I've been looking for a fuel miser 2wd, 5 speed 1st gen truck for a while now, and this one looks pretty good for a 1992. Red and white. 193000 miles. Sticker on the tailgate said Golden Rule.......... Just guessing that its probably a Colorado truck. Had a fifth wheel hitch at one time. Has a sun visor.
Good things are: Did not notice any body rust, Seats look good, just a dent on the side of the bed. Engine was pretty free of oil, (I was impressed and did not look like it was cleaned either) looked like oil around the oil filter and the fuel filter areas. A little bit on the bottom of the pan around the drain plug. Trans was pretty dry except a bit aroung the very bottom.
Bad things: Engine: I noticed that the oil level was down about a quart. Radiator was about 2" low. A little oil around the steering pump. I looked at the breather pipe and barely a noticeable amount of smoke was coming out. I pulled the oil fill cap and a small amount of smoke came out. Don't know what is normal. This was after driving it.
Transmission bolt (right side top) to the bellhousing was just about ready to fall on the ground.
When I first drove it, it did the slightest grind when going into second gear. Never did it again.
Some oil between the power brake booster and the master cylinder.
Paint on the hood is cracked and fading. Also roof. Windsheild cracked.
Drove straight, stopped straight, and would put out black smoke upon a hard acceleration. A poof of black smoke upon startup.
Other than that it seemed pretty good for 193000 miles. What do you think?
Thanks for your help.

 

How much is the asking price? Depending on the price that is exactly what I'm looking for except is should be rusted out.

 

Sorry, They are asking $5500, I offered $4500. If they say no to $4500, my next offer will be $5000, with proof that it gets 20 mpg. I've got an appointment with the dealer for an inspection on friday if they accept.

 

guess some things to think about would be the killer dowel pin. Also wonder how much is a radiator and replacing the power brake vaccum pump and master cylinder, although it stopped better than my old chevy. Hope this is not going to be a money pit like every used pickup I've bought in the past (Fords). Right now my Chevy at 7mpg does not look good either.

 

Look real hard for that missing coolant, especially between the block and head near the thermostat housing. Don't make your counter offer if you find it there. If you find it under the water pump that's good news, $5k is OK but not a steal. Radiator is around $300.

Blowby sounds normal, as long as it's not making clouds of it the motor is fine.

Loose bolts are not surprising, the Cummins will rattle everything loose given enough time.

Gonna need a new master/booster combo, vac pump is fine. You can get a loaded booster (booster w/master) for about $150, not a deal breaker but a good bargaining chip.

As long as the bombing bug doesn't bite it's not likely to be a money pit. The 2wd 5 speeds are so simple that there's just not much to go wrong.

 

Thanks for the help. I read through the sticky, and cars are very $ticky. Thanks again.

 

Where are you getting radiators for $300? I'll sell them to ya day and night for $250, shipped.

IT sounds like a good truck. Little pricey, but relatively low miles, and sounds taken care of. The leaks are normal. Look real close at the master cylinder- a gasket going bad will look like a leak into the booster. For the antifreze leak, check the lower hose neck of the radiator, they tend to crack there. Could also be the water pump weephole, or a head gasket. Head gasket isnt a deal breaker, but I wouldnt give more than $4500 knowing it needs it. I'll take fading paint over ANY rust any day.

It SHOULD get you closer to 22-25mpg. I had one identical to that mechanically, smoked like a freight train, and got 23-24mpg consistently. With good injectors, I'm sure it would have done 2-3 better.

Daniel

 

Well the price now is $4700. It's very encouraging to hear that it could get 22mpg. I need to check the cowl for cracks. The last truck and car I bought had head gasket leaks and I was wondering what percentage of these engines have leaky head gaskets. I was wondering what it would cost to replace the head gasket? Can anybody else tell me what other problems that might arise? Thanks for all your help. My wife thanks you also as she thinks these forums are great!

 

It is sort of a regional thing; but, in about a three hundred mile radius of me, people, that know what these 1st Generation trucks are, will grab them up at that price, sight unseen, especially a 5-speed, which is about one of twenty trucks you will find for sale.

They aren't making any more of them, and the decent ones are fast finding homes, with the more beat up ones being robbed for engines/transmissions.

I grab every bargain one I can find; and I am not alone in this, as several of my friends have three or more in the yard.