Basket case ‘94 K2500

Picked up this ‘94 K2500 350/4l80e. Body is super straight and felt tight on the road. However, it had a misfire, 20psi hot oil pressure, intermittent valve train noise (or broken flexplate, but probably a knock towards the end) and absolutely no balls. So I drove it 2 hours home. Mind you, it seemed to do a little bit better on my cruise around town and the highway.

It almost made it. Temp gauge seemed to be reading fine but when I got 2 miles from home she let go and was super hot. Passenger side of the frame was coated in coolant and oil. It was dark and I couldn’t identify from where. Heater hoses looked good or at least connected. So I guess it will be a paperweight until I get my GMC finished then I’ll tear into this. I wanted a K2500 but might have got a bit more than I bargained for.

Interior is decent, dash is cracked and seat is tore, nothing major. Paint is peeling on the rockers but no significant rust holes or bubbling. Paint has seen better days overall, but I don’t mind. It rides really good. It doesn’t wander or side-step on bumpy roads. The trans also shifted good.



It uses oil, see the haze in the photo. Checked it whenever I stopped. Didn’t think to look when it died for the final time. Died 3 times on the way home haha.

Well, called a tow company to take it to my parents where it will sit until I’m finished with my GMC. Should make a nice winter truck when it’s all said and done.

The only thing I want to change is the exhaust and radio. PO put on true duals with 2.5” straight pipe. It sounds bad, especially because of how poorly running it is. Radio will be a simple upgrade with some new speakers. Doubt I’ll put subs in but who knows.

In case anyone wanted to hear how bad it was.

Looks like its less of a basket case and more of a solid fixer-upper to me!

RichLo said:

Looks like its less of a basket case and more of a solid fixer-upper to me!

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That is a good way to look at it. Once the kinks are worked out it will be a solid work truck and daily.

Made it home yesterday.

Sometimes a bad start is a good finish.

Cool truck, I love 3/4 & 1 ton regular cab, long box trucks. Needs clearance lights and a NV4500. Not a basket case at all though, looks solid and straight.

DerekTheGreat said:

Cool truck, I love 3/4 & 1 ton regular cab, long box trucks. Needs clearance lights and a NV4500. Not a basket case at all though, looks solid and straight.

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An NV4500 would be great in this, cab lights too. I agree with you, 3/4 and 1 tons look great in this configuration. They just look like an honest workhorse pickup.

I will be painting the flares at some point to bring some life back to them. I want to polish the truck as well to bring some shine back, even though it might only be temporary on the spots where the clear coat is gone.

Here is a shot of the interior. The dash piece under the column broke and the fuse panel cover is MIA. Dash has some cracks but I can live with it… for now. Seat is tore but the foam is decent. I find it odd that this truck is a Silverado but has manual locks and windows. But it has a tilt column and cruise and AC. I always enjoy seeing how these could be optioned.

Cool truck, reminds me of my 93 k2500.
Mine is a project too.