Just turned 14,000 miles on my 1500...

HillHound · December 23, 2001

Just wanted to say I hit 14000 miles on my 2001 Silverado and how pleased I am at the quality of this truck. I bought it new last January on a trade-in of a Dodge 1500 318 and I' glad I did. So far the only problem I had was the driveshaft clunking which I fixed on my own at home.

I planned on keeping the 2001 Dodge Ram (which I bought in May of 2000) for several years, but after several mechanical problems I took my dad's advice and traded it off. Among others, the main problem that pushed me over the edge was that the power steering pump piston broke while my wife was driving it and she nearly wrecked. The Ram was a 318 5-speed reg cab short box which was a blast to drive but after those problems I didn't trust it any longer.

The only thing I miss with the Chevy is that it's not a 5-speed, but I guess you can't have it all! Anyway, the auto tranny is much less tedious to operate while towing the trailer. Hopefully, this will continue to be a quality truck since I want to keep it for at least 6 years. Although I am totally happy with this truck I will say that if I was buying it over again I would probably get a 1500HD or a 2500 with the 6.0L. I seem to be accumualting stuff to tow and there are times when I could use a few more hamsters under the hood!

Anyways, I hope you all are as satisfied with your Chevy trucks as I am with mine. Happy Holidays!!

Stepside Z · December 23, 2001

Glad to hear that you are having good luck with your truck. I have had a couple of minor problems with mine but nothing worth mentioning.

Shaners · December 23, 2001

Nice review Hillhound!!!

14K in 11 months is pretty good!!!! I know some people with 318/5speed Dodges that absolutly "hate" them because of the ECM programming... Appearently with that combo, alot of them have severe bucking and missing probs...

HillHound · December 23, 2001

Nice review Hillhound!!!

14K in 11 months is pretty good!!!! I know some people with 318/5speed Dodges that absolutly "hate" them because of the ECM programming... Appearently with that combo, alot of them have severe bucking and missing probs...

Shaners: Don't think I ever had that happen. Actually I really liked the 318. It was a gas hog and the the 5.3L is a much better engine overall. The thing I liked about the 318 was that it had alot low-end power. I could start out on a slight incline from a dead stop by just easing out the clutch and not even touching the gas. Of course on the downside, 5th gear was worthless on the interstate with any kind of load or pulling a hill. To make a long story short-I like the 5.3L 101% better!