Cons Of Owning 88-94 OBS Chevy GMT400 Trucks

Cons of owning OBS Chevys.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

[@CarGuyV8]

Here’s the link to the “Pros of owning 88-94 OBS trucks” video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ3OaXiBnr-lras

[@thatrebelboy48]

The factory radio is actually mounted under the dash in a bracket. The face that you actually interact with is just a controls panel. There is a company called RetroSound that makes an updated radio that looks similar to the factory control panel. This updated unit replaces the entire factory unit and control panel. You can go that route or you can get a radio delete cubby and a new center dash vent piece that houses a standard aftermarket single din radio. The best way to fix the door sag is to get the oversized bushings from Cunningham Machine and some factory door pins. The hood not popping correctly is just an alignment issue. To adjust this, screw the two rubber bumpers at the front corners of the hood away from the radiator support. The dashes are bad about cracking but LMC just came out with a full replacement dash for around $500 OR Coverlay has a dash cover that fits very well. You’re exactly right about GM fuel pumps. They’re known to go out but if you replace it, I highly recommend an ACDelco unit unless you’re okay changing them out every couple of years. I also recommend replacing the fuel pump relay under the plastic cover beside the coolant overflow tank on the firewall. These are known to get hot and start failing at around the same interval as the fuel pump.

[@CarGuyV8]

Thanks for the info!

[@scottrockett6382]

Appreciate this.

[@thatrebelboy48]

@@scottrockett6382 no problem at all. I will add to that, Cunningham machine actually makes the parts to completely rebuild the doors of these trucks. Bushings, pins, springs, roller pins, and stainless strikers!

[@Dethomoth]

Mom is giving me her 88, so I excited. Thing has been sitting in the barn for 20 years. There was zero issues but firing it up after so long gives me an idea what to expect

[@JacobGarcia-yc7pc]

1988~1998 OBS Trucks Are Great I Love My 94' shortbed.

[@sydnystone]

Everything u mentioned was on point got mine a couple weeks back she’s a keeper

[@josesanhernandez5709]

Thanks for sharing. Nice truck.

[@emeraldfox7175]

Got a 92 gmc,with a strong fast 350,I absolutely love it ,everybody wants to buy it I won't let it go.

[@flaco.vs.theworld7912]

I got a 92 gmc too, I’m currently working on it planning on putting a sbc 400

[@superdragon9293]

I got a 88 Silverado with the 350 TBI cold air intake and Flowmaster dual exhaust and boy i tell ya i do fine on horsepower.....My friend....and same here i aint selling jack.... i love my rig.

[@marcusc110]

Proud owner of a 1991 k1500 Chevy Cheyenne the dash is busted pretty bad but that 350 mated to that 5 speed manual is a awesome driver and I love the fact that if the rear wheels slip all I have to do is mash that clutch in and grab that little stick

[@Livemusic1800]

Love my 1990 chevy obs. I got it all black on black.

[@gerlandkent6377]

thank, you for you're video.🙏

[@CarGuyV8]

Thanks for watching!

[@gerlandkent6377]

I got a 1989, GMC SLE 1500 4x4 short bed TRK 350 vortec 6- lug wheel bolt pattren. black in color.🙏😊

[@Shadetree_Mechanic]

I would take that to Maaco and get a black paint job... make it a 454 clone and you will get at least 5k for that.... the fact that its factory manual is huge too

[@207atvs9]

I love this truck

[@CarGuyV8]

Thanks! So do I

[@drennonkeller7262]

O.b.s. trucks do not look like the average dull vehicle , they are eye candy, with or without a nice paint job , do not put it down

[@sydnystone]

🎯

[@wikidcustomsgarage]

Looking at the dash, if you are woried about the cracking. There are 2 companies that make color matched covers, that i would recomend. 1 Coverlay 2 Dashskin Amazing quality!

[@the1andonly]

I just bought a not running 1989 C1500 with the 305. It has a dual fuel system, using either gasoline or propane. The engine is super clean, but propane system is missing the tank. Will be working to get it back on the road. Your video helps me when it comes to knowing what to expect. Yes, my driver side door needs to be rehung 😆

[@CarGuyV8]

Glad I could help!

[@smokeitloudbanks]

I have a 98 single cab really good trucks

[@konstanttution7319]

I've owned at least 8 of these years. My current 92 v6 swb2wdc1500 manual transmission whose motor was seized and had set for years and years when I bought it...gets 21-23 mph. All we did was soak plug holes in granny fluid and drag it around and broke motor loose. Only thing I've done as far as the motor is oil change rusty rusty water in radiator took a long time to get clean but never overheated. Adjusted timing fwd just a hair. Plugs wires cap rotor upper radiator hose the coil and distributor thing down behind it I think it's called electronic ignition sensor or something I believe that's all. Air filter off valve just the usual tune up stuff. Oh and the water pump but this was over the span of 2 years and I have been diving it The whole time I've pit like 50 grand or more miles on it. Plenty of power not like a 350 but it has pretty good top end power and can handle high rpms. (The underneath drivetraun is a different story I've replaced most everything.) About 5 years ago I had an extended cab with a 350 and I got close to 20 highway mpg on that one too. But you go putting a carburetor and you're not going to be able to afford to drive the sob. It would take it down to 10 if your lucky and an automatic wouldn't even get that. I think it would probably wear your engine out faster too. I never understood peoe wanting to do that. This one seems to still be going strong. You can hear the lifters a litrle till oil pressure is up and a little oil leaks past the valve seats so when it sits and I start it a big puff of smoke comes out but thats all. I put maybe a quart every 3 weeks to a month and thats with the other little oil leaks like the manifold leaking some too. I wouldn't sell it for anything. I love these trucks I can do almost everything myslelf and dont have to depend on a man or pay a mechanic who which 85% of them are crook and 90% of the time a man will brake 3 things fixing 1 and have a handful of nuts and bolts left over that they throw in a bucket and never and call it good. It takes me alot longer but I am careful and thorough and I know I do it right, if not at least I know what was done so I can go back diagnose and fix. I'm still scared of rear end and drum brakes id like to put disc on but prioritys first.

[@dab-pre-ss-ionaustin1986]

Rear ends easy just did mine on my 97 i just cleaned around drain plugs took a drain pump n hose and ran hose down drain plug till i could feel it hit the bottom then i sucked out all the old fluid and pumped in new fluid since my gaskets werent leaking i wasnt worried about the gasket so i just drained n refilled so far havent had any problems and been running it for quite awhile now.

[@loganmckinney1285]

I have 2 gmt400s, my first being a 90 heavy half and my current 89 k2500, couldn't be happier with a truck honestly, my 90 has 400k on the original 350/700r4 and doesn't skip a beat its a retired brush truck, my 89 is my baby, 181k 350/4l80e and it feels bulletproof, runs so smooth you can't even feel it run, body is damn near perfect besides a little oh no from previous owner, I personally don't have complaints about the tbi since I've never had issues with them, but they do like oem quality parts, 4.10s in it gives it that neck breaking feel everytime I take off, they look good sound good I think gm did it near perfect with these

[@jomama3533]

I have a 98 that was ordered as a heavy half. 14 bolt rear loves the burnouts it’s a posi party hahahahah

[@gerlandkent6377]

nice looking trk

[@PEDR0SKI]

Open your hood, power wash the hood release mechanism and then some lube spray. Fixed my hood not popping open issue

[@JorgeOrtiz-gr3zc]

I have exact the same truck but mine is 1991 same primer blue interior nothing broken nothing missing only has 055xxx thousand miles no rust it’s a 305 Cheyenne step side put some 15x10 wheels cowl hood roll pan and people is like damn that’s a nice truck lol bought it for $4500 all it needs is pain job maybe at the end of this year

[@johnperez93640]

I drive my 89 everyday. Resembles EVH's truck. Same color, same look.

[@detroithammer8869]

cons or quirks, like mole on cindy crawford ,fine.Love My 92 350 tbi 5 sp, just fun to drive.

[@chrismooney5737]

Looks just like my old truck but it was a 88

[@misterpimlott6330]

Mines the same as this other than the radio placement, but fash isn't cracked and runs like new got it for 500, and I drove a toyota so for me to say it drives new is a lot

[@alanm3079]

Got a 97 chevy 350 vortec great truck

[@dab-pre-ss-ionaustin1986]

Same here got 270k still going strong

[@yourown0072]

Is that with 255 hp instead of 200 on previous gen?

[@melindaortiz9741]

W/T 🤟

[@melindaortiz9741]

💯

[@ek6648]

In America its normal to see such pick ups, but here in The Netherlands, I almost never see one (besides mine) I drive it just for casual, not a work truck only I have a 97 C1500 ext stepside. So its a bit different then this

[@CarGuyV8]

Does it get a lot of attention over there?

[@bannoch]

7:05 man that dash is brand new compared to mine, I think like 80% of mine is gone

[@jimmyboe25]

Which year do all the interior door handles fall off. Need to find better handles

[@eligarcia215]

I own three of these. The only con is the fact I don’t own more.

[@jester4083]

my 98 gmt 400 here on my prp

[@cognitivedissonance7362]

I just got a 1990 sport already oil leak getting it dropped off at the shop asap

[@k.lamareyev4418]

Can't beat a v8 for $1500

[@codyberg91]

That's how much there supposed to be

[@michaelthreatt24]

Where did u get the orange covers over your inside door latch

[@CarGuyV8]

They were on it when I bought it

[@austin2589]

I bought the same truck just with an 8 foot bed it sat for 3 years but ran before it was parked the clutch linkage is either busted or not connected anymore and it’s got 140k on it was wondering if you think it would run again and what would be good upgrades for a daily. Thx

[@CarGuyV8]

I think it will absolutely run. Basically you’ll want to prelube the engine, spray flogging oil down cylinders, new oil+filter, new fuel filter, and you’ll want fresh fuel. 3 year old fuel probably won’t even start it. If it doesn’t have much fuel you might could add a few gallons of 93 and try to burn it off. That’d keep you from having to pull the tank. I’ve actually got a couple videos of an 85 c10 longbed I picked up that hadn’t ran for 10 years. You’re welcome to check them out if you want to get an idea of what to do. The video links are below if you wanted to check them out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmOpknaLhst-mqs kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-bZ2x_mZWbiNk

[@benallan5477]

great truck are they 15x10 front and rear and what is the back space\off set thanks

[@CarGuyV8]

15x10 us wheel 26. Not sure the back space or offset

[@yourown0072]

Whats the engine difference in 350 from before and after 1995?

[@CarGuyV8]

The pre ‘95 350s had TBI setups and TBI 193 heads. They made around 200 hp and 300 ft lbs depending on the year. ‘96+ 350s had spider injection and 906 or 062 Vortec heads. They made 255 hp and 330 ft lbs of torque. Most people hate on the TBI 350 but I actually like them a lot.

[@eastxbbqman]

Can you tell us more on the wheels?

[@CarGuyV8]

US Wheel 26 15x10. 275/60 and 255/60 tires

[@tcwest83]

What are your plans for this truck? Iv got a 94 that Iv redone

[@CarGuyV8]

My current plans are to pull a junkyard vortec 350, throw it in with a mild cam, and then put some longtubes on it. We’ll see if I get that far this winter.

[@burninggraphite]

I've had a 92, 93, and a 98. Now tell me why the 98 was my least favorite?

[@CarGuyV8]

The newer interior?

[@sonicboom2723]

The vortec motor

[@Mudbash-TV]

Hello! I never really understood why people call these chevys GMT400 could you explain more about that??

[@CarGuyV8]

It was the factory designation for these trucks. They called the generation after these “GMT800” trucks.

[@ltwig476]

GM Truck 400 series from 88 to 2002. The story goes that owners loved the old square body, so they just rounded off the corners a bit to give a new stylish look and it sold very well. My 93 has the single headlights and grille like this one. I like it better because it fits with old style trucks. I had one with the so called durable all black grille on my 5spd WT back in the day. Was a great truck that was still going at 250,000 miles when I sold it. This one has 88,000 miles with zero rust. I ordered all new front end parts and I'm replacing all brake lines in two weeks. My hi-way cruiser is a 2022 Forester Touring. My Sunday driver is a go fast 1972 F100 XLT short-bed with Crown Vic front end swap. 390, performer intake, long tubes, 3" exhaust, Hei, ported heads. 8.8 lockout Explorer rear end. 8 miles per gallon. I use my GMT400 for local runs to the store and around the property. Life is great!

[@konstanttution7319]

Problems with these trucks are well they have several. The 4L60E 4L80E and 700R4 suck Royally. They're really expensive and last 100,000 maybe a little more if you're lucky. It's not just the bushings and roller pin in these doors that usually won't fix them and you still have to lift up to shut them and that doesnt even make it to 100grand before they mess up, the hinges start to bend and I've found that lifting the door wit a jack doesn't fix it because it's the welded on door side hinge and it's the top plates that have warped up. Sometime I'm going to try to heat them with a torch and pound them back down I think it's the only possibility besodes maybe cutting off and welding a quarter inch lower maybe. The drivers side brake lights have problems its the circuit board. Don't buy from oreillys AutoZone or advanced there's one called discount auto where I live none of them last but a few weeks I got one at a small chain called anders and it's lasted 6 months. Napa is probably good too but they're overpriced I think also. I haven't tried carquest. The wiring gets brittle and brakes. Grounds go bad in fact I've added alot of extra grounds on mine. Fuel pumps but I've not had to replace this one yet knock on wood, the dashes crack to pieces especially in hot climates I live in texas. They don't just crack they brake apart to bits. The headlight switches are a common thing, and the plugs wear out pretty bad and it doesn't seem to work too long or at all just bending them to fit tighter, the inside cab fan bearings seem to be pretty common and the ACs go out but they never worked that great anyway even in a new one and often cause overheating issues. I've had some rear ends go out. But that's all really as far as common issues and the motors go for ever wheather they're taken care of or not it seems like. I've never known anyone to spin any bearings in these 88-95. Now the 99 1/2 -2007 have an issue with a little ring on the oil pump I believe is what causes it and it doesn't matter how much you service it they blow the engines quite a bit it's very common but they got the transmission right in 2003 at least. My generation chevy is the best I think but a close second is the vortec in my opinion some problems with the plastic spider gear fuel delivery systems but now you can by that whole unit cheap it's not to big of an issue and then some electrical problems under the fuse box and the fuel pump that cause the fuel gauge to go crazy and not work other than that that one is a really good engine too with real good fuel mileage even in the automatics and lots of power. I haven't had any experience with the 2011 on up. Too much electrical stuff for me not my strong point. I'm thinking of replacing my v6 with a 350 when it eventually goes and I'm wondering how much worse gas mileage I would get and what else would need changed out. Mines a little single cab sab 2wd so its light. Anyone that has done it have any advice on the pros and cons? This is the first 4.3 v6 I've owned I always had 350s

[@CarGuyV8]

There’s a lot of good information here. Thanks for the comment!

[@dab-pre-ss-ionaustin1986]

No they didnt fix the problem in 03 ive had several 03 4l60e trabs even brand new had one go out at 30 k and they suck unless before 2000. I bought 2000 used threw a 98 torque converter in and it worked for about 200k before i sold my blazer i got a 97 c3500 with a 270k and trans is still original on it and going strong still. Been testing it to see how long itll last as i got a spare ready incase it goes but so far has been reliable even towed my full size van around the yard to work on it as i also got a ford van.

[@u.d.novthu2k204]

The 4L60e, 4L80e, and 700r4 (which is pretty much a non-electronic version of the 4L60e) are proven to be some of the best transmissions ever produced. Failures almost always are a result of either neglect or abuse. They are capable of reaching 300K+ miles and beyond. Heat is primarily what kills them. There are some other things that will naturally where them out faster too but heat is a contributing factor

[@savondavis4896]

What's the model transmission?

[@CarGuyV8]

It’s either a 5LM60 or a HM290. Both of those are basically a NV3500 just a little different.

[@ozellchisholm1095]

What size transmission is in a 1988

[@CarGuyV8]

700r4 or 5LM60/HM290/NV3500

[@rippinbiggin5886]

Are you willing to sell?

[@CarGuyV8]

No sorry.

[@bigblind4085]

Learned a long time ago Edelbrock is junk get that Holly baby

[@tre9563]

Power comes from ur cam