Help me decide what type of used truck to buy...
 

There's a local 2007 Silverado for sale local to me, it's a V6 with an auto trans and 149k. It's a work truck model, long bed in silver (not white, which is nice). I want a utility truck for yard and house work, and eventual bass boat and small camper towing.

The good: It's only $2500, possibly negotiable, don't know. The KBB is roughly $3900 in working condition.

The bad: It's not in working condition. The timing chain broke, and the owner replaced the chain, gears, timing cover. He did nothing other than that. It has spark, etc,. but no compression. He hasn't checked compression formally, but pulled the valve covers and sounds like something is not right and something is not sealing. I'm assuming that there are some bent valves, probably nothing major.

So it could need a set of heads, or it could need a long block. I'm debating whether to gamble on it and pull the heads, hoping that new heads will get it back on the road.

Even if I have to throw a reman long block at it, it would still be a cheap truck but instantly over the KBB value. A set of reman heads is about $400-500, plus minor parts like head gaskets and studs.

Any opinions? Worth the risk?

Re: Work truck buying dilemma....It's broken but it's cheap!
 

This ones iffy. There's a 100% chance that the valves are trashed. There's also a decent amount of risk that the pistons are mangled. You could get lucky and be able to have the heads worked along with new valves. Is there any chance of getting him to pull the head?

Re: Work truck buying dilemma....It's broken but it's cheap!
 

No, he won't pull the heads. He doesn't want to mess with it anymore which is why he's selling it. So what I know is just about it unless I buy it.

Re: Work truck buying dilemma....It's broken but it's cheap!
 

I wouldn't buy it. $2500 is pretty steep for something that doesn't run to me.

Re: Work truck buying dilemma....It's broken but it's cheap!
 

You didn't say if it was an extended or regular cab. I'm not sure about the actual resale on even a running regular cab V6 truck. It can't really pull any thing with that ancient V6 and you can't haul any people in a regular cab. I would pass just for the fact that you actually want to pull something with it.

Re: Work truck buying dilemma....It's broken but it's cheap!
 

It's a regular cab. We don't own anything to tow yet, so that's only a minor factor. I'm leaning toward not getting it, I just think there isn't enough meat left in the price to make the amount of work worthwhile.

Re: Work truck buying dilemma....It's broken but it's cheap!
 

You said the price is possibly negotiable. I'd negotiate and try to get it down the cost of reman heads at least. If he agrees then you sir got a deal granted the fact you are mechanically inclined.

Re: Work truck buying dilemma....It's broken but it's cheap!
 

I just spotted a 2000 regular cab short bed with a 4.8L and a manual trans with 4WD. Hmmm. Needs a twin turbo setup.

Re: Work truck buying dilemma....It's broken but it's cheap!
 

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know what that manual transmission is in with the 4.8L in 2000? It looks like the NV500 was in the 5.3L, but the 4.3 V6 and the 4.8L had the same lighter duty trans, which I can't find what it is...

Re: Work truck buying dilemma....It's broken but it's cheap!
 

I'm not a 100% sure what you're asking right now.
The 4.8L engine is engine code LR4.
That engine came in
2003–2006 Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana
1999–2006 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500
2000–2006 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
So if it's the tranny you're looking for? That's the only applications it was put in?
Hope that helped. The way you worded that is confusing.