Owned a metallic bronze on brown vinyl '84 GMC C15 High Sierra Wideside Shortbed with 250-6/AT-OD from 11/83 to 4/03 with only 95K on the clock. It was a special order, but I made *3* mistakes ... no p/s nor a/c, and regretted not ordering it w/ a V8. Am looking into buying another '73-'87 GMC/Chevy Wideside Shortbed after I sell my black '97 Isuzu Trooper S (so I could haul my teenage daughters and their friends around). IIRC, the 250-6 was replaced by a V6 in the '85 model year. What would be the recommended powerplant/tranny combos for decent performance and fuel mileage? Not sure if the 305 was as durable as the 350. Don't want anything bigger than the 350. No 4x4s, just 2WD. Generally speaking, the later the better, but the earlier ones are easier to work on so it's a toss-up as to best years in that range. Sure would appreciate any feedback.
My '85 was stock 4.3L/700r4 (OD auto) with 3.08's when I bought it. I used to get 10-12 city and 15-17 highway. Not that great for acceleration, but about as good of mileage as you can get without going diesel. I replaced it w/ a 6.2L because the computer controlled carb was shot and I didn't want to deal with emissions anymore. Performance is a little better and I get 15-17mpg everywhere without an OD trans. I'd look for one with a 350/700r4 or manual trans and 3.73's or 4.10's. For mileage: '87 was the first year for fuel injection, and 700r4's started in '82; although they're not too hard to swap into an older truck. Personally I would avoid any '85-'86s with California emissions.
