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View Full Version : What do you know about 90s Chevy Dually trucks?



beaverretriever
08-30-2006, 08:55 PM
Im looking at getting a second tow vehicle. Every since I was a little kid I have always had this thing about lowered dually pickup trucks. I always thought they were cool looking but I really never had any use for one. Now that we are constantly towing a boat I would like to have one as a second tow vehicle.
My wife thinks they look a little Vato, but I dont care. She doesnt have to drive it...LOL :crossx: :yuk:
I think a Chevy or GMC will be the way to go. I want a 90-2000 model. This truck will probably only get about 5k a yr on it, so gas mileage is not a concern. This will just be to get me to work once in a while or tow the boat 15min to Mead or even the occasional 2hr trip to Havasu.
What yrs are the best?
Is a 100,000 miles too much on the 454 most of the 3500s come with?
What should I look for when purchasing a dually?
If you own one, post a pic.
Thanks in advance for all your help. :)
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2005/12/15/179/895/1831524.179895709.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.563x421.jpg

djunkie
08-30-2006, 08:58 PM
I'd try to get one with a Vortec 454. Some of the older throttle body 454's were pigs.

beaverretriever
08-30-2006, 09:00 PM
I'd try to get one with a Vortec 454. Some of the older throttle body 454's were pigs.
What yr did the Vortec 454 come out?

YeLLowBoaT
08-30-2006, 09:02 PM
Also 90s gm pick ups have a real prob with thier fuel pumps. So if it still has the factory( or a factory replacement) expect it to go out at any time.

djunkie
08-30-2006, 09:06 PM
What yr did the Vortec 454 come out?
Thats a good question. I think the half tons had Vortecs starting in 1995 or 1996 but I'm not sure. I'd imagine the 3/4 and 1 ton were around there also.

BajaMike
08-30-2006, 09:12 PM
Chevy trucks go forever.... :idea:
I sold my 1/2 ton, short bed, 1988 Chevy, with 280,000 miles six months ago. Still ran like it did new. Replaced the tranny at 90,000 miles, replaced the fuel pump (the one in the tank) at 250,000 miles, other then that, never did anything but brakes and lube/oil.
The engine ran just like new, with over 280,000 miles.
My buddy who bought it, loves it, and has never had one problem.
:rollside:

Sotally Tober
08-30-2006, 09:16 PM
I had a 89' dually with the throttle body 454. Got 7-8 mpg empty. Definatly a pig. Had numerous little problems. The last chevy I owned. Don't mean to start a brand war. Pulled OK as long as it wasn't heavy. Nothing compares to the newer diesels for power. I too like the look of a lowered dually. I just need 4wd in the NW. I had an extracab and would only buy a crewcab. Good luck!

beaverretriever
08-30-2006, 09:18 PM
Chevy trucks go forever.... :idea:
I sold my 1/2 ton, short bed, 1988 Chevy, with 280,000 miles six months ago. Still ran like it did new. Replaced the tranny at 90,000 miles, replaced the fuel pump (the one in the tank) at 250,000 miles, other then that, never did anything but brakes and lube/oil.
The engine ran just like new, with over 280,000 miles.
My buddy who bought it, loves it, and has never had one problem.
:rollside:
Awesome to hear. Im assuming you had the 350?

beaverretriever
08-30-2006, 09:20 PM
I had a 89' dually with the throttle body 454. Got 7-8 mpg empty. Definatly a pig. Had numerous little problems. The last chevy I owned. Don't mean to start a brand war. Pulled OK as long as it wasn't heavy. Nothing compares to the newer diesels for power. I too like the look of a lowered dually. I just need 4wd in the NW. I had an extracab and would only buy a crewcab. Good luck!
I have been looking at some Diesels as well. Ford and Chevys. Not sure what I want to do yet. Honestly 7-9 is not that bad. Is that towing? My buddies 02 Dodge 5.9 gets about 3-5 when towing my boat...LOL. :220v:

BajaMike
08-30-2006, 09:21 PM
Awesome to hear. Im assuming you had the 350?
Yea...the 350, goes on and on and on....and goes fast in a little short bed reg cab! Pulled my boat fine too until I got my 2500 HD.
:rollside:
But the old 454 was a great engine too....I used to be in the ambulance business, and had a about 20 1 ton Chevy chassis modular ambulances with the 454. They ran good and ran forever. And those rigs had a huge load on them.
:idea:

Beer-30
08-30-2006, 09:22 PM
Mine is still going strong. 77,000. Headers, K&N intake, MSD wires, dual 3" exh with Flowmasters. Bell 5/7 drop with airbags/compressor on rear. Been on Mobil-1 synthetic since birth. Sounds like it is going to take an A/C compressor here soon. Rattling and noisy. Haven't done a fuel pump yet. Considering doing it as preventative.
Vortec 7400s were '96-on. Will be selling mine probably this time next year. Waiting for the new body styles, and may be doing one for SEMA.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2433cropped.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2433frontcrop.jpg

C-2
08-30-2006, 09:23 PM
We had a 1990 Sixpack with a 454....we only drove it to the river and back. Big meats on it, polished Alcoa's, paint matched Snug-Top.
Out of the blue, the thing started overheating whenever we put the boat behind it.
We tried everything to fix it - custom oversize radiator, dual oil coolers, tranny coolers, went thru the motor etc. No matter what we did, the thing wanted to catch fire when the boat was behind it.
Sold it in 96 with 24K original miles.
Damn I miss that truck, I don't know what the hell we were thinking when we sold it http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1132crazy.gif http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1132smashfreak.gif http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1132crazy.gif http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1132smashfreak.gif
.
.
.

Sotally Tober
08-30-2006, 09:24 PM
I have been looking at some Diesels as well. Ford and Chevys. Not sure what I want to do yet. Honestly 7-9 is not that bad. Is that towing? My buddies 02 Dodge 5.9 gets about 3-5 when towing my boat...LOL. :220v:
I have PSD Dually and get 11 mpg towing a 12k+ trailer at 75mpg. 7-8 in the 454 was with no trailer. My Ford is 10 years newer. If you could swing it I would find a diesel. You should get 3 times the life out of the engine.

BajaMike
08-30-2006, 09:26 PM
I have been looking at some Diesels as well. Ford and Chevys. Not sure what I want to do yet. Honestly 7-9 is not that bad. Is that towing? My buddies 02 Dodge 5.9 gets about 3-5 when towing my boat...LOL. :220v:
I think the older diesels are trouble...the new ones are great, but if were to buy an older dually, I would get the 454.... :idea:

Sotally Tober
08-30-2006, 09:28 PM
I think the older diesels are trouble...the new ones are great, but if were to buy an older dually, I would get the 454.... :idea:
Agree.......What year did the Duramax come out?

havasu5150
08-30-2006, 09:31 PM
I have a 94 with 108K on it. Still runs strong and can pull a load. Used to tow a 30" tow hauler maxed out at about 13,000lbs no prob. However, one thing I have noticed with this truck and my old 89 1 ton, is they fall flat on their face on a grade when pulling a load. Averaged 8-10 mph when towing......or not.
My next truck will be a Ford PSD.

beaverretriever
08-30-2006, 09:35 PM
Mine is still going strong. 77,000. Headers, K&N intake, MSD wires, dual 3" exh with Flowmasters. Bell 5/7 drop with airbags/compressor on rear. Been on Mobil-1 synthetic since birth. Sounds like it is going to take an A/C compressor here soon. Rattling and noisy. Haven't done a fuel pump yet. Considering doing it as preventative.
Vortec 7400s were '96-on. Will be selling mine probably this time next year. Waiting for the new body styles, and may be doing one for SEMA.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2433cropped.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/2433frontcrop.jpg
I love your truck. I have seen it on here before in your sig. What yr is it?
Just wondering? What do you think you would ask for your truck?
I found a 98 with only 58k on it for 9500.00. Does that sound like a good deal? It actually looks exactly like yours but it is not lowered.
Thanks again for all the replies.

BajaMike
08-30-2006, 09:42 PM
If I were you, I would also consider a 2500 HD crew cab, 2001 or newer, with the 6.0 gas engine and 4.10 rear end.
It's not a dually, but if you're not towing something huge, the dually is just a lot of extra weight and tires.
I average about 11 mpg, and just towed my boat to Havasu and got 10 mpg, and hardley new the boat was back there.
Good luck!!
See pic.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=17190
Also, it's a great, confortable, everyday driver....I love to drive it every day, and only take my BMW 528 out of my garage on weekends when I have a date.
:idea:
:rollside:

Beer-30
08-31-2006, 08:11 AM
I love your truck. I have seen it on here before in your sig. What yr is it?
Just wondering? What do you think you would ask for your truck?
I found a 98 with only 58k on it for 9500.00. Does that sound like a good deal? It actually looks exactly like yours but it is not lowered.
Thanks again for all the replies.
It's a '98.
Prolly around $13,000. Full stereo, just did brakes front and rear with new rotors. Torco synthetic in the rear. New lenses all around. Just rebuilt the front end, GM bushings and ball-joints. New windshield. It's tip-top.
I haven't checked Kelly Book. I may be way off. That just seems a reasonable price.

sleekcraft78
08-31-2006, 08:21 AM
D-Max came out in 01. If you don't plan on driving it much and don't care about the mileage then go for the big block. At least you can still work on them. It ait worth spending 25k on a nice D-Max if it's only going to be driven 5k miles a year.
Lowerwed duellies look sick

Froggystyle
08-31-2006, 08:27 AM
If you are interested, I am going to be selling my 'bagged 2500HD here shortly when the new vehicle arrives...
02 Duramax with all the bells and whistles. SEMA show car 2003 and 2004.

Wizard29
08-31-2006, 08:30 AM
I have a black '93 crew cab with the 454 that is lowered 6/8 with bags and a compressor for the rear. The front grille has been updated to the later years.
Seems to get about 10MPG when you drive it 65-70 on the freeway. Tows the Wizard decently up Baker grade on the 15 on the way to Lake Mojave. Does 55-60 if you get a run at it and maintain your speed. 147,000 miles and still going strong...

gramps
08-31-2006, 08:52 AM
I had a 95 one ton dually with the TB 454. I did the complete Banks deal on it and really woke up the motor. We had a 12 foot camper on it and towed the boat behind it with no problem. Should have never sold it.

Big Kahunaa
08-31-2006, 08:56 AM
i have a 95 ford dually with a 460 in it with 324,000 milles never been rebuilt the only problem it has right now is the rear main seal is is leaking i have had to do fuel, pumps and a water pump and a flex plate but that was all after 300,000 milles the last trip i towed it was getting 10 mpg with my toyota 4x4 on a uhaul auto trasport (hevy trailer) going to sedona (big hills) we were running 75 on the flats and 65 up the hills great truck will never get rid of it

RitcheyRch
08-31-2006, 08:57 AM
Love them old duallies. Have thought about getting one myself for the long trips to the river when have more than a few people with me. My Tundra works good when is just the gf.

RitcheyRch
08-31-2006, 09:38 AM
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/201246867.html

GRUNION
08-31-2006, 10:02 AM
http://www.grunionfabrication.com/features/ssm6-05/images/ssm6-05-8.jpg
I love mine
http://www.grunionfabrication.com/features/ssm6-05/index.html

BajaMike
08-31-2006, 10:05 AM
I love your truck. I have seen it on here before in your sig. What yr is it?
Just wondering? What do you think you would ask for your truck?
I found a 98 with only 58k on it for 9500.00. Does that sound like a good deal? It actually looks exactly like yours but it is not lowered.
Thanks again for all the replies.
That sounds like a good deal, if it really only has 58k miles. I think the dealer could help verify the miles. It's rare to find a low milege truck in So Cal. :idea:

HavasuDreamin'
08-31-2006, 11:19 AM
Grunion....that truck is insane. Bad a**.

GRUNION
08-31-2006, 12:10 PM
thanks

beaverretriever
08-31-2006, 01:07 PM
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/201246867.html
Wow, thats a good deal.

beaverretriever
08-31-2006, 01:09 PM
i have a 95 ford dually with a 460 in it with 324,000 milles never been rebuilt the only problem it has right now is the rear main seal is is leaking i have had to do fuel, pumps and a water pump and a flex plate but that was all after 300,000 milles the last trip i towed it was getting 10 mpg with my toyota 4x4 on a uhaul auto trasport (hevy trailer) going to sedona (big hills) we were running 75 on the flats and 65 up the hills great truck will never get rid of it
That doesnt suprise me. My father had an 87 with the 460 in it. 200k+ miles and never had a valve cover off. It was one of the best vehicles he has ever owned.

dimarcobros
08-31-2006, 02:34 PM
If you are interested, I am going to be selling my 'bagged 2500HD here shortly when the new vehicle arrives...
02 Duramax with all the bells and whistles. SEMA show car 2003 and 2004.
Got any pics?

GRUNION
08-31-2006, 03:10 PM
http://www.grunionfabrication.com/features/grinder2-05/images/grinder2-05-4th.jpg

Froggystyle
08-31-2006, 03:55 PM
Got any pics?
Here are a couple... The logos are all gone, but the graphic is still on there...
2002 Duramax 2500HD LT package. 22" KMC Backseats, big stereo with 2 12"s, Phoenix Gold and Kenwood with Nav and dash screens... Edge Juicebox and Attitude, K&N, Bassani, Air Ride Intelliride system, four link rear, the whole shootin match basically...
http://www.highperformancecars.com/froggystyle/desert_small.jpg
http://www.tridentboats.com/trident_boats_gallery/d/183-2/Yet+another+view.JPG
http://www.tridentboats.com/trident_boats_gallery/d/2139-2/Water+Test+8-28+001.JPG