1988 Chevy 2500 Series Truck Questions

[66stepside]

My in-laws are looking at buying a beater with a heater truck for the property they just purchased so they can have something to use year round- plowing, hauling, fence repair, brush clean up.

After searching local ads, a number of beaters popped up, an 88 Chevy stood out. A 2500 series long bed.

It's beat up and fugly. Aside from cosmetic things, Two of the windows are busted out- rear and one side window.

I've searched the net and couldn't find definitive answers for a few of my many questions; for the more those who know newer rigs here are a few of my questions:

1) The manual tranny in the truck will be the NV4500?

2) Driver's side drop transfer case for sure, right? Any idea on what model the stock xfer case should be?

3) The engine should be TBI, or fuel injection?

4) is the door window hard to replace, like the wagoner/j truck's window?

5) back window is "glued in", or gasket style?

I plan on taking my father in law along to see it, what should I look for regarding the quirks, and usual trouble spots?

[csuengr]

Transfer case should be drivers drop NP241.
It will be TBI, which is fuel injection.
The tranny should be the NV 4500, unless the engine is a 5.0, then I believe it would be the NV3500.
Window is easier to replace. There is no vent window to mess with.
Rear window will use a gasket.

Check for bad ball joints and control arm bushings on the front suspension. Also look at the front CV boots for tears, if it 4wd.

[66stepside]

Transfer case should be drivers drop NP241.
It will be TBI, which is fuel injection.
The tranny should be the NV 4500, unless the engine is a 5.0, then I believe it would be the NV3500.
Window is easier to replace. There is no vent window to mess with.
Rear window will use a gasket.

Check for bad ball joints and control arm bushings on the front suspension. Also look at the front CV boots for tears, if it 4wd.

It is a 4wd. This area, especially up north, and near the lakes, needs it.

Thanks for the tips! I don't know which version of the SBC it is, but I'll be running the vin code to get more info on it just so he knows what he's getting for the money.

My In-laws want one that runs, drives and stops without hassle, but can be fugly.

[Stuka]

All 2500 manuals had the NV4500. Thats the one with the deeper first gear that everybody wants.

The rear window depends if this is a "classic" or not. As they made both square bodies and the 90's body style for the 2500/3500's as I recall.

[66stepside]

All 2500 manuals had the NV4500. Thats the one with the deeper first gear that everybody wants.

The rear window depends if this is a "classic" or not. As they made both square bodies and the 90's body style for the 2500/3500's as I recall.

Good to know- some sites on the net say 3 different manual trannies for the year.

I'll call up the guy and see if he's open for a test drive tomorrow.

[csuengr]

All 2500 manuals had the NV4500. Thats the one with the deeper first gear that everybody wants.

The rear window depends if this is a "classic" or not. As they made both square bodies and the 90's body style for the 2500/3500's as I recall.

Good to know- some sites on the net say 3 different manual trannies for the year.

I'll call up the guy and see if he's open for a test drive tomorrow.

That's right. There were still some SM465's hanging around.

[66stepside]

All 2500 manuals had the NV4500. Thats the one with the deeper first gear that everybody wants.

The rear window depends if this is a "classic" or not. As they made both square bodies and the 90's body style for the 2500/3500's as I recall.

Good to know- some sites on the net say 3 different manual trannies for the year.

I'll call up the guy and see if he's open for a test drive tomorrow.

That's right. There were still some SM465's hanging around.

Novak kinda rags on the NV4500 in their details. It seems it is a toss up between the NV and SM trannies as far as their durability goes. Anyone have a personal opinion based upon experience?

[Kaiserman]

All 2500 manuals had the NV4500. Thats the one with the deeper first gear that everybody wants.

The rear window depends if this is a "classic" or not. As they made both square bodies and the 90's body style for the 2500/3500's as I recall.

Only square bodies past 88 are Blazer/Jimmy, Suburban and R/V2500/3500 crew cabs.

Would the 88+ 2500 have the NV4500 if it's one of the light duty 6 lug versions? Those things seem to pretty much be half ton spec trucks.