Last year I found a 1997 Silverado K2500 4x4 and it is a BEAST! He isn't much to look at but I've hauled just about everything with him and have been through 3 blizzards in him, getting home safely each time.
I just picked up my second GMT400. The first one I owned was a black 97 K1500 Z71 short bed. Unfortunately the frame succumbed to the practice of drowning the roads with salt brine here in New York state. The one I have now is a 96 C1500 that somehow survived the salt and is in beautiful condition. I think as others do that these were the most reliable and best looking trucks GM ever produced.
Still driving my 93 GMC suburban on the highway here and there. It’s been used and abused before I had it. Odometer stopped at 350k 5 years ago. Leaks gas, burns oil, no power, but runs, shifts and drives! Also btw; 92 they switched the dash gauges to a more familiar needle style with a tach option. 95 they overhauled the dash to the newer style. The suvs didn’t get refreshed until 92 and lasted until 2000.
These trucks were so reliable and its hard to find them in decent shape, rust free or with the clear coat still on them, nice to see a clean one in good hands
I'll still take this truck OVER the the New crap GM has today......way too FN BIG on everything from grills to cabs n wheels 😡 The 454 SS was n still is a BEAST to the new shit today n if fits perfectly in a standard garage..... Dad didn't go wrong with his truck by far..... Chevy like a Rock a real American heartbeat..... Great ol days.....
@@SS-L.O.T.O. it's not a true cyclone. It's supercharged not turbocharged and plus it's made by a 3rd party company, not GM. It's just the name. It'll never live up to the real thing.🤣
Yeah all gm vehicles aren't really American anymore, I've been looking for a car for 2 years now and I'm leaning toward going back to getting a 87 Silverado like I used to have. Finding one like the one I sold for 7500 are all in the 20 plus thousand range. It's crazy, if I knew they were going to go up in value like that I would have just kept it in the garage didn't exactly need the money. Should have let it sit and just do maintenance on it, but if ifs were splifs we'd all be high.
My uncle had one of these beautys then my dad bought it from him, i was 18 around that time. He looked at me & told me nope this trucks not for you. Never let me drive it. Said i wouldnt be able to handle it. Sold it shortly afterwards. Because of this i have always wanted to drive one but to my luck i havent had any luck
I currently have '99 Suburban, love it! Had a '93 and hated the dash. Swapped it with a dash from a '95. Totally restored it including changing the carpet, twice! Then ended up wrecking it which led to me getting the '99. Great vehicle.
Best truck ever made. I saw my first in 88 as it drove my elementary school. Everything before this truck was just old fashioned. I also had a 91 step side and that truck was amazing. Easy to work on and fun to drive.
I'm not into Chevys and I'm not a truck guy, but IMO these are hands down the best looking trucks of the era. I'm glad to see you giving this one some love
I love these obs trucks. I love the old square bodies too, I have 1 of each, but my daily is a 93 GMC K1500. 350, auto, factory a/c still works great. I drive that truck 40 miles round trip every day without a problem. 179k on the clock and still going strong!
I completely agree with you on the servicable ball joint issue. I have a 97 suburban with greasable joints and I have not had a failure yet. 417K and still tight.
I love these style trucks.. Super easy to work on and keep running day to day. I have a 97 and 98 k1500 both are stock and are still running and in great shape.
IV got a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab with 151,000 miles on it and it's throtal body injected but I can't understand something about this old truck iv owned four Chevy trucks of these years a 96_97_98 my other 96 was a GMC and was a true vortec injection but this old truck will haul ass I'll easily out run all the other ones iv owned I bought this pick from a man that called me soon as I got home and tried to buy it back but I told him IV already transferred the tital so it's mine now but I know the first 3 owners of this truck and the first was a woman the second was a man I know that didn't ever get in to it and told me why he sold it said it stated running where you had to baby it or it would about shut off and when I started to buy the truck I asked the guy does it still need to be babied he look strange and asked how did you know that I told him I knew the man he got it from I bought it called my parts store told em to get me a throttle position sensor picked it up the next morning came home ten minutes changing it out and it runs like it should but I'm still shocked because it has the throttle body injection a 3 speed with over drive like all my others but this one has a 308 gear ratio my other had 355 this one is higher geared but would still easily out run all my others through the quarter mile and right on on top end I'm gonna fix a couple dents and put a paint job on if myself because I like these trucks there is still a lot of em on the road today my brother has a 95 he's had for ever
@@calvinlayport3127 96-98 trucks did not have throttle body injection motors during those 3 years it was MPI multi port injection 5.7L vortec motors after 1998 they went to the 5.3L
I just acquired a 97 GMC stepside and I love it. I had an 88 Silverado years back, too. Love these trucks. Definitely love the more horsepower of my 97 vortec and the more gooderish seats.
My dad owned a 1993 model long long wide bed with that first year 4l60e and a 350, that motor would not DIE, we overhear that thing two or three times, oil pressure is always low on it, couple times a fuel pump would starve the engine, and it is still going with almost 300,000 miles
Before he passed, my uncle sold me an 89 stepside 4.3 v6. I've had to fix so many things from a failed ball joint to a cracked accessory bracket, but I love it.
I love the GMT400 platform. My dad had two of them, so I saw both dash styles. I learned to drive in a 95 with the 305 and the automatic (as well as a 4 speed Mazda 323 and a 5 speed Porsche 944.) I currently own and love a 98 K1500 with the 350 and the 4L60E automatic. It has the push button 4x4 as well, which I rarely use. In my honest opinion, this is the best truck line GM produced, and the last of the “good” trucks. These were real trucks before they started going to all out BCMs and such to control the newer junk. These trucks, if you take care of them, will run for miles and miles, and will take care of you. My 98 has 226 on the clock now, and she is still going strong. I’d say to build up a 350. Alot of guys will say LS swap, and while they aren’t bad, I love to stay with what the truck was with, engine wise. Anyways, take care of her, Eric. She’s a beauty!
Even though I'm a "square body" guy, in 1994, my wife and I had a 5 year old son, a newborn daughter, and, we'd also just bought our "fixer upper" house. Those combined reasons put us in the market for a "family truck". The fact that we live in rural Northwest Ohio also made 4 wheel drive mandatory. The truck we ended up buying was a white 1988 GMC K-1500 extended cab with an 8' bed. It had just over 100k miles when we bought it, but was spotless! That truck, along with my 78 K-35 helped us remodel our house, along with other mundane duties like taking the wife to work (100 miles round trip), grocery shopping and hauling the kids to various activities for another 100k miles. Then, the old 305 finally gave up. I replaced that with a crate 350, which it should've had anyway! Unfortunately, the truck met its maker about a month later. The wife was going to work when someone crossed the center line. To this day she swears that the truck turned itself slightly to the left and took the impact more to the passenger side. Basically, she says the truck gave its life to save her. Our kids also remember the truck that they named White Lighting, and we all still have a fondness for the 88-98 GM trucks.
Terrific trucks, and one of my very favorites! I had a 1990 Stepside with the 4.3 and 5 speed manual. That truck went FOREVER, until it got totaled by a soccer mom hitting me in about 2004ish.
I bought a 91 Chevy K1500WT (work truck package) in 2000. It was the first nice vehicle with a/c I had ever bought and I loved that truck. It had 4X4 (K1500) and the 5 speed manual, and that same guage package Eric's dad's truck has. It did just fine, I never had any issues with the transmission so maybe the issues were rare but it wasn't worth repairing when the issues did happen. It had the 4.3L V6. It was underpowered, and when driving into a strong headwind, it couldn't maintain highway speed in 5th gear. So you had to leave it in 4th. In 2005, North Dakota raised the speed limit on the interstate highways to 75 MPH and at that speed, it seems like the engine in 5th gear is in a better power range and it holds that speed much better in a strong headwind. It usually averaged around 19 mpg on the highway with 23 being my best 1 tank fill. I got around 14-15 mpg in the city with it. I ended up moving to Atlanta in 2003 and bought a 97 C2500 to move down with. It was the light duty 2500 with the 6 lug rims not 8 lug rims. It basically was a 1500 with a couple extra leaf springs in the rear spring pack. It was a 4 speed automatic and the 5.7L Vortec engine, and it got me and my wife and relatives around in Georgia for 3 1/2 years before we moved back to North Dakota in 2006, which is where I'm from. We left it at my wife''s mom's place until 2009. I went down and got it running and brought it back to North Dakota. I mainly averaged around 17 mpg on the highway, and it saw a lot of city driving in Atlanta. Usually around 13-14 mpg in the city. I sold my 91 to my parents before I moved to Atlanta, so it BECAME Dad's truck. He was driving it yesterday. Overall, I like the body style. Both trucks are still in very good shape, but the 91 was in a side impact accident on the highway several years ago and we replaced the box with a different one. It needs a paint job. The 97 engine went out so I'm looking for a good used one to put into it so it can be used again. One truck is from the beginning of the run and the other from near the end of the run. I give them a thumbs up.
These certain models of trucks were the best style of any truck of any year..better looking than NEW nowadays. I have a 92 Z71 with 90,000 miles on it and I'll never part with it..
I had a '89 with V6 and 5-speed manual, then upgraded to a 91 with 350 & automatic. Great trucks. The best thing was the flip/slide drink holders that mounted under the dash. It did a flip-down and slide-out motion and I swear you could put the largest Grotesque Gulp or a regular soda can in there and feel absolutely sure it wasn't going to go anywhere. I road-tripped that truck across the country a couple times and it was one of the most comfortable Interstate cruisers I've ever known. I wonder if these trucks will one day achieve the status that their square predecessors are starting to garner. If so, it will probably be a few years.
I've had a 88' C1500 for a long time and it has been pretty reliable without anything major having to be replaced. I really do like GMT400 (88-98) because it just seems so easy to work on and fix without much of a hassle.
I gave a 93' Chevy Cheyenne k2500 with the NV4500 manual trans. It's got the granny low first gear you mentioned and when I engage 4low and put it in granny low first gear it would have no problem pulling a stump out of the ground idling. It crawls and I love it.
Besides the terrible pins and bushing door set up, headliner sagging, and the paint getting bad these trucks were very good. My first truck was a 93 1500 now I have a 05 3500 and find myself missing that 93 sometimes
I've got the same truck, model year, but it's paint job was a sparkly midnight blue with a body kit, huge fat wide 15x10.5 cooper cobra tires, and step-side (all factory). It's an awesome looking truck.The 350 in this truck has got to be one of the most easy to DIY fixing, modding, and tuning. There's just so much support and parts available for these engines.
I own a 1990 chevy scottsdale c2500 no air from factory ,no power windows locks or seat no cruise no overdrive and I love it!!! Iwill put a motor in it or a trans when the time comes !!!nice vids bro
When GM came out with this truck, it was a world class leader. They really put the Ford truck to shame at that time. It started a whole new era in trucks.
One of our local GM dealers marketed a Kodiak Edition, which meant it had a few winter driving options on I These included a limited slip differential, block heater, heavy duty alternator and possibly more. I don't drive my truck in the winter anyhow. But that Kodiak decal makes my truck a little unique.
That was “Dad’s truck” for me, too. My dad had a ‘91 K2500 that he used to tow trailers. It went to the scrap yard in 2004 after the engine started knocking on the way back from a camping trip. I miss that truck.
Cool truck! Excited for the forthcoming videos featuring it. Do cool stuff like improve existing tech, heavier gauge wire for headlights, stereo swap with option to return to stock? Gauge cluster swap with option to return to stock? Just some ideas that help preserve originality of truck.
I am sure that you will get a lot of enjoyment working on your dad‘s truck. It will be nice for him to be able to watch the videos of you working on it as well. Whatever you do to the truck, do it as a tribute to your dad. My suggestion would be to keep the truck looking as original as your dad left it to you.
Totally agree about the dash arrangement. I had a 94' Z71 K1500 with extended cab. It too was my dad's truck. I loved that truck so much, however years of living in Iowa in the rust belt took its toll. The shock mount on the drivers side broke due to rust, and the rust in general was the undoing of this vehicle. I got rid of it, but then later learned that the shock mount (to the frame) could have been fixed, and I could still be driving it today. The other thing I didn't love was the poor gas mileage, but it was one of the most fun vehicles I've ever owned!
Bob's originally from Ann Arbor, his mom had moved to Royal Oak at one point and lived down the street from my High School...when he was in town he would often be seen working at his mom's house mowing the lawn, doing gardening and other things. Just a regular guy who is an amazingly nice person to boot.
I understand the reason for it always being dads truck. I have one, a 94 c1500 extended cab short box. I think my dad picked it up in 2000 or 99..with 160k on it. He gave it a fresh silver paint job and baby blue ghost flames. A cowl hood and some wider tires on the back, some dual magnaflow tips on the back. As a little kid it was the coolest thing ever, haha. It was my first vehicle after he drove it for 15 years. and was very reliable for me, taking me to school or wherever else i wanted to go..its getting a frame swapped under it now due to frame rot, at 300k miles, original engine and 1 trans rebuild. Even with its worn out old silver paint, its still the coolest thing ever...to me, anyway. Good video always good content
The 1500 also had the option for a nv4500 manual trans which is what most of the 3/4 and 1 tons had. This was a overall 5 speed that came with a granny gear and an overdrive. Dodge and GM came together to make it, Dodge used it with there Cummins engines starting in the mid 90s and ended in the early 2000s.
Dodge used the NV4500 from ‘89 to ‘98.5. In late ‘98, at the same time they introduced the 24-Valve Cummins, they started installing the six-speed version of the New Venture trans, the NV5600, and used that trans through at least 2008. I’m not sure if they kept using it in the fourth gens.
@@LgSutterby www.google.com/amp/s/torqueking.com/amp/product/sku/new-venture-nv4500-history/ This is where i got my information. I was curious because my own truck a 1992 k1500 has one.
1992 S-10 4.3, all original Extra-cab , She was un-Lived in S-W Tex. its life, Whats Rust? Daley Driver, 122,000,. Quite the cool vehicle as Eric will say, fun to drive in town! The interstate, not a problem at 80..Motor and trans good match with room to spare if you dare. Interior "Crap" materials, but a die hard well thought out running gear, driveshaft perfect. Eric you taught me how to Spot a Keeper and keep it running Top notch, thanks Buddy!
I bought my 1998 GMC C1500 super cab three door 14 years ago. I wish it had the bench seat, since it has the captain chairs and center console. It has the 5.7L 255hp mated to the 4L60E automatic with, I think if my memory is correct, a 3:43 open rear diff. I have 126K miles on it and it was my daily driver till I started driving 130 miles a day for commuting. When as a traveling sales rep and before I had to buy ethanol mixed fuel, would get 22 mpg, now with the E10 stuff it is getting 18.9mpg. I have replaced the stock fuel injector system to the updated kind with the injectors moved down closer to the head and can be now changed individually in case another starts leaking like last time. I have been lucky about rust since it was a TX truck for most of its life and now it lives with me in TN. Thanks for you videos and have a blessed day!
I have a 98 GMC. Great truck! Bottom rust unfortunately due to MN weather but not too bad compared to some others I seen. I fixed everything up on it and man do I love it! Luckily for me the previous owner did the ball joints and other more expensive maintenance.
My first car? A 1989 Chevy Silverado K1500 4wd with Automatic transmission and a 350 5.7l V8. I actually liked the dash in it. Lol. Now I own a 98 Chevy Tahoe 2wd. With a 350. It was a fire captains service truck. It has the custom built center console in it to hold all the radios.
I get what you are saying about the equalizer but I think the look of the dash and gauges are what is so special about these trucks. Sort of that awkward stage between analogue and digital. I went out and sourced original radio and tape deck for mine. Someone had swapped for aftermarket Pioneer and it just looked horrible. That's just my two cents but I love the look of the dash of these.
Happy New Year Eric !! I've still got my 1991 C1500 Silverado with the newer gauge cluster including tach, temp, oil pressure and 120 mph speedo. Mine is a 5.7 TBI came stock with 210 horsepower. It's a 3.08:1 rear axle 2 wheel drive with disc front, drum rear breaks and I've replace the entire front suspension and put Bilstein shocks all the way around it. I need to find a NON- CRACKED dash out of a donor truck to bring mine back to "proud" status. It needs a full paint job, the Oklahoma sun baked the clear coat right off of it and I've had to spray flat black rattle can paint in a few areas..... it looks like hell, but it's not rusting .... yet ! I've got a 1992 set of custom Boyds billet aluminum wheels with BFG rubber and it used to be a beautiful truck. My wife uses it as her daily driver now..... I don't get out much so I'm cool with it. We also have a 2003 Silverado SS AWD with 6.0 LQ9 V8.... it's a killer truck!
i still drive my 92 chevy astro for work every day...not the most powerful but the 4.3 tbi just works ...you can unplug almost ever sensor and they will still run..
Cool video I have 1996 GMC Sierra 2wd Automatic with a 4.3 Vortex the 1st year for the Vortex engines has a 190000 on it only rust issues was one cab corner and two rocker panels still has the original engine and transmission and real end the AC still works have owned it for 8 years
I have a '98 k1500 with 433,000 KM on original motor (5.7L w/ auto trans) still drives great. Owned it 8 years now, put less than 8000$ in this truck (including paying 2k for it) and yes cab corners and rockers are ready for fixing aha!
The seat looks like the seat from a work truck trim truck of a few years later (based on the newer model head rest) but still with in the gmt400 body style
My first truck is a 1990 GMC C1500 with a 350. 221k miles still runs perfect, but the rockers and cab corners are gone unfortunately. May look into welding new ones on since the frame looks good.
Good lookin' truck. IMHO, that era of trucks were the last time trucks looked like honest trucks. Most were still only 2 doors and they looked like a utility vehicle that was meant for work. Trucks these days look like giant tonka toys and SUVs with pickup envy. My dad had an 88 chevy Scottsdale 4wd with a 305 iirc, converted to run gas and natural gas. That was a great truck. 2 doors, a bench seat and no conveniences. Not even a carpet, just a rubber molded mat.
I've got the Blazer version, a 2 door 92... Swapped out the whole stereo and speakers. Bilstein shocks and some new rubber... Best SUV I've ever had, definitely like it better than my 1983 k5, also better build quality than my 1990 Dodge ram 4x4 Cummins with a stick.
I am getting the Silverado version of this exact same truck. 1990 c1500 engine is a 350 from my wife's dad in Arizona. Looking forward to following along with the build!
my first vehicle was a 1990 single cab truck with the 350 motor. I put in a full audio system with 3 amps under the seat (component speakers) then 3 12 inch Kicker subs behind the seat (it was all the way forward) and had a ton of fun in high school! Thanks to Sound Station in Bartlesville, OK Glad I never got in a wreck as that all metal steering wheel would have probably put me in the grave considering how close I was..
Love the syclone...as a veteran auto tech i picked up an 87s10 2.8 4x4 swb reg cab to build a clone minus badging thats going to get a beefed up zz4 and centrifugal supercharger
I have a gmc 1500 extended cab 5 speed and I love it . I drive it everyday . Engine is still amazing . I bought it as a rebuild and I just love can't believe how great of shape it's in other then the dash board cracked up which I ve ordered the molding to replace every thing works
I think you have a lot of interest in this genre of truck because there are still a lot on the road out there - especially in the South, where this former Upstate New Yorker & Buckeye ended up. Despite the issues you mentioned, they really are "Like a Rock" and the 1996 K2500 I just acquired was a MacDaddy workhorse of its day. I just reworked the front suspension with serviceable parts and added Sulastics to the rear, since it won't be a daily tow horse anymore. Looking forward to your new project series!
The first car I drove was my dad's truck: a 1992 Silverado 2WD with the Getrag 5 Speed behind the 350. He bought it in 1995 with under 35k on it and sold in 2005 or 06 with 212k on it - with the factory original clutch. We used to pile 2 ATVs on a raised plywood platform in the bed, a generator on the (lowered) tailgate, and tow a camper (with a hitch extension to out-reach the lowered tailgate) on the poor thing to go up north. Dug itself out of the sand a couple times - leaving some on the dashboard. Survived a bad 1-2-1 shift from me at 16. Never let us down. He ran across the 4th owner about 3 years back and it was still on the road - over 300k, but the clutch was replaced a little over a quarter million. Not sure if it's rusting hulk is still around, but I have to hope so. I still have a huge soft spot for this body style and it's Suburban cousins because of that truck.
Happy New Year and I loved reading about your Fairmont in Hot Rod the other day it was cool to actually see someone you "know" get their car in a magazine. Nice work.
I don't know if it's just nostalgia, but I sort of miss bench seats. The Olds and the old man's trucks had them. However, I don't think I could ever imagine a world where a homologated vehicle these days would come with one. Thanks for sharing, Eric! Looking forward to this series. :D
ALAPINO other than stripped regular cab work trucks owned by illegals...the bench seat has no place in modern America. They're uncomfortable and they always rip...not to mention that they are the welfare option seating package.
Last year I found a 1997 Silverado K2500 4x4 and it is a BEAST! He isn't much to look at but I've hauled just about everything with him and have been through 3 blizzards in him, getting home safely each time.
My dad had a 1980 which he bought new.... and I drove in high school in the early 2000s. So for me 73-87 is “dad’s truck”. Much love.
Another Awesome fun fact is that your "dads" truck is well...PAID FOR!!! And that makes it better then any new P.O.S out on the market today.
I just picked up my second GMT400. The first one I owned was a black 97 K1500 Z71 short bed. Unfortunately the frame succumbed to the practice of drowning the roads with salt brine here in New York state. The one I have now is a 96 C1500 that somehow survived the salt and is in beautiful condition. I think as others do that these were the most reliable and best looking trucks GM ever produced.
Still driving my 93 GMC suburban on the highway here and there. It’s been used and abused before I had it. Odometer stopped at 350k 5 years ago. Leaks gas, burns oil, no power, but runs, shifts and drives! Also btw; 92 they switched the dash gauges to a more familiar needle style with a tach option. 95 they overhauled the dash to the newer style. The suvs didn’t get refreshed until 92 and lasted until 2000.
These trucks were so reliable and its hard to find them in decent shape, rust free or with the clear coat still on them, nice to see a clean one in good hands
Chris Raimondi - just did all most of that for $350, bone stock with 106k. Bout to twin turbo it.
Mine still has clear coat on it with no rust running strong at 316k
I got an abused 1991 k1500 😭 wish I was well off enough to put it back to showroom condition
I just lucked out now found in 96 rust free no dents all original four by four short bed I can't believe it
Bought a 98 in mint condition for 5k 4 years ago
I'll still take this truck OVER the the New crap GM has today......way too FN BIG on everything from grills to cabs n wheels 😡 The 454 SS was n still is a BEAST to the new shit today n if fits perfectly in a standard garage..... Dad didn't go wrong with his truck by far..... Chevy like a Rock a real American heartbeat..... Great ol days.....
Have you seen the new GMC cyclone
@@SS-L.O.T.O. it's not a true cyclone. It's supercharged not turbocharged and plus it's made by a 3rd party company, not GM. It's just the name. It'll never live up to the real thing.🤣
Yeah all gm vehicles aren't really American anymore, I've been looking for a car for 2 years now and I'm leaning toward going back to getting a 87 Silverado like I used to have. Finding one like the one I sold for 7500 are all in the 20 plus thousand range. It's crazy, if I knew they were going to go up in value like that I would have just kept it in the garage didn't exactly need the money. Should have let it sit and just do maintenance on it, but if ifs were splifs we'd all be high.
@@SS-L.O.T.O. more Toyotas are made in America than GM cars. Pretty sad.
My uncle had one of these beautys then my dad bought it from him, i was 18 around that time. He looked at me & told me nope this trucks not for you. Never let me drive it. Said i wouldnt be able to handle it. Sold it shortly afterwards. Because of this i have always wanted to drive one but to my luck i havent had any luck
My '97 K1500 Sierra was the best truck I've ever had, and I've had a lot
I currently have '99 Suburban, love it! Had a '93 and hated the dash. Swapped it with a dash from a '95. Totally restored it including changing the carpet, twice! Then ended up wrecking it which led to me getting the '99. Great vehicle.
Just bought myself a 1999 Chevy k3500 crew cab dually. Vortec 454, all the options, mint condition. 25000 miles on her
A gas dually? RIP gas mileage
T00BR00TAL4YOU gas mileage don’t matter when you never drive it
@@Willyd2758 what's the point of having it if youre never gonna drive it? Seems impractical
T00BR00TAL4YOU I’ve got a job now that I can comfortably pay for the gas but I’m working on buying tires and whatnot for it
@@Willyd2758 oh ok nice
I still have my 95 limited edition gmc suburban les whith 224,000 miles on it n still running realy decent ...very good engines
These trucks were absolute tanks. My dad used his for the reason it was made, to bad he gave it to his brother
My favorite years of GM trucks.
I got a 98’ k1500. It was my first car I’ve had it for 7 years now and I love it.
Best truck ever made. I saw my first in 88 as it drove my elementary school. Everything before this truck was just old fashioned.
I also had a 91 step side and that truck was amazing. Easy to work on and fun to drive.
I'm not into Chevys and I'm not a truck guy, but IMO these are hands down the best looking trucks of the era. I'm glad to see you giving this one some love
I love these obs trucks. I love the old square bodies too, I have 1 of each, but my daily is a 93 GMC K1500. 350, auto, factory a/c still works great. I drive that truck 40 miles round trip every day without a problem. 179k on the clock and still going strong!
247k on my 92 GMC 5.7L C2500 LD 2wd. Have had 2 WTs, 91+94. Both 4.3L. Let those go well past 260k. Great trucks. Simple and reliable.
The mirrors are not ss
I completely agree with you on the servicable ball joint issue. I have a 97 suburban with greasable joints and I have not had a failure yet. 417K and still tight.
I love these style trucks.. Super easy to work on and keep running day to day. I have a 97 and 98 k1500 both are stock and are still running and in great shape.
Jamie Aguilar where can I another transmission
those years were great for chevy trucks...the old TBI injection was reliable and the bodies held up fairly well.
IV got a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab with 151,000 miles on it and it's throtal body injected but I can't understand something about this old truck iv owned four Chevy trucks of these years a 96_97_98 my other 96 was a GMC and was a true vortec injection but this old truck will haul ass I'll easily out run all the other ones iv owned I bought this pick from a man that called me soon as I got home and tried to buy it back but I told him IV already transferred the tital so it's mine now but I know the first 3 owners of this truck and the first was a woman the second was a man I know that didn't ever get in to it and told me why he sold it said it stated running where you had to baby it or it would about shut off and when I started to buy the truck I asked the guy does it still need to be babied he look strange and asked how did you know that I told him I knew the man he got it from I bought it called my parts store told em to get me a throttle position sensor picked it up the next morning came home ten minutes changing it out and it runs like it should but I'm still shocked because it has the throttle body injection a 3 speed with over drive like all my others but this one has a 308 gear ratio my other had 355 this one is higher geared but would still easily out run all my others through the quarter mile and right on on top end I'm gonna fix a couple dents and put a paint job on if myself because I like these trucks there is still a lot of em on the road today my brother has a 95 he's had for ever
@@calvinlayport3127 most likely the torque and gear ratio . That’s a pretty tall gear
@@calvinlayport3127 96-98 trucks did not have throttle body injection motors during those 3 years it was MPI multi port injection 5.7L vortec motors after 1998 they went to the 5.3L
I just acquired a 97 GMC stepside and I love it. I had an 88 Silverado years back, too. Love these trucks. Definitely love the more horsepower of my 97 vortec and the more gooderish seats.
my first truck was a 95 k1500 with over 250k miles. i loved it.
My dad owned a 1993 model long long wide bed with that first year 4l60e and a 350, that motor would not DIE, we overhear that thing two or three times, oil pressure is always low on it, couple times a fuel pump would starve the engine, and it is still going with almost 300,000 miles
Chevy Trucks 90's era - One of the best ad campaigns - ever. Like a Rock....
Before he passed, my uncle sold me an 89 stepside 4.3 v6. I've had to fix so many things from a failed ball joint to a cracked accessory bracket, but I love it.
I love the GMT400 platform. My dad had two of them, so I saw both dash styles. I learned to drive in a 95 with the 305 and the automatic (as well as a 4 speed Mazda 323 and a 5 speed Porsche 944.)
I currently own and love a 98 K1500 with the 350 and the 4L60E automatic. It has the push button 4x4 as well, which I rarely use. In my honest opinion, this is the best truck line GM produced, and the last of the “good” trucks. These were real trucks before they started going to all out BCMs and such to control the newer junk. These trucks, if you take care of them, will run for miles and miles, and will take care of you. My 98 has 226 on the clock now, and she is still going strong.
I’d say to build up a 350. Alot of guys will say LS swap, and while they aren’t bad, I love to stay with what the truck was with, engine wise. Anyways, take care of her, Eric. She’s a beauty!
Even though I'm a "square body" guy, in 1994, my wife and I had a 5 year old son, a newborn daughter, and, we'd also just bought our "fixer upper" house. Those combined reasons put us in the market for a "family truck". The fact that we live in rural Northwest Ohio also made 4 wheel drive mandatory. The truck we ended up buying was a white 1988 GMC K-1500 extended cab with an 8' bed. It had just over 100k miles when we bought it, but was spotless! That truck, along with my 78 K-35 helped us remodel our house, along with other mundane duties like taking the wife to work (100 miles round trip), grocery shopping and hauling the kids to various activities for another 100k miles. Then, the old 305 finally gave up. I replaced that with a crate 350, which it should've had anyway! Unfortunately, the truck met its maker about a month later. The wife was going to work when someone crossed the center line. To this day she swears that the truck turned itself slightly to the left and took the impact more to the passenger side. Basically, she says the truck gave its life to save her. Our kids also remember the truck that they named White Lighting, and we all still have a fondness for the 88-98 GM trucks.
Terrific trucks, and one of my very favorites! I had a 1990 Stepside with the 4.3 and 5 speed manual. That truck went FOREVER, until it got totaled by a soccer mom hitting me in about 2004ish.
I have a 98 silverado with 405,000 miles still driving it every day and still runs great
I bought a 91 Chevy K1500WT (work truck package) in 2000. It was the first nice vehicle with a/c I had ever bought and I loved that truck. It had 4X4 (K1500) and the 5 speed manual, and that same guage package Eric's dad's truck has. It did just fine, I never had any issues with the transmission so maybe the issues were rare but it wasn't worth repairing when the issues did happen. It had the 4.3L V6. It was underpowered, and when driving into a strong headwind, it couldn't maintain highway speed in 5th gear. So you had to leave it in 4th. In 2005, North Dakota raised the speed limit on the interstate highways to 75 MPH and at that speed, it seems like the engine in 5th gear is in a better power range and it holds that speed much better in a strong headwind. It usually averaged around 19 mpg on the highway with 23 being my best 1 tank fill. I got around 14-15 mpg in the city with it.
I ended up moving to Atlanta in 2003 and bought a 97 C2500 to move down with. It was the light duty 2500 with the 6 lug rims not 8 lug rims. It basically was a 1500 with a couple extra leaf springs in the rear spring pack. It was a 4 speed automatic and the 5.7L Vortec engine, and it got me and my wife and relatives around in Georgia for 3 1/2 years before we moved back to North Dakota in 2006, which is where I'm from. We left it at my wife''s mom's place until 2009. I went down and got it running and brought it back to North Dakota. I mainly averaged around 17 mpg on the highway, and it saw a lot of city driving in Atlanta. Usually around 13-14 mpg in the city.
I sold my 91 to my parents before I moved to Atlanta, so it BECAME Dad's truck. He was driving it yesterday.
Overall, I like the body style. Both trucks are still in very good shape, but the 91 was in a side impact accident on the highway several years ago and we replaced the box with a different one. It needs a paint job. The 97 engine went out so I'm looking for a good used one to put into it so it can be used again. One truck is from the beginning of the run and the other from near the end of the run. I give them a thumbs up.
dannyo66 yeah 1998 k1500 has the 305 and it has a 4l60e right now and I’m going to swap it soon... or buy a new truck.
I learned to drive with my parent’s 1990 suburban 2500 with the 454.
I like the gm trucks from the 90's. Can't wait to see what you end up doing with it, I'm looking forward to it.
I'm so glad to see carburetors and TH350s and TH400s are now a thing of the past fuel injection and overdrive transmissions all the way.
These certain models of trucks were the best style of any truck of any year..better looking than NEW nowadays.
I have a 92 Z71 with 90,000 miles on it and I'll never part with it..
I had a '89 with V6 and 5-speed manual, then upgraded to a 91 with 350 & automatic. Great trucks. The best thing was the flip/slide drink holders that mounted under the dash. It did a flip-down and slide-out motion and I swear you could put the largest Grotesque Gulp or a regular soda can in there and feel absolutely sure it wasn't going to go anywhere. I road-tripped that truck across the country a couple times and it was one of the most comfortable Interstate cruisers I've ever known. I wonder if these trucks will one day achieve the status that their square predecessors are starting to garner. If so, it will probably be a few years.
Love these trucks! I've owned a '94 with the 4.3 and a '96 3/4 ton 350 auto trans. Miss them both
The ball joints and front end alignment were the only recalls this truck had. Took my dealer 1 hour to do back then, and never had any other issues.
door hinges are trash
@@FrankieJames7 but easy and cheap to replace.
Keep the door hinges lubricated with some white grease or something like that, you’ll never have any trouble out of them by doing that !!!
I have my dad's old truck he passed 😭 away but when I drive his truck it's like he's with me
I'm very sorry to hear about your dad, but at least you get to enjoy the truck and the memories it brings.
I've had a 88' C1500 for a long time and it has been pretty reliable without anything major having to be replaced. I really do like GMT400 (88-98) because it just seems so easy to work on and fix without much of a hassle.
ive had 4 GMT400s i can honestly say most reliable truck from GM also great platform for LS Swapping and project truck
I actually love the unique style of those gauges. My '89 GMC has em and I've gotten compliments from passengers
Same here took them 2 years for them to grow on me tho, friends are the only reason they stayed lol
Big Chevy fan love dad's truck. Thanks Eric and happy New year!!
Loved my '91 C1500 Silverado. Black exterior burgundy interior. Short box. Two door.
Currently driving the piss out of my 1989 K1500 Silverado. Has 270k on the clock and still trucking.
It's very obvious that you love your Dad. Respect to you, Eric. Happy New Year.
Always thought these and the 454's were great looking trucks. Especially when lowered just a bit.
I own one of these it’s going to always be grandmas truck though it’s a 94 x cab longbed 2500 Silverado 2wd I’ll never get rid of it
I gave a 93' Chevy Cheyenne k2500 with the NV4500 manual trans. It's got the granny low first gear you mentioned and when I engage 4low and put it in granny low first gear it would have no problem pulling a stump out of the ground idling. It crawls and I love it.
Fun fact: they were some of the last GM vehicles you could trust.
Besides the terrible pins and bushing door set up, headliner sagging, and the paint getting bad these trucks were very good. My first truck was a 93 1500 now I have a 05 3500 and find myself missing that 93 sometimes
I've got the same truck, model year, but it's paint job was a sparkly midnight blue with a body kit, huge fat wide 15x10.5 cooper cobra tires, and step-side (all factory). It's an awesome looking truck.The 350 in this truck has got to be one of the most easy to DIY fixing, modding, and tuning. There's just so much support and parts available for these engines.
Or simply leave it as is, maintain it, and enjoy it! Love that vintage pickup! Take care.
I just bought a new one. It's an 89 GMC C3500 454, TH400, extended cab, all stock, rust free.
I own a 1990 chevy scottsdale c2500 no air from factory ,no power windows locks or seat no cruise no overdrive and I love it!!! Iwill put a motor in it or a trans when the time comes !!!nice vids bro
The best looking trucks ever made ❤️💯
I had people complement my Z71 all the time saying that same thing.
Great ol trucks that were more durable than anything else of that generation of trucks
We appreciate auto technicians like you, Happy new year to you and your family!!!
When GM came out with this truck, it was a world class leader. They really put the Ford truck to shame at that time. It started a whole new era in trucks.
Best trucks that GM has built so far. Yes, above the new ones.
One of our local GM dealers marketed a Kodiak Edition, which meant it had a few winter driving options on I These included a limited slip differential, block heater, heavy duty alternator and possibly more. I don't drive my truck in the winter anyhow. But that Kodiak decal makes my truck a little unique.
That was “Dad’s truck” for me, too. My dad had a ‘91 K2500 that he used to tow trailers. It went to the scrap yard in 2004 after the engine started knocking on the way back from a camping trip. I miss that truck.
That's awesome. I have a 1989 C1500 that wasn't maintained very well for most of it's life, so you've already helped me a lot with fixes as needed.
Can’t wait to see the videos on your dads/ your truck i am a big fan of chevy truck’s
Cool truck! Excited for the forthcoming videos featuring it. Do cool stuff like improve existing tech, heavier gauge wire for headlights, stereo swap with option to return to stock? Gauge cluster swap with option to return to stock? Just some ideas that help preserve originality of truck.
Silverado's are nice trucks, no matter what generation you get in my opinion.
Eecept any made after 2007
Love that truck Eric, I’ve had several GMT400’s myself, they are awesome trucks! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
I am sure that you will get a lot of enjoyment working on your dad‘s truck. It will be nice for him to be able to watch the videos of you working on it as well. Whatever you do to the truck, do it as a tribute to your dad. My suggestion would be to keep the truck looking as original as your dad left it to you.
Totally agree about the dash arrangement. I had a 94' Z71 K1500 with extended cab. It too was my dad's truck. I loved that truck so much, however years of living in Iowa in the rust belt took its toll. The shock mount on the drivers side broke due to rust, and the rust in general was the undoing of this vehicle. I got rid of it, but then later learned that the shock mount (to the frame) could have been fixed, and I could still be driving it today. The other thing I didn't love was the poor gas mileage, but it was one of the most fun vehicles I've ever owned!
Bob's originally from Ann Arbor, his mom had moved to Royal Oak at one point and lived down the street from my High School...when he was in town he would often be seen working at his mom's house mowing the lawn, doing gardening and other things. Just a regular guy who is an amazingly nice person to boot.
Beautiful truck
Thanks.
Great looking truck, one of my favorite GM body styles!
I used to work on these trucks every day, and now stoked to see what Eric will do to this one!
I understand the reason for it always being dads truck. I have one, a 94 c1500 extended cab short box. I think my dad picked it up in 2000 or 99..with 160k on it. He gave it a fresh silver paint job and baby blue ghost flames. A cowl hood and some wider tires on the back, some dual magnaflow tips on the back. As a little kid it was the coolest thing ever, haha. It was my first vehicle after he drove it for 15 years. and was very reliable for me, taking me to school or wherever else i wanted to go..its getting a frame swapped under it now due to frame rot, at 300k miles, original engine and 1 trans rebuild. Even with its worn out old silver paint, its still the coolest thing ever...to me, anyway. Good video always good content
The 1500 also had the option for a nv4500 manual trans which is what most of the 3/4 and 1 tons had. This was a overall 5 speed that came with a granny gear and an overdrive. Dodge and GM came together to make it, Dodge used it with there Cummins engines starting in the mid 90s and ended in the early 2000s.
Cool. Thanks for that info.
Dodge used the NV4500 from ‘89 to ‘98.5. In late ‘98, at the same time they introduced the 24-Valve Cummins, they started installing the six-speed version of the New Venture trans, the NV5600, and used that trans through at least 2008. I’m not sure if they kept using it in the fourth gens.
@@LgSutterby www.google.com/amp/s/torqueking.com/amp/product/sku/new-venture-nv4500-history/ This is where i got my information. I was curious because my own truck a 1992 k1500 has one.
1992 S-10 4.3, all original Extra-cab , She was un-Lived in S-W Tex. its life, Whats Rust? Daley Driver, 122,000,. Quite the cool vehicle as Eric will say, fun to drive in town! The interstate, not a problem at 80..Motor and trans good match with room to spare if you dare. Interior "Crap" materials, but a die hard well thought out running gear, driveshaft perfect. Eric you taught me how to Spot a Keeper and keep it running Top notch, thanks Buddy!
Those 4.3's were stout engines! It is a keeper, for sure.
Awesome truck. I tow them for fuel pump issues pretty frequently too. Other than that and the ball joints, only neglect and abuse.
I bought my 1998 GMC C1500 super cab three door 14 years ago. I wish it had the bench seat, since it has the captain chairs and center console. It has the 5.7L 255hp mated to the 4L60E automatic with, I think if my memory is correct, a 3:43 open rear diff. I have 126K miles on it and it was my daily driver till I started driving 130 miles a day for commuting. When as a traveling sales rep and before I had to buy ethanol mixed fuel, would get 22 mpg, now with the E10 stuff it is getting 18.9mpg. I have replaced the stock fuel injector system to the updated kind with the injectors moved down closer to the head and can be now changed individually in case another starts leaking like last time. I have been lucky about rust since it was a TX truck for most of its life and now it lives with me in TN. Thanks for you videos and have a blessed day!
I have a 98 GMC. Great truck! Bottom rust unfortunately due to MN weather but not too bad compared to some others I seen. I fixed everything up on it and man do I love it! Luckily for me the previous owner did the ball joints and other more expensive maintenance.
Very cool truck. I had a red "sport" model that was so nice to drive! Can't wait to get another one!
My first car? A 1989 Chevy Silverado K1500 4wd with Automatic transmission and a 350 5.7l V8. I actually liked the dash in it. Lol. Now I own a 98 Chevy Tahoe 2wd. With a 350. It was a fire captains service truck. It has the custom built center console in it to hold all the radios.
What color was yours 😂😂 my first vehicle / daily is a 1989 silverado c1500
I get what you are saying about the equalizer but I think the look of the dash and gauges are what is so special about these trucks. Sort of that awkward stage between analogue and digital. I went out and sourced original radio and tape deck for mine. Someone had swapped for aftermarket Pioneer and it just looked horrible. That's just my two cents but I love the look of the dash of these.
Happy New Year Eric !! I've still got my 1991 C1500 Silverado with the newer gauge cluster including tach, temp, oil pressure and 120 mph speedo. Mine is a 5.7 TBI came stock with 210 horsepower. It's a 3.08:1 rear axle 2 wheel drive with disc front, drum rear breaks and I've replace the entire front suspension and put Bilstein shocks all the way around it. I need to find a NON- CRACKED dash out of a donor truck to bring mine back to "proud" status. It needs a full paint job, the Oklahoma sun baked the clear coat right off of it and I've had to spray flat black rattle can paint in a few areas..... it looks like hell, but it's not rusting .... yet ! I've got a 1992 set of custom Boyds billet aluminum wheels with BFG rubber and it used to be a beautiful truck. My wife uses it as her daily driver now..... I don't get out much so I'm cool with it. We also have a 2003 Silverado SS AWD with 6.0 LQ9 V8.... it's a killer truck!
i still drive my 92 chevy astro for work every day...not the most powerful but the 4.3 tbi just works ...you can unplug almost ever sensor and they will still run..
i just got an 1989 GMC c1500 my first truck
Why not a gmg syclone?
@@ericortega7342
Cause good ones are rare and expensive
@@rustyshackleford7265 ,agreed.
It’ll last forever if you take care of it.
Keep it bud. Keep the rocker panels clean and make sure your cab corners dont get debris build up and the truck will last forever.
Cool video I have 1996 GMC Sierra 2wd Automatic with a 4.3 Vortex the 1st year for the Vortex engines has a 190000 on it only rust issues was one cab corner and two rocker panels still has the original engine and transmission and real end the AC still works have owned it for 8 years
yup cab corners on my '90 silverado also.
First year of the 4.3 VORTEC was 1983.
I have a '98 k1500 with 433,000 KM on original motor (5.7L w/ auto trans) still drives great. Owned it 8 years now, put less than 8000$ in this truck (including paying 2k for it) and yes cab corners and rockers are ready for fixing aha!
Nice I have a 96 C1500 with the same vortex 4.3L !
It has 225k miles but still runs great.
The seat looks like the seat from a work truck trim truck of a few years later (based on the newer model head rest) but still with in the gmt400 body style
My first truck is a 1990 GMC C1500 with a 350. 221k miles still runs perfect, but the rockers and cab corners are gone unfortunately. May look into welding new ones on since the frame looks good.
Good lookin' truck. IMHO, that era of trucks were the last time trucks looked like honest trucks. Most were still only 2 doors and they looked like a utility vehicle that was meant for work. Trucks these days look like giant tonka toys and SUVs with pickup envy. My dad had an 88 chevy Scottsdale 4wd with a 305 iirc, converted to run gas and natural gas. That was a great truck. 2 doors, a bench seat and no conveniences. Not even a carpet, just a rubber molded mat.
I have an 89 scottsdale with the 350, 5 speed and 4x4 longbed
@@randy1ization I have the same thing, but shortbed! Love it.
I've got the Blazer version, a 2 door 92... Swapped out the whole stereo and speakers. Bilstein shocks and some new rubber... Best SUV I've ever had, definitely like it better than my 1983 k5, also better build quality than my 1990 Dodge ram 4x4 Cummins with a stick.
I am getting the Silverado version of this exact same truck. 1990 c1500 engine is a 350 from my wife's dad in Arizona. Looking forward to following along with the build!
my first vehicle was a 1990 single cab truck with the 350 motor. I put in a full audio system with 3 amps under the seat (component speakers) then 3 12 inch Kicker subs behind the seat (it was all the way forward) and had a ton of fun in high school! Thanks to Sound Station in Bartlesville, OK
Glad I never got in a wreck as that all metal steering wheel would have probably put me in the grave considering how close I was..
Love how the late 80's early 90's Chevy trucks look. Been pretty interested in a GMC Syclone.
Love the syclone...as a veteran auto tech i picked up an 87s10 2.8 4x4 swb reg cab to build a clone minus badging thats going to get a beefed up zz4 and centrifugal supercharger
I have a gmc 1500 extended cab 5 speed and I love it . I drive it everyday . Engine is still amazing . I bought it as a rebuild and I just love can't believe how great of shape it's in other then the dash board cracked up which I ve ordered the molding to replace every thing works
I think you have a lot of interest in this genre of truck because there are still a lot on the road out there - especially in the South, where this former Upstate New Yorker & Buckeye ended up. Despite the issues you mentioned, they really are "Like a Rock" and the 1996 K2500 I just acquired was a MacDaddy workhorse of its day.
I just reworked the front suspension with serviceable parts and added Sulastics to the rear, since it won't be a daily tow horse anymore.
Looking forward to your new project series!
HAPPY NEW YEAR ERIC!!
Whatever you choose to do with "Dad's Truck" is fine by me. Looking forward to the reveal to your dad in the future.
I have a 1991 C1500... They are great trucks... mine has the 350 with a 700R4 transmission
The first car I drove was my dad's truck: a 1992 Silverado 2WD with the Getrag 5 Speed behind the 350.
He bought it in 1995 with under 35k on it and sold in 2005 or 06 with 212k on it - with the factory original clutch.
We used to pile 2 ATVs on a raised plywood platform in the bed, a generator on the (lowered) tailgate, and tow a camper (with a hitch extension to out-reach the lowered tailgate) on the poor thing to go up north.
Dug itself out of the sand a couple times - leaving some on the dashboard.
Survived a bad 1-2-1 shift from me at 16.
Never let us down.
He ran across the 4th owner about 3 years back and it was still on the road - over 300k, but the clutch was replaced a little over a quarter million. Not sure if it's rusting hulk is still around, but I have to hope so.
I still have a huge soft spot for this body style and it's Suburban cousins because of that truck.
Good vid. I believe some of the after market parts I make at work actually go into these, doubly cool since I drive a '97.
Happy New Year and I loved reading about your Fairmont in Hot Rod the other day it was cool to actually see someone you "know" get their car in a magazine. Nice work.
I don't know if it's just nostalgia, but I sort of miss bench seats. The Olds and the old man's trucks had them. However, I don't think I could ever imagine a world where a homologated vehicle these days would come with one.
Thanks for sharing, Eric!
Looking forward to this series. :D
I know just what you mean. th-cam.com/video/18LrBpBPNlQ/w-d-xo.html
ALAPINO other than stripped regular cab work trucks owned by illegals...the bench seat has no place in modern America. They're uncomfortable and they always rip...not to mention that they are the welfare option seating package.
Hey those 350 engines are really great engines there my friend peace 😁👍