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Potential Buyer Question

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Parrdhouse

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Greetings,

I recently sold my last toy (91 4runner) in hopes of getting something a bit more reliable, and in better shape to take the soon to be wife out on a camping trip or two before she starts medical school in the fall. I had always liked k5s and after realizing the shortcomings of my toyota (no power/ ability to tow/ fiance hates driving a stick) I've decided the k5 route is the way I want to go. Having said that I feel like i have done a fair amount of due diligence and know what I want. I am okay with a relatively stock rig on 33's with stock axles (I intend on locking the rear with a selectable locker down the road if it doesn't already have one.) I know I want injection and would like the later, more smog friendly variants, and a serpentine system is a plus, so that really narrows me down to 90-91. I am not at all picky on trim level, but would really want it to have a/c if possible. That being said, I am going to take a look at a rig that meets most of these qualifications tomorrow, and will be taking my trusty buyers guide and list of trouble codes with me. However, beforehand I would like to post the link up here and see what you fine people may have to say in regards to price.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/4982586884.html

I have been in communication with the owner who has had it a little under a year. It was the family camping vehicle (as far as I know.) He claims no interior, and has sent me a few pictures (stock brown vinyl seats, no center council, rear seat is fabric and looks decent, no carpet kit, no rear trim panels, no radio.) I dont think he is in a position to claim "excellent condition," but I would love to know from you experienced owners what figures seem reasonable to you. I am a- okay with some interior work as long as i don't find myself doing significant work under the hood right away. (I know the trans will need attention at some point in the near future, and plan to use it as a bargaining chip. The trans in my dads 92 1/2 ton didn't make it to 100k before being remanned.)

Thank you all very much for your time, I hope to be owning my first Chevrolet at some point in the near future, whether or not it is the one in question.

Thanks again,
Dylan
 
That is a work truck front end. Lowest trim level possible. I don't think they came with much interior at all. Vinyl flooring. The lack of trim panels in the back is most likely stock. Both seats should by vinyl if one is cloth it has been replaced.

It looks very nice but two pictures is super hard to tell.
 
Price seems a little high for a base model, although the mileage is low. I would definetly try to get the price down a bit.
 
sweetk30 said:
fyi 87 was first year fuel injection . if its carb then its been messed with big time.
Click to expand...
and 89 was the first year for serpentine belt system. I would be looking for 89-91s just by reading your first post. Price seems a little high on that one in the craigslist ad. Unless its totally mint, hard to tell from the pics
 
pics are horrible. I got him to send me a few more and all look pretty bad. Work truck trim sounds right, he states the only option it has is a/c, which fortunately is the one thing I'd want. I don't plan on taking any cash with me today so I will go check it out, give him a call, and take several pics that hopefully I can bring back tonight and get some further advice. If everything mechanically does seem pretty mint, does something more in the 3k-3500 dollar area seem worth it? I think it has to be possible to pretty well redo the entire interior for somewhere in the ballpark of 1500 (new front seats, carpet kit, fab up some rear panels, and a stereo.)
 
And it 'sounds' like you'll need to do something to the exhaust to quiet the wife factor since the ad says:

"Has duel exhaust, you will definitely be heard before you are seen."
 
^^ duly noted. The hobart handler, and oxy/fuel torch would be put to work right away. Given the kind of character this guy seems to be, I'm guessing glasspacks. It will be going back to relatively stock setup. I;m going to try and meet up with him this afternoon to get better pictures and see how I feel about a more base model. I do however wonder though if i'm getting close to the point where its better to buy one with more miles where I know the trans has been done. That 700r4 seems to be a weak link among all GM's. I think I'll have to keep a rebuild in the budget and see if the seller is remotely interested in working on price.
 
I personally like the looks of the nicer trim packages. 4 headlight grill, carpet, side panels inside, side molding on outside, etc. (89-91). 90-91 has a a digital speedo input so speedo tends to work a bit better on older rigs (as oppose to a sticky speedo cable). Also has another digit to know if it's over 100k miles or not.

Just because it has A/C parts doesn't mean it has a "working A/C". That is very expensive to fix $1000-$1300. Just know before you assume a "needs only an A/C recharge" statement from seller.
 
The body looks good, but be sure to check it out thoroughly. Even in nice climates, these trucks can hide rust.

For that price, especially for a low trim line, I'd expect a well-sorted, complete example on which everything major works and it doesn't need significant attention. Missing interior pieces can add up in price when you try to replace them. The transmission isn't necessarily a time bomb, if it's been well-maintained and not abused, it could have plenty of life left in it.
 
I appreciate all of the advice. Good to know that a well taken care of trans may be okay for a bit longer. I definitely experienced the "it just needs a charge routine" on my 4Runner to the tune of about 300 in parts, so I will be taking my vacuum pump to check out this blazer and see if it will hold vacuum. Now that it's been brought up, I think j would really prefer a k5 with a carpeted interior, the 4 headlight grill etc. I think I can do most of that but know it won't be cheap, especially seeing the volume of interior components needed. Probably better to sit and wait for a better equipped machine from the factory, but since I have the time today, I will at least give a look.
 
Testing it out now will at least give you a data point for future trucks when looking at them.

These are R12 AC units so hard to find that refrigerant. I switched over to R113 (or whatever the new one is), and it cost close to $750 in parts only. Then I had the dealer test and charge it all up. Everything is new because at that age, any bad component could contaminate the new one installed. Just all new and then you know it will last. I'm at at least 3 years working without any issues.
 
I switched my 4Runner over to the new freon as well. I think you can get away with pulling the condenser, flushing it, changing out receiver/drier, and then olpulling vacuum and charging. Fortunately the r134 freon is cheap enough that even if you have as low leak, you can charge it once a season for about 12 bucks, if you've got the tools. Still waiting for a call back from this flakey dude...
 
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