[Koinonia]

Looking at '83 GMC Sierra 1500, shortbed.

Hey all!

My Coworker has an '83 GMC Sierra 1500 shortbed, V8 truck sitting on his property he is willing to sell.

Says he uses it to run into town on occassion to pick up firewood, but it's been a while. Not currently registered or inspected.

Says it runs, but smokes. ((EDIT: He told me it is a greyish smoke, and it comes and goes. )) He mentioned something about a mechanic saying the piston /oil seals or something to that effect. AC does not work, front windshield cracked. Not sure of engine size. It is parked under a carport type of thing on concrete.

I'm supposed to go down and see it this coming Sunday, and he is willing to let me look it over real good and take it for a test spin on the property.

What are things I should look for when trying out this vehicle? I'm new to the whole buying a car myself. I have a '93 Subaru Impreza that I love; I just need to get me a truck!

Can't hurt to have two vehicles, right? I can afford it in cash, + transfer/title and insurance, no problem.

 

[Koinonia]

Okay, had a chance to check out the truck today. Drove it around for a bit. It's an Automatic. Smoke is grey, and it smokes when driving, or standing at idle. The head gasket on the drivers side is bad as well. (could see smoke same color as exhaust venting.) The AC compressor wheel or clutch doesn't seem to engage when I turn on the ac from the cab. And the windshield wipers could use some work.

It would also appear it is a short bed? Not sure though. I wouldn't know the difference, but the body is straight. Steering is good, brakes seem to engage late into the pedal push.

Heres a terrible video of the walk around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x8pVNpSMzk

 

[Graystone]

It's a short bed but it's concerning that you don't know the difference and are buying something that will need work. What kind of price are you talking about? It looks in decent shape but if it's been sitting it's going to take work to make it a driver.

 

[Koinonia]

First timer with the trucks will do it. I love to do work with my hands and work on my Subaru the majority of the time. I can see the bed is short, I just don't know much about the differences in the models, I hadn't done much research at all other then him telling me he had a truck for sale. I generally believe what people tell me until I find out it was wrong later.

He said the last time he drove it was 4 months ago for a 9 mile trip into town for firewood, last registered in '12. Oil he claims to have changed regularly, and it didn't smell burnt or look dirty at all when I checked the dipstick.

EDIT: Also, 132.5k miles.

He wants $1k, but I'm sure I can talk him down a little bit, but not much. He loves the truck, even if it isn't used often.

 

[Graystone]

Re: Looking at '83 GMC Sierra 1500, shortbed.

Not a bad price if not rotted.

 

[88k5]

sounds like junk.... keep looking.