NEW Truck buyer Needs Advice

fieldysnuts8 · March 3, 2004

Im looking at buying a 96 silverado 1500 extended cab 4x4. It has a manual transmission. I was wondering if the manual tranny is any good, does it shift smooth and are the gears pretty easy and solid, also is it a good dependable transmission, or should i wait and try to find an automatic.

I was trying to find a z71, but pickings are slim in my pricerange so im prolly gonna have to go with the 4x4 package instead of the z71 package. what are the differences between the two packages? is it just the bilstein shocks and the brush plates? or is the z71 taller or anything like that? thank you.

Scott02Z71 · March 3, 2004

The Z71 package only gives you the stickers, better shocks (which are still kinda junk) and the skid plates. So if your not using the truck for off roading, youll be ok. As far as the manual tranny, i have driven one and their OK, its obousily not like driving a sports car, but its not like driving a semi either. I would have no problem with a 5 speed. I would just suggest driving it a little and see if you like it. I cant speek to how the tranny holds up, i have never owned a fullsize with a 5 speed. Hope this helps

Scott

fieldysnuts8 · March 3, 2004

yeah thanks. im going to be using the truck off road pretty often. nothing too hardcore, but stuff an average car wont handle. most likely ill be lifting it within a year or two, so who i dont even know if the z71 is the way to go.

Dusterman · March 3, 2004

i have a 2003 1500 4x4 and it doesn't have the z71 package. But i beleive mine is setup better than the z71 because I ordered the skid plates ($100), plow package (oil and trans cooler with heavy duty front suspension), and locking diff.

Take a look under that truck and see if it has any of the heavy duty options and skid plates. If so, why bother with the z71?

DG

fieldysnuts8 · March 3, 2004

how much did that locking diff cost you? cause i remember when i was looking at getting one for my jeep is was a small fortune.

builderpaul · March 3, 2004

I thought skid plates came with the plow prep as well as a larger air cleaner.

Texas Z · March 3, 2004

On my 2002 Z71, the locking diff was a $285 option. I think it is well worth the money to have a locking diff if your going to use your truck offroad.

fieldysnuts8 · March 3, 2004

yah definately a good thing to have but how much do you think it would cost to get a locking diff on a 96 k1500? i would have to buy an aftermarket one and put it on.

superbee · March 3, 2004

The Z71 package is all show and no go. All of the stuff you will do to your truck to make it off road ready will replace most if not all of the factory stuff. The clutches are the weak spot for the manual trans of that generation. I have had good luck with Zoom and Centerforce clutches in trucks of that vintage ('92, and '95). I say go for it if the price is good and there aren't any leaks from the engine trans and diffs. If there are, start looking real close at where they are coming from. Hope this helps.

Superbee

fieldysnuts8 · March 3, 2004

yes thanks for the help. does anyone know if the manual on the 96 silverado 1500 4x4 has a manual transfer case with a 4low or does it use the electronic transfer case, and if so does the electronic one have a 4low?

superbee · March 4, 2004

I'm sure they all have 4Low. That's why it's called 4wd and not Awd.

asilverblazer · March 4, 2004

I've had clutch problems on a manual...

...come to think of it I had to rebuild an automatic to...

TarheelZ · March 4, 2004

Don't know if you have access to the RPO codes for the truck you're interested in, but if you can get those from the glove compartment door, you can check against the RPO's by year on this site to see what type of rear-end, transfer type, etc.

The last 3 GM trucks I've owned were all automatics but I would prefer the 5-speed manual, just my own preference...then torque management is pretty much in the hands (and feet) of the driver!

99GoldSilverado · March 5, 2004

I had to replace the trans on my 93 at 120K. Replaced the clutch at the same time.

superbee · March 6, 2004

My '88 just ate it's second Auto at 150k, the first went at 80k. Buy it if the price is good (less than NADA or KBB) and when it breaks, replace the junk that broke with good stuff that won't.