just swapped in the drivetrain I wanted. Kevin

 

[stizkidz]

Way too expensive...

I'm selling my 88' K5 with 350/10b(3/4 ton)/14bff/sm465/np205, 4" lift, 35"ATs
for half that price!
($2500)
ready to go wheeling today...

Just a thought.

 

[Memphis]

the guy said he was extrememly firm on the price, I guess the waiting game continues

 

[thatK30guy]

the guy said he was extrememly firm on the price, I guess the waiting game continues

Pass. There's always a better deal for a better truck out there. Just have to be patient and keep looking.
If all else fails, show that guy $3500 cash. After all, money talks and b.s. walks.

 

[NEK5]

Way too expensive...

I'm selling my 88' K5 with 350/10b(3/4 ton)/14bff/sm465/np205, 4" lift, 35"ATs
for half that price!
($2500)
ready to go wheeling today...

Just a thought.

wow i payed 2500 for mine with 4inch,33s,10bolts,and alot of rot

 

[cbbr]

Like they said - pass. Too much $$.

 

[steve_kibbe]

I'm not sure I'd even "wait" for that truck. I don't think he will come down enough to make it a good deal.

BTW, is that US funds or CDN?

 

[jekbrown]

yeah, get a cheapo red-eye flight down to NJ and buy stizkidz for $2500. Way better deal, way better truck!

j

 

[beater_k20]

its only an 11 hour drive.

 

[jekbrown]

lol, depending on what you are driving, flying may be cheaper. Gas prices baaaad. Meet the buyer at the airport. Of course if there was something about the truck you didn't like and you decided not to get it, you'd be stranded at the air port. lol!

j

 

[steve_kibbe]

How about a bus ticket

 

[chevy wrangler]

my dad got his 1974 k-20 running with a 350, sm465, and a 203 for $600 he waited like 2 years. no lift w/ 33s.i got my 1979 chevy with a 350, sm465, and a 205 it had a 4" lift and 33s for $400 and it wasnt running, timming was way off no problem, just wait!!!good thing come to those who wait, is what i was always tols. LOL!!