Looking at buying an 83 K10 with broken driveline

[Moonsaber]

Per the owner

"the main drive shaft/bushing broke two weeks ago... $150 junk yard fix but dont have the time... Truck ran strong before just needed a transfer case gasket kit (which i have and you can install)... Truck cranks but has an engine rattle"

should I not be able to disconnect or hang up that drive shaft to drive it on a trailer under it's own power, or at least be able to tow it with my other truck? How would you transport one in this condition, or would you take a pass with this to begin with?

here is the pics he provided, what do you all think? It's from a local Craig's List ad, I can link that here if you all want. What would you offer for this truck?

 

[Moonsaber]

Here is a couple more pics.

 

[MadOgre]

I would purchase it with the thought that the entire drive line needs rebuilding or replacing. If its that simple why didn't the seller fix it ???

Its most likely a project and NOT a truck that's gonna be up and running with just a few simple fixes

Never pay very much for broken junk. Think of it as though your buying a parts truck

 

[CSFJ]

Yeah, judging from the bald super swampers and mud under the hood, I can guess as to how the drive shaft got broken and why the engine has a rattle. It's probably been pretty abused. Parts truck at best.

 

[Skweegle89]

That "engine rattle" is probably rod knock. Always expect the worst and hope for the best. I wouldn't pay over $1200-$1500 if you want to mess with an engine and possibly tcase rebuild. $800 for new tires, at least $800-$1000 in things like brakes, electrical, and anything else that might be wrong. Good looking swb, just needs a lot of work.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

 

[Moonsaber]

Thanks for the replies, great catches on all that mud under the hood. Yeah, someone has been beating that truck up, and it broke. Probably more than that is ready to go.

Going to see a guy on Friday that has 5 81-87 Silverados he might want to sell a couple of, see if I can pick up a 2WD SWB Silverado for a nice price. I'll still look at this K10, but the C10's will likely be in much better shape.

I was going to show up to look at the truck driving my own square, for better or worse, he will know that I know a little about them if I am driving one.

Same thing with the other guy, but he is in my local car club.. so it doesn't matter much there.

 

[GTME94]

I agree with everyone else.
I wouldn't touch it unless you can get it for a body only price, assuming the complete drivetrain needs to be replaced. No way to really see how the engine runs, trans/tcase shifts, brakes work, suspension, etc. And assuming you wanted a complete project.

I only paid $750 for my truck because I knew everything needed to be rebuilt. And if it turned out really bad I could get $600 for the 454 engine core.

 

[Moonsaber]

I see others post Craig's list links now too, so if anyone cares to look at the ad here it is fully

http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/4984223807.html

Thanks for the feedback everyone, it really helps. I should be looking at it today or tomorrow and I will let you all know what I found.

Will one of these run off the FWD with the Rear axle disconnected?

 

[mistaake]

I see others post Craig's list links now too, so if anyone cares to look at the ad here it is fully

http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/4984223807.html

Thanks for the feedback everyone, it really helps. I should be looking at it today or tomorrow and I will let you all know what I found.

Will one of these run off the FWD with the Rear axle disconnected?

Yes, but it's not recommended but if you just want to test the transmission it should be ok

 

[Moonsaber]

Yes, but it's not recommended but if you just want to test the transmission it should be ok

I was figuring that I can get it on and off the trailer with the FWD, and as you said, it tests the transmission, transaxle, engine, etc.

Short distance only! Not planning on driving it like that the 10 miles to my place.

 

[Skweegle89]

That ad makes me cringe. I bet that kids not a day over 18. I hate it when people advertise their vehicles as "monster trucks", "mud toys", "river buggies" or anything like that, because you just know that they have beat the **** out of it. Offer him $1000.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

 

[Moonsaber]

That ad makes me cringe. I bet that kids not a day over 18. I hate it when people advertise their vehicles as "monster trucks", "mud toys", "river buggies" or anything like that, because you just know that they have beat the **** out of it. Offer him $1000.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

I was going to offer him less than that. I have an old Yugo SKS I was going to offer in trade, figuring he has the Glock stuff on the truck that he is into guns. My "Increase bid" is to offer the 500 or so rounds of ammo I have for it. It's a fun toy, I have a lot of extras for it.

 

[mistaake]

Hey, well it should be a cool truck. If you can get it for under $1k I say go for it - then again I would buy every Chevy truck (Square body, gmt400, etc. i like them all) I see if I could so you might not want to listen to me.

I was figuring that I can get it on and off the trailer with the FWD, and as you said, it tests the transmission, transaxle, engine, etc.

Short distance only! Not planning on driving it like that the 10 miles to my place.

You'd probably be fine if you were easy on it and didn't go on the highway, but if you have a trailer, that's your better option. Can't see why it would be a problem to use it to go onto the trailer with it.

 

[Moonsaber]

Hey, well it should be a cool truck. If you can get it for under $1k I say go for it - then again I would buy every Chevy truck (Square body, gmt400, etc. i like them all) I see if I could so you might not want to listen to me.

I have similiar urges sir.

If the engine is bad, though, I may not have the proper resources to take care of that.

You'd probably be fine if you were easy on it and didn't go on the highway, but if you have a trailer, that's your better option. Can't see why it would be a problem to use it to go onto the trailer with it.

I only have to take it about 10 miles and I can stay off the interstate and on roads where I can go about as slow as I want to.

Should I tie up, or remove that axle? Will there be a problem with leaks with it out?

 

[MadOgre]

The transfer case pumps fluid out the rear drive out put shaft so with out the rear drive shaft hooked up it will pump all your transfer case ATF fluid onto the ground in very short order. You could put the yoke in but the fluid pressure will push the yoke out and again will pump all your transfer case ATF on to the ground in very short order.

Load it on a trailer or have it towed.

$500 is probably max value for that thing. As I can almost guarantee you that the entire drive line will need overhauling at the very least if not replaced.