A friend of mine got a 97 cheyyenne (it's a v6) from a family member (was supposed to go to directly to him from his grandpa, but because of some issues he didn't get it for 4 1/2 years) and it needs work. It SOUNDS like it runs fine, but that only means so much.


I haven't seen the engine/transmission (this is going by what a "mechanic" (the guy is retarded most of the time) said) and I'm not really good with engines.

The body is in good shape, the frame has (when i looked at it a week ago) surface rust, but nothing more than that.

Supposedly the engine mounts are rusted, leaking transmission fluid and oil ( supposedly the transmission fluid is burnt to hell, and that "mechanic" said most likely the truck never had oil replaced, just topped up ), the engine block is rusted, the rear axle is leaking grease from the case in the middle, not sure if it is leaking radiator fluid or not. The guy who had it before didn't take care of it really (obviously.... didn't change oil/ transmission fluid, and the air filter was completely clogged, coolant was supposedly dangerously low too).

So if EVERYTHING mechanical had to be replaced (including engine mounts and driveshaft) worst case scenario, how much would is cost to get rebuilt?

i think i would start with changing the fluids and seeing it the motor was going to blow up or the tranny was going to go out first. if the tranny fluid is in that bad of shape though you may just want to put some fresh fluid in it and not touch the filter. i would make sure those things were going to hold up before worrying about mounts and u-joints and the more higher priced stuff.

Well when I said if EVERYTHING had to be replaced, that was a new motor and transmission aswell. Basiclly rebuilding the truck. It's OBVIOUS that the fluids need replacing and need to be kept topped up till leaks are fixed.

used ones sell for 3-5grand

if you're talking full resto project and want us to build and price it for you, you're an idiot.

im not saying until the leaks are fixed. im saying i would put all fresh fluids in it and make sure it wasnt going to loosen some gunk in the motor causing an oil passage to clog and blow your motor or new tranny fluid wasnt going to blow every seal out of the trans.

O_o im an idiot for asking someone to say "well a new engine block cost me, or would have cost me $1,500. A transmission would be $2,750, etc" ? I know different brands vary in price, but...

"want us to build and price it for you" Umm... Where did I ask anyone on here to build one? I am sure someone on here has replaced parts on one of these before. If one person has replaced an engine/rebuilt one, and another has done a transmission, and another has had to replace other parts, I SHOULD get a general idea of how much it would be per thing (labor would vary of course).

Given the fact that these parts are shipped from all over the country, it wouldn't be logical to assume that my location would change the price that much. If someone orders a part from a company(just for example) in AZ and they are in PA, well shipping would be different, but the part itself SHOULD cost the same for my friend as it would the guy from PA, just with a different shipping cost.


I do not see the logic in you saying I am an idiot for that. It's actually a fairly simple concept. Other people give me an idea of what each thing cost them, then I add up costs with a ~ 20% difference for labor.

Ahh, alright. Sorry XD

This post was edited by skyeye on Mar 19 2013 10:17am

so you're an idiot, gotcha.

First of all you dont even know if anything is wrong besides things are leaking & rusted... Great start. You should get a new mechanic.

I would start with the painfully obvious. Replace the motor mounts. Dont just change the fluids get everything thoroughly flushed and have all components inspected. Full tune up...air filter, plugs, wires, coils, thermostat, etc.. Fuel system treatment. New driveshaft.

For parts and labor you are easily looking at $1000+

Then if everything checks out and just gaskets are leaking you could get all of them replaced for prolly another $300-500

Then what about the brakes? Assuming they are shot you are talking $200-300 per axle to have them replaced assuming you dont need wheel bearings or anything.

If you wanted to just replace everything

Performance 3.8 for your Cheyenne from summit racing is aprox $2500 and qualifys for free shipping. This is a long block and does not include things like your fuel system, PCM, accessory's, etc. If any of your other orig equip is bad you need be looking at more.

A new 4l60E transmission is going to run you anywhere from $600 from some random mexican all the way up to $2000+ from a transmission shop.

New 10bolt rearend is gonna run you $1000+ ez

Etc...

This post was edited by Killerme99 on Mar 19 2013 11:09am

Closer to what I wanted, thank you ^_^. Yeah, it's my friend's step-dad who CLAIMS to be a mechanic because he does simple things to his dragster. I figured I would bypass what COULD be wrong by trying to find out what the absolute worst case scenario would be. The truck is at a REAL mechanic at the moment, but I wanted to get an idea of what he would be looking at to replace it. It's isn't MY truck (mines an 08 silverado with barely 16,100 miles XD ), like I said it's my friends.

I would be surprised if the brakes are that much (assuming you just meant putting new pads/shoes on) as I had fairly decent ones put on mine (where-ever platinums on the front, and wagner thermo quiets on the back) for 250$ counting labor.Granted that was MY mechanic the my family goes to, and has for close to 15 years with no issues at all. Even does alot of minor work (changing belts, fluids, etc. ) for free. If you meant new lines, brake fluid , etc which his truck probably would need considering how much care was given to it then yeah I see where ya get 300-500 XD

I appreciate you taking the time to tell me all that Tbh I didn't expect that much from a single person lol!