07 Chevy 2500HD ~300k opinions

[Rob_Roy]

The truck cleaned up nicely.

Does it still have all of the exhaust manifold bolts?

 

[wander2039]

The truck looks great!

Just a thought, but could the hydroboost be leaking into the interior of the truck? Just a drop or two of fluid could make it smell.

Smells outside more than in, could be leaking buy not making it inside. That might be a fall project!

The truck cleaned up nicely.

Does it still have all of the exhaust manifold bolts?

Guessing by what I heard today negative! Might get the dorman clamps like I did for the other.

This truck is 50/50 on if it was maintained good. Took over 10 pumps or more and water came out of a couple. On ball joint wouldn’t take anything, managed to drill/clean it out and finally did. Only one ujoint had a zerk, the other two didn’t look old. This and Express has the same amount of zerks, my least favorite job times two now.

 

[wander2039]

New steering bearing worked awesome.. no annoying constant rattle and no wandering. Might not need a steering box. Someday will get the $100 metal version. Also new fan clutch worked. Too quiet now can hear the tires. Has Goodyear Wranglers which isn’t old but one has dry rot, the others look ok. Walmart’s Dexetros might be in its future.

 

[crashz]

What's up with that sidewall? Maybe a belt twisted or something? The cracking wouldn't make me nervous, but the sidewall shift does. Good idea on the new tires.

A few posts up you mentioned the mileage. 12-13 seems pretty normal for these trucks unloaded. My 2012 with 3.73 gears would only break 13 mpg on easy country roads, unloaded, cruising at 50ish in mild spring or fall weather. Any change to that exact condition would drop the mileage.

 

[PMT133]

Internal or external? It could be a internal leak on the hydroboost.

It was internal until it wasn't.

Never left a puddle and I mean for a long time but always lost a little fluid. Then one day it just puked it's load in the shop parking lot.

 

[meep]

Hey the milestar Patagonia LT all terrains you can get from discount tire have been surprisingly excellent on a friends f150. I don’t generally go for cheaper tires, but these have been quiet, aggressive tread, long lasting, smooth, and hes building his own house with it. Tires have been excellent. If you are looking for a solid, budget tire, they are made by linlong I believe and are holding up very well.

 

[4wd]

I was so glad my JL Rubicon didn't come with the stupid red dash they offered. It was simply trying too hard to be "cool."
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That said, OP's situation is sentimental and very different.

I have that dash and it’s not stupid - the lady in there is stupid!
(and the navigation couldn’t find a barn on a 5 acre farm)

 

[4wd]

Forgot about this thread, paid for the truck yesterday and a really good price. I have alot of wiggle room for repairs and not throwing money out the window. Hoping it can be the heavy farm hauler for the next 10-20 years and probably no more than a 100k. Overall seems well maintained and mostly highway miles.

Parts show up next week, really curious to know the oil pressure . Oil is consistent in color with our 04 6.0L. So many repairs planned but already have practice on the 04’s. Going to lube the slip yoke and see if it fixes the take off issue. Have a heavy duty fan clutch coming, this one is on all the time and has to be the reason for 12-13mpg. Maybe not but still not good. Transmission is slowly going to get Dex VI, going to try vacuuming it out a couple times before dropping the pan. Still a little red and temps were fairly low.
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The debate is the dash.. I think I’ll leave it as a tribute to the previous owner since shes longer with us.
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I’d do one extraction flip - with a bottle of LG red in Dex VI - and then get after all the other things you plan …