Thinking of buying a used truck . . . opinions

[JAZZMAN]

I'm looking to purchase a truck in the near future for three primary uses:

 

1. Tow vehicle for 3200lb Mustang on open trailer

2. The SO's winter daily driver

3. Around the house stuff . . . drywall, landscaping stuff, etc.

 

Spring thru fall daily use will be minimal, considering it'll be our 4th car betwee the two of us. I found the following truck at a local dealership where a freind of mine is a sales manager:

 

1999 Chevy 1500 LS 4x4

117,000 miles

5.7L V8

Extended Cab

Loaded: Leather/power seats, 6 disc changer, bedliner, custom brush gaurd, tow package, you name it, it has it.

It's very clean for its age, only minor dings and a bit of rust around the brush guard. The brakes are spongy and it pulls to the left, but the dealer ship will look at it before I go any further. The sticker price is $11,995, I talked them down to $9,895 + tax and $170 document fee. The ride is very comfortable for a truck of this vintage, and the tires have at least 60% tread on them.

 

My only concern is the mileage . . . how well do these trucks hold up over the long haul, especially considering I'll be towing with it?

 

Also, can someone point me towards a spec sheet for this truck? HP/TQ, Towing capacity, etc . . .

[chevy4x4trucks]

so this would be an old body style truck? the new body style started in 99, but you said 5.7 which is the old body style.

 

Just a bit confused.

 

If it's the old body style trucks, you can expect to get 200,000 or more out of it if you keep it maintained. We have work trucks with 250+ and they have been beat to heck (construction company).

 

Towing occasionally shouldn't be a problem, the 350 is a strong engine and will tow like a champ.

[JAZZMAN]

so this would be an old body style truck?  the new body style started in 99, but you said 5.7 which is the old body style.

 

Just a bit confused.

 

If it's the old body style trucks, you can expect to get 200,000 or more out of it if you keep it maintained.  We have work trucks with 250+ and they have been beat to heck (construction company).

 

Towing occasionally shouldn't be a problem, the 350 is a strong engine and will tow like a champ.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Thanks for the input. I ended up buying the truck shortly after my original post. I've towed once . . . my track car on a trailer (~4800lbs total) for about 400 total miles. I was a bit suprised at how much the rear end sagged when the trailer was hooked up, but I may have had the car pulled a bit too far forward on the trailer. Driving on the highway was great, almost better than I expected, but the brakes were completely inadequate once I got off the highway, even with new pads and fluid up front. I think I'm going to upgrade to a set of HD pads and stainless steel lines before the next trip. Any suggestions?

[Scyry]

If you don't like the sag in the back with the car and trailer, maybe get some helper/overload springs or air bags for the truck. That way you don't lose the ride unloaded. I am not sure on the brake upgrades though.

[firefighteremt3100]

so this would be an old body style truck?  the new body style started in 99, but you said 5.7 which is the old body style.

 

Just a bit confused.

 

If it's the old body style trucks, you can expect to get 200,000 or more out of it if you keep it maintained.  We have work trucks with 250+ and they have been beat to heck (construction company).

 

Towing occasionally shouldn't be a problem, the 350 is a strong engine and will tow like a champ.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

99 was a split year. I had a 99 that was the new body style. Pretty much identical to what he is referring to. It was a great truck.

[willieboy]

To fix the rear end sag, get a weight distributing hitch. Also, getting the front wheels back down on the ground will get your brake feel back. The problem right now is all the wieght is on the rear, "lifting the front" end off the ground and making one set of brakes completely overloaded while the other set has much less of a load. Get your truck back to level with weight distribution and you will be in much better shape.

 

I like the Equal-I-Zer brand weight distribution. It is a good value for a reasonable price. Reese and others have similar options. If you want to go cream of the crop (and total over kill for your situation) you could get a Hensley Arrow hitch.

[DaGGer]

if you still have problems with the brake you could always upgrade your rotors and calipers, get calipers with more pistons that can grab harder and pads that can grab harder and cross and drilled rotors to help with heat distribution and the gases that can cause floating pads.