00 Z71 74k. No maint hist. What all should I do?

[Robbo]

I just bought an 00 Z71 with 74,000 miles on it. It doesn't appear to have been abused, but there was no proof of maintenance history. What All should I do?

 

I was thinking I would change the coolant, oil, tranny, diff fluids. Check the plugs and wires and possibly replace them. Use some kind of decarb (ie - seafoam) as a start. That way I'd know where the fluids/plugs etc stand for future changes. Any other suggestions?

 

Also, those with 00 Z71s. Anything specific I should be looking out for?

 

Since I'm already posting... the dealership put a plastic bedliner in (Rugged brand). I really want a spray in liner. Are the plastic liners worth anything? Don't know what to ask, or if they bring anything for resale. It's about 2 weeks old.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Rob

 

[Bish]

I would change all fluids including trans (with filter), engine oil, front and rear diff (if 4x4), Transfer case (if 4x4). I would not flush the tranny at this point. I'd probably do a filter change and then drain and fill again after about 10 miles or more to get most of the old fluid out. I would also flush the cooling system. I do it myself with a garden hose. Do a search as I'm sure I've got posts explaining it in detail.

 

I would also grease the front end (11 zerks if 4x4). Flush brakes completely. I use a turkey baster to suck power steering fluid out of the res and refill with new. Then do it again later to exchange most of the fluid.

 

You are due for plugs and wires. I run NGK TR-55 copper and Taylor wires with good success. I run copper becaise I think it runs better and I don't mind changing them every 30K.

 

I do a Top End cleaning every 30K or so as it starts to build up carbon and I get pinging. I would also run a couple bottles of Chevron Techron to clean out the fuel delivery. Change fuel filter while you are at it. I change every 10K miles just to play it safe with the fuel pump as 1 bad tank of gas can plug the filter and toast the pump. Get ready for a fuel pump either was as you are at the right mileage for it to go.

 

Enjoy your truck!

[asepgrad98]

I do it myself with a garden hose

 

You can do that but it is better to use distilled water in your cooling system.

[Robbo]

Thanks for the replies guys

 

Bish, looks like excellent advice. I'm going to do all of those.

 

 

Rob

[hoorders]

Thanks for the replies guys 

 

Bish,  looks like excellent advice.  I'm going to do all of those.

 

 

 

Rob

 

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Absolutly all good advice.................I've got a 2000 Z71.............its been a great truck and I love it..............enjoy yours...

[Bish]

I do it myself with a garden hose

 

You can do that but it is better to use distilled water in your cooling system.

 

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I agree depending on what your local water is like. For hard water, I would recommend either draining the block or not using the garden hose method. The Helms manual actually specifies potable water and not distilled. Potable is just drinking water. I've been using a garden hose several times over 160K and I still have original rad, heater core, and water pump so I don't think it is doing any bad. Then again, I have good local water.

[OUMike]

I just bought an 00 Z71 with 74,000 miles on it.  It doesn't appear to have been abused, but there was no proof of maintenance history.  What All should I do?

 

I was thinking I would change the coolant, oil, tranny, diff fluids.  Check the plugs and wires and possibly replace them.  Use some kind of decarb (ie - seafoam) as a start.  That way I'd know where the fluids/plugs etc stand for future changes.  Any other suggestions?

 

Also, those with 00 Z71s.  Anything specific I should be looking out for?

 

Since I'm already posting... the dealership put a plastic bedliner in (Rugged brand).  I really want a spray in liner.  Are the plastic liners worth anything?  Don't know what to ask, or if they bring anything for resale.  It's about 2 weeks old.

 

Thanks in advance for any help. 

 

Rob

 

 

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Hm...2000 Z71 reg cab...I think the first thing I would do is sell it.....

 

to me

 

Beautiful pickup man. That the 5.3? Can you get 4.8 Z71s?

[pm26]

Bedliners are useful if you throw a lot of heavy, sharp objects into your truck bed. However, plastic bedliners will scuff the paint down to bare metal over time. There is something called a paint saver mat. It is a very thin mat that goes under the bedliner. It will prevent scuffing and it costs about $ 35 for a full size truck. Truck accessory places carry these. You need to remove the bedlines, place the paint saver mat on the bottom of the bed (trim as necessary as they are not custom fit item) and place bedliner over it.

[Robbo]

Hm...2000 Z71 reg cab...I think the first thing I would do is sell it.....

 

to me 

 

Beautiful pickup man.  That the 5.3?  Can you get 4.8 Z71s?

 

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Nice try Mike! No way will that happen. It was HARD to find one of these things around here. Wanted the 5.3 with regular cab and Z71 with wide bed in blue or black. Could NOT find one close to me in Tulsa.

 

This has the 5.3. Not sure if you can get 4.8 Z71s.

 

Rob

[Robbo]

Bedliners are useful if you throw a lot of heavy, sharp objects into your truck bed.  However, plastic bedliners will scuff the paint down to bare metal over time.  There is something called a paint saver mat.  It is a very thin mat that goes under the bedliner.  It will prevent scuffing and it costs about $ 35 for a full size truck.  Truck accessory places carry these.  You need to remove the bedlines, place the paint saver mat on the bottom of the bed (trim as necessary as they are not custom fit item) and place bedliner over it.

 

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I would definately rather have a spray in liner. This thing makes it a PITA to get hooks from my tie-down straps in anyway. I've always liked spray in over these anyway... plus I'd have to get a mat for under, then a mat for over so stuff doesn't slide around on the plastic liner. I'd rather just ditch it and go spray-in. I just didn't know if they were worth anything to anyone on the used market.

 

Thanks for the info.

Rob

[riverman]

i live in Canada and i have 2000 4.8 Z71 reg cab short box,and it only has 82000 K/M on it

[freakyt]

I would get a can of engine flush to remove all of the sludge out of your engine. Not really a big deal down south, I suppose, but up in the North country here we get a lot of condensation in our oil in the winter.

 

You can get it at any parts store. Basically what you do with it is add it to your engine oil right before you change the engine oil. It will bring you a quart over the full line, so you don't rev your engine at all. Just add it to your cold engine, start it, let it idle for 5-10 minutes, then you stop the motor, and drop your oil.

 

Engine flush is a great way to clean out your bottom end and your valvetrain.

 

Oh, BTW, sharp looking pickup man.

[Robbo]

Engine flush is a great way to clean out your bottom end and your valvetrain.

 

Oh, BTW, sharp looking pickup man.

 

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Thanks for the suggestion. I have used that before on a previous car. Will do it in this case too.

 

Also thanks for the complements. I've wanted one for a long time. I love it.

 

Rob

[Elwood 2000]

For hard water, I would recommend either draining the block or not using the garden hose method. The Helms manual actually specifies potable water and not distilled.

 

What is the matter with hard water? I plan on doing this procedure this upcomming week and will be using hard water from a well. It is very good and clean water, but it won't be softened.

 

Also, when I flush the system out, how much water will be left in there that can't be drained back out? I want to be sure to get a 50-50 mix of water and coolant when I am finished.

 

Thanks!

[Bish]

For hard water, I would recommend either draining the block or not using the garden hose method. The Helms manual actually specifies potable water and not distilled.

 

What is the matter with hard water? I plan on doing this procedure this upcomming week and will be using hard water from a well. It is very good and clean water, but it won't be softened.

 

Also, when I flush the system out, how much water will be left in there that can't be drained back out? I want to be sure to get a 50-50 mix of water and coolant when I am finished.

 

Thanks!

 

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Only risk with hard water IMO is you could get mineral deposits in spots inside the water jacket and/or it could be more abrasive to the water pump both of which are low risk in my opinion. I've only used tap water in 25 years of working on cars. Some will ONLY use distilled. Go figure.