GuyGene

Thanks for this post. I found a local 2017 GM SLE, 4.6 V6, 6 speed 2WD extended cab I'm interested in. Only has about 6,000 miles, so wonder why they're selling it. Asking $36k for it. Has 20" wheels. I'd check it out if it had V8!

Well boys, aluminum is looking mighty good for a truck, mighty good. UPS truck bodies have always been aluminum I think.

I'd go 45,000 then. Most of us probably drive a bit more severe than GM normal.

I just read this entire thread! And, I have a few simple questions: all this valve mess is due to direct injection?!? My '96 Silverado extended cab long bed 350 got 19.84 mpg on the last trip I checked it. That's good I think. So, is direct injection for better mpg, more power, etc.? At the expense of maybe shorter engine life?Y'all can see I'm one for long term usage of my trucks...

Good, helpful reports! I was thinking I needed the 6.2, but looks like the newer 5.3 with Max tow will definitely do me. My trailer is lightweight, only 3,200 pounds empty, but we have the thing loaded to max for sure. Last time I pulled it with my '96 350, burned up the transmission. That engine was fine, but not those transmissions!

I just cannot endure oil burning engines. Too old fashioned I reckon, when none of my vehicles ever used oil. My '93 Dakota 3.9 V6 with over 200,000 miles still does not use any oil! None. I loved those 350 GM engines! My '96 got almost 20 mpg highway. Other than the notorious intake manifold gasket mess with those years, they were rock solid. I wish GM would just make those again. I imagine my '96 350 hooked up to a modern transmission would get over 20 mpg highway.

Oh me, why, why is it so hard to buy a truck?! Seems like there could be at least ONE maker that could produce a decent truck. I know, a few come off the line with no vibration, no water leaks from roof, transmission that will go 100,000 mile or more before burning up, no oil consumption, no bad frame rust, etc. I reckon. But man, I can't find a forum that has many!

Grommet/gasket/seal to firewall has been where I've found leaks, except one windshield...

Hareek, ye better be reading on Tundra forums like me first! They sell far fewer trucks, but I see a lot more problems on Tundra sites! Cam tower oil leaks, rear axle bearings, water pumps, air intake pumps, etc., etc. And, those things are EXPENSIVE to fix! Plus sucking up gasoline like it's still $.79 a gallon.

It's the Mexican jumping beans they use for bearings. Oh well, it's all I can think of... GM needs to make this right!

Wow, GM is making it hard for me to buy their trucks! I'm supposed to go this week to test a Costco buying program Chevrolet Silverado. Buying trucks has gotten to be like voting - trying to pick the one that's "well, maybe not too bad..." It's really a lot more stressful than buying a house! Oh, I think I'll cancel my drive appointment. Just keep my '02, it's still got a lot of life, and NO rust!

mrp, that rusted bolt on a '14 does not look good! That is fast rusting. I live in south, so we don't have so much of a rust issue, but we still have rust. I hate rust on my trucks. I bought a used '93 Dakota in '97 with 47,000 miles from Ohio. It was treated by previous owner with that Ziebart stuff - WOW - it works!! I still have that Dakota with not a bit of rust! Love it.

Thanks boys. Y'all have helped me. Ok, DI is here to stay, got it, will have to deal with it. So, catch can and BG cleaning service every 15,000 miles or so, eh? I can handle that. Back to my plan to test a '15 GM now...

Whew boys, I spent he whole morning reading all the posts! Me old haid is spinning. Here's my conclusion, correct me if I'm wrong. I thought I was one time... Which truck maker does not use direct injection? If none, I'll keep my 13 year old truck and keep fixing what breaks as needed. I have come to loathe direct injection engines. What a stupid engineering system! Valves getting that gunked up because of it?!? Somebody mentioned Toyota developed a system to send some fuel over the valves to keep them clean. So, makers know this is a serious problem. I'm wanting a new truck, but have decided to try my best to not get direct injection. Ok boys, tell me wha' I'm missing.

I've been watching this oil usage issue a long time now. Sick of it. My '96 5.7 used NO oil! And I could get 20 mpg highway. Extended cab, loooong bed too. Dagnabbit, GM is running customers away.