Matt's ongoing truck search...again (UPDATE POST 66)

[nubuilder]

What's all that flaky orange crap all over it? Ha Ha.


I honestly think I'd pass unless it was a REALLY good deal. 5th wheel rails in a mid-size probably indicate it has been overworked for some portion of it's life, and it doesn't look like it has been taken the best care of.

Well, this is the lowest mileage one I've seen (by at least 20k with a 5spd) and is by far the cheapest. This truck is everything I've been looking for, but $2k less than the last one. It lacks the 3rd door (which I could live without) and factory fogs (were fairly rare on anything but the Crew Cab models; I'll probably add them later).

The entire cooling system has been redone and I'm really happy about that (I really don't want to deal with heater cores right now). As far as the condition of the exterior goes, it seems the only damage/dents is on the bed. If nothing else, the entire bed can be replaced. The bumper seems to have some rust, but there is one 25min from me and one that's 15min from me, both for $75obo a piece. If the clutch is worn from towing, well, that happens. But yeah, I'd like to know what was pulled but the current owner doesn't know. As far as the interior, I'll see that for myself when I get there. He's selling to buy a mid to late 60's F100 and seems to be willing to go really far to get one (I'm talking the Carolinas).


Anyone know how the fender flares are held on on the ZR2's? If they are only screwed on, I might ask if I can remove them to look behind them.

What year did GM start doing the security thing with the radio? You know, where only one radio will work in a specific vehicle.

 

[slims]

I need another s-10 for a work truck. They are just not for sale around here.

 

[nubuilder]

I need another s-10 for a work truck. They are just not for sale around here.

Tell me about it. I've been looking since January for a 4x4 5spd. I've only found 5 or 6.

If you were closer, I'd sell you my '97!

 

[700 sportsman]

I'd like to find something on that order to drive as well, I'm way to picky about my truck to really "use" it like I could sometimes. Plus the 5 speed would hopefully slurp the fuel quite a bit less than my truck does.

 

[nubuilder]

I'd like to find something on that order to drive as well, I'm way to picky about my truck to really "use" it like I could sometimes. Plus the 5 speed would hopefully slurp the fuel quite a bit less than my truck does.

I'm the same way with my truck. I'll tow anything, but I don't want to dump gravel or throw anything heavy in the bed.

I really enjoy driving a 5spd (especially in the snow; being able to start in 2nd or even 3rd helps a lot). I would have gotten one in my Silverado, but I wanted an Auto in it for towing.

According to the EPA's site, there's 1mpg difference favoring a 5spd VS auto. Adding 4wd looses 2mpg (mixed) over a 4.3L 2wd. Comparing a '98 S10 4x4 5spd with a '98 K1500 5spd, there's a 4mpg difference. However, I think the ZR2's get 1mpg less than stated due to the larger tires and higher hear ratio (3.73's; most 4x4 regular S10's had 3.42's, but the gearing might make up for the tire size difference; I haven't ran it through a calculator yet).

 

[nubuilder]

Matt's Truck Search is Complete!! - see post 76

It runs and drives great. No noises, shakes, or surprises. The tires are in great shape too!

A couple of problems came up on the way home:
1) Wipers don't work. - Washer fluid does and fuse is fine, but they don't move. I'm hoping that the circuit board in the wiper motor is shot since its only a $30 part. - I tried them latter after getting home and they worked.
2) Driver's window switch is wired backwards. - Its physically in the correct position, but up=down and down=up. I'm hoping the motor is plugged in backwards.
3) Tachometer needle is jittery. - it jumps RPMs, but seems accurate. - Is there something dirty/corroded?


Anyways, apparently he put it on eBay (see here) for $3500. I don't have any pics of it right now since I got home in the dark. Check the eBay listing for all the pics I would post if I had them.

Future mods:
Black Bear Performance tune
HID's (already have bulbs and ballasts)
factory fog lights and switch (hoping these are almost plug-n-play plus a BCM reflash)
factory CD player (gotta figure out how to "unlock" one) - isn't there a mod/thread somewhere to add an AUX input to a factory radio?
molded floor mats
mud flaps
-might be replacing the entire dash panel and kick panels if I can find a complete one in the right color

How do you disable DRL's and AHL's on this?

As far as body work goes, I hope to at least repaint the scuffs, dents, and small rust spots along with the tailgate. If I have time this summer, I'd like to try to get the dents popped out as best as possible. I need to shampoo the carpet and I have an air freshener in it (guy was a smoker, but he ran a ionizer in it for 8hrs; doesn't smell all that bad to me). Oh, and the 5th wheel hitch bars in the bed are coming out too.


Overall, I'm very happy. I gained 4wd and 40k miles less. My blue S10 will hopefully be on CraigsList by this weekend.



So what do you guys think?
I'm working on pics right now.

 

[Nick The Great]

What do I think . . . I think



I did click thru to the eBay ad. Looks like a nice truck! Congrats!

 

[nubuilder]

What do I think . . . I think



I did click thru to the eBay ad. Looks like a nice truck! Congrats!

I'm working on it!!

And thanks!

 

[buRRp]

Should be a nice winter truck for you. If I saw the pic right those are General tires on it? If they are the same ones that came factory as my GMC Canyon did they suck in the winter. I know after the one winter I had them on the next winter I changed them.

 

[nubuilder]

Should be a nice winter truck for you. If I saw the pic right those are General tires on it? If they are the same ones that came factory as my GMC Canyon did they suck in the winter. I know after the one winter I had them on the next winter I changed them.

Yeah, it should be a very nice winter beater . The tires are in great shape, and yes they are General Grabbers. I'm hoping they do good and will last me 3-5 years.