The wait is almost over!

[bubbatrucklover]

When I first joined I posted I was looking for a truck. Well if all goes right within 2-4 weeks it will be sitting in my driveway!

Things worked out in a funny kind of way by trucks being posted and me missing out and then the closest to my "dream truck" fell in to my lap!

I'm getting a KILLER deal on it. It is slightly more than we anticpated on spending but WAY cheaper than what I feel it's worth.

I will post the details and a pic. ANY feedback on what to expect would be apreciated. Without posting a price I would like to see what Ya'll think it's worth to confirm or deny my suspicions that I'm coming out on top!

It's a Chevy 2002 Silverado 1500 with a 5.3 Vortex 2 1/2 " exhaust with a flow master and dual chrome tips. 166,000 miles (mainly highway miles). Rebuilt trans. Recently replaced water pump, oil pump, fuel pump and timing chain. Auto page alarm with remote start. Low profile tool box. Leather seats all bells and whistles.

It has a 9" suspension lift made by extreme suspension.(The owner thinks it's one of the only ones in Jax.Who knows ) It's sitting on 37x13.50x17 Toyo M/T with weld rims.

It has the Pro-tec composite box with 2003 tail lights.

Rear end was re geared with 4.56 gears for better gas mileage.

Also a Warn brush guard with winch mount that's not installed yet.


The front tires are a couple of months old, the back tread is REAL close to the wear indicator height ( I puked at the tire cost ).

He hasn't been mudding in a while but when he went he pops the front drive shaft in and then pops it out when he's done. This is for gas mileage and the knuckles clank due to the extreme lift. That will need grinding or whatever.

So basically I need to modify the brackets and or remount the driver's bucket seat for more room. NEW REAR TIRES as soon as I save money and a Roll and Lock.

He has had like NO probs with the transfer case or anything other then what's replaced and drives from Jax to Tampa and back every other weekend.

I know down the road exhaust,tuner and engine beefing will happen but for now I think I'm set if I prioritize as funds "appear".

Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

[Hayden]

The front end has 4.56 gears to right? 02 with 166k on it, Suspension, tires and rims are probably worth $2000 themselves. Much more when they were new. I'd go about $6500 on it depending the body and interior are in decent shape Just my opinion

[bubbatrucklover]

He never regeared the front end. The tires are about(local 4X4 shop) $375 a piece, Rims don't know. That brand of suspension on line was $2,000 for a 7"(couldn't find a 9" but didn'tlook that hard) Installation don't know.

Interior leather,carpet and all is REAL close to being perfect.

As far as your price ..I would LOVE to live by you if that's what trucks like this are going for!!!

I saw one with only a 6" lift smaller tires and nothing replaced (otherwise same truck more or less) $12,500. It lasted 10 days and it was sold. I like your price better!!!

Thanks for the input.

I was curious about the regearing of the front though. For now I see no real reason to have the front drive shaft in and be using the 4X4 for fun. $$$$ will be TIGHT soooo don't want to tempt fate even though he assures me in soft mud and stuff NOTHING has stopped this truck!

[hotrodpc]

Wow, I would never consider such a thing. I do agree with regearing to 4.56 with that tall of a tire. Quite the right move in my opinioon, but to NOT regear the front? So how does this work then? If the front a differential that does not lock up or it is for dirt only and some tires are obviously going to be broke loose at all times?

[hotrodpc]

Although, I would have to say $6500 is a way low ball quote. It is high mileage, but you believe its highway mileage which brings me to another question. Is the speedo and odo accurate after the tire size change and the regear in the rear end? It could possibly have many more miles on it actually with that tire size change and the odo reading very slow and the truck have many more miles than showing. Then the 4:56 would make it run faster. I dunno, I would just find out if the guy reprogrammed the speedo/odo.

[bradrhale]

i love the classic body style. headlight look better than that stupid cross eyed looking thing they did up until 06. that truck is a thing of beauty and get 3 thumbs up from me, that is, if i had 3. great looking beast there.

[leolkfrm]

you better figure the cost of what has not been done, ie. front gears, proper modification to keep the front shaft in etc. all these costs should come off his asking price! 4.56 gears do not improve mpg but do help take the strain off the tranny

[hotrodpc]

Originally Posted by bradrhale

i love the classic body style. headlight look better than that stupid cross eyed looking thing they did up until 06. that truck is a thing of beauty and get 3 thumbs up from me, that is, if i had 3. great looking beast there.

You are reffering to the 03-06 Bread with the funky eyes, but I like interior changes better on the 03-06. Although minor, I like it better.

[hotrodpc]

Originally Posted by leolkfrm

you better figure the cost of what has not been done, ie. front gears, proper modification to keep the front shaft in etc. all these costs should come off his asking price! 4.56 gears do not improve mpg but do help take the strain off the tranny

Yeah, I agree. That is crazy not having matching gears. To me, even on dirt, seems like a good way for premature tire wear, and at $375 each, you need them to last long as possible. Also the strain on the axles front and rear, the Tcase, and driveshaft/transaxles. Believe it or not, with them biggo tires, I'd have to say there is a good chance changing out those gears to 4.56 might improve fuel mileage. I know its not right normally, but with those biggo tires, as Leo mentioned, taking the strain off the trans, its also taking strain off the motor too.

[bubbatrucklover]

Originally Posted by hotrodpc

Although, I would have to say $6500 is a way low ball quote. It is high mileage, but you believe its highway mileage which brings me to another question. Is the speedo and odo accurate after the tire size change and the regear in the rear end? It could possibly have many more miles on it actually with that tire size change and the odo reading very slow and the truck have many more miles than showing. Then the 4:56 would make it run faster. I dunno, I would just find out if the guy reprogrammed the speedo/odo.

No would be the answer. He said the speedo is off by 5mph I think. I have a link saved some where that was posted as to a way of fixing that prob on your own. However there is a place locally(I would have to look for it again) that FHP uses to re calibrate their Trannies and you get a certification of accuracy.

Good point on the Odo though makes perfect sense just never thought of it up front.

Originally Posted by bradrhale

i love the classic body style. headlight look better than that stupid cross eyed looking thing they did up until 06. that truck is a thing of beauty and get 3 thumbs up from me, that is, if i had 3. great looking beast there.

Thank you kind sir! I like the overall look of the '98's I was looking at but I feel for me(and as suggested by others) the 4 door option was invaluable. I was interested in the truck untill he pulled in to my driveway the other day.......THEN I WAS HOOKED!!!!

Originally Posted by leolkfrm

you better figure the cost of what has not been done, ie. front gears, proper modification to keep the front shaft in etc. all these costs should come off his asking price! 4.56 gears do not improve mpg but do help take the strain off the tranny

Based on what I've seen this truck and ones similar go for I did not negotiate price( and he is holding it for 30 days while I wait on money to pay him so I couldn't woe him lower with cash).

When I weighed the options of going 2X4 and converting later or having the cost of after market suspension lift(I would have gone 6" and 3" body smaller tires) The fact that IMHO he replaced the major things needed at that mileage (and his dad's friend a GM mechanic rebuilt the tranny to be bullet proof and works at a dealership 4 blocks from my house) also factored in.

I don't know that much on the regearing issue. As I saw it the less the tranny works the less the engine labors.

I do believe I read that both front and rear should be geared the same.

He showed me on the driveshaft where friends of his have ground out to solve the prob. I'm not going off of that nor doing it without further research.

This is the newest vehicle I have ever(and will prob ever) own and my first 4X4 so any and ALL suggestions and wisdom will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanx for Ya'lls comments!