RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
1999 Chevrolet 2500 4x4 pickup truck - $5000
90,xxx miles on odometer, 30,000 miles on remanufactured Jasper engine, salvage title.
I bought this truck back in 2004 with a salvage title. In June of 2006 the engine let go (likely the guy who rebuilt it threw in a junkyard motor of unknown history). At a cost of $4K, I had a remanufactured engine installed by First Choice Auto clinic in Hilliard. (I have the receipts, if you're into that sort of thing) Since then, the engine has performed flawlessly.
The good:
- truck has a 4" lift & oversized tires
- crappy, rusty Flowmaster dual exhaust that fell apart every 2 months was replaced with a stock exhaust that doesn't fall off
- body has a few dings but is generally really straight
- cassette player!
- 30K on remanufactured 350 engine
- 4x4 works great
- rusted brake lines replaced (sorry Roland!)
- tow hitch
- bedliner
- 8' bed
- you will want to start dressing like an extra from "Urban Cowboy". (may also be filed under "not-so-good")
The not-so-good:
- since replacing the exhaust, the "check engine" light comes on
- since replacing the brake lines, the "brakes" light and the "abs" light comes on. brakes work fine but probably could use a little more attention
- salvage title...but that was in 2004 and I have since replaced/repaired anything major that has come up
- wipers sometimes don't work...that adds character though
- paint is flaking a bit on hood, fading on grill, and there is slight rust under the driver's side door
- there's a trick to dropping the tailgate; this is common in these Chevys.
- all your friends will be jealous and want to borrow it
Basically though, it's the best work truck ever, will haul anything without complaint, and it is supremely confident in the snow. Getting stuck just never happens, no matter how hard you try. It's durable as a tank (I totaled a Saturn once by accidentally backing over it, and literally did not even scratch my truck) and is pretty much unstoppable. It's not cosmetically perfect, and has a few little things that need attention, but as a utility truck, it's unbeatable. I would drive this truck across the country without hesitation (ok, I'd probably get the wipers looked at first)
I planned on driving this thing forever, but I just got a truck that's even larger and more ridiculous, so sadly this guy has to go.
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.