Kens1990K2500
One Piece At A Time
I'm a bit late to the party. Here's my 2 cents in response to the original poster's questions.
I've owned three of these trucks: a 1997 C1500 RCLB with 4.3L; a 2000 K3500 (SRW) RCLB with 5.7L; and my current truck, a 1990 K2500 RCLB with 5.0L.
I'm in the rust belt, and as you know, or will soon find out, it's hard to find a solid truck up here, unless it was brought from down South/out West. If you have the means (time/money), I would advise buying a truck from the South or West. I was on a low budget, I purchased my latest truck for $3,000, and that was with a complete plow setup, but I have a fair amount of rust repair to deal with. That said, I love the truck and it runs awesome and has been very reliable mechanically (the interior is pretty decent). I just prefer the classic look of the regular cab/long bed combination.
Being in New England, I would definitely hold out for a 4wd truck. My '97 was 2wd, and it was horrible in the snow; I couldn't go up even a mild incline. Having owned both early and late GMT400s, I prefer the early trucks for their more simple interior and mechanicals. The TBI engines may make less power, but even with a 5.0L (305 c.i.), I feel the truck has plenty of acceleration (it's not a sports car, after all), and it has excellent throttle response, which makes it a pleasure to drive.
It was my primary vehicle, until my elderly mother gave me her 2008 Honda Civic, which is much easier on gas. Now it's my backup vehicle; even though I don't drive it as much, I make sure to drive it at least once a week, to keep the battery charged and everything mechanical moving freely. I use it for dump runs and moving large things. Rather than doing a major restoration, where the truck would be out of service for months/years, I am doing the Johnny Cash method of restoration: "one piece at a time." That way, I can restore it, while I drive it.
Good luck, hope you find a great truck. But, they all need some work, due to their age.
I've owned three of these trucks: a 1997 C1500 RCLB with 4.3L; a 2000 K3500 (SRW) RCLB with 5.7L; and my current truck, a 1990 K2500 RCLB with 5.0L.
I'm in the rust belt, and as you know, or will soon find out, it's hard to find a solid truck up here, unless it was brought from down South/out West. If you have the means (time/money), I would advise buying a truck from the South or West. I was on a low budget, I purchased my latest truck for $3,000, and that was with a complete plow setup, but I have a fair amount of rust repair to deal with. That said, I love the truck and it runs awesome and has been very reliable mechanically (the interior is pretty decent). I just prefer the classic look of the regular cab/long bed combination.
Being in New England, I would definitely hold out for a 4wd truck. My '97 was 2wd, and it was horrible in the snow; I couldn't go up even a mild incline. Having owned both early and late GMT400s, I prefer the early trucks for their more simple interior and mechanicals. The TBI engines may make less power, but even with a 5.0L (305 c.i.), I feel the truck has plenty of acceleration (it's not a sports car, after all), and it has excellent throttle response, which makes it a pleasure to drive.
It was my primary vehicle, until my elderly mother gave me her 2008 Honda Civic, which is much easier on gas. Now it's my backup vehicle; even though I don't drive it as much, I make sure to drive it at least once a week, to keep the battery charged and everything mechanical moving freely. I use it for dump runs and moving large things. Rather than doing a major restoration, where the truck would be out of service for months/years, I am doing the Johnny Cash method of restoration: "one piece at a time." That way, I can restore it, while I drive it.
Good luck, hope you find a great truck. But, they all need some work, due to their age.
