Which to buy?????

[vern]

Ok I'm looking at two different trucks one is a 87 for 7500.00 with 350tbi and a basically redone a new but crappie paint job so kinda worried about what I can't see. The other is a 85 gmc with a 355 and needs about everything inside redone and paint for 4500.00 both run grade. I'm trying to decide what do yall think any help would be great. Thanks

 

[vern]

Oh and both are 4x4

 

[MadOgre]

What do they have for a transmission?

 

[MadOgre]

I would lean towards $3500 for the 85

 

[CSFJ]

I would lean towards $3500 for the 85

this.

Having original body work, so you know what you're dealing with is a huge plus. Interior parts can be had new through repop companies, or if you're feeling adventurous, track down good original parts. In other words interior stuff is easy. Too much shoddy body work can hide under a newer paint job.

 

[vern]

They both have 700r. Thanks guys

 

[MadOgre]

Well I don't know that the year matters then unless you want the TBI which I would never want myself. The 88' and up 700r4s are better so either one is about the same really.

 

[HotRodPC]

A cheap bad paint job can cost you alot to have redone due to getting the old nasty paint off first. Seems the guy is putting value into the paint job if he's wanting $7500. $4500 might even be a bit high for the 85. I'd work on getting that price down on that one.

My choice would be the least expensive one that needs more work. There is a $3000 difference between the 2. With that $3000 you can do the repairs as YOU want done, picking your parts and colors instead of paying more to buy what someone else wanted done.

 

[Stepside Billy]

I would go with the 85. If you like the other truck, do the magnet test on the spots where rust usually shows up. Just use a piece of cloth so you don't scratch the paint.

 

[vern]

Thanks for all the replies. I also for to add that the 85 motor has been rebuilt with 9k miles on it and the 87 is completely stock with original motor 166k miles and has not been rebuilt yet

 

[Old77]

A cheap bad paint job can cost you alot to have redone due to getting the old nasty paint off first. Seems the guy is putting value into the paint job if he's wanting $7500. $4500 might even be a bit high for the 85. I'd work on getting that price down on that one.

My choice would be the least expensive one that needs more work. There is a $3000 difference between the 2. With that $3000 you can do the repairs as YOU want done, picking your parts and colors instead of paying more to buy what someone else wanted done.

Completely agree with this here. I wouldn't touch the other for anywhere near 7500 based on just the little bit you told us.

 

[Skweegle89]

Don't put too much faith in mileage. Impossible to prove and lied about every day. Unless they are the original owners, they most likely don't even know. Some of these trucks have been rolled over 3 or even 4 times and there is no way to tell. Even the rebuilt motor. They thing could have 90k on it for all you know. Don't let that be a deciding factor. I bought a truck that the owner claimed had a recent rebuild done and I had to replace the motor 6 months later.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

 

[Stepside Billy]

Yeah, it would be nice if you could do a compression test on them!

 

[Georgeb]

I would also choose the 85. I agree mileage is really not somthing to put too much stock into. My 87 supposedly has 70,000 on it. Much of the truck was original factory equipment and it actually seemes to be true but it had a HARD life so the low mileage means little. Aside from a really good working trans and rear axle the motor is shot and most of the body is too.

 

[MadOgre]

And the 87' has the wrong era rear bumper on it!