2000 2500hd reliability

[JTv8]

Im looking at a 2000 silverado 2500hd, 6.0 v8, 4wd, only has 48k miles. What stuff should i look for? Besides rust obviously. What can i expect to get out of this truck? I want a truck i can fix myself for relatively cheap without having to run to the dealer.

[davester]

The drivetrain is pretty reliable, should easily go to 200k with proper maintenance (other than random failures).

 

I would suggest checking brake lines, as they rust on these trucks.  Look along the frame rail, from the front driver's side wheel to the abs controller under the frame, below the driver's seat, as that's the worst spot for it, the other one is along the frame over the fuel tank, but it's difficult to see there.

 

Don't forget to change the fuel filter, it's also under the truck, near where the abs controller is.

 

All the oil lines tend to seep/leak over time (engine oil, transmission oil, power steering).

 

As for working on it, I would suggest first getting the full service manual, either the paper version (5 thick books) (helminc.com, ebay/amazon) or online at a site like alldatadiy.com, then a good code reader, like a knockoff techii, autogenuity w gm enhancement, that can get codes from all the computers in your truck (there are over 10), as well as perform a bunch of testing and diagnostic procedures (for example, bleeding the abs controller if you need to) outlined in the full service manual.

[JTv8]

11 minutes ago, davester said:

The drivetrain is pretty reliable, should easily go to 200k with proper maintenance (other than random failures).

 

I would suggest checking brake lines, as they rust on these trucks.  Look along the frame rail, from the front driver's side wheel to the abs controller under the frame, below the driver's seat, as that's the worst spot for it, the other one is along the frame over the fuel tank, but it's difficult to see there.

 

Don't forget to change the fuel filter, it's also under the truck, near where the abs controller is.

 

All the oil lines tend to seep/leak over time (engine oil, transmission oil, power steering).

 

As for working on it, I would suggest first getting the full service manual, either the paper version (5 thick books) (helminc.com, ebay/amazon) or online at a site like alldatadiy.com, then a good code reader, like a knockoff techii, autogenuity w gm enhancement, that can get codes from all the computers in your truck (there are over 10), as well as perform a bunch of testing and diagnostic procedures (for example, bleeding the abs controller if you need to) outlined in the full service manual.

Thank you, ive heard that these rust apart really easily, thats my main fear. Oil drips dont scare me as much as computers breaking down that i cant fix without the dealer.

[riverbanks]

Alot less bells and whistles on the 00',life was simpler back then,48k,it's barely broke in,lol

[davester]

Oops, I forgot when the model changed.  If your 2500 is a GMT800, then the code reader stuff I posted applied, if it is the earlier GMT400 style, then it doesn't, and I don't know what's a good code reader to get.

[JTv8]

35 minutes ago, davester said:

Oops, I forgot when the model changed.  If your 2500 is a GMT800, then the code reader stuff I posted applied, if it is the earlier GMT400 style, then it doesn't, and I don't know what's a good code reader to get.

Its an 800. Also what do you think is a fair price for one of these? Guy wants 10,300 i think thats high, id rather be more like 8500

[davester]

To me, that is stupid high for a 20 year old truck.  It would have to be virtually mint to be worth that much, even with the low miles (if the mileage is correct, as it's trivial to swap out the IP and put in a lower mileage one and it's very difficult to determine that happened).

 

Remember, lots of parts for it are obsolete from GM, so it's either new third party or used OEM parts for it now.

[CamGTP]

Check what cylinder heads are installed. Sometime is 2000 I believe they switched to aluminum cylinder heads. The Iron heads could be more prone to head gasket issues. I think some even had paper head gaskets before everything switched to MLS gaskets.

 

A rust free low mileage truck could get 10k here pretty easy, people want that stuff in the rust belt.

[carkhz316]

Agreed with above, barring rust concerns, I'd only be worried about fluids, filters, and hoses. 99-00 3/4 ton (if GMT800) were only 2500LD, and all 6.0 had cast iron heads. 2001+ 6.0 received aluminum heads.