1988 GM Chevy K3500 1 Ton Silverado 4x4 454 Big Block TH400 Dana 70 8' bed

1988 Chevrolet C/K Pickup 3500 Silverado

Technical specifications of Chevrolet C/K Pickup 3500 1988

Price: -
Condition: Used
Item location: Canfield, Ohio, United States
Make: Chevrolet
Model: C/K Pickup 3500
SubModel: Standard Cab with 8 ft bed
Type: Standard Cab Pickup
Trim: Silverado
Year: 1988
Mileage: 173823
VIN: 1GCGK34N5JE158371
Color: Burgundy
Engine size: 454 / 7.4L Big Block
Number of cylinders: 8
Power options: Power Locks, Power Windows
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic
Drive type: 4WD
Interior color: Burgundy
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Options: 4-Wheel Drive
Vehicle Title: Clean
You are interested? Contact the seller!

Car description

Rust Free 1988 Chevy K3500 4x4 (only surface rust on frame) - Sheetmetal, doors, bed, rockers, corners, etc are EXCELLENT!

According to carfax this truck was originally from California and brought east about 5-1/2 years ago.
While the truck mileage is high at 173,823 there was a tag on the engine block indicating it is a rebuilt engine, so while the exact engine miles are unknown, no doubt they are considerably less than the truck miles. I popped the tag off so I could save it rather than it potentially falling off at some point, I attached a photo in the listing, maybe it can be decoded to determine date. I saw a Transgo brand gasket in the transmission when changing pan gasket indicating the transmission may have been rebuilt as well.

I bought this truck in fall of 2015 to plow snow and to haul dirt and gravel. Before I ever drove it in the winter I fluid filmed underneath the entire truck to prevent rust. I did up under the bed and rear wheelwells, inside the doors (I took interior panels off to get in there), inside the rocker panels (I drilled holes on the backside to treat the inside then plugged the holes) and inside tailgate. The doors, rockers, cab corners, rear wheel wells, all rear bed areas are in excellent shape! There is only some surface rust on the frame where some spray paint has flaked off. The clearcoat is peeling in spots on the exterior paint, the roof has no clear coat left and most of the hood clear coat is gone. The only strange thing about the sheetmetal is on the hood. It looks like some kind of repair to the hood was done at some point of time, right in the middle towards the front, you can see it in one of the photos and there is a spot on the driverside fender that somebody touched up.

I have put less than 2500 miles on the truck in 5 years and only plowed for friends and family, less than 50 times total for sure. Always garage kept. It was never driven much in the winter other than the occasional snowplow and never used for any kind of commercial plowing or hauling. I am selling the truck with the snow plow frame brackets and all wiring with modules installed on truck. However, the plow and handheld control is not included (photo of plow on truck is just to show how it looked). If you want to add a plow, with the brackets and wiring in place, this truck could be easily fitted with a Western Ultramount 2 System which is very simple to take on and off. The new retail value of the plow brackets, wiring and module I'm leaving on the truck is about $1000.

Upon buying the truck I did a lot of work to make sure the truck was updated mechanically for reliability and a few things needed attention. A list of work I've done and things I've upgraded/replaced, most of which I have paperwork/receipts for:
  • Goodyear LT245/75R16 Load range E tires that are like new! (tires have less than 2500 miles on them!) ~ great tires!
  • BECOOL brand radiator with integral transmission and engine oil coolers (premium high dollar USA radiator)
  • Flex-a-Lite auxilary cooling fan (made in USA) on manual toggle switch using factory relay
  • New water pump and thermostat and hoses (flushed block and heater core at this time)
  • Powermaster high-output alternator (made in USA)
  • front wheel hubs (made in USA)
  • Reman front brake calipers with made in USA Hawk brake pads (OE rotors machined, hoses replaced)
  • All steering linkage (all tie rod ends and idler arms) and steering stabilizer (Moog made in USA)
  • front axle housing seals
  • transmission filter and pan gasket
  • transmission to transfer case gasket
  • transfer case rear output seal
  • rear driveshaft ujoint
  • rebuilt throttle body with new gaskets and seals
  • changed inline fuel filter
  • power steering sector shaft seals changed
The windshield wiper motor was upgraded to the newer style (old style circuit board was prone to failure). It has an Optima Deep Cycle battery and K&N air filter. Power windows and power door locks work. When I replaced the radiator I left the OE coolers in place, so it has dual transmission coolers (in radiator and auxiliary) and the factory power steering cooler is still there. I did remove air conditioning condenser and some underhood AC components, but the compressor is still bolted to engine and I disconnected the air pump (a newer air pump is still bolted to the block). I also disconnected the cruise control.
4x4 works, shifts easy and smooth. The indicator light on the shifter comes on when the front axle is engaged. The front axle uses the original style heated element that moves the fork to engage the front axle. Works fine. I actually rarely used 4x4 as it plowed great in 2WD with those tires, but if on a grade or side-slope I did occasionally use 4x4.

Transmission shifts great and downshift passing gear works fine also. Rear diff is open, I do not know the ratio. Drum brake rear, parking brake works.

The spare tire under the bed is a used older style Goodyear MTR.

Has a trailer hitch (2" receiver), but does not have trailer wiring connection.

All the gauges work - speedometer, temperature and oil pressure, fuel level and volt meter. The odometer works (and verified with highway 1/10 mile markers on side of road), but the trip odometer does not work.

All the exterior lights work. All the interior lights work, gauge dash lights, under dash courtesy lights, dome light, glove box light. It has an aftermarket CD player I put in but I will keep that (radio not included)(I have the OE radio and cassette I can give or you can put an aftermarket radio in).

Heater and defrost work. I changed one or two of the blend door motors at some point.

A couple other things of note: The tailpipe needs replaced, the exhaust isn't louder than normal since the tailpipe is after the muffler, but tailpipe does have hole in it. There is a crack in the windshield (above driver's line of sight). The headliner is falling down in places. The truck can be a little finicky to start hot, I usually slightly press on gas pedal to open TBI butterfly and it starts. The door hinges are a little worn, I was going to replace them but never got around to it, the door will rattle a little on the bumpiest roads. It has a couple engine oil leaks, but no transmission/transfer case leaks, no axle leaks, no coolant leaks.

Owners manual, factory service manual and 1988 sales literature comes with the truck.

It is a nice truck to have around, looks great for the year, kind of hate to get rid of it. Drives and rides nice. I got a newer truck that serves multiple purposes so I don't need a dedicated plow or hauling truck now. Clean title in my name.

I have more photos and also videos of the truck running, me driving it, power windows working, lights on, etc. I can send those to you if interested.
$500 paypal deposit required within 24 hours upon winning the auction, full payment in 7 days. I will not set up and coordinate to ship it, but if you arrange to have it shipped I will meet the hauler and assist in that process the best i can.

Thank you for looking. Let me know if you would like any other information or have questions.

More classic cars for sale