Looking to buy GMT800

[cobrajet84]

I'm looking at buying a gmt800 tahoe or suburban, anything i should watch out for while i'm looking at them.

[kstruckcountry]

For the most part I'd just see if it's been kept up, and that it drives nice and runs smooth. I have had transfer case motor, wheel bearings (one precautionary), shocks. New belts, hoses. Make sure it's not spewing anything. A lot will be obvious just driving it since you probably have an idea as to how it should feel.

[intheburbs]

I have an 01 Burb. Have 193k on the original engine and transmission. It's been a great truck.

 

Items to check (and I've replaced just about everything on this list):

 

Front hub/bearing assemblies are one-piece units and expensive to fix

Exhaust manifold gaskets - prone to leakage

Fuel pump whine - over 100k miles. Mine whined a little over a year before dying. Expensive fix - have to drop the tank.

A/C compressor, clutch and tensioner pulley - at least it has a separate belt so when any of those fail it won't leave you stranded

Window regulators - windows raise and lower smoothly and quickly

Body rust in rocker panels in front of rear wheel, and lower part of rear doors

If it has the ZW7 suspension, check the rear shocks - they're ~$300 a piece to replace

[servantsalesmen]

Examine the brake lines, fuel lines and trans cooler lines. They are steel and rust, especially in northern climates. My lines went on my 04 sierra and the pedal went right to the floor.

[KMGZ400]

Check for body rust too.. No one wants a rusty truck, the GMT800 were prone to rust through the rockers

[cobrajet84]

good info thanks guys

[ATMINF]

I would also say if you find a good 2500 suburban get it vs the 1500. The 2500 have the 4l80 trans as well as the 14bolt rear, and the 6.0 or 8.1 gasser motors.

[KMGZ400]

I would also say if you find a good 2500 suburban get it vs the 1500. The 2500 have the 4l80 trans as well as the 14bolt rear, and the 6.0 or 8.1 gasser motors.

I agree.. If your gonna get an older truck I would definatley get a 3/4 ton. The weakest link in the half tons is definatley the 4l60 trans

[Hecktorx]

Examine the brake lines, fuel lines and trans cooler lines. They are steel and rust, especially in northern climates. My lines went on my 04 sierra and the pedal went right to the floor.

+1

 

Also, lift gate rust, transfercase leak from pump rub, test all the HVAC and fan controls, Gauge cluster working properly.

 

Try to find one with 4.10 gears if you go half ton. They drive a little nicer.

 

I have a 2003 Silverado with 197,000 and original engine and trans. Engine still runs great and is strong, but the trans is probably getting near it's end.

[cobrajet84]

goin to look at an 06 tahoe today with just a hair over 102,000 on it

[kstruckcountry]

If you didn't know, 2006 gives you electric fans. Which is a good upgrade IMO.

[cobrajet84]

was a little let down with the one i looked at tonight, lift gate was inop (they said they have the parts to fix it), the controls on the door had a broken clip, the seat was really worn (imo) for the mileage, the guy said he could have everything fixed, i said when you do give me a call and then we can talk more, everything else was good though.

[kstruckcountry]

How did it drive?

[02suburbanZ71]

X10000 about the 05-06 2500 suburban. Efans, 4l80e, 14 bolt, 8.1. Thats one hell of a combo. It WILL be worth it in the long run

[intheburbs]

I agree.. If your gonna get an older truck I would definatley get a 3/4 ton. The weakest link in the half tons is definatley the 4l60 trans

 

I'd have to disagree. I think the semifloater rear is the weakest link. I've done a lot of towing with my '01 half-ton Burb. 20,000+ miles pulling a 6,000-lb travel trailer. It's on its FOURTH rear end. Has 193k miles on it and the original transmission runs/shifts flawlessly.

 

But yes, you can see from my sig that I'm a 2500 convert. I think the 2500 Burbs (both 800 and 900 platforms) are real diamonds in the rough. They're as mechanically bullet-proof as GM has ever made, IMHO.