Used Silverado Advice

[ECUpirate]

I've decided against buying a brand new truck for the time being because I want to avoid a payment (buying a 2nd home). I have owned Ford trucks almost my entire life with one Z71 Silverado mixed in and, to be honest, I'm just looking for a little change of pace. Although I've never had many problems out of any of my F-150s, Expeditions, Excursions or the Chevy I think I've narrowed my next target to a 99+ extended cab/quad cab 5.3L Silverado Z71 for under $10k. I honestly don't know much about them other than the reported above average longevity of the motors. I've noticed a ton of these trucks have new engines and transmissions with pretty low miles, which can probably be attributed to a number of things but are there any common warning signs that I should pay attention to? My question is what should I look for?

 

[Clevy]

I've got a 99 extended cab z71. Its got a 5.3 but I put a different cam in,dyno tuned etc.
Anyways stock it was great. Good power,could get anywhere with good tires and I never had anything fail that wasn't my fault.
Its my favourite truck actually. Its not so big and lumbering feeling as even my 04 dodge was.
I hate push button 4wd. Mine has a lever. Guaranteed to work every time. They are great trucks. Piston slap is irritating but harmless.
I've got somewhere around 270k on it and it purrs like a kitten,a very large growling kitten.
And 10 grand for that model years truck will get you a decent unit. If you aren't towing or not often don't bother with the hd. Unless you're loaded the ride sucks. Coffee spilling on every bump.

They are a great truck. Happy shopping

 

[supton]

Rust is one (duh). Check brake lines specifically, and rockers. Gauge clusters, something about stepper motors giving out. Transmission, if it is new, was it rebuilt well? Common issue it seems, some are great and others not so good--might be worthwhile to leave some in the bank in case it blows (a good idea on any vehicle purchase). Finally, Dexcool issues, pretty sure this vintage had it, check for sludge in the coolant.

Pretty sure the rest is ok.

Oh, read up on the RPO codes, so that you can read the gear ratios. 3.42 and taller (lower numerically) will be a dog, and tow poorly, but might do good for mpg on the highway. I'd go for 3.73, unless if towing is planned, or bigger tires, in that case I'd go deeper, like 4.10. I think GU5 is 3.42.

 

[NHGUY]

Rust,brakes,brakes,brakes (lol),tailgate cables,tailgate hinges,tailgate handles,tailgate bezels,door hinge bushings,inner tie rod ends,exhaust manifolds,mass air flow sensors,front hub assemblies,door latches not latching,clusters going out and losing your mileage....welcome to the world of the modern pickup!

 

[01rangerxl]

In addition to the other things mentioned, if equipped with push button 4WD, see if it's working. Sometimes the actual selector on the dash goes bad.

Of course, check things out under the hood as well, especially coolant and trans fluid.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Rust,brakes,brakes,brakes (lol),tailgate cables,tailgate hinges,tailgate handles,tailgate bezels,door hinge bushings,inner tie rod ends,exhaust manifolds,mass air flow sensors,front hub assemblies,door latches not latching,clusters going out and losing your mileage....welcome to the world of the modern pickup!


Let's see... my 2004 Silverado, as well as the 2000 Sierra...

Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope.

Wait... the Sierra did break a tailgate cable, which the dealer replaced both for free.

I guess using them to build houses with isn't hard enough on them.

 

[ls1mike]

The cables in that were recalled. They are the same as on my 2500HD.

You will be getting a LS based motor. They are solid. Think LS1 in Corvette/F-body. The 6.0 in my 3/4 ton is just a bigger version. The biggest thing you need to look at is if the transmission maintenance has been done. The 4L60E/65E is a good unit, but if it towed a lot and had less than stellar maintenance you will be replacing it. I am GM guy just want to make sure you know that.

At that price range is what I purchased my 02 3/4 ton for, well 12000 not a 4x4. The gas mileage would be the big difference for daily driving. Any 3/4 ton gasser you will see will most likely have the 6.0 about 60 percent of them had it. Sometimes you get a better deal on them because they are 3/4 ton trucks.

What is your plan with the truck?

 

[SteveSRT8]

We always have a few Silverados around here in our service fleet. We usually buy the 1500 models as we don't haul much and we tow only occasionally.

I recall steering column issues, just noise really, fixed very cheaply. One trucks fancy dual zone climate control lost a control unit, also very cheap to fix. Then we had one gauge cluster get funky. That was a simple exchange.

The 4L60E trans is always reputed to be weak but we never had any issues. The 4L65E seems bulletproof IME. Look for a truck with shorter (higher number) gears and you'll be happier. My 3.73 equipped truck is a joy to drive, all snappy and responsive.

 

[caravanmike]

what year did the 4l60e transform into the 4l65e?

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: caravanmike
what year did the 4l60e transform into the 4l65e?

I am not sure what year that happened. I would like to say 04, but can't be sure. Here is what I do know.

The 4L65e is pretty much a 4L60e but it does have some beeter parts. The stock 4L65e has 5 pinion planetaries, a bearing style reaction shaft, hardened shafts, it added a 7 clutch 3-4 pack and in some late models they have a hardened sunshell.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: caravanmike
what year did the 4l60e transform into the 4l65e?

I am not sure what year that happened. I would like to say 04, but can't be sure. Here is what I do know.

The 4L65e is pretty much a 4L60e but it does have some beeter parts. The stock 4L65e has 5 pinion planetaries, a bearing style reaction shaft, hardened shafts, it added a 7 clutch 3-4 pack and in some late models they have a hardened sunshell.


I don't know the exact changeover either, but the first one we got here was an 05 5.3 V8 with some sort of factory towing package. It has a nice frame mounted hitch, special cooling, really nice trans programming, and 3.73 gears.

If you get a 6.0 the gears are not needed IMO, but on the 4.8/5.3 motors the gears make the trucks remarkably better drivers and don't seem to cost any gas at all.

 

[ls1mike]

I have 4.10's in my 6.0 3/4 ton. Makes it a decent tow vehicle.

 

[ECUpirate]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
The cables in that were recalled. They are the same as on my 2500HD.

You will be getting a LS based motor. They are solid. Think LS1 in Corvette/F-body. The 6.0 in my 3/4 ton is just a bigger version. The biggest thing you need to look at is if the transmission maintenance has been done. The 4L60E/65E is a good unit, but if it towed a lot and had less than stellar maintenance you will be replacing it. I am GM guy just want to make sure you know that.

At that price range is what I purchased my 02 3/4 ton for, well 12000 not a 4x4. The gas mileage would be the big difference for daily driving. Any 3/4 ton gasser you will see will most likely have the 6.0 about 60 percent of them had it. Sometimes you get a better deal on them because they are 3/4 ton trucks.

What is your plan with the truck?


I do have experience with the LS motors, so I have an idea what I'm getting into there (not concerned at all).

As far as my plans for the truck go:

daily driver duty (short round trip with kids)
light towing - maybe tow a 22 ft. fishing boat a few times a year and a lawn equipment trailer every now and then
light hauling pretty regularly
hunting
a few beach driving trips in the summer

So, as you can see, 4x4 will be necessary for me, as will the extended cab for hauling the kids around some. I will more than likely put a small lift, slightly larger tires, and dual exhaust on it like I have done with almost every truck I've owned. I'm also not scared of swapping the gears if I can't find one with 3.73. A lot of the ones I've been seeing already have new or rebuilt transmissions in them, so that will also be something to consider. Quite a few of them are rusting in the cab corners, but not all of them. Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm still searching for a good deal. Keep the suggestions coming!

 

[hattaresguy]

The trick to buying any used truck is finding one that wasn't beat on, a lot of contractors make a sport out of trashing them. Some are very good at it, look around any lumber yard parking lot and you will see 2-5 year old Silverado's with 15-20 years worth of wear on them.

As long as you find something in good shape it will be a good vehicle.

Condition or well lack of is why I only buy new trucks.