2014 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3 with 220k miles

[teddyb1776]

Hey guys

 

Might be able to get a great deal on a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Z71 with a 5.3 with 220,000 miles on it. Truck is mint besides the high mileage. If this was a first generation LS motor I wouldn't even blink about purchasing the truck. But with that active fuel management and lifters and cam going bad. I am very skeptical. Trans was replaced about 30,000 miles ago and supposedly the mechanic turned off active fuel management at that time with 190K on the truck. It's the original motor.

 

Should I stay clear of the truck? 3 months ago my son bought a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT with 112,000 mi on it. The transmission was just replaced at the time of purchase. 3 months later the lifters and can went on the motor.

 

Thanks,

Ted

[diyer2]

You answered the question going by the experience your son had. I have bought used vehicles for many years but they were 50k or less.

[teddyb1776]

So that motor is that much of a tickling time bomb?

[CamGTP]

Honestly, no not really.

 

Just have the funds available on any used truck to pay for pop up repairs.

[teddyb1776]

I understand that but I'm talking about active fuel management on these motors.

 

That is the ticking time bomb. What's the most milage some put on a 5.3 with AFM?

 

[Naughty Donkey Performance]

The AFM delete can be done in your driveway in an afternoon, and the ECM can be sent off to be SURE it is programmed to not activate the AFM again.

I have done this myself and quite frankly it was pretty straightforward and easy.

I am pretty thorough and if you can follow simple instructions you can do this yourself as well, it is NOT a full delete but rerouting the oil flow and shutting down of the computer program that makes the lifters fail.

[diyer2]

High mileage vehicles makes me wonder the type of care or abuse that could happen in that amount of miles. Won't buy somebody's tired money pit.

[teddyb1776]

So what you're saying is, AFM doesn't worry you guys with this motor and they are still half decent?

 

Thanks.

[diyer2]

As simple as I can put it.

A roll of the dice. Do you feel lucky?

 

Look for a lower mileage truck would be my choice.

 

[teddyb1776]

[KARNUT]

The average life expectancy across the board is 200K miles. Most vehicle manufacturers have risen the oil change intervals to the limit only to reach that target. Add to that more manufacturers are adding internal parts like cylinder deactivation. More parts to break adding to the crap shoot. Along with more gears in the transmission adding to the rebuild cost. And there’s more electrical stuff to fail. I use my truck as my go to town vehicle in my retirement. Twenty miles a day max. I know good mechanics. Would I buy it? It would have to be ridiculously cheap. I use 500$ a month as cost for a new vehicle. Using that number would a used vehicle costs less to use until its purchase price is met? After that would upkeep stay under that monthly cost with the higher maintenance? 

[teddyb1776]

Thanks. I think I can purchase it for $9,000.

[KARNUT]

14 minutes ago, teddyb1776 said:

Thanks. I think I can purchase it for $9,000.

In my case I would have to get about 10K miles out of it to reach my goal if I didn’t sell my truck. I would buy it. The icing on the cake for me would be. I could easily get 7-8K out of mine. Even if I only got 5K it would be an upgrade in my situation. If it’s as clean as you say. 

[teddyb1776]

Thank you very much for your input. If I end up buying it I know the risk I will be taking.

 

Thanks again.

[teddyb1776]

I love GMC trucks since I saw Lethal Weapon 2 when I was 16. I was hooked.

Even went to as far as to recreate the 89 dually from the movie and always had them throughout the years.

 

When the redesigned body style came out in 2014. I was in love. It was awesome they brought  back the GMC logo back on the  middle of the tailgate and I love the front end with the LED headlights.

 

But never purchased one because of the bad reviews and the problems with the transmissions and the motors with AFM.

 

After my son got one and I drove his, I'm ready to get one.