1990 2500

Lance Link · February 6, 2005

I'm about to be back in the saddle again- buying another truck tomorrow. Sold the Z-71 last September. Anyway, I'm just looking for a truck to go to the dump with, haul yard crap around with, etc. Something that doesn't need to look great but that runs well and is dependable.

So today I found a 1990 Chevy 2500, 4WD, 350, 5 speed, regular cab, 8 ft bed. It runs awesome, very stong. As a bonus, it even looks great. Burgandy paint is nice, has a bedliner, black steel wheels, and a nice custom rear window guard.

I have a couple questions- what model 5 speed would this have? NV4500? What rear end would this have? I forgot to check that today. Anything else you can say about the truck (ie: things to watch out for, common problems, etc)?

Appreciate the help.

Shawn T · February 7, 2005

If it is a 5 speed, it should be a light 2500(6 lug wheels). I don't think the heavy duty 5 speed was introduced until 92 (has low, creeper gear). If this is the case it is a Getrag. IMO they are junk. I owned an 88 and my father still owns an 89. They are terribely high geared, especially when using reverse to back a trailer up, and almost impossible to work on. They are famous for losing the input and output shaft bearings. The only way to change them out is to replace the tranny. They are unaccesable. If you plan on towing or hauling it just isn't good. As for the clutch, it takes a beating on hill starts. There is no low gear to resort to. I would drive it in an alley and listen for echos of tranny noise because there is a good chance the bearings are whining. I hate to rain on your parade, but when I purchased my 88, I was replacing the tranny(might as well replace the clutch while your down there) 6 months later.

Ag Teacher · February 8, 2005

Yep - that's the light duty five speed (same as in the half-tons). If you going to work it, look for a four-speed. However if all you doing is what you say (going to the dump, hardware store, etc.) it could work for you. Actually, for daily driving, the lite five speeds are funner to drive and more responsive than the four speeds (or heavy duty 5 speeds) because the gears are lots closer together and you don't have that 3rd gear to 4th (2nd to 3rd on the shifter if it has an L) gear gap that sucks the life out of the old granny four speeds.

Shawn T · February 8, 2005

Ag Teacher · February 8, 2005

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Soooo...Where's the delete post icon O' Wise One?

Shawn T · February 8, 2005

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Soooo...Where's the delete post icon O' Wise One?

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Are you serious? It was a joking way of saying I agree. Don't get all bent.

Lance Link · February 9, 2005

Thanks, guys- that confirms what I was thinking. I bought it on Sunday and it's going to work fine for me. Like I say, just weekly trips to the dump/hardware store/etc.

Here she is:

Not a show truck, but not bad for $2,500. I'm mounting some Dunlop Mud Rovers this weekend (31x10.5) as well as a Flowmaster 50. Also going to change all the fluids. It really runs strong- excellent power, no smoke, shifts well, 4WD works great, not bad.

Ag Teacher · February 9, 2005

SSTimothy - when my original post was made my computer was on the blink and it ended up posting it three times. I couldn't find how to delete the other two on one of them I deleted the text and wrote duplicate and on the other I wrote, how do you delete post on this site.

When I check back, I had you "I'm with stupid post" and the other two post were gone. I thought you deleted them for me. I guess that isn't the case.

I'm not bent out of shape, but I would like to know if we can delete our own post on this site.

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Lance - looks like you got a pretty decent work truck for the money. From the pictures, it looks like you'll get to use that four wheel drive.

Lance Link · February 9, 2005

Lance - looks like you got a pretty decent work truck for the money. From the pictures, it looks like you'll get to use that four wheel drive.

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Thanks- we're supposed to get 18" more tomorrow. I love snow.

Shawn T · February 9, 2005

SSTimothy - when my original post was made my computer was on the blink and it ended up posting it three times. I couldn't find how to delete the other two on one of them I deleted the text and wrote duplicate and on the other I wrote, how do you delete post on this site.

When I check back, I had you "I'm with stupid post" and the other two post were gone. I thought you deleted them for me. I guess that isn't the case.

I'm not bent out of shape, but I would like to know if we can delete our own post on this site.

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Lance - looks like you got a pretty decent work truck for the money. From the pictures, it looks like you'll get to use that four wheel drive.

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Ag Teacher,

I don't know if you can, once you have added the reply. I have done the same thing a couple of times. You add it, then read it, and it doesn't make sense. I just add another post right after it because I cannot figure out how to delete my screw up. I want to show a picture of my HD. How do I add a picture to my post? I have never looked into it. Could you give me a PM on it? Thanks.

Scyry · February 9, 2005

Those pics make me miss my old 1990, 1/2 ton, 5speed, 350, regular cab, sport side. d**n that thing was fun to drive, and strong, was at 250,000+ miles when I sold it, original tranny, 3rd clutch, redid the manifold gasket once, muffler got replaced and radiator went once....in 12 years of service.