Is it worth buying a high mileage 00-02 Silverado 1500?

[tonyghkbve]

I'm high considering buying a 2000-2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT extended cab, 5.3 2WD or 4x4 Z71. Most of the ones I want are fairly affordable like under $5,000, but most are high mileage like over 150,000 miles. I want to buy one for a project truck and just a fun truck overall.

[jcastaneda92]

 

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[oldscsc]

It's not a bad idea if you have the money for some repairs put away. Fuel pump, water pump, hubs/wheel bearings, and maybe a trans rebuild are some common failure points. Overall, though, they are extremely solid and reliable pickups.

[Gurrzt]

It really isn't a question of the mileage, as much as it is a question of "how the vehicle was maintained?".

[sahls01gmc]

My 2001 is getting close to 300,000, and I would take this truck anywhere.

[ifixedit]

I would not be a bit afraid to buy one with 150,000 miles on it, these aren't like the old day cars that went about 75,000 and were smoking like a steam ship. Providing the earlier owners took decent care of the vehicle and changed the oil on a fairly regular basis it may just about run as good as day one still. My 03 just turned 222,000 and still runs as good as day one, I do change my oil every time around 4,000 miles too though.

[WilliamBos]

I had 217,000 on my 04 when I traded it back in March. Aside from brake, fuel and trans lines rotting out, I had no major issues.

 

Go for it.

[00Silverado4x4]

My 2001 is getting close to 300,000, and I would take this truck anywhere.

Currently at 373K+ miles, like said, how it was maintained and what you're willing to put into it is key.

 

The biggest thing (expense wise) for my truck was a transfer case. The rest was routine maintenance items.

[notbob]

My 01 Sierra 1500, 5.3, 2wd SL has 320,000 on it after I bought it with 147,000. Mostly highway miles which helps. I did a few minor improvements not long after I had it but otherwise it has been the most dependable vehicle I've owned. I love it.

[tcanthonyii]

I just traded in my 00 with 220k because the trans went out. If you're handy you can find rebuilt trans. for under a grand and put them in your self. I probably would have done that to mine but it was pretty rusty and with a family now a quad cab was really where I wanted to go. Otherwise I probably would have driven it well over 300k. That truck never needed a thing.

[Explorer]

As an "amateur" restorer, mileage doesn't bother me as much as rust. Body and paint are far more expensive issues to deal with. Just check them out good mechanically. I've started taking my laptop scanner with me when buying to identify any potential problems hidden by the seller resetting the computer.

[vernons9358]

I have pewter 2001 Silverado 1500 ext cab that I bought in 2006 with 97,000 miles.. now hs approximately 170,000 on the odometer.. has been an awesome truck... always been pro active to replace items before they broke... love my 01 as it runs and looks better than it did when I bought it!!! have an 01 Tahoe also...

[MikeInCtown]

I just went 200,000 miles on my 04 two weeks back.

 

there is a BIG difference in where the truck was from, as well as 4wd and 2wd. A 2wd is going to have less to work on as it gets older. The 4wd is going to need CV axles, transfer case maintenance, front differential seals, solenoids, and other parts that are part of the drive train and computer system.

 

They'll both need hub bearings (cheap as dirt on eBay) as well as the usual stuff like shocks, ball joints or tie rod ends. Rust as mentioned above is a deal breaker because of the likelyhood thaty the brake lines will need to be replaced and the calipers will also corrode up on you. It really sucks when you go to remove a rear caliper pin to do brakes and the bold head just snaps off.

 

Also, the trim level can also determine what work or maintenance you will need to do. On my SLT I have electronic shocks that one can select a ride setting on via pushbutton. Those damn shocks are $150 each. Still have my originals on but the fronts are shot now. So, I either get to spend the $$$ to keep the original design or scrap the ride control and put normal shocks on. You'll also most likely wind up replacing the dsh cluster because a stepper motor will fail. (Dorman through Summit Racing)

 

In the last few years here are the things that have gone bad on my 04 2wd;

Water pump

ABS controller (still haven't replaced)

Tach on my gauge cluster, (haven't gotten the replacement yet)

shocks

brake line

rear caliper

rear brake shields

Have a P0446 code, so maybe the EVAP solenoid?

Hub bearings

Rod ends

U Joints and carrier bearing

Exhaust cat back

tailgate cables and other hardware

I think the compressor clutch bearing went bad. I took the belt off for now but need to tear into the A/C system at some point.

Need to do an ATF fluid change in the near future as well as rear diff fluid change.

Bottom cab rocker panels are completely rusted out and needs to be fixed.

 

 

I'm also going to be doing the e-fan conversion. I've gotten the fan assembly and I've already installed the high amp alternator and belt. Just need the new radiator and wiring harness. I live in Cleveland so rust is a big issue as well as extreme temperature swings. You may not have the same issues where you live or get the truck from.

 

On the plus side, the engine only uses the normal quart of oil between oil changes (6,000 miles) and I still average 20mpg on the highway. Still cheaper than buying a new truck.

[Black02Silverado]

Everyone pretty much covered it. If you can find one that has documented maintenance that is a bonus. My 02 just turned 157k. I just replaced all the coolant/heater hoses on it. The originals still feel good but I didn't want to take a chance for the $85 it cost for all the parts, minus the Coolant/antifreeze. GMT-800 is a solid platform.

[ifixedit]

The only issue I had with mine was the gauge cluster (like everyone else's) went out which I had rebuilt for $180, I also had the pesky "reduced power mode" deal for awhile, finally cured it with a junkyard gas pedal and wiring harness. Otherwise in 222,000 miles I changed the coolant last summer, have not yet touched the trans or rear end fluids, new transfer case fluid, a couple of new front hub bearings, new U-joints a few years ago, a new alternator, new throttle body (while chasing the reduced power mode gremlin), new knock sensors and intake gaskets, new brakes, new tires 4 times, new headlamp bulbs, a new fan switch and rheostat, one new O2 sensor, all mostly rinky dink routine maintenance stuff that will eventually need to be replaced anyways. My tailgate cables were covered under warranty and there was a rear seat belt recall, and the emergency brake cable broke, never anything that has made the truck unable to drive.