Just got a 94 2wd 1/2 ton

michigan2500hd · September 9, 2006

Just got laid-off and instead of paying me for vacation days they gave me a 94 2wd, 1/2 ton, reg. cab long box with a 4.3L and auto trans. I am not driving it yet because i want to check it over and make sure everything is safe. It is in fair condition but has been used as a construction truck since about 1997 or so. It has 111,000 miles on it. What are the problem areas i should look for? What would this thing be worth?

citydriver · September 13, 2006

Depends a whole lot on how it was maintained. I've seen 4.3's with almost 300k mi. on them and still running strong. On the other hand I've seen them burn oil @ 60k mi. because the owner didnt change the oil but once a year. However the most common issues that engine and others of that year would be the intake manifold gaskets, the TBI base gasket. Battery cables, Idler arm, pitman arm. They are pretty durable vehicles when maintained properly.

michigan2500hd · September 13, 2006

It has a rough idle now but that could be from not having a tune up done to it for years. Changed the cap and rotor and gave it a oil change. Its been years since i have had a truck you have to use a timing light on,lol.

tackepj · September 14, 2006

It has a rough idle now but that could be from not having a tune up done to it for years. Changed the cap and rotor and gave it a oil change. Its been years since i have had a truck you have to use a timing light on,lol.

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Another vote for the intake manifold gasket. It may have already been replaced, though. Otherwise the 4.3 is a good motor. I have a similar rig but a 95 with 4WD and a 5-spd. Be glad you have an auto. Although I prefer stick shift, the one in this truck is a clunker. I've also had trouble with the master and slave cylinders, and my throwout bearing is noisy as hell.

As for the tune-up, be sure to replace the plug wires. That's what made the most difference in mine. Also replace the PCV valve and run a can of injector cleaner through the tank (such as Techron), and you should be all set.

Enjoy the decent mileage for a full size.

95Sierra2500 · September 14, 2006

If it's CMPFI be prepared to have to take it in to have the poppet nozzles cleaned at some point. I understand it's pretty common. I doubt it's as big of an issue with a full-size, but my fiancee`'s Jimmy eats caps and rotors (they just break down really fast - guessing they get hot and start melting?), and I believe it has to do with the fact that the cat that I got from UhOhZone (I really don't go there much anymore) is a universal one and is too small and fails every 6 months.

tackepj · September 15, 2006

If it's CMPFI be prepared to have to take it in to have the poppet nozzles cleaned at some point. I understand it's pretty common. I doubt it's as big of an issue with a full-size, but my fiancee`'s Jimmy eats caps and rotors (they just break down really fast - guessing they get hot and start melting?), and I believe it has to do with the fact that the cat that I got from UhOhZone (I really don't go there much anymore) is a universal one and is too small and fails every 6 months.

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I think the 94 has throttle body injection. My 95 has TBI and I think they changed with the Vortec series in 96.

95Sierra2500 · September 15, 2006

If it's CMPFI be prepared to have to take it in to have the poppet nozzles cleaned at some point. I understand it's pretty common. I doubt it's as big of an issue with a full-size, but my fiancee`'s Jimmy eats caps and rotors (they just break down really fast - guessing they get hot and start melting?), and I believe it has to do with the fact that the cat that I got from UhOhZone (I really don't go there much anymore) is a universal one and is too small and fails every 6 months.

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I think the 94 has throttle body injection. My 95 has TBI and I think they changed with the Vortec series in 96.

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HA! Reading > me