New from Iowa

[RlySlow]

Hey all. Probably will be needing some resources from here so figured I'd register.
picked up a 96 k1500 5.7 4x4 over the weekend

I had been wanting a decent truck for awhile that could pull a car trailer, haul bikes or other junk, and maybe pull a boat. I just bought a house and closed on it just over a week ago and have been having to bug a lot of friends for using their trucks and such. Just wanted something mechanically good but not a show truck or anything so I wouldn't feel bad about treating it like a work truck.

 

Same day I closed on the house I picked up an 04 Ford Focus SVT 6speed from a buddy who bought to fix and flip. He got it for $600, fixed a few things/got it running/cleaned it and sold it to me for $1100. it still needed a lot of suspension work and misc electrical things but engine and trans were solid. I also have my 99 trans am and my beater 94 eagle talon which is mechanically sound just looks like shit. I didn't feel like having a 2nd econobox that was basically a bit of a project. I put it up for trade and this truck was my 2nd offer and we met and really liked each other's vehicles and made the trade on the spot.

So overall I have $1200 into buying this truck so I'm really happy with it.

 

Misc issues: tailgate handle mechanism and rods are messed up. I just ordered everything rods/handle mechanism/latch/bezel off amazon. Average rust for one of these. Underside is surprisingly clean. Definitely has evidence of undercoating in the past so would explain it. Stereo is a 7" touch screen dvd thing that folds out and it occasionally is fritzy. Driver door is sagging just enough that you have to do the annoying slam to shut it fully. Then fuel gauge doesn't work.

I ordered everything to fix the tailgate and new door pin kit for the drivers door.

This morning now it wouldn't start and it has been fine the last 2 days though yesterday I ran an errand in it and the starter sounded like it hit a dead spot before it fired up.

So going to beat on it tonight and try to get it to start. No cranking, no starter click. Clicks under dash. All power stuff works fine - stereo/windows/lights/etc. I'm assuming solenoid. Gonna mess with it tonight.

Outside of that it runs and drives great. Engine is great, trans is great. Cold A/C, hot heat. Cruise works good. Windows are nice and fast. Basically all power options work great. Body is decent besides the rust and drivers door is a bit beat in. I might be a ricer and put some basic flares on to cover the rust. Tires are like new. Interior is actually in great condition. 4x4 works great.

Overall pretty happy for trading the $1200 focus for it.

misc pictures:

My current full fleet:

[Andy Seibel]

welcome.

 

If you can't get your starter to work, one other thing to consider the the passlock system. I had a loose wire inside the steering column and that prevented me from starting my '98. It was a pain in the a$$ to figure out, but a fairly simple fix. I can't explain in any more detail, but an expert in that era truck should know what to look for.

[RlySlow]

welcome.

 

If you can't get your starter to work, one other thing to consider the the passlock system. I had a loose wire inside the steering column and that prevented me from starting my '98. It was a pain in the a$$ to figure out, but a fairly simple fix. I can't explain in any more detail, but an expert in that era truck should know what to look for.

I was reading that but I read more that it'll often cause the vehicle to start but stall? I'll still look into it though if I don't get anything on the starter. GM and their shitty security/passlock systems

[Andy Seibel]

mine never stalled when it was running, but it would take me forever/ several tries to start it.

then for a month it would work fine. it was very hit or miss, I took it to a shop several times and replaced a fuel pump before they figured it out.

[slj2008]

welcome

[txab]

Welcome

[Daryl LBZ]

Welcome!

[Swimmer8366]

Welcome and Congrats on your truck. Looks like it's in pretty good shape for it's year

 

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

[RlySlow]

thanks all.

Fixed the no start. Just a simple loose cable. While I was checking it out I threw my brand new optima redtop I had for my old built talon I never put in after warrantying my 8 year old one out.

[99silveradoz71]

Welcome aboard.