barry G

An update on the status... I do not even know the whole truck yet. Sun was out at 10F, nice day. I literaly bought this at dusk, last thursday evening..been 3 days, and 216 miles already. The dealer was very cool, knows all the fails common to the region. I only got a quick glimpse underneath, being sure sides of rails and all was attached.. worry about scab holes on the bottom for another day...if there was any. I was counting on at least some drama. I spoke up about being a welder, and he said there might be something to get after on the frame, he wasn't sure...left a note in the bill of sale. so, I got a good look around today. The cab underneath is mint condition. Rockers, floors. I mean zero errors, painted black mint condition..all the way to the front. Something to see on a brand new truck. Going back to the forward spring shackles...mint. Gas tank, lines, straps, crossmembers... mint. Exhaust looks quite young, something shiny on a newer o2. Never saw a shiny one. Got to driver side shock mount, and a bed beam that is right above it. That needs some attention, may scab the rail right at the mount as well. That must have been gas tank related, a one time event. That is 30 minutes and home depot flat stock.. to be exceeding specs of factory forever. Going all the way back there is the last two bed beams, those need a little attention, not complete rework. Only one needs a good new length run across. Tire hanger, bumper brackets, tail end.. excellent. Will just keep it painted, looks very good. I paid $2500... and now am very content after looking over details today. I will remember the same dealer. That whole stretch of road where this truck was at has several...southern maine. It is an interesting place for truck/car sales. I am very real about machines, build my own engines, chassis..many many hours of welding , taking on some things deemed impossible even by the best of them. I got real conversation in return. That is a first for me and dealer encounters. They must be quite satisified, no pressure to handle a customer like me. This truck is my 22nd vehicle in 28 years. Enthusiast is not the word for me. Trucks are very serious here as well. It is on par with big rigs, and no bullcrap, when it comes time to getting one. I also found the high beam and low beam trick,to be on at the same time when clicking to high beam, is indeed one 10amp diode bridged. Simple. Amps must be dropped to LED, this allows one power source, no need to supercharge a relay. Will show what I do when the time comes. 2 bulbs at 194 socket are blown, and grill needs two rivets at the tabs. All the front has LED on the way, except blinkers. Off to watch the superbowl. Seahawks are going to lose, but will watch it anyway. Go patriots!

first purchase, I went by my bro-n-laws driveway twice, on my first ride brining it home, to realize the old lamps are so yellowed, I could not see where I was going. Grinding gears bothering the neighbors spinning tires using their driveway...all because I could not see. This one comes with new bulbs, and will stay with the non-LED for now. I went for a chrome looking one, as I was given a brand new lower chrome set of stainless steel, and gloss black and chrome. good looking stuff. lights are life and death and law more than a mod..but today you can mod those too. I also need to check which grill tab is not screwed down, or broken, while I am in there. Driver side has an unattached lower corner at the grill... looks good, no hits. I can move it. Assuming forgotten screw for now. seeing the design of the casing, determined which LED bulbs to get low beam has a magnifier in the casing, so top of bulb stays simple. high beam does not have a magnifier in the casing, and wanted the Cree version for this one as well as the magnifier. I had done a 17 bulb swap on my japanese tin can. 35 amps saved is rear quarters lasting years instead of months. The gmc does not care..but will help the 100 amp alternator anyway. The next LED bulbs are tail lights, but in no hurry. Heat of incandescent in my locale attracts the darndest northern things at the lamps. Also, being composite shelled lamps, cool is good.. the led watts is also gentle enough to hack in the low and high beam to be on at the same time when high beam is chosen... no extra relays. will verify if any diode or full wave rectify is needed, but it seems it will just gve a sturdy amp loaded switch in the cab.. and nothing more. The relay version of the hack for incandescent must fry that switch in due time. diodes.. they are one way.

bought this in a hurry. Spotted on craigslist for sale by a dealer 190 miles from home. I had 5 speed gmc in my favorites for several months. this one is black mist exterior, ruby red in. factory build, and ordered by the first owner. this makes some confusion for non-gmc gurus. SLT trim, no leather, and a z71 logo, with no rpo code to go with it.. or skid plates (although the spot for bolts had been busy at some point) big rear end...but 6200 gvwr. The 1996-1998 was near the last of the 305, and the most powerful at 230hp. The fun facts with these truck is endless. I specifically remember this 305 with the stick shift being the first to keep up with some 5.7..and then calm down to 20mpg. I was 18 in 1991. The new gm trucks was a big subject. I was working at a quick lube back then, and a z71 pulled in. We did a favor upon request, (although not supposed to), and removed the diff skid plate...half of the z71 package was no good to the owner. anwyay, finally got one...just had to look it over and find what I was looking for. GMC is like a ferrari around here...just as rare and costing too much. I knew to doubt the z71 sticker, I had even encountered the skid plates removed from the real models for trapping crud and overheating the diff. maine does in a lot of "special" think. Looking through rpo codes, found no z71..somebody went happy go lucky with a sticker, I thought. I learned the truck had to be ordered to be where it is at with given options. Power everything but seats, cruise control, a/c...5 speed. tinted windows, functioning rear windows. cruise controlled home at 21+ mpg..2100 rpm is 70 mph on the 3.73 diff gear. maine has the fastest stretch of highway east of the mississippi, as it changes to 75mph to my exit to go home in northern maine. Truck is a highway cruising super star out there. The last 110+ miles home is not even shutting off cruise control..not even once. very smooth, aligned. The back roads to my place is crowning roads, open tundra, curves and needing precision. Front end is rugged, no wandering. Comfortable. Do not know what the sway control is yet, obviously very good. the rpo for tranny is mg5, and on gm's 1996 list, it is an 84mm Get Rag, 5 speed, 4.00 1st gear. nv3500 is supposedly the same..whatver it is, outlasted all automatics with an odometer at 343000. engine and clutch 40k miles ago..could be its third. frame is mint. For mods, it is getting necessary headlamp casings swapped out..and adding to a very small list as my first few days go by. Two snowstorms and well below zero.. mods are not much on my mind right now. Confidently surviving maine with a gmc is. I love it so far. I counted on at least needing to do frame work or cabs, floors etc. I weld all the time..very surprised to need nothing. Glad to be back in my favorite realm..gm v8. this is my fourth 305, first injected. to do list is get a bolt count on the rear diff, my first glimpse sees it is a giant..possibly 14. Will get around to my new daily driver extras soon enough. I went though a spell of demanding egr removal..but that is my 40s+ age group relating to carbs a 305, and egr. This one is actually clever with real controls.. will leave it alone.

thanks, I waited and waited...had 5 speed in my favorite searches for quite some time. I just happen to find a dealers ad on craigslist, and found a previous owner kept after everything. Drove 190 miles one way just to know I already bought it in my mind, just by photos. The odometer is comical, used for reference. The rest is repaired as a million mile bread truck. Looks very good indeed. I am a welder by hobby, restored a ten geared tin can subaru, the truck is a real pleasure, even if a frame rail needed something. This one needs nothing. Straight as an arrow. it is in great shape, I only found little things, under bed stuff, tire hanger.. make it pretty where no one sees. My first ride in the snow, wind sideways, very confident. Confident as a modern kenworth. I feel welcome, been out of the normal sized loop for a long time. this is my fourth 305, and had several other v8s in past machines. Great truck. I'd only get another one.

1996, 5 speed z71. first post, I just joined the forum. 343000 miles and climbing. needs nothing. I need to stop egr...but same old routines for my locale.