Introduction to myself, Getting my first GM vehicl

crazymjb · July 16, 2006

Hey, I guess first I will introduce myself. My name is Mike, I am 16 and am going into the USMC in 2 years, hopefully to be followed by med and/or engineering school. In my free time I build stuff(animatronics for halloween, mopeds, etc). I live in Newton, MA, and am going to be buying a GMC for my first vehicle.

I am no stranger to web forums as I have about 3K posts at Acurazine(father has an 05 TL eb/anth navi) and another 3K on halloweenforum. I have maybe a total of 500 additional posts throughout various forums.

Anyway, the past few weeks I have been in negotiations with the owner of a truck listed on craigslist. It has been brought in and checked out by an independant mechanic. The final price I will be paying(tommorow I believe) is 5K. The truck was described by the mechanic as being in "excelent condition" though it does need a few hundred bucks in parts(stabilizer links and bushings, rear break cylinders, etc). The "biggest" thing they said it needs mechanically is a steering box as this one is just beginning to leak, and was sticking a little) and front axle seals. Most of the work I will be doing myself or with my friends neigbor or other friends uncle, or with my automotive instructors at school, all of which are ASE certified as Master Techs.

The truck is a 1996 K1500 SLE Z71 Ext. Cab flareside. It has 150K on it, though the engine was replaced with a crate 350 V8 8X,XXX ago when the last owner bought it. The transmission has had the sun shell replaced after it failed a while back, and was rebuilt for what I believe was a sun bearing failure about 30K ago, and a shift kit was installed. With exception to one dent in the lower passenger side cab corner and a few scratches, the body is in perfect condition with NO rust, as is the frame. I will go into more detail once I actually have it in my driveway, but here are some pics the seller has taken:

Mike

pwall · July 16, 2006

Nice truck....like the flare-sides.

Welcome to GM-Trucks.com!

crazymjb · July 16, 2006

Thanks, I personally like the look of them, though would have preferred a full bed. But as long as it fits a sheet of plywood...

Mike

ken1mod · July 16, 2006

I love my 2000, you will love yours.

Ken

MS3DALE · July 16, 2006

Welcome

I had three "OBS" full-size trucks,A '93,'94 and a '97 and I loved them all!

I'm sure you'll love yours

OUMike · July 16, 2006

Welcome!!

I love the stepside look myself. I've had my 94' stepside about 5 years now and still love driving it!

crazymjb · July 16, 2006

Thanks

Its a little late, but do you guys think what I payed was fair? KBB was over a G more in fair condition, though I think it is definatly in good condition, and didn't account for the newer engine and trans.

Thanks guys. Glad I found another great forum.

Mike

MS3DALE · July 16, 2006

I don't think you did bad at all.

crazymjb · July 16, 2006

I don't think you did bad at all.

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Great. I feel better now, I just needed to hear from some GM "experts."

I look forward to becoming a more involved member in the community. This will basically be my project truck... The goal, a good hybrid between a daily driver and something which can be used for light offroading(dirt trails maybe, use during heavy snow).

Do you guys know where a factory service manual can be purchased for this thing? Also, what would you recomend by way of steering boxes for replacement(the inspection said this one was leaking), I heard it is possible to just replace the seals while it is in the truck. The wheel does on occasion become hard to turn, almost as if it is stuck, but it just needs to be muscled through.

Just to clarify, I get my licence in 2 weeks, the truck should be in my possession by then. The money goes out tommorow. I have driven it before though.

Mike

CapitalTruck · July 18, 2006

www.helminc.com has the original factory shop manuals for GM vehicles. They are definitely the ones to get. They're expensive, but worth it.

I don't think you did bad at all.

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Great. I feel better now, I just needed to hear from some GM "experts."

I look forward to becoming a more involved member in the community. This will basically be my project truck... The goal, a good hybrid between a daily driver and something which can be used for light offroading(dirt trails maybe, use during heavy snow).

Do you guys know where a factory service manual can be purchased for this thing? Also, what would you recomend by way of steering boxes for replacement(the inspection said this one was leaking), I heard it is possible to just replace the seals while it is in the truck. The wheel does on occasion become hard to turn, almost as if it is stuck, but it just needs to be muscled through.

Just to clarify, I get my licence in 2 weeks, the truck should be in my possession by then. The money goes out tommorow. I have driven it before though.

Mike

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crazymjb · July 18, 2006

Thanks, do you know about how much they cost?

Mike

crazymjb · July 18, 2006

Ok. So I have what Meineke recomended for replacement in front of me(already checked with autozone which wants 25% of the cost, that that is good. Also, meineke added stuff they obviously didn't check as it had recently been replaced.

Anyway, what brands do you recomend for the following parts. I want good quality or OEM stuff. Feel free to include a website as I have no qualms with ordering online.

2 - Stabilizer Links

1(though I am just going to get the pair while Im at it) Sway bar bushings(greasless, greasable, whatever will last longer)

2-Rear wheel cylinders(not needed quite yet, but it is getting there)

Plugs, Wires, Distributor rotor and cap, again, something not immenently needed but getting there

1 - PCV valve

2 - Front Axle Seals. I have heard about the use of a lathe and getting 98 Axle seals. I have to check to see if my friends neighbor has a lathe(he is doing this one with us).

- The steering box is starting to leak a bit, and is a little sticky when stopped, however it isn't dripping and does not need immediate replacement. However, I would like to know what to replace it with(saw some "quick response" ones. Also, can they be had new?

Thanks,

Mike

obbop · July 25, 2006

Thanks, do you know about how much they cost?

Mike

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$135 for the set. Multi-volume. THousands of pages. Can quickly pay for itself, especially if you keep the truck for awhile.

Take good care of them, in decent shape, and, when done with 'em, sell 'em on eBay to get some of the money back.

firefighteremt3100 · July 25, 2006

Thanks, do you know about how much they cost?

Mike

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

$135 for the set. Multi-volume. THousands of pages. Can quickly pay for itself, especially if you keep the truck for awhile.

Take good care of them, in decent shape, and, when done with 'em, sell 'em on eBay to get some of the money back.

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Are these helms manuals year specific? Or do they cover a range of years like the Haynes and the Chiltons did?

C & A s Dad · July 25, 2006

Mike, I may be a little partial, but I would tell you to find a CARQUEST Auto Parts Store. Of couse they have supported me for the past 18 years. All jokes aside, you want parts that are OE quality in Form, Fit and Function. I would tell you to go for Moog chassis, we offer Moog in our CQ label and a less expensive line in our CQ Red line. I would stick with Presolite wires, again our supplier of our premium wires. They make more wires for the OE mfgs than any other co. However, I cannot tell you for sure if they were the supplier on your truck originally. They are extreme quality. Our seals are supplied by National but CR Seals are fine also.

Good luck with your new truck.