purchasing a truck

[steveo2155]

I really like the older chevy 1500 1988-1998. I am looking to find one that is still in good shape. Is there certain years that are better than others? Also how does 5.0 match up to the 350? Easy to work on and are parts cheap?

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Not sure about the 5.0. I had a 98 with the 5.7 and I think the best years would be 96-98 because 96 is when they introduced the Vortec and sequential FI as apposed to TB FI which isn't as good. It's like othe vehicles where some parts are easy to work on and other parts are hard to get to. As for part cost, it's what you'd expect from a full size truck.

[1997SierraSLT]

I'd consider the 97' I owned a complete lemon and finally dumped it as 167,000 miles. Erratic variable speed steering, constant coolant internal/external leaks, constant P0300 random misfire issues, and very poor braking system. No issues with the body, interior and drivetrain (transmission & front/rear differentials) however. My opinion is the first generation Vortec engine was one of the most poorly designed V8 engines GM ever produced....

[2018GMC]

My 97 4x4 Z71 with the 5.7 has been great. 198K on the clock. All original except 1 intake gasket and 2 fuel pumps, raidiator, steering box, idler arm, pitman arm. That's all it has needed since new. It used to tow a 7000lb trailer a few times a year to Colorado for a few years until a diesel took that job over.

 

Try and get the 5.7 350. I put a tune on mine from blackbear and you can really notice a difference.

 

12 -14 mpg around town and 16-17 on highway at 80mph. Keep it at 65mph and I've pulled down 21.

[2018GMC]

Not sure about the 5.0. I had a 98 with the 5.7 and I think the best years would be 96-98 because 96 is when they introduced the Vortec and sequential FI as apposed to TB FI which isn't as good. It's like othe vehicles where some parts are easy to work on and other parts are hard to get to. As for part cost, it's what you'd expect from a full size truck.

I agree, look for a 96 -98 or up to 99 if a 3/4 ton. Interiors are much nicer than models before 96.

[dcheeseman]

I have a 1995 5.7 / 350 K1500 Ex-cab, 226,000 original miles, all original drive train. First year of new style interior and last year of 350 TBI motor. Very very dependable motors, cheap, OBD1 and easy to work on. '95 350 TBI has around 200hp. Mine also has the floor shift four wheel drive

 

96-98 are the vortec engines 350 vortec had around 250-255hp. These have the push button four wheel drive, these where loud and clunky.

 

I personally love my 1995 been a wonderful truck, had it for over 12 years now.

 

Daniel

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

I have a 1995 5.7 / 350 K1500 Ex-cab, 226,000 original miles, all original drive train. First year of new style interior and last year of 350 TBI motor. Very very dependable motors, cheap, OBD1 and easy to work on. '95 350 TBI has around 200hp. Mine also has the floor shift four wheel drive

 

96-98 are the vortec engines 350 vortec had around 250-255hp. These have the push button four wheel drive, these where loud and clunky.

 

I personally love my 1995 been a wonderful truck, had it for over 12 years now.

 

Daniel

 

 

I never had a problem with my 4x4 when I had my 98. The only thing I had to replace or fix that had anything to do with 4x4 was just the 4x4 switch in the dash. I went mudding in it all the time and was actually surprised that nothing ever went wrong with the 4x4 the whole time I had it (from '04 to last year).

[dcheeseman]

 

 

I never had a problem with my 4x4 when I had my 98. The only thing I had to replace or fix that had anything to do with 4x4 was just the 4x4 switch in the dash. I went mudding in it all the time and was actually surprised that nothing ever went wrong with the 4x4 the whole time I had it (from '04 to last year).

Glad to hear, my uncle had a 1998 K1500 with push button and he stated how loud and clunky it was. Also a guy at work has a 1998 Silverado K150 with push button and would tell me how loud it was. Going by what people have told me, don't have any personal experience on one. I'd still buy one in a heartbeat, wonderful trucks!

 

Glad to hear yours was good to you....these trucks are bullet proof in my opinion...I'll never get rid of my 1995 K1500 Silverado!

 

Daniel

[dcheeseman]

The only problem I had on my 1995 K1500 4x4 was the front axle "actuator" easy plug n play replaceable part. It went out during winter when I needed four wheel drive for a snowy gravel hill.....its been great since.

 

Daniel

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Glad to hear, my uncle had a 1998 K1500 with push button and he stated how loud and clunky it was. Also a guy at work has a 1998 Silverado K150 with push button and would tell me how loud it was. Going by what people have told me, don't have any personal experience on one. I'd still buy one in a heartbeat, wonderful trucks!

 

Glad to hear yours was good to you....these trucks are bullet proof in my opinion...I'll never get rid of my 1995 K1500 Silverado!

 

Daniel

 

 

Oh I'm not denying that it's loud and sometimes a little clunky (was expected going into and out of 4lo, but I did like the manual said and put it in neutral and had it only going 1-3 mph), just saying that that's not a reason to not get one because the only problem I had with the 4x4 system was the switch in the dash.

 

As for rather it was good to me or not, it held up good for how I treated it. I had a lot of big fixes, but it was all from how I drove it and treated it. The only thing that those trucks seem to have is the fuel pump, but once I started to not let it get below 1/4 and always put big brand name gas I didn't have a problem with the pump.

[Mikeflach91]

I have a 1995 5.7 / 350 K1500 Ex-cab, 226,000 original miles, all original drive train. First year of new style interior and last year of 350 TBI motor. Very very dependable motors, cheap, OBD1 and easy to work on. '95 350 TBI has around 200hp. Mine also has the floor shift four wheel drive

 

96-98 are the vortec engines 350 vortec had around 250-255hp. These have the push button four wheel drive, these where loud and clunky.

 

I personally love my 1995 been a wonderful truck, had it for over 12 years now.

 

Daniel

 

 

My 98 does not have the push button 4wd it is the stick on the floor. Just thought I'd throw that in.

[2018GMC]

Another common repair on these trucks is the intake manifold gasket on VORTEC Engines. 96 - 98. If coolant starts disappearing and you don't have a leak or milkshake oil then..... You need an intake manifold gasket!