need help? buying a truck 2000-2007

General Moter Boater · May 4, 2017

Whats up. Please help me out with your experience and knowledge on these era trucks. Im a big GM guy but I've never owned a truck and most of my experience is with rwd chevys, cadillacs, and olds. I got the money for 2000-2008 silverado or sierra. I like the look, besides that i NEED a crew cab for the family and a v8. I will tow a very light like small aluminum fishing boat or single car trailer around 10 times a year.

I know every car/truck is not maintained the same so in general,

What year is the most reliable?

What should i know about the auto transmissions in these trucks and what if any year should I avoid?

Will the 4.8 do the job or should I not even look at it?

Most trucks I see for sale have one if more light on the dash (idiot lights) , whats with that? ( i believe its the airbag)? What can I live with? no pun intended lol.

thanks for everything in advance.

also how reliable are the flex fuel models

General Moter Boater · May 4, 2017

duramax?

O_J_Simpson · May 4, 2017

duramax?

You better have very deep pockets of repair money.

DareDog · May 4, 2017

The 4.8 would do the job but the 5.3L does it a lot better. Have '05 1500 5.3L here and the motor is great and rest of truck had problems. Nothing really major just things that are time consuming.

aseibel · May 4, 2017

Every model year has vehicles with no problems and some with issues. Rather than seeking out an individual year or model I would try to find one that I can tell the previous owner took care of it. The carfax will tell you if they had it maintained at a dealership. You should get a carfax report with any used vehicle now.

Look for a stock truck that did not have any suspension or performance mods, as those are sure signs of people who may abuse things. I would rather have a truck previously owned by a grandpa.

The 4.8 will pull a car hauler and small boat. But you probably will enjoy the 5.3 more. figure out what's in your price range. good luck in your search.

diyer2 · May 4, 2017

Reliability is a tough one. Who knows how the truck was treated and maintained.

5.3L price difference should be minimal at that age.

If it has a check engine light, I'd pass. Theirs one that doesn't.

Keep looking until you find one that's clean well maintained. There available just rare IMO.

intheburbs · May 4, 2017

2003-2006 trucks were pretty bulletproof. I've never been a big fan of the 4.8. The 5.3 in those years was a terrific motor.

2007+ trucks - I'd avoid 5.3 trucks, as they have AFM, and it's a known problem. I'd also avoid the '07 MY altogether, as it's the first year of a new platform.

Nick The Great · May 4, 2017

It kinda depends whether you want the GMT800 or 900 platform. The cutoff was 2007, in which you could get either.

I had a 2007 GMT900 Crew Cab with the 5.3 Flex Fuel and it was a fantastic truck. Just got rid of it two weeks ago for my 2017.

I didn't have any problems with it save for the rusty rear fenders. I think GM did a lousy job on the plug welds on mine, and it led to it's doom. So check for bed rust.

The 5.3 with AFM and Flex Fuel was good to me. It did drink a lot of oil, and I had just slight ticking on cold starts. But other than that, very good.

dirtfan21 · May 4, 2017

IMO find an '06 or '07 classic GMT 800 crew cab with the full center council and Bose stereo. Like mentioned before, that platform is bulletproof if maintained. Around here in the midwest the rockers rust out quickly, but in CA that shouldn't be an issue.

General Moter Boater · May 4, 2017

Thanks guys for the real good info. so it looks like no 4.8 or duramax for me. As far as GMT 800 AND GMT 900 can someone school me as what changed over in 2007? Was it just cosmetics. Any drivetrain upgrades?

Ill be sure to take my time and get an unmolested truck most likely from the good side of town

i will skip on the check engine light aswell.

General Moter Boater · May 4, 2017

whats afm and why do some say to steer away from it? thank you.

Nick The Great · May 4, 2017

whats afm and why do some say to steer away from it? thank you.

Active Fuel Management. It essentially turns your V8 into a 4 cylinder at certain times to save fuel.

My opinion is that is saves a miniscule amount of fuel and introduced a host of other problems. Like oil burn, ticking engines, etc.

I don't know which trucks has it. I think most all the GMT900 with 5.3L engines do, but I could be wrong on that.

GMT800 vs 900 was a platform change. The outside of the truck looks different and the interior is quite a bit different. I liked my GMT800 but I liked the looks of the 900 better.

I really like my '17 (K2XX) in that respect, but that's not what you're asking about.

General Moter Boater · May 4, 2017

Thanks Nick, I understand the afm concept better now. I appriciate your time as Well as others, I be shopping around now with a better head on my shoulders.