'93 GMC 350 Dually 454, known problems?

[outfox]

Looking at one of these to purchase with 64K original miles, just overhauled by GM Tech w/30yrs experience, new tires, brakes, MDC box, AC system flushed, etc.

Firm price $8k, truck is immaculate, has a topper & bed isn't even scratched.

What do you guys know about possible problems with these trucks?

 

[Wis Bang]

My neighbor is a technician contracted to repair Verizon trucks & they had a bunch of 454 C3500's for boom trucks. He could change intake manifold gaskets in his sleep...

Of course that's not so much considering the 'stunts' the installers do with these trucks. He tells stories of guys who won't bring them in for service until they come in on a hook w/ almost no brakes, etc.

 

[RobS]

Let's see...

Gas tank too small. Distance between gas stations too great. Extreme wear on gas filler cap.

Sort of kidding. I know nothing of these trucks but do have a '97 Ford 460 and all of the above applies to me. I now only drive it when towing something, or in the heavier snow. I get 11mpg and went to a small car at 32mpg. Life is good again!

 

[carpenter383]

Seems strange it would need overhauled at only 64k miles. I don't know of any inherent problems. Is it a 4x4? 8k seems kinda high, but maybe not if it's as nice as you say.

 

[outfox]

Owner is a gearhead with nothing better to do! Enjoys the work, has the time. Says he has over $11K in the truck. Don't doubt it.

 

[mlauk]

Check out Kelly blue book (New Cars, Used Cars, Blue Book Prices & Car Values - Official Kelley Blue Book Site), for a private party seller in excellent condition shows it is only worth around $4000.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Like others said it is priced about 2 times too high and will drink the gas. Other than that the 454 is a torque monster but no big HP numbers. In all reality a late model 5.3 GM motor has more power and twice the mileage. See which tranny it has. That is where the real problems were on the 90's trucks.

Cars are money pits. I have a Model A that will take 20K to make it right but is only worth 10k. Just the facts of life.

Chris

 

[Midsouth]

Only problem i could see is way too much money for that model considering the gas mileage. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Dargo]

As others have stated, he's in the stratosphere on the price (was not a particularly good year and would never be a desirable collector) and that was a rather weak incarnation of a 454. As Chris said, a newer little 5.3 would likely have considerably more power. From having built several 454 engines for muscle cars and own a couple 502ci (similar to the 454), I wouldn't want a '93 454.

*edit*
I meant to say that if he is "firm" on his price, he's most likely going to have a "firm" grip on it for quite a while.
I bought my dad a 1995 Chevy 1/2 ton with only 21k miles on it that was owned by a car interior shop owner. The guy bought it new and it never was driven in the rain and was always stored in his heated and A/C garage since new. Needless to say, it was darn near perfect. I gave him $3500 for it last fall.

 

[Builder]

I wonder if everyone who said the truck was overpriced factored-in that the engine was just rebuilt?

I think 8 grand is a little high, but if you take the KBB price of 4 grand and add the engine rebuilding cost, he might not be as high as you think.

I'd take the KBB of $4,000 add maybe $500 for the topper then add the receipts for the motor rebuild. If the motor rebuild receipts were say $3,000, then I see a value of about $7,500.

He's asking $8,000. offer him $7,000. maybe he'll meet you in the middle at $7,500.

probably a 4L80E transmission, if so, that's another nice GM transmission.