Jan want and did it again, New old truck

[TotalyHucked]

Man, that's a cream puff! (GMT800s are the last good GM truck, for the record lol)

 

[78C10BigTen]

Man, that's a cream puff! (GMT800s are the last good GM truck, for the record lol)

Disagree lol

 

[Grit dog]

Nice scores, great looking truck!
I'm sure I will offend some folks by saying this...but in my opinion the GMT 400 trucks are the last truly good ones GM built. The family's had 8 squares over the years (3 pickups, 5 Burbs) and I have currently 2 400s; 99 Burb and 97 Crew Cab. These trucks are like slightly more complicated squares, but once you learn their ways they're great trucks. Of course Dad brought me up right, to have the factory shop manuals for your vehicles, so I do; great diagnostic information in those books.

Y’all are not wrong that the GMT400s were/are a great platform. I’ve been saying that since I bought my first one in 93/94. A 1990 Z71 5 speed. And $ for $ if my budget only allowed what a clean gmt400 sells for, it would be at the top of the list.
But “the last great trucks” or “the best” is a bit of a stretch. And really, a good bit of that emotion is likely from those of us who know and suffered through the worst era of US car history. The mid 70s thru mid/late 80s. These rigs were the first of the big 3 to actually improve compared to years prior which didn’t happen until several years later with the other 2 brands.
I can’t actually think of (besides early on LS motors were viewed as more complicated or harder to work on due to so many not ready to come out of the carburetor era) any thing, looking back, that a gmt 400 did better or was better than an early gmt 800. Maybe gauge cluster issues??
Regardless, @Craig Nedrow found an awesome version of a great truck, that especially if he’s actually planning to sell a newish truck and road trip all over with this one, will be reliable and comfortable and 1000% better experience than a 6.2 diesel squarebody.

 

[bucket]

Y’all are not wrong that the GMT400s were/are a great platform. I’ve been saying that since I bought my first one in 93/94. A 1990 Z71 5 speed. And $ for $ if my budget only allowed what a clean gmt400 sells for, it would be at the top of the list.
But “the last great trucks” or “the best” is a bit of a stretch. And really, a good bit of that emotion is likely from those of us who know and suffered through the worst era of US car history. The mid 70s thru mid/late 80s. These rigs were the first of the big 3 to actually improve compared to years prior which didn’t happen until several years later with the other 2 brands.
I can’t actually think of (besides early on LS motors were viewed as more complicated or harder to work on due to so many not ready to come out of the carburetor era) any thing, looking back, that a gmt 400 did better or was better than an early gmt 800. Maybe gauge cluster issues??
Regardless, @Craig Nedrow found an awesome version of a great truck, that especially if he’s actually planning to sell a newish truck and road trip all over with this one, will be reliable and comfortable and 1000% better experience than a 6.2 diesel squarebody.

Depends on what someone values the most. I agree, the 800's are fantastic trucks. I have owned them. But due to failure prone gauge clusters, unit bearings, cheesy window regulators, weak outside door handles and how much the bodies and frames tend to rust, I personally consider the 400's to be better trucks.

 

[Grit dog]

Depends on what someone values the most. I agree, the 800's are fantastic trucks. I have owned them. But due to failure prone gauge clusters, unit bearings, cheesy window regulators, weak outside door handles and how much the bodies and frames tend to rust, I personally consider the 400's to be better trucks.

I’ll say rose colored glasses….
GMT 400s didn’t have front unit bearings? What are they called then?
Rust? lol. IMO gmt 400s were heads and tails above squarebodys and especially 1st gen Dodges, but qualitatively ummmm they all rust out and how quickly is mostly dependent on location, use, and care of the vehicle. No points given here to virtually any vehicle.
I’ve only owned “old” GMT 800s. A few of them when they were in the 20 yr old 100k + mile category. Maybe fortunate enough to not have door handle and window regulator issues and other piddly things.
But I have had issues with both platforms, different but generally minor-ish things.
Will say the 08-11 or whatever years headlight bulb sockets are a widespread issue (and a cheap easy fix, I got fed up and ordered a dozen of them during a time when we had a bunch of these years in the fleet because everytime I turned around someone’s truck had a pididddle. Those same trucks mostly 6.0 3/4 tons got kept way longer than average fleet trucks of multiple brands over the years because they were quite reliable even with higher miles and being real work trucks.
Again, no argument that 400s are great rigs (apples to apples) and also some of my favorite but the “new is junk, old is great” blinders that some folks wear are just that….blinders. Not saying that’s you, you know the intricacies of many vehicles better than most and are as knowledgeable as they get.

 

[Grit dog]

Remember when GM just got rinsed regularly for the “new, weak unreliable” IFS 4x4s? Same thing. Weird opinions and people afraid of change.
What happened? Over the next 10-15 years the other 2 of the big 3 followed suit where GM and Toyota started a decade earlier.
Now there hasnt been a solid axle half ton since 2001 (Dodge) and 25 years later GM hasn’t reverted back to solid axles on their HD pickups and chassis cabs either.
Yet there are still folks beating the solid axle drum vehemently.
Same thing.

 

[CountKrunk]

Imo the real test is what can sit in a field for 10-20 years ignored and start up with a fresh battery and gas.

 

[bucket]

I’ll say rose colored glasses….
GMT 400s didn’t have front unit bearings? What are they called then?
Rust? lol. IMO gmt 400s were heads and tails above squarebodys and especially 1st gen Dodges, but qualitatively ummmm they all rust out and how quickly is mostly dependent on location, use, and care of the vehicle. No points given here to virtually any vehicle.
I’ve only owned “old” GMT 800s. A few of them when they were in the 20 yr old 100k + mile category. Maybe fortunate enough to not have door handle and window regulator issues and other piddly things.
But I have had issues with both platforms, different but generally minor-ish things.
Will say the 08-11 or whatever years headlight bulb sockets are a widespread issue (and a cheap easy fix, I got fed up and ordered a dozen of them during a time when we had a bunch of these years in the fleet because everytime I turned around someone’s truck had a pididddle. Those same trucks mostly 6.0 3/4 tons got kept way longer than average fleet trucks of multiple brands over the years because they were quite reliable even with higher miles and being real work trucks.
Again, no argument that 400s are great rigs (apples to apples) and also some of my favorite but the “new is junk, old is great” blinders that some folks wear are just that….blinders. Not saying that’s you, you know the intricacies of many vehicles better than most and are as knowledgeable as they get.

The 2wds were not unit bearings. You are out of the rust belt now, the 800's seem to rot out much worse than the 400's as time has went on. Our '00 Burb rust is getting to be nearly as bad as our '88 Burb that we had to retire several years back. The rear bumper and hitch is literally starting to fall off too, because there's very little left of either. There's a small hole in the frame on one side, under the front footwell area. It's not just ours either. Lots of 800's scrapped due to rotted frames.

 

[Grit dog]

Ya we all got opinions and they all smell the same.
IMO if a 25 year old rust belt daily driver is still on the road, that’s an accomplishment credited to either how it was used or how it was cared for from a corrosion perspective.
You’re right I don’t live there anymore but am back in the upper Midwest enough in the last 30 years to see the progression and rust doesn’t discriminate. Period. It’s splitting hairs. Except for Toyotas and well GMT 800 trailer hitches. lol

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Jan checked her mileage, 18.6, 85 get consistently over 20 with the 6.2, so pretty close. The 85, It is soooo comfy, cushy, Flexsteel seats. Drives nice, handles well, Almost got everything working, the A/C is awesome. 85 sits higher, I can see more, never, never, never gonna sell it. Just turned 67400 miles.

 

[Scruffy49]

Remember when GM just got rinsed regularly for the “new, weak unreliable” IFS 4x4s? Same thing. Weird opinions and people afraid of change.
What happened? Over the next 10-15 years the other 2 of the big 3 followed suit where GM and Toyota started a decade earlier.
Now there hasnt been a solid axle half ton since 2001 (Dodge) and 25 years later GM hasn’t reverted back to solid axles on their HD pickups and chassis cabs either.
Yet there are still folks beating the solid axle drum vehemently.
Same thing.

Actually switching my 99 K3500 c&c to solid axle and C60 sourced rear springs. Retired (very tired) well driller welding truck. Do I have to, no, but need more clearance for disaster recovery use. Also switching it back to steel dually wheels, and 14 ply tires.

Truck is worn out at 150,000 miles, trust it less than my 85 C10 swb.

 

[Grit dog]

Actually switching my 99 K3500 c&c to solid axle and C60 sourced rear springs. Retired (very tired) well driller welding truck. Do I have to, no, but need more clearance for disaster recovery use. Also switching it back to steel dually wheels, and 14 ply tires.

Truck is worn out at 150,000 miles, trust it less than my 85 C10 swb.

That’s cool. But not an indication of IFS being weak, just your need or preference.
Been in Australia this week. More trucks per capita than I’d guess, anywhere? And more middle of nowhere terrain as well.
Lots of IFS. Vast majority of light trucks, almost all, save for Land Rover Defenders and maybe old school Yodas.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

Just a couple of the zillions of utes.
Not that you said IFS is bad, but….
There are far more of them than solid axle 4x4s everywhere, for going on 4 decades now.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

I’ll say rose colored glasses….
GMT 400s didn’t have front unit bearings? What are they called then?
Rust? lol. IMO gmt 400s were heads and tails above squarebodys and especially 1st gen Dodges, but qualitatively ummmm they all rust out and how quickly is mostly dependent on location, use, and care of the vehicle. No points given here to virtually any vehicle.
I’ve only owned “old” GMT 800s. A few of them when they were in the 20 yr old 100k + mile category. Maybe fortunate enough to not have door handle and window regulator issues and other piddly things.
But I have had issues with both platforms, different but generally minor-ish things.
Will say the 08-11 or whatever years headlight bulb sockets are a widespread issue (and a cheap easy fix, I got fed up and ordered a dozen of them during a time when we had a bunch of these years in the fleet because everytime I turned around someone’s truck had a pididddle. Those same trucks mostly 6.0 3/4 tons got kept way longer than average fleet trucks of multiple brands over the years because they were quite reliable even with higher miles and being real work trucks.
Again, no argument that 400s are great rigs (apples to apples) and also some of my favorite but the “new is junk, old is great” blinders that some folks wear are just that….blinders. Not saying that’s you, you know the intricacies of many vehicles better than most and are as knowledgeable as they get.

K series 400s have the sealed bearing hubs, C series don't.

 

[Scruffy49]

That’s cool. But not an indication of IFS being weak, just your need or preference.
Been in Australia this week. More trucks per capita than I’d guess, anywhere? And more middle of nowhere terrain as well.
Lots of IFS. Vast majority of light trucks, almost all, save for Land Rover Defenders and maybe old school Yodas.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

Just a couple of the zillions of utes.
Not that you said IFS is bad, but….
There are far more of them than solid axle 4x4s everywhere, for going on 4 decades now.

I have 5 ifs trucks, 3 are 2wd. 1 is going from 9.25” ifs/14 bolt to D70/D80 on C60 springs. That particular truck is also going from Vortec 350 to 8.1L. 10mpg is 10mpg. The other 4wd is staying ifs and 350, going carb, Th350/400, 1970s hei, full rewire, to tow our mobile kitchen/bakery (wife’s rig).
I have 4 beam axle with 4 corner leaf spring 2wd trucks/motorhome. 1 of those is getting Squarebody 4wd axles, 413 big block, 4spd/NP205 from 318/727. The 318/727 is prepped to drop into a different 1 of those 4, built in 1948, to replace a 218 flathead/3spd combo, will stay 2wd.

I have the space and the time right now. Fire danger is too high to prune, mow or otherwise in our pecan orchards. Serious drought here, 4 surface acre pond is down to 2.5 acres…

 

[idahovette]

What's all this BS got to do with Jan's new to her 400?????