86 or 95?

[UT_TDEnthusiast]

I am looking at two different trucks. One is an 86 GMC 3/4 ton with a newer 6.5 (I don't know if it is a TD). It has 126k total, with 20k on the 6.5. Has a manual transmission (don't know if 4 or 5 speed). A/C, pdl, pdw work. Looks to have newer paint. Has 4.10 gears and has 4WD.
The other truck is a 95 Chevy 3/4 ton ext. cab lb with a 5 spd transmission. It is also 4WD. It has 151k, but he says it has been chipped and has an intercooler. It has a rebuilt transmission and newer tires. The body has some dings/scratches.
The guy wants $4500 for the '86 and the asking price on the '95 is $4000. What you do you think/recommend? Thanks in advance.

[93GMCSierra]

hard to say, do you like the body styling of the older or the newer, the 95 might be better, with a turbo, and intercooler I would say that is worth something right there.

[UT_TDEnthusiast]

I like the body styling of both, actually. The extended cab on the 95 would be a plus though and so is the interior. Since I wouldn't be towing anything, I like the 86 as the owner is claiming 20+ mpg while the 95 gets around 16 with its 4.10 gearing. But that can be changed to 3.73 or 3.42 to improve the mileage, right? On the 95, the owner is saying that with the chargepipe and intercooler added and removing the plastic manifold cover, he has never had any overheating issues and the PMD is still in the stock location. What do you think about this?

[Robyn]

I will say this.

I have owned an 86 and loved the truck (other than it was a "GASSER")
The 86 will never set a code or leave you stranded with a bad PMD or other electronics related issue.
Pretty simple.

The 95 will have some updated creature comforts and thats about all. If the 86 has a TD in it the power level is going to be comparable.

The 4 wheel drive on the 86 is a shove the lever and go while the 95 has an electric device to place the front end in gear that can fail when you need it most.

If you like both, I personally would choose the 86

Just my 2 cents worth

Robyn

[arveetek]

If the 86 has the stock transmission, you won't have overdrive, which makes it awful for highway driving. The sound of the eninge revving at those speeds gets old real quick.

I would opt for the 95 myself.

Casey

[UT_TDEnthusiast]

I am waiting to here back about the '86 as to whether it is a 4 or 5 spd and if it is a 6.5 N/A or 6.5 TD. I think that if it is a 5 spd with a 6.5 TD, it would be hard to pass up. At $4500 thought, is that a bit high? Also on the '95, the owner says that there is a small oil drip (few drops a week) from the turbo or charge pipe. How big of a deal is this? Thanks again, I appreciate all the input.

[UT_TDEnthusiast]

I just found out that on the '86, the 6.5 is N/A, but with only 20k miles, it runs very well. Also, the transmission is a 4 spd with a granny first gear. He said he doesn't drive much over 60-65 mph, but even then he gets over 20 mpg; it has a 4.10 rear.

I am looking for a truck as a semi-daily driver and I don't plan on doing much towing any time soon. So, for me 20+ mpg is much better than 16 mpg in the '95. Does $4500 for the '86 seem high? For that price what should I look for? What condition should stuff be in? Thanks.

[93GMCSierra]

16 in the 95 seems very low. my 93 with 5 spd got 21mpg average and I am not sure which rear it has but I think 4.10.

[arveetek]

Does $4500 for the '86 seem high? For that price what should I look for? What condition should stuff be in? Thanks.

For $4500, that '86 ought to be in cherry condition with excellent paint/interior. Very few if any flaws.

The '95 will more than likely get around 17 mpg. That's what I get with my '95 w/3.42 gears.

When my '81 had 3.42 gears w/6.2L diesel, it got close to 20 mpg. An '86 w/6.5L n/a, SM465 tranny, and 4.10 gears will likely get at most about 19 mpg. My current highly modded 6.2L with 4.10 gears and overdrive gets about 18 mpg on a good day.

Casey