What to look for.
Realize that these are not half ton chevys with a small block engine. These are real trucks and share some considerable characteristics with real trucks. Unfortunately, they do share some components with the Ramcharger that were designed for the socker mom driver but they still are more like real trucks than a 1500 chevy. You will find some that have worked VERY hard in their younger life.
The stickys will indeed get you a ton of information but I would highlight a few things from my experience. Age is not a total factor. After all, the newest first gen is an older truck by any standard. Mileage isn't going to be a all inclusive give away to condition. If possible, know something about the maintainence that the truck had. Look at the breather tube that drops by the starter on the drivers side of the engine and keep in mind that you should see ZERO blowby for a top notch engine. Things happen and the engines are known to overheat and scuff (often the number six) cylinder. So any blowby is bad news. The trucks with automatic overdrive will have problems with the TPS and the ECM on occasion and that will manifest with hunting OD and if the ECM is going south will sometimes involve the charging, AC, Cruise, etc.
Everything that has ever happened has been discussed on TDR. Do your homework and go to the trade/purchase well armed with the knowledge available here. None of this stuff is cheap to repair but there is nothing that can't be repaired. SOME parts will only be found in the salvage yards.
Enjoy your truck.
James
I expect Michael, Daniel, Scott, and Jay, just to name a few, will join in here and these guys are the sort to know the heart of these trucks. Collectively, we (the TDR crowd) have repaired everything that could possible be wrong with a first gen.
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
. 
