About to buy a used chevy

TXShay85 · May 5, 2003

i'm about to buy a 1999 new body style 5.3 pickup this week. I have a quick question, are their any problems that occured this year? I test drove the truck and seemed perfect had about 54k on it.

thanks

Shaners · May 5, 2003

The most common high dollar problem on the '99 trucks is the ABS module. They are available on Ebay for about $100, but a new one from the dealer is alot more cabbage. I'd ask the dealer or private seller, if the ABS module was ever replaced.

The only other annoying problem is wind noise from the excab windows, but that isn't limited to just the '99s.

The driveline should be solid, but the slipyoke has known to "clunk" when you start out after coming to a stop. there is a nickle plated yoke available to help this problem. A few people have noted universals going bad, but they are cheap to replace if that were to happen.

Good luck with your new purchase!!! I'm sure you will love your new truck...

burgundyz71 · May 6, 2003

I had a 99 and other than the wind noise which wasn't that bad it was a great truck.

silverado man · May 6, 2003

I've got a 99 and it's a great truck. Just a few annoyances like what Shaner's said but all around its a very solid truck.

Don't be afraid of the higher milage. I bought mine with 57k on it about a 1 and half ago. and now it has 80k on it now.

MarkD · May 6, 2003

If you are buying from a dealer, make sure you realize what is excluded by any warranty before you add the option. I bought a '99 and had $3400 repairs w/in 30 days of purchase that were NOT covered by the $1200 extended warranty.

1.) Check for play/clunk in steering

2.) Check for play/clunk in driveline

3.) Don't upgrade the Gauge cluster

4.) Check the emergency brake

5.) If it has a drop in bed liner, look under it.

HeyJoe · May 12, 2003

I realize this may not be an option in your situation (and some folks may just plain hate the idea anyway), but I bought my 99 Silverado from a Ford dealer (same dealer had a Ford and a Chevy showroom).

The difference was in the extended warranty: the premium Ford warranty ("competitive model" warranty, or some such name) covers a lot of stuff that the Chevy warranty doesn't, including the electronic ABS module. After what I'd read on this board about the cost of that repair, the warranty was a no-brainer decision. Service is still at the Chevy dealership, they would just need to confirm the coverage with Ford if a warranty repair was needed.

I haven't needed the warranty yet (after almost a year of ownership), but it's nice to know it's there.

-- Joe

WEFs99 · May 12, 2003

Mine has been a good truck at 42k miles. It has some lifter noise on startup but that's it.

BDBWTE · May 12, 2003

My 1999 K1500 ext. cab Z71 is doing relatively well. I had a few leaks on my the drivers side door ended up being the boot that comes through the firewall. And the second leak was the split window in the back. Took chevy three times to get that one right. I have 78,000 miles with no problems.. :thumb: