🚀 go-pugleaf

FS: 1977 1 TON GMC Suburban -- $1000 OBO

~~~

Rusty but trusty beast of a truck. Runs reliably, and over the last
several years that my sister had it prior to my getting it (I've had it
about a year & a half), it's never left us stranded. It drives great on
the freeway. This is a true 1 ton Suburban with the heavy towing package
- there aren't many of these around. Originally from California, so as
bad as the rust looks on the outside, the floors, firewall & inner wheel
wells are solid as a rock. I bought this truck for my sister when I
lived in California, and it's made more than one cross continental trip
without a problem. I just no longer have any use for this big a truck.
It's been replaced and my wife has been more than patient about having
it here, so out it goes.

Odometer says 34k, but my guess is that it's been turned over at least
once, maybe twice. Maybe more. It is a 454 after all. These things just
keep going forever from my experience as long as you keep change the oil
in them.

The good stuff:
454 4v engine, probably original.
T400 longtail tranny. This was professionally installed (new) in
California when I bought it around 1995.
A/C (works)
C/C (doesn't work)
Power steering & power disc brakes (rear drums).
Very decent interior, and real clean inside.
16.5" tires new last year - lots of miles left on these.
Brakes replaced last year (all the way around)
60/40 rear seat folds down just like it should.
Front bench seat - recovered.
Clear title and no back registration due (just paid up till 01/2004).

The so-so stuff.
All 8 cylinders have around 55# dry compression - a little low, but even
so it's in solid condition internally. Much better than having 7 up
around 150# & one at 90# (ask any mechanic or motorhead why). The motor
seems to be missing or running 'off' somehow. Since I'm selling it, I
have no interest in messing with it now. It's kind of cold blooded. It
will start & as long as you feather the accelerator, it'll keep running,
but in the first 2 or 3 minutes (when it's really cold), it'll stall if
you don't baby-sit it. Wen it's already been running, this is not an
issue, nor is it a  problem in warm weather. Sounds like a carb issue,
but I'm not an expert.
It has a cassette/AM/FM in it that works OK & gets good reception, but
it's a cheapy. Rear speakers are good, the ones in the front doors are
shot.

It uses a little oil. By 'a little' I mean that when I tow a 6000+
trailer at 70 mph, it'll need a quart of oil about every 500 miles. When
not towing a very heavy trailer & just driving it around town, I put
about a quart of oil in it every 1000 miles. It gets about 8 mpg whether
you're driving in it by yourself, or have it loaded to the roof & towing
a trailer. It doesn't matter, the engine is still strong enough that it
doesn't even act like there's even a trailer behind it, and mine's a BIG
one (24 ft). If you're looking for 25+ mpg, don't buy a Suburban anyway,
much less a 1 ton GMC.
The power steering leaks fluid. I have another pump to put in it, and it
goes with the truck.

The bad stuff:
Rust. Structurally solid, but ugly. I've seen much worse but the white
paint shows every bit of rust pretty bad.
The windshield has a crack in it and it's pretty long. It doesn't leak,
and it's been that way for a couple years. If you normally get a lot of
attention from the cops (speeding, DUI, driving with burned out lights,
etc.), I'd replace it. If you want this truck for a farm vehicle or a
winter beater, cabin truck, hunting vehicle, etc., I'd just ignore it.
The power steering pump leaks enough that you really should put in the
replacement that comes with it soon. I drive it this way because it's
already shot, I'm cheap and I'm selling the truck.

If you want to see it, it's in Fort Atkinson, WI (near Janesville &
Madison).
I work out of the home, so it's available for you to see it here almost
any time with an appointment.
I might be open to a partial trade for some of the money off the price,
but it has to be something I'm really interested in (and I don't need
another vehicle). Ask if you think that's an option.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,
 - Jeff Gross
Ft. Atkinson, WI
920-563-8335