Help: Thinking of buying '03-'05 Silverado

dawgvet · September 17, 2014

First post and was looking for some tips. I'm looking to replace my old F-250 with a used Silverado, probably an '03-'05 crew cab 4wd 5.3L. What were common trouble spots and what should I be looking out for in these trucks? Figured the truck will have 70,000-100,000 based on my budget.

Any tips/advice appreciated.

Thanks

Jed

oldmann · September 17, 2014

See if the fuel pump has been replaced. They can fail at about 100k. If you are thinking a 1500 silverado, the 2006 has a higher hood that makes it look great!

servantsalesmen · September 17, 2014

Check all of the brake lines, fuel lines and trans cooler lines. They corrode and burst on these trucks. Gauge clusters tend to fail as well.

servantsalesmen · September 17, 2014

Also, be sure you get the correct rear gear ratio for your application. 3.73 is the best for towing.

bossier62guy · September 17, 2014

Check all of the brake lines, fuel lines and trans cooler lines. They corrode and burst on these trucks. Gauge clusters tend to fail as well.

This might be the case in the northern climates but the southern trucks have no problems with undercarriage rust.

tramz · September 17, 2014

Blower fan resistor is a typical failure. This along with water pump, cluster stepper motors and diodes burning out I guess I've been lucky. '05 Purchased with 325 miles and now at 195,000 and these have been my only maintenance costs beyond the norm.

Bad Bowtie2 · September 17, 2014

I would get a 2005-2007 (Classic) too. These have the engine e-fans & get a lil better pwr/mpg as a result.

Just make sure all of the guages are working fine, ask for any maintence receipts, & ask about the fuel pump & transmission (if around/over 100K).

rdnkcpa · September 17, 2014

It will be hard to figure out by looking at, but those model years had trouble with Castech head failures. Some say not that many, but there are online machine shops that specialize in the 5.3 head replacement.

All other problems mentioned I have experienced.

They include:

Intermediate Steering shaft clunk

Gauge cluster has failed.

I'm in the process of replacing the brake lines(rusted out) and calipers(stuck).

Fan blower resistor

Cylinder heads

Transmission cooler line just started to leak.

My truck is a 2004 with a 5.3 and I just turned 149K

the most disheartening was the cylinder head replacement. Heads failed at 119K.

govener71 · September 18, 2014

I'm 90% sure all crew cab z71's came with 3.42 gears, unless it was a 2500 or special order.

ATMINF · September 18, 2014

In the half tons the trans is not a strong one. But the gas mileage for the 5.3 is much better than the 6.0l gasser.

kstruckcountry · September 18, 2014

Lots of good tips here IMO. But like stated above 2005-07c is even better if you can do it. The electric fans are nice. I have the 3.73 gears and I can get 18mpg on the highway, I think the 3.73 gears are the way to go.

XYZ · September 18, 2014

The Castech heads mentioned above are the 706 castings. You can see this easily on the passenger's side of the engine near the front.

djdlp1971 · September 18, 2014

I have a 2005 2500hd crew cab 4x4. It does have the not so MPG loved 6.0L but I love this truck..Have not had any issues outside of regular maintenance. I so stuck on this body style that I have not cared much for the newer styles yet.