Please help I am as green as they come to sb

[Artelt]

hello, i am stuck between a rock and a hard place. Currently i own a 2002 GMC sierra 2500HD reg cab long bed with a 5 speed trans, and i get roughly 11mpg's now i have the chance to sell this truck and i have found a 1986 Gmc k10 reg cab long bed with a 4speed trans. i love the look of these square bodies and the lack of computers interest me more than anything, well that and the super low cost compared to what i have now, i guess what i am asking is it worth me switching? do you think i would get better mpg's? hell i would love 14-15 mpgs right about now( also there doesnt seem to be anyrust on the k10 and isnt all dented up and i think the engine compartment looks fairly clean still has the jack under the hood. pretty much i would just like your opinions

 

[john55]

Welcome, you have found the right place. the guys on the board are great. i know very little about the square body trucks. i personally like the fact my truck has no computer etc, as far as mileage my guess it would depend on the drive train, the guys will offer advice in greater detain good luck

 

[Kapdin]

welcome, if its mpg your looking for any SB 6.2L (thats the diesel) is were its at. You can expect 20mpg+ with thos, other wise any of the non fulltime transfer cases should net you 10-12 and maybe depending on the gears a hair more. I should add the TBI's should help a tish too but realy depends on tire/gear ratio.

 

[8T6K5]

For one, your're giving up OD by going from 5 to 4 speed. That will hurt some mpgs. Other things like gearing, tire size, driving habits and overall efficiency of the motor will effect mpgs as well.

Have you tried a basic tune up on the 02'?

If you like the K10 go for it....as far as the "super low cost" I wouldnt expect to save much right away....long term yes. With any used vehicle expect a few little things to pop up that may require you to put a litle more into it than you initally planed.

EX: buy a used truck for $4K...after tags/registration/emissions/inspection, maybe new tires a few cosmetics, something like a new water pump and tune up your into it for more than $4K. In the long run though it will be cheaper to maintain than the 02' and hopefully you will learn how do do most of the maintenance yourself...saving you more.

Just my thoughts, not tryng to talk you out of it, just putting anoth perspective on it.

 

[Kapdin]

we have two 6.0's on the farm, a 2002 1500HD and an 2006 2500HD and they both get 12.5 at 75mph not pulling anything.

 

[Artelt]

Well I guess I forgot to say I am running 315 75 r16 tires my rpms sit just under 2k at 55mph.and the11mpg is about average ,coupled with a full replacement bumper the added weight kills and yes there are always the things that can go wrong but I understand that is with buying any vehicle. I would consider myself a shade tree mechanic with the internet I can figure most things out thank all of you for your insight

 

[bucket]

A lot depends on what tires and gears are being used, as well as what "4 speed trans" it is. It could be 4-speed with granny 1st, 4-speed with overdrive, or maybe even a 4 speed auto (I've heard people refer to the 700r4 as a "4 speed" by some people, that's why I mentioned it).

No matter what combination of parts it is, highway mpg should be 13-17 mpg. So even the worst combo should be better mpg than the '02.

 

[jake wells]

whats in you're truck the 6.0 or 8.1 vortec.

 

[guitarfreak235]

i got about 15 mpg when i first got my truck, well after a carb rebuild. at first i got 9 or 10. (it ran like ****). right now im at 12 partially due to a lift/tires, partially due to changing driving habits, and partially that the engine isnt running quite right lately.

if you have an in tune 305 with a 700r4 and a decent rear end (i have 3.42) you should expect the same 14 or 15.

 

[Artelt]

I have the 6.0L, it also has a cold air intake, with a leveling kit. the 86 has a granny gear and its a 4 spd manual transmission, a 6" lift with 36'' super swampers, if i do get it i planned on lowering it down to a 4'' lift and get some 33'' a/t tires, i aint too for sure what gears are in it right now prolly oght to call the guy and ask. where is a cheap place to buy gears? and how hard are they to install with basic tools? what would you say the price would be?

 

[bucket]

OK, lifted you won't really be any more efficient than your '02... just cheaper to fix and better looking.

Gears and parts are about $200 or so per axle. Installation is fairly basic, BUT the proper setup is critical and that's the part that is time consuming and you need an idea of what you're doing.

 

[Artelt]

ok well the first truck i was looking at has sold. darn the luck huh? well i did how ever find another one only this one is more of what i think i want but its almost 4 hours away from me but i think well worth the drive check it out and tell me what you guys think. http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/3518215610.html