This burly 1989 Chevrolet K30 pickup checks a lot of boxes if you’ve been hunting for a full-size vintage pickup truck. First, there are the awesome graphics running down the side; then, there’s the 454 under the hood; it has a dually rear axle; and it’s a crew cab. It’s not easy to get all of those qualities in one package, so this Chevy pickup is likely somewhat unrepeatable. It’s obviously not bone-stock, either, with some upgraded tires and a four-inch suspension lift. The truck is listed here on eBay with an asking price of $28,500 and the option to submit a best offer.
The proportions of the dually body are slightly ridiculous when viewed from this perspective. The fenders are so wide! It always makes me think of a 930 Porsche with its flared rear hips; obviously, this isn’t an air-cooled Porsche, but there’s some similar schools of thought at play here. The lift kit and bigger tires are a take-it-or-leave-it affair, but I can see why the seller did it. These trucks look good no matter what you do with them, and the body certainly responds well to the oversized tires. And, in some ways, a lift kit is a must-do for any vintage truck, much like lowering a sports car is for two-door enthusiasts.
The seller claims the mileage of just over 103,000 is accurate, and the condition seemingly supports this claim. It’s not pristine but it’s not overly tired, either, with a clean maroon interior and corresponding carpets and door panels. There are definitely some details that can be cleaned up or otherwise improved, particularly the carpet area which slightly beat up. The seller reports that the air conditioning and heater both work, as do the power door locks and windows. The cabins on the four-door pickups were quite spacious even in the late 80s, and I can already see someone making this into a sweet towing rig with a camper trailer behind it and the wife and two kids spread out inside the truck.
The 454 doesn’t need much of an introduction; it’s a desirable motor with plenty of grunt to go around and the engine bay of this truck is nicely detailed to boot. While the interior looks like that of a 100K mile truck, the engine bay has the appearance of a much fresher vehicle. The seller doesn’t detail any significant recent maintenance but does confirm that the Chevy benefits from new shocks and a steering stabilizer as a result of the suspension lift kit. Overall, the truck looks pretty honest and the equipment list is spot-on, but I do wonder if there’s enough appetite out there to fork over $28,5000 for it. What do you think – have these well-equipped K30s approached that level of desirability?
30k? 8 gallons to the mile, tired interior and paint. More like 30k to me.
20k, damn fat fingers
Cant imagine how bad the fuel use is. For such a big truck, they are sure cramped inside. Pass.
While these days, naturally, everyones thoughts reflect on fuel usage,( $6 bucks/gal. by August) but let’s remember, someone looking for a vehicle like this, or more importantly, needs a vehicle like this, probably doesn’t care about the cost. They don’t haul teardrop trailers, it’s 30 foot gooseneck living rooms, with 4 ATVs behind that into the hills. Living in a tourist state, I see a marked reduction in those big units, compared to previous years. Thing is with this, people who have money, PROBABLY go right to the GMC dealer and get a new one, and vehicles like this don’t cut it for them. It’s a nice truck, but for sale for a reason, folks, our world just can’t sustain single digit mpg vehicles and this person wants out.
Wow a solid squarebody count me in !!! Wow 28 five count me out, will opt for a fixxer upper thats done battle with the tinworm. Lots of talk about Mpg, The 454 4 barrel turbo 400 or 4 speed are very capable. I didn’t like my TBI 454 as much, but you have to know coming in your going to loose the battle at the Pump, Lets just say 10 mpg or less( ive never bothered with figuring it out), The newer 8.1 may be better, maybe not. No experience with that yet. The 12 valve 5.9 can see good fuel mileage with Great power. This truck looks great Has the nice interior. Myself i would opt for the lesser electronic 86,But this is a great truck, he may have a lot into it too.
No mention of the K30
Isn’t that the 4 wheel drive? The 454 is as good as you can get.
I get 10 or 12 mpg no matter what. Pulling a trailer or whatever.
Looks like a bad hammer knocker. As my old friend Kelly Donovan would say.
You think a 454 in this truck is bad, try 2 of them in my boat. With both engine set at 5000 RPM, we get about 3/4 a mile to the gallon. I really like these old big box trucks, but I am all Diesel and the mileage is so much better.
Yes, I love the Dodge V10 I get 10 on the MPG. Now the house boat a 47 footer at 15 miles per hour gets 1/4 mile to the gallon, but at 7 miles per hour I get 1 MPG easy
I used to occasionally drive a similar truck (w/454) at my work. It was the only vehicle that I have ever driven where you could literally watch the needle on the gas gauge move towards empty while driving it- it wasn’t subtle.
not to mention it is 4 wheel drive
I have an 85 K30 crewcab with the 454 4spd. I’ve added a Gear Vendors overdrive which helps, but mileage is still not great. There is however lots of room inside and it is comfortable to drive. I’ve had it for about 25 years and it is still a lot less than a new $100K truck.
Jacob you are the man!!!
I have a 79 Stepside 454
400 turbo I bought new.
Obviously paid for. Compare it to a 100K
Truck & $1000 per month payment. I’ll take mine any day!!!
I can put a lot of gas & $ in it for 1k per month!!!!