Pre purchase 95-98 z71 questions.

[z71freak]

First let me say im a newbie so take it easy on me...

 

Anyway, every since I was a teenager i've always wanted a z71, so now at 23 i'm considering going ahead and buying a 95-98 extended cab swb z71. So before I do anything I wanted to talk to the pros (you) first.

 

What year is better?? From what i've heard the 97's are the ones to stay away from becuase it was the first year of the vortec 350, and i've also heard the 4L60E tranny is a hell of a lot better than the 700 r4.

 

Thats really all i've heard...so what should I look for (or not look for) in a mid/late 90s z71? Pros and cons please..

 

 

Thanks for the help...this site is awesome.

[badass96z71]

Actually I believe '96 was the first year for the Vortec 350, ok well at least my '96 has one. Anyhow that is probably the best 350 chevy has produced (my opinion). Haven't had any trouble and it's pushing 130k! Well it finally started leaking out of the rear main seal, but thats to be expected with high mileage. The only thing I don't like about my truck is it doesn't have the 3rd door. I think mid '97's came with the 3rd door? Any how my advice to you as a prospective Z buyer is get the 3rd door. And the 4L60 has had it's share of problems ie: slipping, however I have been "lucky" and haven't had any on wood. Well good luck in your truck buying adventure and always shop around.

I love this one--->

[99-2door]

All autos have 4L60e since 93

95 first year for newer interior (100x better than 94), 4-wheel ABS, keyless entry option added,

 

96 first year for Vortec SFI 5.7L (50x better than 95)

96 First available push-button 4x4, adjustable seatbelts front, DRLs

 

97 Passenger airbag, 3rd door available, variable rate steering on all models, 4l60e tweaked for smoother operation

 

98 Better looking steering wheel and driver's airbag, Passlock II added

 

99 Classic- identical to 98

[k1500chevy97]

I would go with the 97-99 for the 3rd door and the pass airbag

 

Take 95 off your list you will probally be better off with the 96 and up 350

[RyanbabZ71]

id go for the 98 or if your lucky you could find a 99 (one with the larger rear end I think 14 bolt? would be a good find)

[z71freak]

Thanks for all the quick replies.....I was actually looking at a 98, but from what all of you have said..the 97 should suit me just fine...now I have one more question, whats the price range for a 97 with ~ 130k on it? From what I have gathered the dealers want to give it to me without any lube..anywhere from 9-13k, anything over 10.5 is a little too much dont you think??

 

Also...I was on alldata.com looking at the TSBs and d**n im kinda skeptical..anybody else had those problems.

 

Thanks again for all the quick replies/help.

[k1500chevy97]

I would not go over 10 in fact 10 is kinda high

[Wingnut]

I would not go over 10 in fact 10 is kinda high

 

10k max.

[k1500chevy97]

I would not go over 10 in fact 10 is kinda high

 

10k max.

Another note I got my 97 for less than 10 about 3 1/2 yrs ago

[RyanbabZ71]

K1500 he is looking at an ext cab. Yours is a reg cab correct?

[k1500chevy97]

K1500 he is looking at an ext cab. Yours is a reg cab correct?

yea just giving him a rough price of those years . add about 2-4 grand for the ext

[Jailkeeper]

I've got a '96 with the Vortech 350 AND 3rd door. I bought it last March with 92k on it for right at $10k. Prices vary depending on location (I'm in east central IL) and for here I thought I was getting a good deal. I also had a '97 a few years ago, it was just as good a truck as the 96 is.

 

Only problems I've had are the pass. side seat belts keep getting tighter when you drive. The wife was always complaining about that. We took the '97 on a 1100 mile trip and she complained the whole way about the seat belt. Called a few dealerships to get it warrantied and got the run-around. Made a call to GM's hotline and told them I was on vacation and none of their dealers wanted to help me. If I had a wreck and my wife got killed, I would own GM. I got a call about 10 minutes later from one of the dealers, seems they wanted me to get over there right away so they could put a new seat belt in for me!!

 

Here's my '96 Z71.

 

[Wingnut]

Guy I work with just bought a 97 ex cab Z71 with 76k miles for $9900 about 6 months ago. All the bells and whistles including leather.

 

But I'm in OK where things are cheap, and there are more trucks than cars. (At least it seems that way to me:D)

[Z71SS]

I got my 95 2 tone leather loaded sb ex cab Z71 in aug,its super mint ,got high ks on it but everything works and runs perfect,had to fork over 12gs cant get em for less I really wanted the power of the vortec and 3rd door would be great for letting the rottie in and out,but for an extra 5gs I dont think so, ive put about 3500 worth of aftermarket on this one and its sweet turns lots of heads ,lots of complements ,I personally would not go lower than 95 cause after that the interior sucks IMO

[Chris97K1500]

Around my area, the 97-98's Ext. Cabs are going for about 13K with around 70K miles fully loaded. I got mine in Feb. for 13K, everything totally stock. Even though mine's not a Z-71, I've added everything a Z71 came with from a junkyard Z71 for about $100, plus a couple grand in add ons since. No problems from my truck so far, I've put about 30K miles on it since I got it. Definitely get the 3rd door. Tranny is smooth and I've added a shift kit to improve shifting, which is like night and day compared to stock. This is just MY OPINION, but the OBS trucks with the Vortec 350 is one the best 1/2 Ton trucks ever made by GM. No problems with CSK and the like with the 30+ year designed SBC 350. Look around and drive a few, even if you can't afford it, drive it, you can have something to measure up good/bad trucks. I drove some in the 10K range and a few in the 15K range. There is a reason why one is 10K and another is 15K, I also only considered buying a Private Seller truck, didn't want to fool with a dealer, that'll add a grand or so to the price. I drove about 12 or so different 97-98 Z71's and 4x4 Silverado's. On a few that I drove, the auto tranny wanted to upshift with a jerk, didn't really notice anything wrong at the time until I drove another one that shifted smooth and consistent. Just thought I'd tell you that up front so you'd know that isn't right. Good luck with your search! Chris