1989 K1500. Help with Purchase?

[Billman]

1989 K1500 Suburban. 170k. 4WD works. Aluminum wheels(stock). Power locks/Manual windows. Not too sure about other options. A/C is functional. He says truck is in very good shape. He's asking $2800.

Only had a phone conversation with the owner. Never owned a Suburban. I have had 4 Chevrolet Crew Cab Duallys. Latest is the 6.5TD. The Diesel Engine has amazed me. I am thinking of buying this truck as an everyday driver to and from work. My main concern would be mileage. When I asked the owner about it, he said it was excellent. He couldn't give me a number though.

My question is, could I get 25mpg with the right gear ratio? Say 3.42? I do all highway driving to and from work. He's got 32" tires on it. Not sure of the trans. I would prefer the 400 because it is simple and strong. The 700R4 does have the OD for mileage though. Is their that much of a difference?

I know what to look for as far as the truck goes, but never had experience with the 6.2. Anything in particular I should look at? Probably needs a timing chain.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[arveetek]

I had an 86 C10 Suburban that I sold for $3000 a couple of years ago, so the price on the one you're looking at sounds pretty good. Mine was a 2WD with the 700R4, 3.73 gears, and stock tires. Best mpg I got was 20.

I seriously doubt you would be able to squeeze 25 mpg out of a 4WD Suburban...they're just too big and heavy. But 19-20 mpg is certainly doable.

I'm sure the 'burb you're looking at has the 700R4 tranny. Only 3/4 tons got the 400, unless it's been swapped out.

Casey

[Craig M]

I agree that 25 mpg is optomistic for a 4x4 3/4 ton Suburban. Our 1/2 ton 2 wheel drive with a 700R4 gets 22 mpg. The larger heavier vehicle, with a numerically higher rear end will get less.

[TomEichenberger]

My 1990 1/2 ton 4x4 gets close to 20mpg(running 60-65 on the highway). I agree, 25 mpg would be difficult.

It sounds like a pretty good price. Keep in mind that 1989 was the last year of the "cracked main bearing block problem,"before GM "solved" the problem in the 6.2's.

At 170,000, with a new timing set, harmonic dampener, and a DSG stud girdle kit, I bet she'd last a long time(assuming the previous owner took care of the routine maintainence.)

Tom

[Billman]

Thanks for the Insight Fellas...