'90 K1500 350 4x4 AT Common Issues

[irhunter]

Going to look at a 1990 K1500 4x4 AT 350 RCLB 160k miles.

 

I know about buying used trucks, in general. I don't need suggestions about not buying rusty trucks, that I should look at the coolant, or such.

 

What I would like to know, is there anything about this model, in particular, that I should know about now. Things like, for instance, if this particular transmission hasn't been drain/fill every 30k, it is probably about to die.

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Roy

[KARNUT]

18 minutes ago, irhunter said:

Going to look at a 1990 K1500 4x4 AT 350 RCLB 160k miles.

 

I know about buying used trucks, in general. I don't need suggestions about not buying rusty trucks, that I should look at the coolant, or such.

 

What I would like to know, is there anything about this model, in particular, that I should know about now. Things like, for instance, if this particular transmission hasn't been drain/fill every 30k, it is probably about to die.

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Roy

I look at the value of the purchase. I’m a frequent buyer of older trucks. I prefer them over new. I don’t have to consider rust here. General maintenance is always a concern. But repairs are usually cheaper on older trucks. Aside from the usual the rubber lines usually start to go. Brake calipers too. I even had a brake light switch go bad. My last old truck that was almost 20 years old with 160K miles never had a transmission fluid change. I changed it when I got it, she’s still going just fine. Judging by several YouTube shows I watch almost daily. Old GM trucks up until cylinder deactivation are quite resilient even if they sit for decades. If the price is right and you can do some of the work yourself. I wouldn’t be afraid of it. If you want a few pointers watch ViceGrip garage on YouTube. It’s informative and hilarious.

[irhunter]

21 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I look at the value of the purchase. I’m a frequent buyer of older trucks. I prefer them over new. I don’t have to consider rust here. General maintenance is always a concern. But repairs are usually cheaper on older trucks. Aside from the usual the rubber lines usually start to go. Brake calipers too. I even had a brake light switch go bad. My last old truck that was almost 20 years old with 160K miles never had a transmission fluid change. I changed it when I got it, she’s still going just fine. Judging by several YouTube shows I watch almost daily. Old GM trucks up until cylinder deactivation are quite resilient even if they sit for decades. If the price is right and you can do some of the work yourself. I wouldn’t be afraid of it. If you want a few pointers watch ViceGrip garage on YouTube. It’s informative and hilarious.

 

Thanks.

 

I suspect this truck has TBI and the TH350 transmission...but, I am not sure. And, I don't know anything about either one of those things.

 

 

 

[richard wysong]

Probably 700r4. those trucks had rear diff issues, if the trannys not an issue leave it alone if it's never been serviced. Frame rot if you're where they use road chemicals, 4wds tend to wear ball joints regularly unless greased often