New TV purchased; seeking engine advice

rjstractor wrote:
Grit has good points, but as a counterpoint I think you are on a good track. You're obviously mechanically inclined, and buying an older truck for cheap and going through it inch by inch seems to appeal to you. If you buy a newer truck for $10K, it's still going to be old enough to have potentially hidden gremlins. By basically rebuilding the truck from the ground up, you're going to know and address every little issue. Good luck either way.

Exactly. With parts being so cheap, I can almost rebuild this thing for what I bought it for to begin with. Around here, I couldn't touch even a 6.5 version for half of what I got this for. Forget anything newer, 4x4 or diesel; they command a huge premium, and are hard to find in decent condition with less mileage than mine (195,000). I'm in no hurry to get this done (work is busy and funds are limited), and am enjoying having another C/K 400 to work on; at least this one hasn't been beaten by the Whumping Willow like my 94 was.

Worst case I need my motor and trans rebuilt for a couple of grand; suspension, steering and brakes I can handle myself. Paint is a DIY job, as is refurbishing the interior. Carpet is D.I.S.G.U.S.T.I.N.G, but seats are easily removed to pull it and hit it with the pressure washer to get the bulk of dirt and stink out. Anything is replaceable aftermarket on it.

This thing is old enough that all issues are well known and fixable, and is still old school concerning most of the engineering, meaning parts like brake lines seem to last forever or are easily replaced. If the bone yard doesn't have it, NAPA will.

A lesser point is I've wanted one since driving a new one in 97 (1500 LT with the heated seat package). Like anything else, I had to wait until it almost hit "Antique" status in Florida to finally afford one. Some things have not jived with my memory, though; 2nd and 3rd row is not nearly as roomy as I remember, and 2nd row doesn't recline, plastic trim is flimsy and brittle and this thing has more NVH that the Titanic on her fatal break-up. However, it rides as well as I remember, the seats are fantastically comfortable, and there is room for days. It's easier to park than my Dodge, and fuel mileage is surprisingly good for being a 4L80/4.10 combo (130 miles on 1/4 tank indicated, about 13 mpg, mostly city with some stretches at 55 without traffic), or about 25% less than my 4x4 6.7 auto combo got on the same route. Considering it's paid for, the fuel penalty is much cheaper than adding a huge monthly payment to that.