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Help a noob out with his first k5 purchase

I'm not sure what I'd offer on the white and gold one...$4500 is a bit steep to me, I'd guess he's hoping to get $4k for it, but I personally wouldn't pay that much for it. One thing I know for sure, my '91 is Buff(tan) and gold just like that, and it's a dude magnet!!! Old guys love it and my wife hates it!!! I call it my grandpa truck.
Now if you could score that black '86 for $2 to $2500... I'd be happy if it's solid and as described. There again, just my $.02
 
is the 350 more reliable? easier to work on? find parts?

i doubt the 5.0 305 is gonna be a dog, but im sure the 350 has more power.

what other advantages does the tbi have over carb than just mileage? i feel like i could work on a carb pretty easy (all my motorcycles but 1 are carbs)

...I kinda feel like im waffling tho...my original plan was a 87 or newer *for the 350 tbi and the ability to not have to pass emissions here*
 
The computer adjusts the TBI, not a screw driver. It will start better, run cleaner, possibly better fuel mileage, handles elevation changes just fine, will run on an angle without stalling, etc.

Marftin
 
The 305 is just as reliable and easy to work on as the 350. All sbc's have great parts compatibility. Besides mpg tbi just works better than a carb. However I've driven my Jimmy around the outer loop and some of the bigger hillclimbs at Hidden Falls and it went anywhere I was willing to take it with no problems from the carb.
 
tRustyK5 said:
He probably had the driveshaft lengthened and rebuilt because of the lift.
The extra diff's he has he may have bought and hadn't gotten to installing yet. His gearing claim is wrong though. Gearing would be 4.10, 4.56, 4.88 or 5.13. I'm guessing he meant 4.10 as 5.13's would be pretty extreme for that tire combo. Either way you'd be best to either have him pull the covers off or do it yourself and see what the ring gear stamping says. The ratio will be stamped there.

Rene
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With 33's maybe, I guess. I have 35's 700r4 and 5.13s. IMO its the best combination!
 
If I were to go look at the gold one I would tear it apart in front of they guy get all upset cause I think he misrepresented it then offer him 2.

The window cranks aren't even attached in one pic it is on in the other it is off, the drivers side is off too, no carpet just rubber floor mat says low end model. For 4k I expect alot
 
dieselndixie said:
how can i get a good feel for what they are capable of in stock (minor upgrade) form?

aside from riding in one.

anyone got pics, stories, details on some stock adventures?

If I can buy one for $2k that is ready to drive...then I will have around $1200 right off the bat for minor stuff.
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How mechanically inclined are you?

Stock they do ok 220hp, if your primary purpose is to just camp and do light 4x4.If that is what your after I would suggest looking for one with a 700r4 transmission 35" or 33" tires and 4.56 gears. You should be able to find that for $2k easy. Mine even had decent interior. Mine was an 87

I was looking for basically the same thing as you when I bought mine. I paid $2k and spent approx $1200 rebuilding the motor and transmission.

Since then it's become my primary towing truck. The transmission on the range rover is $8k I decided a $600 700r4 was a wiser choice. I broke the 10 bolt which had 4.56 gears. I ended up sticking a 14 bolt with 5.13s really made a huge difference.
 
blazinzuk said:
I like the 87 but not for that price. If you can scrounge up a local guy who knows these truck to take with you that would be good. The 4x4 not working could be something simple. You are looking at 1500 bucks probably for trans work.

I would ask for receipts for the rebuilt motor. But I would probably go look at that one
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The parts on these transmissions is not expensive and they aren't hard to do yourself.A local guy to me charges $500-800 depending on how built you want your transmission. I did mine myself for around $500 with all upgraded parts.
 
dieselndixie said:
thats where I am stuck....

do I buy the stock truck for cheap, and spend the next couple years making it my own...

or do I spend my whole budget buying one that has lift, tires, upgrades etc...

not sure yet, kinda just waiting on the best deal i can find to dictate the direction.
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Are you the type of person that pays someone to do the work for you or are you mechanically inclined?

If you pay people to do the work for you pay the extra money and find one that is already done.

If your mechanically inclinded do it yourself you will likely do a better job anyway and their wont be any surprises.
 
dieselndixie said:
is the 350 more reliable? easier to work on? find parts?

i doubt the 5.0 305 is gonna be a dog, but im sure the 350 has more power.

what other advantages does the tbi have over carb than just mileage? i feel like i could work on a carb pretty easy (all my motorcycles but 1 are carbs)

...I kinda feel like im waffling tho...my original plan was a 87 or newer *for the 350 tbi and the ability to not have to pass emissions here*
Click to expand...

You want the 350 TBI hands down. IMO the 350 barely has enough power in its stock form. Exspecially if you want to put big tires on it. TBI also has superior cold starting. As well as going over steep inclines your not going to starve the TBI unless your fuel tank is low.
 
the search continues...

I did talk to a local guy that says a tbi can be added for around $150. Does that sound right?

I am fairly mechanically inclined...I do my own work on my motorcycles (aside from suspension)

I want to do everything I can , as a learning experience. I have an above average tool collection and a 2 car garage with room for it, so I just need the knowledge.

Rebuilding a trans sounds really hard, but I would try it on this build because I dont need to drive it to work, so if it takes me a while...who cares...just means more garage time with me and the dogs.
 
You can put a tbi on for however much you can buy the harness computer and associated stuff.

$150 gets you probably the harness computer and tbi stuff. I really like the in tank fuel pump so I would buy a new gas tank, they aren't that much.

TBI can certainly be done on the cheap.


Oh and welcome to the downward spiral :waytogo:
 
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