1992 Chevy C3500 Dually

[shbiv]

I currently have a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab HEMI that I added 4.56s. It tows extremely well with my travel trailer. However, for the past two years I have only put about 1,000 miles per year on it since it is now a dedicated tow vehicle. I have been thinking about how it is depreciating sitting on the side of my house and I could surely use the money that it is worth for other things.

I have noticed a 1992 Chevy C3500 Dually with 127,000 miles on it. It has the 4 speed automatic with 4.10s and the 454. The truck looks to be in very good shape, but have not saw it in person yet. Asking under $4,000 for it.

What are your thoughts? How will this compare to my current setup? Horsepower on the C3500 is much less than the HEMI but the torque is about the same on both. My travel trailer is about 8500-9000 lbs.

I would most probably keep the C3500 for the next 5-7 years and will put on it about 1,000 or so miles per year.

[jerem0621]

I have a 99 V10 Crew Cab F350 Dually. I love it. Simple to maintain, cheap to own, and gets the job done! It even has roll up "Voice Controlled" manual windows.

Voice controlled as in " son, run out to the truck and roll the windows up."

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Its4mykids]

I pull with a dedicated 1994 F350 CC DRW, 460, 4.10. It's been a garage kept, dedicated tow vehicle since day one. Right now it sits at approx. 50k miles. 100% stock with the exception of a full Banks, K&N and CD player. 100% original except brakes/tires. Every year I look at new deisels, but just can't justify it. Mine is paid for, tows like a champ, and I know the truck. As others have said, older is easier to self-maintain. Sure I like the bells/whistles, power of a deisel, etc. on the new trucks, but I can buy a lot of stuff for the $60,000 it costs to replace mine with a new deisel. Plus, it's now getting to the point where people like the show-room new 1994, jet-black CC DRW pulling in the CG. It's a "classic". I get lots of compliments. I would take it anywhere with no concerns.

I guess all I am saying is older is not necessarily a problem. It depends, of course, on the maintenance history. Aside from that, I wouldn't shy away from it.

On edit: Just looked at the pictures. That is a pretty truck.

Manual windows - LOL I bought a used 2001 Malibu with manual windows in 2007. My kids had no idea what those "things on the door" were when we test drove it. Couldn't stop laughing.

[Phantom59]

Thanks I will do that

[_40Fan]

Phantom, start a new post and I'll help. No need to stray this one.

[Phantom59]

Does anyone here have any information for me about the terrible ride on my 94? I need to know if this is normal or do I need to look for a problem? It makes this truck less than pleasurable to drive.

[glamisorbust]

Buy it, looks like a great truck. Very comfortable riding in these trucks. Those captains chairs are hard to beat.

[mythree]

Just curious on this post are you still looking to get this truck?

[Slownsy]

Sell your truck and hire one when you do your 1000 miles per year or pay someone to tow your rig ,your registration , insurance, oil changes, maintenance tiers, etc for 1000 miles is ridicules. My opinion
Frank.

[blt2ski]

I've driven a few of them old timers like this. 235HP and 385 lb ft of torque is NOT that much. Along with this truck will have either a 3 sp auto, th400 or the 4l80E. It WILL NOT have a 700r4 as mentioned earlier. The 700 from a towing standpoint with its 3.08 first gear ratio vs a 2.48 for the th400/4l80e version is better!

I found this truck could pull a mtn not issues if under a 10% grade, but get over a 12-15% grade, you would stall out, as it did not have the overall low gearing to move anything. It HAD/HAS the power, but the tranny is geared WAY too tall for serious towing on grades.

Took GM until the 6l90e in the newest 8 lug trucks with the 6.0 gas to come up with a true HD auto trans. If one can find an older beast like this with the NV4500 or Muncie 4 sp.....Now you have an animal that is worth going for. Get 3.42 or 3.73 gears with the muncie, 3.73 or 4.10's with the nv4500. Now you have a towing machine, even with the lower hp. The vortec 454's did get about 295 hp and 440 or so ft lbs of torque, as that was the limit of the 4l80 tranny

Marty

[SteveB]

There's a similar one for sale in my neighborhood (in RI). $5K, 124K miles but it is black with some graphics, 454. Looks nice. Can't beat the old timers.

[ls1mike]

Wow. That thing looks clean. If it is a dedicated tow vehicle I would be on it. I love the 454. I it does good thins cheap, unless you care about gas...Which I don't.

[shbiv]

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/cto/4007945662.html

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Trucks sure worked hard in those years, many gas engines were beat on and they just were easy to fix when they needed new parts. have any pictures of this 92 one ton ?

[Phantom59]

I just bought a 94 gmc 3500 with 313,000 miles and it still runs great. My only complaint is the terrible ride it reminds me of riding a bucking horse. The 79 chevy I had didn't do this so I'm wondering if the former owner did something to the rear springs or is this normal.