Would a newer truck be any good?

i have been thinkin about maybe getting a 90's model z-71(gettin to be cheap and they can be really nice and clean on the inside) and down the road a SAS. im just kind of scary because of the frames. are they really as weak as they look or are they actually pretty stout?  

They really are as weak as the look. Long ago I knew a guy that used to haul new trucks for GM to dealers. He told me that when the 88's came out they racheted them down to haul them like they have always done in past the discovered that the frames were bent on many of them when they were delivered at dealers. They had to come up with a new way to secure them and not bend frames. 3/4 and 1 tons did not have this problem. After 87, 1/2 ton no longer shared basic frame style and thickness with 3/4 ton truck.  

hmm. thats what i thought. if i can find a 2500 or 3500 i might go with it but not a half ton lol.  

would a SAS on a 90's model 2500-3500 be extremely hard?  

No harder then on a half ton.Also my family has plowed snow for years witha 91 1500 chevy with a 4.3 and 5 speed.And this wasnt you know a drive way only one way.It was a 2 track northern mn road that was only kept open because we plowed it 4miles one way.twenty, thirty times a winter.Plus the truck hauled wood in the spring,summer and fall and was used as a dd and dog sled truck(doggie motel) and I have never heard of any one bending frames.Know I'm not hacking on Sno saying hes BSing you but this is what I know.The frames hold up extemly well to 33 inch tall mts and I've never heard of any problems.My buddie did bend his frame on a 94 s10 jimmy but only because we were testing out his new engine(cammed 4.3 with headers,chip and bigger injector with a shift kit) and we climbed a atv trail that was cover in a blow down or three.We bent it going over a rather large maple.
And if you do a SAS later you can box the frame if your afraid of bending.Also any sane person wouldnt lift the IFS fronts of those trucks any if at all.Do a bodie lift and knobby 33s witha LSD in the back or EATAN locker.  
Dying ain't much of a livin'
From my favorite movie.
Trucks...
1989 150(200k) 33 inch hawgs and a blown 302.
1995 Pathfinder(178k)and still going with 31s.189k and blown tranny.
Bikes.
2004 Yamaha TTR 225,barly used.
Kawasaki 750 (26k) Not ran right since carbs rebuilt.
!972 Yamaha mini enduro.The niceest one I've ever seen thats never been repainted.
New 2002 f150,fx4,5.4v8,after market tranny coolers and unirol tires.

I would use a 2500/3500 for SAS swap. 1500 chassis is pretty weak as they no longer share frames with 3/4 tons. I have told this following story before but it is true. Back when GM first came out with 88 P/U's, I new a guy that you to drive a car hauler that hauled them to dealers. When they ship them the tie/rachet them down and compress suspension to hold them in and keep them form bouncing around. Anyway, when they got delivered and unloaded, they found that most of the frames on the 1/2 tons were bent while 3/4 tons where okay. They had to come up with a new way of securing them.  

That might just be 88s.Chevy redid stuff in the following years.Gas tanks leaked,power steering went out,trannys with the 305s burnt up...its was a new desighn and like any new thing/model the first year or two are the ones with the most problems.Remember the 94 dodges and there tranny.Even the 01s still wont shift in to od when its -20.I might as well bring up cars as well.Chevy vega(4 banger melt down) pinto (please dont hit me in the trunk),ford toreas(3.8 v-6 head gasket goes at 120,000).  
Dying ain't much of a livin'
From my favorite movie.
Trucks...
1989 150(200k) 33 inch hawgs and a blown 302.
1995 Pathfinder(178k)and still going with 31s.189k and blown tranny.
Bikes.
2004 Yamaha TTR 225,barly used.
Kawasaki 750 (26k) Not ran right since carbs rebuilt.
!972 Yamaha mini enduro.The niceest one I've ever seen thats never been repainted.
New 2002 f150,fx4,5.4v8,after market tranny coolers and unirol tires.

They did not change frame, they just changed the way they tied them down.  

a buddy of mine has an 88 c1500 from the canadian factory and you can see bend marks in the frame from racheting it down  

are the frames on the 90's 2500 and 3500 trucks as good as they were in the 70's and 80'?  

I would say they are about the same. My 91 C2500 seems to be more stout than my 74 but it hasn't been around as long or been twisted and offroad much either. If I can give any advice on the newer trucks, I would go with the 2500 or greater model. They are alot better made than the 1/2 tons and have better GVWR ratings. Just to give you a tip, the 2WD vs. 4WD frames are different as far as width, if you plan for a SA, this comes into play a little but is really no "big" issue. It will actually favor you in some ways. I'm still working on my SAC on my 91 and it will be done soon. Good luck finding one.  

There use the thickness metal but other then that I'm not sure.There all C-channel that I've seen.
Also the Z71 is over rated.(At least it seems from where I'm from.HAlf of them dont even have LSD's)
If your looking for a bare bones 4x4 to get you back and forthlook for a W/T.My uncle has a 88 3/4 ton chevy with a lil'4.3 in it and its a great truck(for being 2 wheel)The 3/4 and on up have more weght to them so they get better traction.Also if you worryed about frame streth why dont you just brace the weaker spots or fully box it in.  
Dying ain't much of a livin'
From my favorite movie.
Trucks...
1989 150(200k) 33 inch hawgs and a blown 302.
1995 Pathfinder(178k)and still going with 31s.189k and blown tranny.
Bikes.
2004 Yamaha TTR 225,barly used.
Kawasaki 750 (26k) Not ran right since carbs rebuilt.
!972 Yamaha mini enduro.The niceest one I've ever seen thats never been repainted.
New 2002 f150,fx4,5.4v8,after market tranny coolers and unirol tires.

I'm guessing that since your writing,asking about newer trucks that you didnt get that crew cab?That so or are you just shopping around?  
Dying ain't much of a livin'
From my favorite movie.
Trucks...
1989 150(200k) 33 inch hawgs and a blown 302.
1995 Pathfinder(178k)and still going with 31s.189k and blown tranny.
Bikes.
2004 Yamaha TTR 225,barly used.
Kawasaki 750 (26k) Not ran right since carbs rebuilt.
!972 Yamaha mini enduro.The niceest one I've ever seen thats never been repainted.
New 2002 f150,fx4,5.4v8,after market tranny coolers and unirol tires.

im in south georgia and thats way to far to drive and i cant afford 8200 for a truck lol. my budgets limited to about 4500 but i have seen some good 2500 and 3500's on craigslist around atlanta for $2500 and under.  

heavymetalk20:
im in south georgia and thats way to far to drive and i cant afford 8200 for a truck lol. my budgets limited to about 4500 but i have seen some good 2500 and 3500's on craigslist around atlanta for $2500 and under.

No No Not that one. That white one in summerville that was 1500. Not the $8200 one I found you.  
Dying ain't much of a livin'
From my favorite movie.
Trucks...
1989 150(200k) 33 inch hawgs and a blown 302.
1995 Pathfinder(178k)and still going with 31s.189k and blown tranny.
Bikes.
2004 Yamaha TTR 225,barly used.
Kawasaki 750 (26k) Not ran right since carbs rebuilt.
!972 Yamaha mini enduro.The niceest one I've ever seen thats never been repainted.
New 2002 f150,fx4,5.4v8,after market tranny coolers and unirol tires.