TwoRiversCO

Hello! I've been lurking around here for a long time and have learned a ton from this forum. I'm pleased to announce that my three year search for the right GMT800 finally ended this past Memorial day. It seems like the good ones go really fast around here. I thought I'd chime in with the details of my recent acquisition, and contribute what information I can to this thread along the way. I ended up buying a 1999 5.3L Z71 LS, extended cab (3 door), short bed, 4:10 gears, G80, with 183,000 original miles. I don't have a picture hosting account anywhere, but the truck is in the picture associated with my account here. The previous owner purchased the truck in 2000 with 17,000 miles on it, so he'd had it a while. It's spent it's entire life in Arizona and New Mexico, and is completely RUST FREE! Fortunately, the previous owner provided me with a mountain of maintenance receipts and paperwork, which made me feel better about the purchase. He also gave me a Haynes repair manual! According to his records, the major issues he had to deal with over the years were: air conditioning; steering; ABS sensor; transfer case; transmission rebuild at 164,000. The rest of the records are pretty standard stuff like oil changes, fluid flushes, tires, etc. Problems I was aware of before buying the truck were: shocks all appeared to have leaked fluid; small oil leak (1 dime sized drop per day); a rubbing noise and feeling in the steering; a whining noise regardless of being in park, neutral, or drive; a metallic rattling sound around 750 RPMs (catalytic converters sound like nuts and bolts in a coffee can when I hit them with my hand); blown speakers in the front doors; dying power lock actuators. The truck is in great cosmetic shape, inside and out. It's not missing any pieces, and doesn't show extensive wear. Since purchasing the truck I have: replaced all four shocks with Monroe Reflex Monotubes; replaced the upper intermediate steering shaft (Doorman part); drained and filled the front and rear differentials (Valvoline); drained and filled the transfer case (Autotrak II); flushed and filled the radiator (Prestone Dex-Cool); drained and filled the power steering fluid (Prestone); changed the engine oil (Castrol GTX - what the previous owner had been using); changed the engine and cabin air filters (WIX); replaced the spark plugs and ignition wires (AC Delco plugs/Delphi wires); replaced the PCV valve (AC Delco); replaced the oil pressure sending unit (AC Delco); installed AT tires (Kuhmo Road Ventures); alignment (shop said suspension components all looked good) I'm waiting for new front door speakers to arrive from Crutchfield, and for new catalytic converters to arrive from Amazon (single assembly back to the muffler). The jury is still out on the oil leak. It was hard to pinpoint because I could see oil around the oil pan gasket and the rear main seal, but it seemed to be coming from higher up and just settling around those locations. I'm hopeful the oil pressure sending unit fixed it, but I need to get under the truck and clean it all up to be sure. I replaced the alternator thinking it was causing the whining noise, but it didn't make a difference. I'm pretty sure now that it's the power steering pump, but it still works, so I'm not sure replacing it is a top priority at this point. I believe I've noticed some improvement by refreshing the PS fluid (placebo effect maybe?). The steering issue seems better after the PS fluid and intermediate shaft, but the problem still occurs, maybe just less frequently and not quite as loud. My plans for the truck are to keep it pretty much stock. My dad had one of these when I was in late high school/early college and I've wanted one ever since. I plan to use it as my daily driver (about a 5 mile commute each way), hunting, general fun with the kids, etc. From my past experience with GM trucks, and what I've read on this forum, I think it should last me quite a while so long as I keep up with it.