PLEASE NOTE :
Sometime after I bought this gem recently, I found a set of four excellent original 22" aluminum wheels and tires from a Cadillac Escalade.
I recently installed all 4 of them and they are shown on this truck in the first 3 photos of this listing.
They can sell with the pickup or I can deduct $400 from the price if the new owner prefers the stock 16" aluminum wheels and tires that are shown in all of the rest of the photos of this listing.
I purchased this 1990 GMC short box step side 4-wheel drive half-ton pickup truck from the original owner in Bozeman Montana in December of 2022.
That is why this 33-year-old vehicle is still as nice as it is.
I believe that the original owner tends to take the best care of a vehicle.
Successive owners often tend to neglect and abuse a vehicle.
This 33-year-old truck is still in very nice condition primarily because of the semi-arid climate here in Montana.
We average only 13 inches of moisture per year here including both rain and snow.
Our humidity is very low here so that also helps to preserve the vehicles.
The last photo of this listing is a file photo of a similar vintage and model Chevrolet pickup.
That photo is NOT of this truck.
It is shown here for reference only to show how nice this truck might look with a new paint job.
This truck is equipped with the base V6 gasoline engine and a 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive on 5th gear.
The 4 wheel drive system worked fine the only time I needed it last winter.
The indicator light that tells when the front axle is engaged does not work.
I replaced the burned-out bulb but the light is still not working.
There may be a problem with the wiring or the switch on the front axle.
Some people may think I want too much for this truck.
Relatively few people will ever realize the true value of this truck.
The primary parts of this truck that are unique to a short-wheelbase vehicle like this are the chassis frame and the short pickup box.
The chassis frames last fairly well unless the vehicle is exposed to salted winter roads.
The pickup box is very often subjected to abuse and damage, especially if the truck is used on a farm, ranch, or by a building contractor.
Therefore, I contend that the real value here is in the steel box and the composition rear fenders and small running boards around the rear fenders.
If a person wanted to restore or build a customized truck like this and started with a truck with a box that is in average used and abused condition, they could easily spend over $10,000 having a professional metal man straighten the dents and repair any rust damage on a typical used box.
Then there is the issue of what to do regarding the tailgate.
Reproductions are available for $356 here on eBay.
They would be a more economical option than repairing an original as long as they fit and work well which is always a concern or problem when dealing with Chinese replacement parts.
Then there is the issue of how to repair or replace the rather fragile molded composition rear fender and running board assemblies that line the outside of both sides of this box.
I believe this box was used through 1999 so it is very likely that these box sides are no longer available from GM.
Now you may understand why I believe the box, tailgate, and both box sides that are in excellent original condition are worth what I am asking for this truck.
Thanks a lot, Bob Woodburn in Bozeman Montana USA 4O6.
799.
I847
OPTIONS :
Selective 4-wheel drive system with 2-speed transfer case - worked the only time I needed it last winter
Air conditioning upgraded to 134-a is not presently blowing cold air
Power front disc brakes
Variable ratio power steering
Tilt steering wheel
Cruise control works fine
Original GM AM-FM radio
Black lower body accent paint & rubber trim (damaged on the right-hand door)
5 original GM 16" aluminum wheels - front tires have 3/4 tread, rear tires have 1/2 tread
4 GM 22" Cadillac Escalade aluminum wheels - tires have 1/2 to 2/3 tread
Aftermarket steel cowl induction hood - presently costs $795 on eBay
PLUSES
Absolutely superb scarce short box, rear fenders, & tailgate with no significant damage anywhere
Replacement clear windshield with no problems
Dash main upper panel is still excellent with no cracks
The door panels are very nice but need a minor cleaning
Very maneuverable and fun to drive
The V6 is the most economical engine available originally in this truck
5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is fun to shift
Drive it anywhere - I put about 3,000 highway miles on it since I bought it
Engine oil was not new when I bought it and dropped about 1 quart in the 2,000 miles I drove it
Aftermarket steel hood with scoop costs $795 from eBay
No extra radio speakers or butchered holes in doors or anywhere else
I replaced both door panel armrests with new ones that do not match the original color
This is a prime candidate for a later Chevrolet LS engine & 460E 4-speed automatic transmission transplant
MINUSES
The headliner starting to fall down a bit in the middle
This has been outside for the last 33 years here in relatively dry Montana.
There is sun damage on the original paint - especially on the roof, hood, and left side.
There are 184,000 miles on a working speedometer odometer - the trip odometer does not work
Only sheet metal rust is a blister showing on the left rear bottom corner of the cab
The door dent in the black accent area of the passenger's door - was hit by a neighbor's contractor
Left door air leak at the top of the door
Coolant temperature and oil pressure dash gauges are intermittent
The door lock keys do not match - one of the locks was replaced a while ago
Burned hole in the seat bottom cushion on the right side (I have not removed the cover yet)
The dash instrument panel bezel around the gauges is cracked in one place
There is a crack in the trim above the rear window behind the right-hand door
There is a 2" hole in the rubber floor mat under the driver's feet
The right front fender, grille, and hood were replaced and repainted several years ago so the paint does not match the rest of the paint perfectly
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