1994 GMC Sanoma

[shamalex72]

I am thinking about buying this truck and just wondering if anybody has/had one and what are the pros/cons. Its a 4wd club cab with a 4.3 vortec. What kind of gas milage can I expect. It has 171,000 miles and it looks to be well taken care of. Any info would be appreciated.

[gunflint]

How much? 171,000 is a lot of miles on that little truck.

[shamalex72]

He wants 3400 and he's throwing in a matching topper.

[gunflint]

I'm no expert on that particular truck, I have bought at least a dozen used 4x4s. My opinion is that he's asking about a grand too much. With that kind of milage I would be worrying about just about everything, like exhaust, brakes, diferential, suspension, engine, etc. And if he's done any kind of towing with it, forget it. I don't want to burst your bubble but I think the book on that is probably about $2500. If you really want the truck offer him that and see if he bites. Just my opinion.

[Fisher Dave]

I know the 4.3's are excellent motors, but 171,000 miles greatly depends on the driving habits of the previous owner(s). If its all highway miles the truck likely has some life left. If it has some considerable time offroad, pulling loads, hauling.. thats an entirely new world...

This is coming from a guy with 250,000 miles on a 4x4 with the 5.7 .. it is still going very strong, but there are nickels and dimes that get thrown in here and there... Heater core here, muffler there, brakes, shocks... and just about anything else that wears out for the 2nd or 3rd time around 200,000.

Check with a transmission shop and see how dependable the tranny is in that vehicle(year specific)... if it has the 700R4 transmission they are usually only good for 80-90K per tranny... I know this from experience.. I think theres a self destruct gizzmo in there.. 170,000 would have you near the end of the 2nd tranny if it has that run of poor tranny's.

I would definitly offor a bot less money, even if you have to wait a bit for the guy to take the offer.. $1000 is what its going to cost for the next tranny.

[Dan Thiem]

Here's my take on it.

The 4.3 engine code "W" has a c.p.i. injector. Retails for around 400 bucks. Very common problem. Also torsion bar mounts and that oh so famous MD8 a.k.a. 700R4 transmission.

If it was ever pulling anything in overdrive it's not to long from needing some lovin. I think that's too much money also.

Good Luck! Sounds like you like this vehicle. Any maintenece records to go along with it?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Don't forget all the problems with the EGR system, intake gaskets, fuel pumps, ball joints, axle seals, idler/pitman arms, and pulse modules!

[Dan Thiem]

Airjer, You are so right. How could I possibly forget that stuff? Especially those ear drum wrecking ball joints.

You seem to know your stuff from what I've seen on your previous posts.

[Jeremy airjer W]