Worth restoring?

[TheSuburbicorn]

Hello, just inherited a 1985 Suburban C2 with an unknown amount of miles. My sister (who dates a mechanic, therefore thinks she's a mechanic) says that there is blue smoke coming out of the truck. Was able to drive ~40 miles recently. I know that it has a leak in the power steering fluid and needs the blinker fluid to be changed. As someone who knows next-to nothing about cars, is this worth restoring? What are some estimated costs of things that should be replaced?
Would be used as a tow vehicle after it gets an exterior transformation. Thanks!

 

[ballentinechad]

blinker fluid hahaha don't forget the muffler bearings! lol but seriously only you can make the decision of weather or not it is worth restoring.if you love the truck and it means something to you and you would like to keep it for a long time then yes i'd say restore it.but if you don't want it forever or you could take it or leave it then i say don't bother.even the smallest restore can cost thousands on something with some years and miles.so it's like a marriage.haha if your not willing to commit get something you could be proud to own and park in your driveway. hope this helps.

 

[VanGo]

Definitely not if you have no mechanical experience. Even if you did most of the work yourself it would be way more than it's worth. A rebuilt transmission alone is $1500. Then you still end up with one of the most fuel inefficient Suburban generations on the road.

 

[rowdyz]

Whats nice about the '85 is you can do it all yourself. You can learn as you go and don't need to be a mech. or tech to own one. The internet is your most powerful tool and Suburbans can be modified in so many more ways to fit your needs.

 

[Sierra Classic]

Just picked up a 79 Burb for $800, spent the first two days un mickey mousing the past 30 years worth of folks that didnt know what they were doing.

Another couple of weeks, and it will be back in driving form, this winter off to the body shop.

blue smoke is oil getting by the rings, bad rings or valve seats, do you really want to do a motor overhaul or replacement?

 

[Chuzz]

Nope, not worth restoring. You'll put way more money into doing that than you could ever hope to get back if you try to sell it. Drive it like you stole it, and save your money for a newer vehicle.

 

[Motor_Head_Jr.]

Just picked up a 79 Burb for $800, spent the first two days un mickey mousing the past 30 years worth of folks that didnt know what they were doing.

Another couple of weeks, and it will be back in driving form, this winter off to the body shop.

blue smoke is oil getting by the rings, bad rings or valve seats, do you really want to do a motor overhaul or replacement?

Blue smoke anaysis is correct but depending on how bad i've owned several small blocks that had just sat too long and the rings had become slightly unseated usually stopped after a few thousand miles and over regular changes of high quality oil as far as the power steering leak this could be a number of different things don't think any of these style tru ks I've ever owned didn't have one at first but these are pretty solid trucks when built correctly but they are a dime a dozen and therefore do not yeild very high values so i also agree that it is up to you whether you like the truck enough to drop the money into it or not personally i feel these years (73-87) are some of tbe best trucks ever built as far as versitillity goes you can do pretty much whatever you want to them and the parts are readily available