Well....I got a truck

[Frank]

Buddy of mine bought a new truck and no longer had room for his old one and I needed just a gritty old work truck for hauling. He didnt want to sell it to someone who might bring it back (he's just an honest guy that doesnt want anyone to feel screwed over). I knew its history and what all was wrong so it didnt bother me none.

Its a 91 GMC Sierra extended cab 4x4. Its got over 250k miles, but its straight and the 4wd is in good working order he said. I doubt he hardly ever engaged it. The door handle on the drivers side doesn't work and you have to open from the inside. Also the window doesn't work. The heater blower motor will cause the whole truck to die if turned on. AC dont work. Aside from that, it starts and runs reliable and he has driven it daily for years. I have never had a GM truck before so its all new to me. Anyone familiar if these are common issues and how to fix them? Sounds easy except the blower motor which I bet is a PITA.

Anyhow, not bad for $500.

[UserX]

pics or it didn't happen

[crapstang]

Drive it into a lake-see how long it floats

[Skidmark]

Sounds like a really good deal. Hell any reliable vehicle for 500 is a good deal.

[SSsierra90]

I have a 90 gmc that Ive had for almost 10 years. my first truck and has almost 200k on it and still runs like a champ

[Ted]

Let me know if you ever want to sell it. That's the body style I am looking for.

[MstangsBware]

I have a 97 Z with 227k on the clock and still running strong minus being down for rear end going out.

[ram57ta]

Buddy of mine bought a new truck and no longer had room for his old one and I needed just a gritty old work truck for hauling. He didnt want to sell it to someone who might bring it back (he's just an honest guy that doesnt want anyone to feel screwed over). I knew its history and what all was wrong so it didnt bother me none.

Its a 91 GMC Sierra extended cab 4x4. Its got over 250k miles, but its straight and the 4wd is in good working order he said. I doubt he hardly ever engaged it. The door handle on the drivers side doesn't work and you have to open from the inside. Also the window doesn't work. The heater blower motor will cause the whole truck to die if turned on. AC dont work. Aside from that, it starts and runs reliable and he has driven it daily for years. I have never had a GM truck before so its all new to me. Anyone familiar if these are common issues and how to fix them? Sounds easy except the blower motor which I bet is a PITA.

Anyhow, not bad for $500.

Blower motor is a piece of cake on that truck but since you said it kills the truck I'm thinkin it might be a wiring problem (dead short?). Does it have the 350, 305, or 4.3 V-6? I assume its a 350 with a 700R4....pretty good drivetrain. The outside door handles are a common recurring problem on them (I've replaced one already and the new one is already cracked). The window motor is easy to replace (assuming its the motor). Rebuilding the A/C will run you about 400 or so if the compressor is shot (prolly is) and its prolly an R12 system which I can still get but it aint cheap (I'd convert it to R134a). For $500 bucks I'd say you did pretty good if it runs and drives....the old TBI350 won't win any races with its 225 or so HP but its pretty reliable. My 98 Vortec 350 has over 220k miles on it and it runs like new.

[Frank]

Actually, I had not even looked at the truck until this morning. My friend dropped it off late last night because I was going to work on his computer for him. Its a 95 GMC Sierra SLT 4x4 shortbed extended cab. All stock, 262k miles. Starts right up and sounds just fine. 350 V8, new alternator, new water pump, good tires. The pleather seats are shot and I wouldn't mind finding some covers for them or even some good used ones of the same color. (let me know if anyone has a hookup) Aside from that, the inside just needs a good cleaning. I found out it is the inside door handle that is broken. I need to get the door panel off to see what is really going on. Dark metalic blue. My camera is toast so no pics right now. I plan to clean it up, fix the little things and drive it till the wheels fall off. My Exploder is somewhere around 400k miles and though it is still driving fine, I really needed a truck for hauling and this deal couldn't come at a better time. I guess I'll park the Exploder and keep it around as a backup or until a family member breaks one of their cars.

[GrayStangGT]

Does the seat squeak?

[ram57ta]

Theres a few VERY significant differences between a 91' and a 95' SLT. 95 has a Vortec 350 with around 240hp and uses the 4L60E tranny (great combo). If its the INSIDE door handle thats broken (extremely common...I JUST finished repairing mine) you can either buy a new replacement handle or you can do what I did...go to a wrecking yard and find a same color interior Tahoe, Blazer, or Suburban and take the lever out of the drivers side REAR door...chances are it will have little wear on it and its the same part. Blower motor is a piece of cake to replace. Thats a damn nice truck for $500 bucks.

[HarrisonTX]

Those inside door handles break a lot. If its the same style good as a 97, which I believe it is, you can get the whole inside handle assembly for like $15 at most parts stores. I've put a couple on.

If the actual gray handle is still intact try to put your old factory handle on the new assembly even thought it comes with one. Ive had a brand new assemblies handle break. Cheap pot metal.

[quikag]

For $500, it's an absolute no brainer. Put a little money into it, drive it for a few years, and sell it for $2k+.

[MattB]

Theres a few VERY significant differences between a 91' and a 95' SLT. 95 has a Vortec 350 with around 240hp and uses the 4L60E tranny (great combo). If its the INSIDE door handle thats broken (extremely common...I JUST finished repairing mine) you can either buy a new replacement handle or you can do what I did...go to a wrecking yard and find a same color interior Tahoe, Blazer, or Suburban and take the lever out of the drivers side REAR door...chances are it will have little wear on it and its the same part. Blower motor is a piece of cake to replace. Thats a damn nice truck for $500 bucks.

I thought 96 was the first year for the Vortec motor? '95 had the all new nicer interior, airbags, etc.

[ram57ta]

I thought 96 was the first year for the Vortec motor? '95 had the all new nicer interior, airbags, etc.

Looks like you are correct about the Vortec. So it should have about 200hp which is plenty to move it down the road. The interior is a HUGE improvement over the 88-94. And I'm pretty sure the 95 also got 4 wheel ABS brakes.