How good are 1979 4x4 Jimmy's?

[savatreatabvr]

I'm thinking about getting a 1979 GMC Jimmy 350 4x4 but don't know anything about them! Are they good vehicles, are they fuel injected and do they hold their value?

[79 silverado]

Its an old 4wd truck. Depending how much you pay and how you maintain it depends if it keeps its value or not. If you buy it for $800 it's not going to go down from there. If you buy a restored one for $8000 and use it like a hunting and work truck like it was built for it won't be worth $8000 when you go to sell it.

Unless its been modified nothing pre-1987 will have fuel injection. Likewise, just because a truck was 1987-1991 in the blazer/jimmy lineup theres nothing to say someone didnt swap out the TBI unit for a carb.

Being a 1979 check whether it is full time 4x4 or part time 4x4. Full time kills your gas mileage and its not uncommon for them to have 4wd issues from driving on dry pavement all the time depending how they were treated, often a conversion kit to part time 4x4 hubs is the way to go with one of those...

If youre thinking fuel mileage by asking about the FI system forget it. These trucks will be closer to the 10-12 mpg with the 4x4 and all. But if you want a strong dependable truck that can work its perfect. Had a 79 Jimmy with the 250/sm465/pt 4x4 and it pulled 32" diameter 16' long pine logs across the yard when we were clearing land.....

[special-K]

They're GRRR-REAT!

[68Timber]

It'll probably have a NP203 full time xfer case but it's pretty easy to install a set of Warn hubs. If the condition is acceptable to you, there's no real surprises in a 79. Do you have any pictures?

[str8axle55]

I had a 78, I really liked that truck, it was a High Sierra, loaded. Pics would help.

[motornut]

got two 79's one 4X4 and 4X2 and a 4X4 78 love em
if your checking for rust?
the spot between the rear shock mount and the body mounts drivers side,up here that little pocket holds salt/rust
both the 79s have blade fuses....

if the inner rear box sides are in a star screw driver,look around the wheel wells
under and behind the seat belts....
actually watch the np203 these normally have plugs not hubs.....
removing the plugs for hubs.....shafts are still being driven and may not drive the truck without the "kits" some may just remove a gear and it gets no lube unless you drive in 4X4,altho i read about putting an extention elbow to raise the fluid level helps

oh watch when lifting the cap off,for two I guess aligment "pins" about 3/4 inches from the back on the top of the box side,can do damage....

[savatreatabvr]

Unfortunately I didn't act quick enough and i lost out on the Jimmy! A little disappointing but I'll look on the bright side, I've still got my 454 C20!!!

[motornut]

Originally Posted by savatreatabvr

Unfortunately I didn't act quick enough and i lost out on the Jimmy! A little disappointing but I'll look on the bright side, I've still got my 454 C20!!!

darn it,good thing you kept it !