I have been looking at buying a 1997 GMC reg cab short wide Z71 that has been a repo. It has sat for a while due to the previous owner doing something to the trans. It will run but won't engage into gear. It is a 5 speed and shifts through the gears good but won't engage into any of them. Is there something that could be easily wrong with it or am i probably looking at a new tranny? Also, it has sat for at least a year, any other problems that it probably has? Its tires are weathered and it hasn't been started in a long time (at least 7 months)

It is a very slick black truck with a grey interior and nice paint. It has just under 100k on the clock. Am i just asking for problems, or would it be easy enough to work on and have a nice truck.

Thanks
David

You say it shifts through the gears, but won't engage in gear? That is kinda contradictory. You are saying it feels like it goes into gear I am guessing you mean without the engine running, but it wont move under its own poer? Will the truck crank and run?
Could be many things, I would say most probably a transfer case issue. Manual t-case right? T-case Shifter on floor?
Have you tried shifting the t-case to a different range?
If all else fails, remove the t-case from the rear of the trans and see if your trans output is turning.

I agree with edman. It sounds like it is probably a transfer case issue. I can't give you any more advice then what he did.

I will say though that I would take it especially if the price is right. Watch out for mice. Make sure they didn't get in and chew the wires or make nests somewhere inside. Change the fluids and filters including fuel and you should be good.

i may not have been clear enough, the truck's stick will travel into every gear and is not binding, but it will not move under it's own power. As far as price the guy wants $2000 for it. Does that seem cheap enough?'



thanks
David

If it runs and is not too beat, $2000 is a great price.
Is it possible that the clutch is totally shot. I got a isuzu rodeo that ALL of the friction material was gone from the pressure plate side of the clutch disc, I could tell what it was so I knew to jump on the $100 asking price. A $90 clutch kit and $80 worth of headlights later I sold it for $1000 within 2 hours of setting it out for sale.
With the truck engine running, and tranny in any gear, and clutch released, figure out where the noise is coming from. You should be able to hear the slipping somewhere.
Your possible problems could be:
Fried clutch disk
broken trans input
broken trans internals- not as likely and would make lots of noise
busted t-case internals
t-case shift rail hung in a neutral spot

Is it a manual t-case, it should be- floor shifted?
Try shifting the transfer case into low range and such and see if it makes a difference.
I say buy the truck(if it is in good condition) and fix it. Worst case= $1000 or so in parts to fix.