1982 Chevrolet C20 Scottsdale review from North America

Aside from normal wear items like brakes, belts, filters and the like, maintenance has been pretty much nonexistent. This truck won't break.

Previous owner replaced the THM400 transmission in 1990. I want to put an overdrive THM700R4 in it when the 400 quits.

The heater core started leaking in winter 2003, 163,000 miles. I spent 30 dollars on a new one and 6 hours installing it.

I've had a few electrical issues with it. I replaced all the glow plugs when I bought it, along with the relay. The controller shorted and burned them all out in December 2002. 100 dollars for controller and 5 minutes to install.

The oil pressure and coolant temp gauge senders were shot when I bought it so they got replaced too, only 40 dollars for both.

I rebuilt the A/C system in spring 2000, total cost was 400 dollars.

Two new Delco batteries in Jan 2003, 100 dollars each.

The fuel senders in both tanks are flaky. 200 dollars per tank, this gets done later. it still reads kinda sorta.

(any others have this issue? EVERY Chevy truck/Blazer/Suburban I've seen does this.)

Things like this are to be expected! this truck isn't new, and I ask a lot from it every day!

I have a lot of project cars. I haul parts around, pull trailers and pull my camper with this truck. I drive it to work when I don't have a running car too. (this happens a lot) It's for the most part original. I've replaced things here and there, but it's 22 years old and takes a beating almost every day. It gets 16-26 MPG too! (25 with no trailer @ 55MPH A/C on) what more could I want? I know how to maintain a Diesel. Most people didn't, so many of these blew up and got a bad rap. I treat mine well, and use only good quality service parts. The 6.2 is decent on power, but is loud and shaky. I just crank up the radio and live with it. It's a very reliable engine, worth the noise to me. (Sidenote- this is the same engine used in the older military HMMWVs) I love this old truck to death, more reliable than any I've had and that's compared to a Toyota! Don't buy a Diesel if you can't/won't maintain it.

Take care of it and it will outlive any gasser! After I finish one of my project cars, I'm going to fix up my Chevy!