Worth messing with?
 

Got a call about a 1990 4x4 flatbed for sale. 1 ton, 454, auto. Find out it is a light duty 1 ton (8600lb gross). Converted to dually with spacers. Has a tilt bed. 195k on the speedo, will not pass the smog nazi inspection. Couple of low compression cylinders. Needs interior work, pretty much trashed being a contractors truck. Trans was supposedly rebuilt about 2 years ago (T400). Engine partially apart, but not too far. I can get to my house for 600 including towing. I'm on the fence on this one............worth it? Thinking about maybe parting it

Re: Worth messing with?
 

If it's more than $400 - 500 I wouldn't bother.

Re: Worth messing with?
 

The big block is worth $600 by itself if you part it.

Re: Worth messing with?
 

Really a worn out TBI 454? whoda thunk

Re: Worth messing with?
 

It won't have good heads (less they were swapped) but the lower end is the same as older big blocks. I had 2 TBI454s that year range and ran awesome. Nothing special, but I'd get it. I want another one lol.

Re: Worth messing with?
 

Been thinking more about picking it up and parting it. Just have to find the time to disassemble and stash parts away

Re: Worth messing with?
 

At 8600 gvw, it’s probably a 3/4 ton

Re: Worth messing with?
 

Probably, or a light duty 1 ton----haven't looked at the vin yet. Frame didn't look very stout for a 1 ton

Re: Worth messing with?
 

Being a 90 it won't be an HD, they didn't come out till 91.

Re: Worth messing with?
 

6000-6200 gvw, 1/2 ton
7200 (f44 rpo) 1/2 ton
7200 light duty 3/4 ton
8500-8600 3/4 ton
9200+ 1 ton

The 3500hd trucks aren’t 1 ton. They are 15000 gvw.


Either way, it sounds like it may be worthwhile. In my opinion, the amount of rust would be a deciding factor.

Re: Worth messing with?
 

We're in Calif---what's rust?

Re: Worth messing with?
 

Just like there is a light and heavy gvw 3/4ton there is also a light and heavy duty 1ton in 88-98's.
For instance, a light 3/4ton uses the same brake caliper as a heavy 1/2. A light 1ton uses the same caliper as a heavy 3/4ton.

Re: Worth messing with?
 

A light 1 ton (3500) is a single rear wheel @ 9,200 GVW. The dual rear wheel 1 ton (3500) is 10,000 GVW. The 8,600 GVW is the 8-lug 3/4t (2500) and the 7,200 GVW is the 6-lug 3/4t (2500) with 14-bolt semi-floater. The 7,200 GVW 1/2t (1500) has the 14-bolt semi-floater.