I have a 1995 K1500 Z71 extended cab that I purchased new. I have 300,000 miles on it. No engine or transmission problems. As of Nov. 2023, I still drive it everyday.
We had a 97 regular cab long box 5.7 vortec that broke 1 million km. The motor was pretty tired and didn't last too long after that. But thats extremely impressive.
My 95 k1500 350 tbi is the best vehicle I've owned. I would drive it anywhere without hesitating. It has over 400,000 miles on the original engine. Transmission was rebuilt at 175,000 miles. These trucks will be on the road for a long time to come.
The 1993-1995 Silverado and Sierras Z71 4x4 models were and have been the most solid built and most beautiful trucks ever made. They were awesome and practical inside with minimal electronic crap and just ran forever. Indeed they are so desired still.
I agree with you sir. Those years of trucks were are great. I bought in 2004 a 93 Chevy Silverado Z71 Extended Cab and it has been the best truck I've ever owned. I don't plan to ever get rid of it, or buy another truck. I've had to replace the original engine at around 124k because it lost all the oil pressure because of shot crank main bearings. I bought and had installed a new GM Goodwrench 350,and it runs great. The truck minus the engine has 317176 k miles--had the transmission pulled twice and--the GM Goodwrench engine has about 213000 k miles on it,it's had a top end job done a few years ago, keep up on the service times, and simple DIY at tune ups-which is to me the distributor cap, wires and spark plugs and the good Ol 350 keeps on singing that sweet tune, and the truck interior is great and very nice placement for the controls and such, and it's a pretty quiet interior which is comfortable for those long drives. GM built these styles of trucks very good.. Mine is a keeper, 🇺🇸🦅💯👍
@@Milkman3572000 Tail Gates Are Out There Every Where For Those Models. I Would Suggest You Get The Color Code For Your Paticular Model And Start Your Search With That Knowledge.
Whish they still made trucks like this; simple, reliable, minimal tech bs, easy to work on, and plenty of engine, transmission, color, bed and cab configurations that were affordable. What the heck happened?!
agreed, I have a 87 squarebody (dirt cheap, pretty dang reliable, and when something goes wrong its usually a simple simple fix). And I have a 2020 silverado with the 3.0 diesel and 10 speed trans. I am currently going through a lemon law case with GM, less than 22k miles and the trans has left me stranded 4 times.!
If you build trucks to last 8-10 years tops you sell more trucks. That's why trucks built today are crammed with technology that is not meant to last - too many components. These were the longest lasting trucks gm ever built. They learned better.
These might be the pinnacle of GM trucks. I see them all the time on the street and online. It still boggles my mind with the endless configurations they came in. Single cab short bed (fleet or step), extended cab shortbed(fleet or step), single cab long bed, ext cab long bed, quad cab shortbed, quad cab long bed, they even had single cab with an extended frame for 10ft utility beds and lets not forget the blazer, tahoe and suburban. You had every engine you could want. The 4.3 v6, the 5.0 v8, the 5.7v8, the 7.4 v8, and the diesel v8. Every engine came with an auto or stick. Every engine was available with 4wd (except the v6 i believe). They came in different load capacities. 1500, 2500, 2500 hd, 3500, 4500 etc. Duallys were badass. Chevys and gmcs had 4 different faces each. They look better than the old trucks with extended and quad cabs. They look better than the new trucks as a standard cab. There are factory hotrod versions. The aftermarket is endless. When youre driving one and you see another obs its instant friendship. Like you just know they get it. You both know exactly why you own one. Plus we have a theme song! If you've never driven down a country road in your obs blasting "like a rock" you aint doing it right.
@@jaysmith179 Simple most of these chev trucks the frame rotted out, new frames at the dealers cost 1850 now they are no longer sold. I got a 93 chev k3500 the frame is so rotted out it is no longer safe to drive. Heck by 1995 already replacing frames on 88 models. Ford frames because of how they are built never rust out. My 86 or my 89 ford the frames are still good. Always check the frame real good before buying a used chev. And don't let them plastic fender flares fool you, make sure the metal is still there and not rusted away. Also if the floor board is getting wet you will need to re caulk the seams in the roof. In them years ford was a much better truck, chev was popular because of cost and easy fiance plans.
Love these old trucks. My dad gave me his from 95 for my first vehicle and we just got done with a motor and trans rebuild. 320k and first rebuild it's ever had.
Right on! I miss my 95 GMC Sierra. Best truck I ever had. She looked really sharp in hunter green with grey interior. That 350 was no slouch, and would boogie when I put the pedal down! I'm hoping to get another one someday for sure.
I just purchased one and I'm looking to rebuild the motor any tips on websites or places I could shop around for the motor or a rebuild kit? Also how much did it cost just to replace the motor
@@Eternalquest95 Best place for decent parts with good prices are JEGS and Summit Racing, you can find some other websites but those are the two main good ones. A full rebuild with fully machined block, new heads, cam, oversized pistons (keep original rods if they are all in good condition), intake n carb and all the accessories to come with including gaskets, seals, bearings etc will usually run $3000-$6000 depending on the route you go with, if you're building for top end power or durability or low end grunt with tons of torque, or just want a super simple freshen up. You're best budget build will be a machined block and oversized pistons with polished and balanced crank and rods ($1200) machine/port original heads ($500), intake, cam, carb ($1000) and of course your accessories (gaskets, bearings, seals, rings.. $100-$300), so if you round up everything you come to about $3000. Which is a very good price for a budget rebuild on a 350, you get all fresh and lots of new parts as well, and you will make a ton of power depending on cam, intake and work on heads done, mine makes lots of low end torque and mid range HP, will set you in your seat hard and gets great gas mileage if you drive it right, and sounds amazing, treat them right after the rebuild and keep your maintenance up to date, and it will last 200k+ miles. The prices are just approximations by the way, not exact, could be cheaper for you if you take other routes or means of buying parts and getting work done, but that's average I'd say. Good luck man!
GGALLIN1776 I have family up that direction, just about every truck up there that’s 10 years old or older has rust on it. The Midwest as you already know is pretty bad for this too.
Mine 95was half rotted away, 325,000 miles and I would have jumped in it and drive it anywhere . I drove it to the bone yard because We had 4 trucks and it had the most rust. DUMB
I’ve 6 of the GMT 400 trucks, 1 1988, 1 1993, 1 1995, 1 1996 & 2 1997’s. All of them were bought brand new except for the 1988 & 1996. I never had any major trouble out of any of them, I still own the 1996 C1500 & 1997 C2500. The 1997 C2500 truck is literally the best money I’ve ever spent in my life, 464K miles with well over half of those miles being with a 25ft dual tandem gooseneck trailer hooked behind it that was routinely overloaded for the rating of the truck….yet it’s never let me down. That truck has paid for itself 100 times over, just wish my 2012 2500HD duramax Denali was half as reliable as what my 1997 C2500 has been !!
I just bought a 1993 gmc 1500 extended cab with a rebuilt 383 & auto trans for $2000 has 6” lift & 4 wheel drive,on 15x12.50 35” mudders,best buy I ever made,love this thing,has a holly 600 carb,very fun toy,no rust.what a truck!
I have 2 of these generation trucks, both 1998 models. My ext-cab short bed Z71 I bought new and currently has 139,000 miles on it and has the 5.7L/4L60E. My reg cab long bed K3500 has the 7.4L/4L80E with 119,000 miles on it and I bought it in 2007. I love how this generation looks and have no plans to sell either one of these.
I’ve had a ‘95 Silverado that was my first car for ten years now, I still daily it. I’ve used different GMT400 trucks at various jobs all over the Pacific Northwest and across Alaska and can attest to their durable utility and comfort. I’m making a 18hr drive tomorrow to purchase another one (‘96) as a project. Love ‘em.
Picked up my K3500 CC dually a few months ago. Body is in great shape. I will say the 454 is very finicky with sensors and pretty much everything has to work on it (especially the knock sensors). But it has all the power I would ever need. Best truck I’ve ever owned hands down. Easy to fix will run forever.
I had a 1996 K1500 and a 1994 K2500. Miss those trucks real bad. The 1500 had the vortec 350 in it, and was one of the most reliable trucks I’ve ever had. The 94 was equipped with the 6.5 turbo diesel. Loved how they sounded and drove and wish I could have them both back.
Love the gmt400s. I have 2 🤭 my parents gave me their 98 k1500 they bought new. I drove that for 12 years, and now I got a 94 k2500. My wife is like what are you doing 😅
Hold onto that 98 k1500. I’d kill to have that as my first truck 😅. I was given a loaded 2001 Ford ranger as mine for free so I can’t complain too much. If I had yours I’d never sell it. Absolute gorgeous trucks.
To be honest , you can take these trucks anywhere a 75 thousand dollar truck they make these days ! And the cloth seats in my 1998 silverado fill much better than the ones today ! Rides just as smooth ! Hell of a lot cheaper and easier to work on. And parts are abundant !!!
I was always a ford guy bought a 1991 GMC Sierra 4x4 350 5speed best dam truck I’ve ever owned 260k on original engine original everything 1 clutch job at 200k these trucks are so reliable and easy to work on
I just got a 98 stepside crew cab with very minimal surface rust in only a few spots on the frame. It was a Virginia truck but im still amazed at its apparent resilience to aging where it matters most
ABSOLUTELY- I purchased a 1995 1500 sierra c with 83,000 in 2008.Fleet truck for a cable tv company. Current mileage 325,000- never have had the heads off. Paid $8,000 cash. Best vehicle Ive ever had😊😊😊😊
I love my 1995 GMC. It's a extended cab 6.5' fleet side bed. The 350 has over 270 thousand miles and runs great. It has has some problems, the shifter cable disconnects from the transmission sometimes, i need to get that fixed, the throttle position sensor pigtail retainer clip broke so sometimes it backs off and starts to idle too high and shift hard. I bought a new pigtail so I'll be changing it out soon, it's moved on from being my daily to a project truck so I'm not in a rush. I have a 6.0 LS that will make its way between the fenders, but the 350 is still a strong engine, I'm giving it to a friend that will swap it into his 1996 Cheyenne that has a 305/5.0. these trucks are great and will last forever if you take care of them.
Before my 1998 k2500 I owned a 93K k1500 And I loved both trucks sold the 1993 and got the 1998 Extended cab Short bed clean interior and AC blow better than 2020 I live in Florida so it’s very needed and I wouldn’t trade my baby for nothing in the world best truck Ever my 1998 k2500 Have a Lotta friends with the new Chevys no the truck give them problems but mines still going hard like a rock
Proud owner of a 96 ext cab chevy. Love it. I've had a few in my lifetime and have loved these trucks since I was a kid. I'll never get rid of my chevy. There are so many options and unlimited potential for these trucks. Mine runs perfect with 298,000 miles and I know someone with 750,000 on the dash and their chevy is still running strong. Great trucks that will only go up in value. I wouldn't even trade my old beater for a brand new chevy truck.
I also sold my 2010 GMC Seiarra 5.3 ,with AFM, which we loved ,but scared me ,as exploding valve trains are common and costly to fix ( $4 K ).Bought a 1992 Chev. Z71 with 175 K miles, certainly usefull, comfortable and fancy enogh for us,runs excelent and relatively economical with overdrive trans and 3.43 rear end,with 4x4 ,when needed up here in Alberta,canada .We were quite fortunate and gratefull to have an honest and competent mechanic totally service it to perfection before purchasing it .We realy love and enjoy our baby. At 76 , this,l last me as long as I need ,I,m sure .Best part is , we paid cash, so , no bank payments
David Crick one of my buddies used to have a 89 with the 5.0 in it 😂 used to beat the shit out of it and repeatedly floor it in 1st gear and make the front end jump and tires come off the ground I have a 92 standard cab long bed With the 5.7 and the 4 speed automatic
Very nice .....Love the info you gave ...I have a 88 Silverado TBI 5.7 liter (and my 350 will get it too)..... bought it 8 years ago and my bull is still in great shape i love my truck and this video just secured my love for the old man (my truck) and trust me i aint selling nothing i will be keeping my truck till the wheels fall off..... P.S. then im putting them back on and keep on rollin.
GM has thrown the tread lightly statement out the window with regards to front ends on the new trucks😝😝😝. And yes the 88-98 still are good trucks I bought mine new in 90 and 30 years later she's still the daily driver. 👍👍👊👊✌✌
Best trucks ever made. Bought a 98 k1500 in 2012 when I was 16 years old for 2250 bucks. 280k kms. Had to do all the ball joints, tie rods and brakes, and the rear wheel seals but I still drive it today, nearing 400k kms. Fits 34 inch tires with just a bit of torsion bar crank and a little rubbing. I love my gmt 400!!! Just sad that it's starting to rust away on the rear wheel wells and the rocker panels.
I have a 95 k 1500 Silverado. OMG ! Bought it used in 98 and I will never own another vehicle. It’s everything and more. Paint job doesn’t hold up but it’s fantastic!
I have an 88 GMC Sierra 2500, 5.7ltr, bought it from my General Mngr at work for $200,( I have known and worked with this man for over a decade) I love it, its my work truck and kind of a hobby upgrading it, I am gonna be on the lookout for another eventually.
You could say I'm a big fan. I've owned an 88 2500 extcab long bed, a 95 extcab 4x4,a 96 ext 4x4 GMC brand, a 96 Suburban GMC brand, a 98 Suburban 2500 with 7.4, a currently have a 99 Suburban 2500 with 7.4 and just bought a 96 extcab yesterday. The 96 and later vortec engines are beasts and super dependable only the first and the last have 2x4.
I’m gonna be buying a 1996 GMC Sierra C/K 1500 with 154k miles with minimum rust and a little body damage as scratches but I’ve always liked how they look so not in a hurry for body repairs really
Definitely worth it, I personally own an 88 c1500 standard cab short bed with 269,000 miles on the odometer driven daily and still running strong I wouldn't trade it for any other truck. Prices on these is getting kinda ridiculous though, I purchased mine used some years ago and recently I have been offered up to $5,200 for it.
Should you buy a obs / gmt400 Chev?? Yes... easy to work on, cheap to maintain, tough, Rides nice, lasts a long time. My dad had one with 900 000 + klms so around 550 000 miles and it still runs but doesn't drive anymore.
I have a 1998 c1500 and I LOVE the truck. I just rolled to 421,000 and its awesome that the old girl has lasted that long. The only thing that I wish i had is 4x4 and that's it everything else is awesome
I'll be honest, I'm very happy to have the 94 Sierra model. Has the updated front end, the old style wing mirrors, the updated speedometer but the classic squared off dash and buttons. The interior updates became a little too European bubbly for me. I do kind of wish it had front bucket seats, but the bench is just so comfortable.
My 92 gmc Z71 is bad ass. I get comments on it all the time it is just a regular cab with the 8-foot box. Don't usually see them with the Z71 option. People offered to buy it from me all the time. BETTER than a new one.
I have a 1996 GMC 2500 Suburban SLT with the 7.4L 454 big block and the 4l80e trans my parents passed on to me. My parents special ordered it from GM in 1995 and we took it everywhere from camping to family trip and vacations along the west coast and it only has 118k on it now. I love this truck and it has memories and sentimental value to me where my kids will be getting it when I pass it on. These trucks are built like a tank where you tap on the fenders or body panels, you can hear the thickness of the steel compared to my 2004 Suburban where it sounds thinner.
@@Ace-44nothing more than more horsepower and torque, dash changed, bigger arm rest, and better struts/shocks. I own 93 sierra and can say it handles bumps better than modern vehicles.
Thanks this was useful to learn the history of the truck I recently bought as well as common issues. '93 GMC Sierra K1500. 176,000 miles but the engine was replaced 60,000 miles ago and previous owner babied it. Got a good deal, $1,500 cash in hand...learning how to do these repairs myself. Thank you!
I have a 92, it won't give up! 312,000 on original engine(I took out the original transmission and replaced it with a 5 speed manual) My uncle bought it in 92 sold it to mom and she sold to me 4 years ago.
It would NEVER happen, but what if GM BROUGHT BACK this design, just A LITTLE modernized, and sold it again? That would be so cool. Alas, just a pipedream.
In 2020 I bought my 1995 Silverado single cab, long bed 5.0 with 130,000 miles on it and in GORGEOUS shape for $2300 Still driving it today... I've actually worked out of it. 146,XXX miles now... I bet it'd fetch $5,000 easy. It's got some wear now being used, but still in remarkable shape Love how clean and simple the engine bay is and how easy it is to work on. I dont even mind the TBI setup.
...and I've always been a Ford guy - but - vehicles just dont last like this anymore. You see Fordtechmaculoco replace a new Platinum Limited F150 tailights for $5000??? So stupid. Truck market is BROKEN now days. I LOVE old trucks. SIMPLICITY = RELIABILITY
I have a 1991 C1500 extended cab with the 5.7L 350. It has 318,000 miles and the engine has never been opened up. Had to replace a few gaskets including the intake manifold gaskets and oil pan. Rebuilt the throttle body and found a set of flow matched injectors. Runs like a champ! At 3000 miles only down half a quart of oil. I live in Wisconsin so road salt and salt brines are used heavily so I don't drive it in the winter. The last time it was driven during the winter was 2002 so it is very clean. These are amazing quality and if you can keep them out of the road salts and brines they will certainly run forever with regular maintenance!
I had a '97 Chevy Silverado that had some problems with the 4x4 system but I was getting them sorted out when my wife wanted to trade it in so her daughter could get a Ford Sport Trac. Didn't last long. She traded that soon after she got it. Fell into an '88 GMC Sierra that needed brake lines replaced. Ended up needing way more than that. Wish I could have kept the '97! Wife now has a 2005 Chevy Avalanche. No problems, yet. She traded her '07 Sport Trac for the Avalanche. She loved the Sport Trac, but kinda hates the Avalanche. "It doesn't handle like the Sport Trac and doesn't have the get-up-and-go either" she says. It can carry a lot more stuff and pull our camper. But it's from the "next generation" from this video feature. I still miss that old 4x4.
Just picked up a 95 k2500 "Club Coupe" (didn't even know that was a thing but I'm going to use it) thing is a tank and I love it! Also almost no rust and 4x4 works well
These things are awesome, they're great workhorses and ride decent. I've got a 1998 K1500 base model with the 4.3 and I just hauled 3 ton +/- of concrete and she didn't even break a sweat.
Yes. Its 2021 and im on my 3rd one in 15 years. 95 98 and another 95. All three very little maintenance all over 350k kms running strong. Bodies started to rust very slowly but easily preventable. Every truck cost under 5k canadian. Easily best trucks ever made. Fords were good in the 90s as well.
I have a 93 5.7L, my every day driver, just over 455k and would not trade it for a new one ever. I'm always seeing newer vehicles on the side of the road.
I have a 94 gmc sierra k2500 with the 5.7 and the nv4500 5 speed manual with a 14 bolt rear end. Oh it also has 430 thousand miles on it. Built like a rock 💪🏼
i got a 92 gmc k3500 with the 454 and 5 speed it was ordered with 4.56 gears i bought it 15 years ago for 900 bucks from a rancher i still drive it sure it had dents but I fixed all of that
My first running truck was a 91 stepside single cab. Done a lot to it to get it looking like the perfect 90s style obs. Pearl white, baby billets, and roll pan. Had it since I was 15
Love my 91 stepside. Been in my family since new. Bought it off my grandfather for 4k 10 years ago. Still hate the redesigned interior. Squared off dash looks so much better in these trucks
i have an 88 extended cab long box fleetside with a 5 speed manual and the 5.7 amazing workhorse thing is a tank i also have a 94 extended cab long box fleetside with an automatic with overdrive and the 5.7 they are both the straightest and rust free trucks i have ever owned love these things to death daily drive the 94 both have over 400000 and my daily purrs like a kitten sexiest truck in town! lol
While I love my squarebody, these GMT 400s turned out to be super trucks. The only one I wouldn't want would be the first year, as the frame was too flexible, but by 1990, it was plenty solid.
My grandfather's died in 2002 when I was 5 and left me his 93 C1500. I'm started restoring it two years ago. Only problems it has was need new fuel pump and filter, new u joints and new tires. Drove it for two years before I blew transmission and water pump. Gonna repair them eventually aswell
Pops just replaced the farm truck and gave me the 97' K1500 extended cab. 229,xxx miles. Time to slather in some elbow grease and get her running strong again. Just replaced the alternator yesterday! Awesome video.
I have had various Chevÿ and Gmc , 1992 Chevy suburban, 1992 Gmc k2500 with tool service bed, I still own a 1987 Chevy stepside ànd am buying a 1994 Gmc stepside.
Great series of trucks, that are extremely reliable, low maintenance. I have a 89 and the Gauge Cluster sucks, the door handle and linkage sucks as does the latch on the tail gate. The hinge pins are frequently a issue too. The engine is a little on the anemic side. The 5 Speed has served me exceptionally well but dont hold up if the horse power is bumped up much above stock 5.7L factory levels.
Purchased a new 92 v6 WT and sold it while still running great with 250,000 miles. Always wanted that truck back. Last year I purchased a new $40,000 Subaru. This year I purchased a 93 v6 WT with only 88,000 garage kept miles. My new daily driver. It feels so good to hop into that beautiful simple little truck every day and manually roll the windows up and down. It doesn't do near what the $60,000 trucks can do. Yet I can do a lot more with that $50,000 savings. while still looking good. LOL
These pickups were reliable if properly maintained and really easy to work on yourself. I'm in the process of replacing the upper/lower control arms bushings, ball joints, stabilizer links, wheel bearings, seals, races, brakes, and wheel cylinders under my 1989 Chevy Cheyenne, 3500. It has the SB 350 TBI engine and a standard 4 speed granny transmission. No oil leaks or burning and it runs well. It's a pickup that's easy to work on compared to today's vehicles. It's my daily driver as well. The parts are very inexpensive, readily available, and for me it's an easy DIY project as I grew up around these vehicles. The clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing were replaced in 2023 as were the clutch slave cylinder and hydraulic line, so when I'm done this pickup should make it a couple more decades at least.. I'm in my 60's so it may be my last pickup and I'm the third owner.
They are long lasting with basic maintenance. If your buying in great condition go for it. If it’s a project truck or wasn’t taken care of that good. Either buy it knowing ur going to spend a lot of money (more then the truck is worth) or don’t buy it at all. (I own a 98 Chevy k1500 z71 4x4 amazing truck just a real money pit)
I have a 96 heavy 3/4 I bought in 99 with a fifth wheel plate in the bed took it to Harbor truck body's and had a 8 foot utility bed and rack installed at 43,000 it now has 330,000 original moter trans was rebuilt at 175,000 . I don't know what is going to stop my 5.7 runs like the day I bought it 96 was the first year for the fuel management system and these trucks are not with out some problems that will be dealt with but definitely something that can be worked out in the driveway . Oil cooler lines attachment at the block adapter, intake manifold gasket no big deal, 3/4" hose adapter to aluminum intake manifold got tired of putting new ones on brass and done now, plastic timing cover went to the trash Holley aluminum now, distributer cap 3 and 7 Short out always buy Delco, breaks suck but work, Best truck I've ever had.
Thanks for the good vid. I'm the third owner but still in the same family of an inherited 1990 C1500 2WD short bed, 350 V8 (some call it a 5.7 but this is still America), 5 speed stick and only 122K miles on it. Now I finally learned what bed style I have- stepside! Been trying to figure that out for a while; flareside? wideside? stepside? broadside etc. Jeez! Now I still need to figure out which model I have- Silverado? Cheyenne? Sierra? WT? There isn't any badging on the exterior for me to tell. This truck still runs good and it's a great run around town grocery getter even though the time has come for a lot of TLC (hoses, fluids, cooling flush etc.). One mod I would like to do is upgrade the bench seat to a hi-back 60/40 seat and get rid of the neck snapping low back bench seat?
My 96 c1500 Silverado is awesome. Drives like a dream, but it has some setbacks, these older trucks have some electrical issues from just wear and tear, it now has 178 thousand miles but these trucks are great, solid truck, I do recomend
i have a 1988 c1500 350tbi with a rv cam..its ok but my pride and joy is my 1995 gmc c2500 454 tbi best truck i have ever drove and only picked it up for 1800 in cali with only 130,000 miles on it what a steal!
I wish GM would kinda go retro what to pick ups so go back to the late 80 models to the 2003 model all today's trucks all look like each other and just my opinion but the new GMS are butt ugly
Very good video man...well done...thank you for taking your time with the details and making sure they were explained clearly...from driving one of these trucks for almost 6 years now i can say you have nailed this video. VERY well done!
I had a 84 square single cab 8' bed I traded for a 1969 Fender Precision bass. Bought a 94 3 door. Now have a 98 Silverado fleet side 3 door. 294,000 miles. Fixing replace power steering pump. Replacecd alternator and spider injection. My dad bought it in 2007.
