Need your advice! 454 83 k5

[454Chevyk5]

So I had a 87 K5 for about a year and loved it. After driving it one day I parked in my drive way and about 15 min later my neighbor knocked on my door saying my truck was on fire. Well it was and it went down In flames!!! So after many years of fast cars and jeeps I'm back on the market for my dream project.

I want something I can drive to work (5 miles) and the occasional hunting, fishing and beach trips. Something that's clean, big motor and doesn't need a lot work. I've been searching for the right truck now about two weeks and haven't found anything great until today.

What do you guys think a good buy? $7000 83 454 big block turbo 400 trans. I'm going to look at it tomorrow. The owner was having problems sending me pics but he sounds pretty old haha. He told me the truck has been repainted and the interior is in excellent shape. He stated the motor swap was a few years back and doesn't know the exact miles but still looks new.

http://staugustine.craigslist.org/cto/4400275773.html

I plan on a lift 35's and drive the hell out of it.

So would this truck be able to cruise at 65?
Is the 454 and turbo 400 a good combo?
What else should I ask the guy?
I don't know much about the 454 but anything I should inspect?

Thanks in advance

 

[Deuling]

hard to say. If you go look at it post some more pics. Specifically underneath, rockers, rear floor area, the door jamb area, underhood.


From the one pic it looks pretty nice and unmolested... But if its got a big block, its been messed with, so make sure it all looks good.

 

[454Chevyk5]

hard to say. If you go look at it post some more pics. Specifically underneath, rockers, rear floor area, the door jamb area, underhood.


From the one pic it looks pretty nice and unmolested... But if its got a big block, its been messed with, so make sure it all looks good.

Thanks man I will def post some pics.

 

[Deuling]

Thanks man I will def post some pics.

If it really is an older guy and he did a nice job, and it is as nice/clean as he says.... I wouldn't be hard-pressed to pay that...


But there are a lot of these rigs out there with a nice paint job covering a lot of scary stuff... Just gotta watch out..


Also if the carpet lifts up by the doors, check around there, and the corners where the floor goes vertical behind the front seats.. Very regular rot locations. You can see that from the underside though too.

 

[454Chevyk5]

If it really is an older guy and he did a nice job, and it is as nice/clean as he says.... I wouldn't be hard-pressed to pay that...


But there are a lot of these rigs out there with a nice paint job covering a lot of scary stuff... Just gotta watch out..


Also if the carpet lifts up by the doors, check around there, and the corners where the floor goes vertical behind the front seats.. Very regular rot locations. You can see that from the underside though too.

okay sounds good I will check all that. How do you think dd ability is with a 3 speed no over drive

 

[Deuling]

okay sounds good I will check all that. How do you think dd ability is with a 3 speed no over drive

3 speed with a 454?

I have a carbed 400 small block with a 700r4 that has OD, and I got 9mpg highway one time....

6mpg is normal, but I do have a heavy foot....

 

[Slade001]

If it looks like this, check MORE.

 

[AR_K5]

I was just thinking a 454 is if you like getting the same MPG as a fully loaded Peterbilt. Your 10 mile round trip to work will cost you about $7 per day. If you flog it, you'll be able watch the fuel gauge move.
You can have it.

 

[wage92]

I don't know much about the 454 but anything I should inspect?

expect to become friends with the local gas station owner

But cant argue with the power they have, so i guess it depends on how much you want to drive it and how much power you want

 

[snowdriver]

i would find a o/d ,plan on putting one in,or hold out for a different rig,just dont think you would be happy without o/d on a driver

 

[scottsdale86]

Install a powerjection kit on it and your driveability and MPG will go up. Provided you don't drive it like you stole it. I just helped installing one of those kits on a neighbors 75 K20 with a 402 BBC and he went from 8MPG to a solid 12 no matter how he drives it and that is with the non OD TH400 and heavy NP205.

 

[max 02]

I put a 454 in my old 78 shortbox 4x4...it got better mileage than the 350 I took out of it. And twice the power!

But no not good on gas, it liked lots of it! Sure fun though!

And I`m doing the 77 I got now the same favour.

 

[454Chevyk5]

Well I went and looked at the truck. One mans vision is not another's. Not as clean as advertised. It was still pretty nice but to many little things I didn't like. After doing some research and reading your replys I don't think the 454 and t400 would have been what I was looking for. The 454 just had a nice ring to it haha. So the search is back on!

 

[paratrooper307]

Best of luck with the search! For 7000 I'd definitely expect a well-prepared truck that doesn't need anything. If you're looking for a daily driver, definitely don't rule out a small block. It'll be a lot easier to find one with overdrive, and with some mild work, it'll be reliable, plenty capable, and more efficient than a BBC. You won't have the towing capability or bragging rights of a BBC, but your wallet will likely thank you.