i have the opportunity to bid on a 2001 GMC 2500HD SL 4x4 with an 8100 motor at a local auction this weekend.

since i was only able to take a peek at it from the outside in the dark, all i can tell you is that this is a municipal plow/hauling truck with a good looking body except for the cargo box which is completely beat to **** inside and out and should be replaced along with the rear bumper. it's only got 37,255 miles beat into it. the plow also comes with it and it is guaranteed to start and run. during the auction, the vehicle can only be viewed as it sits. it can't even have the key put in the ignition.

my "i don't want to search and am acting like a newb" questions are:

1. how much would be a reasonable max bid to place on the truck?
2. i am assuming the suspension is shot, so would a susp. lift kit replace all the crap that is shot?
3. is the cargo box a bitch to replace if i have the necessary muscle to pick it up?
4. will i come in under my budget of $8500 for the truck, lift kit, wheels/tires, new/used cargo box & DIY labor for parts install and paint.
5. is it even worth it to get a truck with that much motor at that price if i'm only looking to use it for a DD?

thanks for any opinions...except from you d-max fanboys

 

other info i forgot...

it's a reg cab with auto tranny and plain jane interior

 

It depends on what your plans are for this truck. If it was a plow the interior is ruined. It may have rubber flooring. There's a possiblity it was used to spread salt. It's going to have electrical problems and rust. I can just about assure you the brake lines are rotted and need to be replaced. The air conditioner probably doesn't work since the aluminum lines turn into chalk with exposure to road salts.
If you're looking for a project truck that might be a good one, but do not be fooled by the mileage. A Working truck like that should be judged just as hard on years as miles.
If you're after an 8100 truck for towing, etc, a friend of mine here just picked up a 2001 Vortec 8100 Suburban 4x4 LT here for $8500. It even had a lift and aftermarket wheels/tires on it. A lot of people are unloading big block trucks due to to the impracticality of putting gas into them. I think you're more likely to get a good deal from an individual owner that can't afford to feed one any more than you are from a municipality that's beat one to death.

 

^^ x2 My first truck was a '89 Chevy 2500 4x4. It spent its entire life as a plow truck. When I picked it up it had 68,000 miles on it and it was used HARD every mile of its life. I spent a fortune to keep it running safe. Brake lines, suspension, frame, and tranny issues tapped my paycheck every weekend. At 68,000 miles the tranny was already replaced twice. I was a dumb 16 year old kid at the time and I needed a 2500 to show up my friends. Well being broke all the time really showed them.

Keep in mind if this was a municipal truck it was beat on every mile. Most company employees don't take care of the company vehicles. I'd pass and find a private owner to by from. Preferably someone desprate to unload a gas hog.