Looking at an '03 2500HD 6.0

[cliobogger]

As the title states, I am looking at said truck. Just wondering if there is anything I should be looking out for with this particular year/model. Any questions I should be asking the seller. It has 100k well taken care of miles (I know the guy selling it and his driving habits/vehicle upkeep habits). Wasn't a tow vehicle.

 

Any advice would be appreciated. This will be my first 2500HD.

[SILVERADOSC540]

I had a 2002 2500HD 6.0 that was a fantastic truck. 89,000 miles when traded. Only issue it ever had was a broken driver's side rear exhaust manifold bolt. It was if I recall a common problem. They had to pull the head to drill and tap, but was good as new when finished. See if he has maintenance records or if the dealership he frequents has any history on his truck/vin. If it's as good a truck as my '02 was you can't go wrong. Good luck.

[Badass69]

Okay, here goes. Intermediate steering shaft clunking, as well a worn out bearing in the bottom of the column.

 

The brakes always rattle on the HD trucks and its the pins and bushings in the calipers that wear and cause it. The brakes can and will start wearing stupid as the caliper will be loose enough to run crooked on the spindle.

 

Oil cooler lines on both the engine and trans leaking.

 

Pump rub on the transfer case causing a pinhole which destroys a case half and usually piles up the case because it runs out of oil. This is the norm on either the 261 ( manual shift ) or 263 ( electric shift). Happens on the 246 too but a 2500Hd will not have that case

 

At 100000 miles the shocks are garbage unless they are new.

 

Yes the heads shear off on the exhaust manifolds where they connect to the head..... some leak, some like mine, don't.

 

The encoder motor or dash buttons give up the ghost ( if it's push 4X4....... or a 4 wheel drive at all as I am just guessing).

 

If it has that miserable manual climate control be prepared for that to start losing fan speeds as the blower resistor fails. Or even as the digital system or the manual the blend doors in the dash can stick and you have to change the actuators.

 

Water pump to block gaskets or the pump itself starts leaking. The front hub bearings are about done by 100000 miles..... so expect those to fail fairly soon. Check the front end as even greased the inner tie rods on these trucks are junk and will be worn out or expect it soon. Then check the rest of the front end while you are at it.

 

Stepper motors in the dash cluster will fail, it's inevitable. Be prepared for that.

 

The torque convertor in the 4L80E is famous for failing..... so be weary of that.

 

I can honestly go on for days. My list isn't just HD's as most things apply to any GMT800........ but all I buy are 3/4 tons ( or 1500HD's which are 3/4 tons) so I get to fix a lot of things.

 

And no, I actually love the GMT800 trucks.... namely 03-07 classic. It just doesn't mean they are perfect lol.

 

Get it cheap....... it's not worth a lot no matter how well the guy thinks he took care of it!

[cliobogger]

Id be paying 14k for it. And I was wondering about the tranny. I'll look into all of that list for sure once it is purchased. I test drove it today and it drove well.

 

"The encoder motor or dash buttons give up the ghost" what does that mean? I know the buttons are garbage, they are cheap to replace though.

 

"The front hub bearings are about done by 100000 miles." I'm assuming you are talking about the wheel barrings?

[Badass69]

...............

[Badass69]

Id be paying 14k for it. And I was wondering about the tranny. I'll look into all of that list for sure once it is purchased. I test drove it today and it drove well.

 

"The encoder motor or dash buttons give up the ghost" what does that mean? I know the buttons are garbage, they are cheap to replace though.

 

"The front hub bearings are about done by 100000 miles." I'm assuming you are talking about the wheel barrings?

 

That's about 4-5 grand more than I would pay for that truck soley based on age and miles..... I mean I bought a very much mint 2004 ( the one in my signature with the stupid powertrain, lol) crew cab 2500 with 70000 miles on it for $13000....... Private sale. Truck never saw winter and is a completely loaded cloth seat truck. So Bose stereo, buckets, console, steering wheel controls, rear seat audio, digital climate, etc. A good friend of mine got another 04 crew with about 75000 miles in the same shape with leather for $12,500. Food for thought anyway, however assuming you are in the States you guys seem to overpay comparitively for used trucks from what I see. No offense it's just what I see.

 

Yes the dash buttons are cheap, the encoder is and isn't. It's really not that expensive either and usually fails before or around this mileage. So that is what I meant.

 

Same thing for your hub bearing..... or front wheel bearing if you like to call it that. By 100000 miles they are worn out or close to it. Regardless of roads or life it lead. They are simple to change and again not all that much money. If you do find one loose at any point of time I would change both myself..... the remaining tight one will not last much longer.

 

If the tranny does do anything funny scan it first..... My 04 seemed to develope transmission issues after I got it. Delayed hard shifts, random torque convertor lock and unlock. But my fuel trims when I checked were also off ( about -15% at idle for long terms when 0% is ideal) and had lots of knock retard randomly. The engine seemed to run okay and without watching any data you would never know anything was amiss. My mass airflow sensor was the culprit although no code was ever presented and now the truck is like new again. Just things to consider when you are troubleshooting if you have too.

[cliobogger]

Right on, thanks for all the heads up. Yes, I reside in Nevada, and 2500HD 4x4 are a hard to find thing around here. So 14k isn't that bad in this area. Only other 2500's on auto trader within 150 miles were 3 of them, and they were going for over 20k a pop, around the same mileage

[Badass69]

Right on, thanks for all the heads up. Yes, I reside in Nevada, and 2500HD 4x4 are a hard to find thing around here. So 14k isn't that bad in this area. Only other 2500's on auto trader within 150 miles were 3 of them, and they were going for over 20k a pop, around the same mileage

 

Ick...... 20K........some guys are just nuts. I did a quick check on the local trader and comparable mile 03's are in the 9-11 K asking and that is not beat up no option work pigs. But then up here with all the industrial activity, trucks are everywhere.

 

I do hope though that the previous owner of yours did some of the things I mentioned thus you won't have too. Or sometimes some of the stuff just never does happen which is good too. Even low mile ones here have issues and almost every single one I look at ( and even the ones I buy) need stuff from my list...... because apparently I am the only person that fixes anything on their truck up here, lol. I buy these trucks all the time so we shall see. I want a fleet..... then I can store them and drive a different one once I wear another out. I have a sickness, lol.

[cliobogger]

Haha, yeah...I don't have the cash for that. Our particular deal is he is willing to hold it for me for a couple months while I get my current car fixed (minor fender bender damage), and I am willing to pay asking price. But yes, the truck is a loaded crew cab 4x4 with all the options inside but a friggin sun roof. I don't want one anyways.

[Badass69]

Lol...... I am conversing with the owner of another as we speak.....

 

http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2006-GMC-Sierra-1500HD-Crew-Cab-4x4-87000km-W0QQAdIdZ484397478

 

He wants way too much.... but thats only 54000 miles on it. Perfect optionwise, including the 4.10 gears they don't mention in the ad. Let him sit on it for a while and I can probably get it for mid teens which I am okay with, lol.

[cliobogger]

Idk why 1500HDs sell for so much more than 2500HDs...

[Badass69]

They don't, lol. Not here anyway. I personally prefer the 1500HD and light duty 2500..... I don't need the 2" body lift, extra 2 inches of C channel on the rear of the frame, 10.5" 14 bolt and 263 t-case. It's funny as my 04 2500 actually has a 300 lb higher tow rating than the same truck as a 2500 HD.... only based on vehicle weight difference. Both have the same GCWR of 16000 lbs but the light duty is legal to 10,300 lbs with 4.10 gears and the 2500HD is only legal for 10000 lbs. Otherwise they have almost the same legal tow rating, are somewhat lighter and fit the bill perfect for me.

 

I personally don't want the 2500HD but if one fit my bill of options I will take it no question.

[cliobogger]

I have always wanted one. So now that I have the option to get one, and the money, I think I'm going to jump on it. You have been very informative and I wish I had your funds so I could have a fleet as well.

[Badass69]

I can own 3 of them for less than one new one. I am gmt800 freak.... like I said, its a sickness. My old 05 makes more than what a new truck costs in profit every year by itself. It helps pay for my addiction. Good luck and enjoy your new truck!

[warrab]

Okay, here goes. Intermediate steering shaft clunking, as well a worn out bearing in the bottom of the column.

 

The brakes always rattle on the HD trucks and its the pins and bushings in the calipers that wear and cause it. The brakes can and will start wearing stupid as the caliper will be loose enough to run crooked on the spindle.

 

Oil cooler lines on both the engine and trans leaking.

 

Pump rub on the transfer case causing a pinhole which destroys a case half and usually piles up the case because it runs out of oil. This is the norm on either the 261 ( manual shift ) or 263 ( electric shift). Happens on the 246 too but a 2500Hd will not have that case

 

At 100000 miles the shocks are garbage unless they are new.

 

Yes the heads shear off on the exhaust manifolds where they connect to the head..... some leak, some like mine, don't.

 

The encoder motor or dash buttons give up the ghost ( if it's push 4X4....... or a 4 wheel drive at all as I am just guessing).

 

If it has that miserable manual climate control be prepared for that to start losing fan speeds as the blower resistor fails. Or even as the digital system or the manual the blend doors in the dash can stick and you have to change the actuators.

 

Water pump to block gaskets or the pump itself starts leaking. The front hub bearings are about done by 100000 miles..... so expect those to fail fairly soon. Check the front end as even greased the inner tie rods on these trucks are junk and will be worn out or expect it soon. Then check the rest of the front end while you are at it.

 

Stepper motors in the dash cluster will fail, it's inevitable. Be prepared for that.

 

The torque convertor in the 4L80E is famous for failing..... so be weary of that.

 

I can honestly go on for days. My list isn't just HD's as most things apply to any GMT800........ but all I buy are 3/4 tons ( or 1500HD's which are 3/4 tons) so I get to fix a lot of things.

 

And no, I actually love the GMT800 trucks.... namely 03-07 classic. It just doesn't mean they are perfect lol.

 

Get it cheap....... it's not worth a lot no matter how well the guy thinks he took care of it!

Wow, you described my truck exactly. The transfer case was a nasty one. $$$