What to look for in a 200,000 mile stick shift 1993 GMC Sierra?

[paullgj]

Hi everyone,

 

Found this online in autotrader:

 

http://www.randyadamsinc.com/web/used/GMC-Sierra-1500-Special-1993-New-Braunfels-Texas/1778914/

 

It has almost 200,000 miles - it's about 300 miles from me, I'd have to drive up there and take a look at it.

What are some problems a 20+ year old 200,000 miles GMC could give. I'm assuming it has the NV3500 5 speed instead of the Getrag. And I'm a stick shift kind of guy.

 

FWIW, I owned 40 yrs. of Chevy SWB stick shifts, and found the 1990-1998 best for size/handling. Currently I drive a 2015 Jeep Wrangler which I'm ruining as a DD. My plan is to park the Jeep and use it for offroad and have the GMC as my DD.

 

FWIW, I'm retired, 70 years old, and don't have a lot of $$$$ laying around, so a frame off restoration and/or constant repairs are out of the question.

 

Thanks for any comments and suggestions.

 

Gene, Brownsville, Texas

[green 788]

4000 dollars? WOW! Did it used to belong to Elvis or something? :0

[green 788]

yeah yeah Elvis died before that truck was made... but seriously, that's a 2000 dollar truck, top dollar.

[diyer2]

Reliability and parts failure or having to replace parts depends on how well the truck was maintained. I have a 93 Silverado 5.7L 2WD standard cab, 8 ft box, custom topper with 243k miles on it, been for sale on craigslist for $3k. not one reply of interest in 2 months.

This truck is as dependable as the 2012 I just bought IMO, maybe more so because I know everything about this truck.

[paullgj]

Hi! It's Gene, the OP. I called them, but didn't buy it - I did offer $3,000 out-the-door including tt&l. I'm perfectly content to let it sit there for two months, then drive up there and take a look at it (about 300 miles away). Definitely want the SWB standard shift, but I'm not paying $4,000 for it!

[mjoekingz28]

Are you okay with having a V-6?

[mjoekingz28]

Check underneath to see about rust- did it spend its entire life south of the snow/ice/salts???

 

Maybe an alignment check if you get a pro to inspect.

 

Otherwise, checkall lugs to see if they are there and sufficiently torqued

Tire psi

Check all body panels for dents, dings, scratches, rust bubbling

Check the level and condition of as many fluids as you can

Hi/low beams, f/r signals, 4-ways, brake lights, does it have the roof mounted third brake lamp? License lamp(s)

Door sag, ease of opening/closing, any squeaks or roughness, any headliner water spots to indicate rainy leaks?

 

 

 

Maybe that will getcha started. I was in the same boat as you about this time last year. I made a thread asking for 88-02 and ended up with an 2003.....I really never really paid them any attention and didnt know they really existed, since all I really used to see were C/K1500s. Anyway, love my 2003

 

I looked at two of the old C1500s.

 

 

So, more specific to the platform you want, I am 34 years old, btw!

 

 

Check the engagement of the clutch. I test drove one and it would refuse reverse until you hit fourth gear beforehand, and other unsmooth characteristics. Check the plastic dashboard (where it meets the windshield) for cracks and missing chunks.

 

Check fan operation on all speeds and on recirc, ac, vent heat, floor, bi-level....etc

 

Odometer, speedo, tach, and other gauges that they erect and are functional

 

Frame, suspension, exhaust for rust

 

Straight bed and no holes or plastic bedliners that can trap moisture and rust out the bed, bumpers for dents....aka signs of accidents, frame damage, bad alignment, eyesores, etc

 

Locks, i think your model has a round key for the door and a square for the ignition tree

 

Seats, carpet for smells stains and good nap to see it isnt worn down

Presence of a spare, jack, tire iron and its psi and condition, year stamp on the sidewall

 

 

 

Now on to the test drive.......!

[mjoekingz28]

Ok, you got me on a roll, so let's be thorough about it

[mjoekingz28]

Climb in the bed and look closely at the roof...it seems it is often neglected in tall vehicles and may have peeling or missing paint, chemical fallout and rust

 

Check the cleanliness of the inside and outside of the windshield...and for cracks and chips and the sealing weatherstrip of it and the doors......power windows, locks, etc for functioning properly

 

 

Try starting it without depressing the clutch, then with clutch pedal to the floor....

Run it through the gates and see if you think you would like shifting it on a daily basis, is pedal too light or heavy, rough engagement? Check back-up reverse lamps.....see how she steers and accelerates, decelerates, brakes in reverse, and while turning.

 

 

See where the thermostat temp comes to operating temperature, does the fan clutch work well, does the fan engage if idling and getting hot?

 

Does the stepper motor compensate for load, such as AC, fan, lights, lock-to-lock power steering (although I find it wrong to turn to full lock....especially when at a standstill.....

 

Clean fueling when accelerating, does it hold steady speed/throttle in all gears. Will it climb hills? Are there even hills in your part of Texas?

 

Inquire of receipts....oil grade used and frequency it was changed, other services....look at the air filter...if I remember it is only a wingnut or two.....

 

Check tire tread for even wear and dryrot.

See how she brakes lightly and how well it can brake heavily.. It is possible there is air in the lines if the pedal sinks whilst braking heavily....

 

Dome light?

 

Radio and four(?) speakers sound ok?

 

OBDI or II....any codes?

Cigarette lighter ok...any ashes in tray?

Floormats?

 

Gas cap, hinge and door all look satisfactory? Is it really dirty in there? Fuel filter been replaced, ever?

 

Tailgate latch open and close ok? Leaf springs look decent enough? Did the owner grease all of the alamite fittings regularly/annually?

 

Hood and front grill for dried bug stains, rock chips? Does it look good to you?

 

Placards in place? Maybe one in the glovebox, driver's door jamb, a couple underhood........ Underhood flashlight work?

 

Do the mirrors adjust easily? How about the sunvisors? Are they there and foldable?

 

Seatbelts functioning as they should...aka latch securely, release easily, allow freedom of movement and tense up when applying the brakes?

 

Is the (original) owner's manual present? Any markings, does it look to have been looked it or read thoroughly?

 

Inspection sticker? Any bumper stickers, dealership logos, or any decals that you dont like and will have to remove....and possibly mar the paint or glass or chrome bumper?

 

What about towing? Is the ball and hitch in good order? Tailgate straps....are both there and in good shape to support you while standing or sitting on it?

 

 

Windshield wipers visual check, turn the stalk and see if they work....do they move smoothly at all speeds....does the pump spray clean fluid on the windshield...is it clogged or leaking...or smelly?

 

Grease stains and cigar burns on the interior? Are the air vents clean?

 

Are all of the emblems in good shape? Any wax residue around sharp corners, creases, nooks, crannies, and crevices?

 

Radiator hoses and belt(s) look in good shape? Any bulges, excess dirt or cracks? Check the heater hoses.....how is the radiator looking? Is it leaking, are the fins all bent up or corroded?

 

Do all underhood components look mounted properly? No loose or shaky pieces with missing nuts and bolts/screws....... Look on the bottom side of the hood for the blanket (if applicable). Does all appear well?

 

Does the hood stay open ok by itself? Any worry of it dropping while you are working? Front valence in place to direct airflow to the radiator? Any freon leaks? Is it r-12 or the new r-134a?

 

Listen to the Compressor engage and disengage.....no shrill noises!

 

Bedrails and tiedown hooks in case you need to haul something in good shape?

 

Are the wheels clean or baked on with brake dust? Are they straight and true? Is the clearcoat on them, do the wheel weights looks nice?

 

Is the ride smooth? See if you can ride beside it, I want to do this myself....to see how smooth she rolls....sometimes I see cars and trucks going down the highway and they have a wheel just bouncing terribly and they apparently dont notice....i dont know if this is wheel bearing, shocks or what it is?

 

 

Any excess windnoise at 70-80mph or at whatever speed you drive?