Looking To Get One Of These Guys

Fobroader · August 31, 2009

Howdy from Alberta,Canada ,

Ive recently decided that driving my Jeep to the trail and back is not a good idea and that a Chev/GMC 1/2 ton, extended cab, shortbox 4x4 would be the ideal trailer rig for my needs. I like the parts are cheap and readilv available (i Think I saw a longblock in the Freezer isle at Safeway last week ) and that the trucks themselves are very dependable. Im thinking something in the 95-99 range with a 5.7 V8 (350 I guess????). Besides a few badges and the grill is there any difference between the Chev/GMC trucks?? What year is the best one to get?? Vortec or non-Vortec engine?? Im looking mainly at the Z-71 packs because I like the fact that they have skidplates. I plan on adding some airbags, a better tranny cooler, aluminum rad/electric fans and probably a few more bolt on go fast parts. Is there anything I should look out for?? THank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and expertise with this newbie to the GM world....and take it easy on me ,

Eugen

Zembonez · August 31, 2009

No difference between the GMC and Chevy.

I'd look at 97-98 model Z71s. They had all of the best there was to offer in the GMT400 truck line (most power, dual airbags, etc). The last few [production years of any line tend to get the best updated stuff. 99 was the start of the GMT800 trucks (although there were some 99 GMT400 trucks too). The 99-02 Z71 excab can be had for a decent price these days and is a great truck with the 5.3 practically bulletproof engine.

Condition and maintenance is the key to any 8 to 12 year old vehicle... Mileage is less important than condition on one that old.

They are GREAT trucks if kept in decent condition. I'd highly recommend one.

rodram · August 31, 2009

Hello Eugen... Chev and GMC trucks are reliable, but not without their own weaknesses... I don't want this note to sound like I am a complainer about GM trucks, but there are a few thing to note when purchasing, and then when operating and maintaining the best trucks out there...

- if you are buying a 96-98 then the motor will be a Vortec engine (5.7 5.0 or 4.3) and these have some inherent maintenance issues... check to see if intake manifold gasket has been replaced, if it hasn't them you will likely be replacing it soon due to coolant leaks ($900 parts and labour)... Vortecs also have a fuel injection system that can cause grief if the injectors get plugged up, so get them a good flush regularly... fuel pumps are required to run at 60+ psi and can cause problems starting the engine when they begin to fail ($700 parts and labour to replace)...

- a 88-95 will have a throttle body injection (TBI) system ... I don't know much about them

- the 99's started using other engines like the 5.3 and 4.8 ... again good engines but I don't know much about them...

- in any of these truck years your automatic transmission will likely be a 4L60E, 4sp automatic... these are a good transmission but they have a limited lifetime if used for trailer towing and hauling heavy loads.... (mine died this summer pulling the travel trailer at 210,000 km which by all reports is a little better than average... $2500-$3000 for a total rebuild parts and labour)... transmission cooler is a good idea to install...

- in these years there is no mechanical difference between Chev and GMC

- I have heard that there is some one-year-only things in the '95s, like some parts in the transmission, and the heater controls...

- a Z-71 model is cool, but what do you get?.. depending on the year of the truck it would likely only be gas shocks, skid plates, and the Z-71 stickers... (all of these can be added to a used truck if they were not on it when you buy..)

Overall I think the GMT400 body style (1988 to 1998) extended cab short box is a CLASSIC truck body and I really like mine (... and now that the main engine and transmission maintenace items have been looked after in the last year I look forward to a number of more years to enjoy this classic truck...)

Fobroader · September 1, 2009

THanks for the quick responses fellas, I didnt know about the intake manifold gasket problems. Sounds like that is mainly a cheap parts/high labor type of fix, nothing I cant handle at home with some freinds and Kokanee Same for the fuel pump, but again, thanks for the heads up. Im mainly looking at the 96-98 I guess, my budget isnt exactly high, probably max $4K. Coming from a Jeep and import background Im not afraid to get my hands dirty. So far as Ive read there are no inherent bad problems with this type of truck and it will pull my Cherokee with ease, I would hope a large V8 as that would have no problems pulling 7-8000 pounds. Thanks again guys.

rodram · September 1, 2009

these trucks are good for pulling trailers ... my travel trailer is 6500lbs dry and 7900lbs gross weight.

here are some trailer pulling tips for you for your upcoming 96-98 Chevy/GMC truck...

- to save your transmission, NEVER use OD (always select '3') when pulling anything;

- find a truck with 3.73 rear axle (or a 4.10 rear axle is even better for trailer pulling)... 3.42 rear axle will be a challenge to pull 7-8000 lbs like you describe .. and you will exceed the trailer tow capacity of the truck;

Good Luck... and enjoy!

(as you suggest, being handy with vehicle maintenance really does save money on repair bills... and there is nothing like a glacier fresh Kokanee brew to keep the pit crew working....)

Magnumb · September 1, 2009

I've had Two 1995s a 97 and a 98 and put around 180k on all of them. The 95 (T.B.I) was the most reliable and easiest to work on but had more of a truck like ride and was not as powerful.

Watch out for rear manifold leaks on the 96-99 years. I also had a few fuel injectors and EGR valves go bad.

For the 95s fuel pump can go bad before 150k if the fuel filter is not changed often. And the blower motor for A/C and A/C controls don;t last that long for any of the 95-99.

Magnumb · September 1, 2009

a key to keeping the 95 running in tip top shape is to keep the fuel pressure at 12-13 psi.

Fobroader · September 2, 2009

Thanks for all these great tips guys, Ive never owned anything with a V8 or a GM product for that matter. Looks like I have my goal now, a 96-98 with a 5.7 V8. If you guys have any Jeep questions Id be more than happy to help you with them Truck shopping this weekend WOOHOOOO

Mike G · September 2, 2009

Let me ask this... Will this truck be your daily driver? If not and will be used mostly for towing, why not look to a 2500 series with the 7.4L. If I knew then what I know now, I would have bought my last 1500 in a 2500 version.... Seems that once you start, you always want bigger, that goes for trailers and boats too.

--Mike

Fobroader · September 2, 2009

THe reason I want the 5.7 is that it will be my daily driver, that huge 7.4 or .5, no thanks. Im sure it pulls like a dream but I dont want to be proud to say that thanks to my fuel consumption Dubai has a new subdivision . ALso, besides the Jeep on a carhauler, the trailer the little lady and I looked at and really like, was a 19 foot ultralight, under 3500LBS full up, that can be towed by those fruity little crossover things. Yeah, the bigger V8 would be nice for going over the mountains into BC, but it would hurt me on an everday basis....maybe not hurt me as much as my wallet...

wesd · October 26, 2009

THe reason I want the 5.7 is that it will be my daily driver, that huge 7.4 or .5, no thanks. Im sure it pulls like a dream but I dont want to be proud to say that thanks to my fuel consumption Dubai has a new subdivision . ALso, besides the Jeep on a carhauler, the trailer the little lady and I looked at and really like, was a 19 foot ultralight, under 3500LBS full up, that can be towed by those fruity little crossover things. Yeah, the bigger V8 would be nice for going over the mountains into BC, but it would hurt me on an everday basis....maybe not hurt me as much as my wallet...

Which truck did you get?