1987 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 Shortbed Truck
1987 Chevrolet C/K Pickup 1500 Silverado Description
This is a great example of the last of the square-body Chevys. The truck is solid. That being said, it is an older truck. It has a newer engine (performance crate 350 was installed before I bought it in 2011). Below is the "good and bad" on the truck, as far as I know. If after reviewing this information you still have any questions, let me know and I'll do my best to answer. This'll make someone a great truck, but I want to provide all the information so you can see this is a great deal on a solid truck.
The Good:
- Truck is solid, frame is straight (never wrecked) and the sheet metal is in great shape aside from the few areas noted below.
- Great engine. The crate engine was installed before I bought it, but it was done right. It's an upgraded 350 performance crate engine. I don't have the specs, but I know from the work I've done on it that it has roller rockers and other upgraded internals in it. The engine is strong!
- Exhaust. I installed a set of Flowtech truck headers and Flowmaster exhaust in 2013.
- Great Tires and Wheels. I replaced the tires and wheels when I put the lift kit on it (3" Zone Offroad). The Tires are Toyo R/T with less that 3,000 miles on them. They are quiet and grippy. Wheels - alloy five spokes.
- Premium bumpers. I installed new Iron Cross bumpers on the front and back of the truck (about $1,200 each) which drastically changed the look of the truck. I also installed LED fog lights and LED pods as reverse lights, when I installed the bumpers. The fog lights are Iron Cross and the reverse pods are Rigid Industries.
- Warn Winch. I also installed a new Warn Zeon 10S (10,000 lb. with Synthetic Rope) winch in the front bumper. It is in perfect working order. I wired it so you can't access the control plug without getting under the hood (the plug is mounted on the inner fender well inside the engine compartment). Love the synthetic rope.
- New radio head unit. I installed a newer Sony head unit to give me bluetooth connectivity and hands-free calling. It pairs with your phone and has an installed microphone that is mounted on the driver's sunvisor.
- CB radio. I installed a new Cobra 29 LTD Classic CB radio and Wilson Trucker antenna. Works perfectly.
- Painted. I had the truck painted in 2012. It's the Jeep color "Rescue Green." The truck looks great, and unique in this color. Paint is in decent shape, except for the points mentioned below.
- Tinted windows. Had the windows and rear glass tinted in 2013 (Tennessee legal).
- Spray-in Bedliner. Installed a Scorpion spray-in bedliner in 2012 when it was painted. Has held up really well.
- Toolbox. Installed an aluminum toolbox in the bed in 2013.
- Brakes - good strong brakes. I just replaced the master cylinder and booster last year.
- Title is clear and there are no leans on the truck.
The Bad:
- The trucks original rear-end is geared a little too high (3.08:1) for the larger 35" tires. The engine is plenty strong enough for these tires, but the gearing makes the transmission work a little harder than it should. If this is going to be a daily driver, I'd recommend a gear swap.
- Engine - The only issue with the engine is heat. This is a performance engine and on hot days it builds a lot of heat. Has never been an issue with the engine cooling system, that works fine. However, it can boil the fuel in the carb (vapor lock). On hot days the headers are close enough to the fuel line to heat them up and vaporize the fuel. This kills the engine until the lines cool off. It's an easy fix if you install an electric fuel pump (it currently just has the factory mechanical fuel pump), but I haven't fixed that yet. Like I said, it's not a danger it's just something to watch on hot days (above 80).
- Exhaust - the finish on the ceramic headers has faded (normal) and the driver's side Flowmaster has a hole in it, needs to be fixed/replaced.
- Electrical - The high beams don't work for some reason. I think it's an issue in the control stalk on the column because the wipers only work in normal (no intermittent or fast). Could probably be fixed pretty easily with a new control stalk. There is also a blown bulb in the driver's side taillight currently, so the signal and brake light don't work.
- Body - The truck is in great shape for it's age. No dings or dents or warped panels. The only issue is there is some rust in the cab corners and there is a hole in the inner fender well on the drivers side from rust--I've provided photos to show these areas. There is also flaking paint and clear coat on some areas of the hood and roof, rest of the paint is in good shape.
- Interior - dash has a few cracks in it and the bench has a tear on the driver's side, but I've installed a horse blanket style cover.
That's all I know about the truck. It's a great truck, and the biggest issue I've had with it is I can't make a quick fuel stop because there's always someone that wants to look at it, take photos and ask a bunch of questions...and this truck does make a LOT of fuel stops!!
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