I'm looking at 2 trucks right now.

the first:
bone stock '98 12v auto tranny extended cab but NO QUAD CAB nothing ever modified on engine or tranny. Only routine maintenance. hasn't been used to tow much at all -doesn't have goose neck hitch. 200k on the clock, and he's asking $8k

OR

'97 12v ext cab w/ 5 spd, new tranny at 190k w/ HD clutch, no mods to engine except fuel pump turned up a bit, has been used to tow quite a bit but runs great. has 200k -asking $8,800.00

the guy with the 2nd truck told me that the older autos are crap and should be avoided. Is this true? I'm not looking for a truck to go fast in or blow smoke, just a good work truck that will last me and tow an occasional load. Does the stock auto tranny w/ 200k scare you gurus??

any guidance?

Thanks!

 

My 97 has 240 on original trans with out a problem besides a fluid tube going on it I'm running 37 " military tires with no issues but fuel milage on threway is better with a stick

 

that tranny in the stock form is weak. it can be modded to hold a bunch of hp.

 

If I get the auto, I'm not going to mod the engine. Should the tranny be ok w/ no engine mods? I"ll be bumper-pulling up to 5k maybe once a week.

 

no mods? that wont last long

 

haha, maybe not, but I'm not currently planning on it. As long as it goes down the road better than my '90 chevy 2500 w/ the tired 350 TBI I'll be happy!

 

the tranny might last. then again it might not. it all depends on how it was driven and what it was used for.

 

the tranny needs to be serviced and check out. bands adj. etc

 

my truck, when it was stock, smoked 3 stock auto trannies before i swapped in a 5 speed

 

240k on a stock auto here with my mods and routine maint.