1993 Chevy 2500 (First truck advice)

[Dasguzman]

Hey GMT,

I was interested in buying a 1993 chevy 2500. I already found the truck, but being this
is my first truck, let alone car, is there anything I should check on it before purchasing?
I'm new to this whole forum and car thing, but I've always liked the look of that truck
and have heard good things about them. Any advice would be great.

P.s.- No that truck doesn't come with those ridiculous chrome wheels

 

[aarolar]

Not sure where to start, truck looks real rough from the pictures I would be real wary unless you are really mechanically inclined. Be prepared for really bad gas mileage and if you are looking for a daily driver I would really look elsewhere.

 

[reno124]

I DD mine at 19 years old I'm mechanically inclined so it's not so bad but I'd ask what he's replaced and what has been rebuilt and if he can't show you a recipt then it wasn't replaced how much is he asking? These trucks are tough as if they've been taken care of..

 

[TylerZ281500]

frame cracks at the front where it stops being boxed on earlier trucks. rust in gneeral depending on location. something that old you neeed to be inclined to know what your doing if you dont that truck could be a nightmare for you and that kinda goes for any vehicle.

 

[aarolar]

What are they asking for it? What concerns me is the fact it is a 3/4 tonn truck so it could possibly have been used relentlessly. It could be wore out from the front diff back, would it have a 400 or 4l80e?

 

[RyanMerrick]

I love my 2500 and don't plan on ever selling it. I would definitely recommend one of these trucks (especially a 2500 or 3500).

However, you need to closely look at any used car if you want one that will last, especially the engine and drivetrain. Read this:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/inspecting-a-used-car/index.htm

I would personally avoid a 400 with excessive frame rust, a little can be fixed, a lot is a different story

 

[TwoPedal98]

What's the asking price? I believe it looks like 138k on the clock so she looks worked to me, but if it's been maintained and the rot hasn't set in to bad it could be a good truck, tough to tell without more info on it.

 

[michael hurd]

It hardly looks like 138K miles on that driver's side seat, more like 250+. It's not so hard to swap out the cluster and lie to someone, but I would look at all the major wear items, especially the brake pedal, no one seems to change that out if they change seats, etc. If the brake pedal has got good wear, I would say no thanks.

Take a look under the hood, does it look like it's had a battery and alternator, belt, tensioner, etc? Is the water pump rusty, indicating it's older? What is the shape of the coolant, what does the engine oil look like, and pull the trans dipstick as well. Does it smell burned / and / or a dark brown color, or is it nice and red? Are there any engine oil leaks visible? Does it look like there is emission equipment missing?

Headlights have never been polished or changed out, they are yellow and will give you very poor visibility, most shops would fail that on inspection. It appears to have an overdrive transmission from the cluster.

Visually inspect the shocks, do they appear to be rusty and original to the truck? Tires?

Just from a quick look at the pictures, you could potentially spend 3-3.5K replacing maintenance items without doing anything to the body. Unless you have a fist full of money saved up and like working on vehicles, pass. Insurance and gasoline alone for your first vehicle alone will be expensive enough.

 

[Ruger_556]

I would be a little leery of the tools laying under the truck in one of those pics...

 

[Dasguzman]

the guy says it has 138K on the clock, and is asking $1200 for it. He's saying it needs a new head gasket and that the radiator leaks, but that the 4x4 on it works perfectly and has about 75% tread left on the tires. What kind of mpg can I be expecting if I end up buying this truck? what should I offer this guy for the truck? how difficult is it to do head gaskets on this truck, and is the radiator an easy thing to replace?