96 350 5 speed

99yukon350 · March 11, 2006

I am looking for a new truck as my ranger should be sold tomorrow. I am looking for a 96-99 1/2 ton 4x4. 99 can be either body style because my insurance will be much cheaper having a 99 or older otherwise id would get an 03+ (anyone know the reasoning behind this?)

I came across a 96 ext cab 1/2 ton 4x4 with the 350 and 5 speed. I know these are rare to come across as I have not seen one in a while. How good were these transmissions compared to the autos that came in these trucks? The truck has 150,000 miles on it.

I kind of know what problems to look for on the obs but what problems should I look for on a 99+? The trucks I will be looking at will have 90,000+ miles on them.

Also has anyone bought a truck from lenz auto out of Fond Du Lac, WI? www.lenzauto.com I see they sell throughout the US

thanks

AirForceAngler · March 11, 2006

I'm not sure just how strong that 5 speed was back then. I seem to remember there being some issues with it, but there weren't that many produced so I'm not sure. If you're going to trailer with it, I'd get an automatic, much easier to find parts for also if something goes wrong. I know that 99 Old body style trucks and SUVs had head and intake gasket problems with the 350's but I'm not sure how many years that goes back. It may be just the 99's.

97chevy350 · March 11, 2006

Intake gasket problems, go back ATLEAST to 96, when the vortec came out. Its just a fact of life, however, it may have already been replaced, especially if it has 150K on it, chances are its already been done. If not, the parts arent very expensive and if you are fairly mechanically inclined, you could do thte job yourself in about a day or so.

AirForceAngler · March 11, 2006

97Chev, That is kind of what I was thinking, but wasn't sure about the years. I just knew a lot of people with 99's that were getting the gaskets replaced. And I agree that if it has 150K, it should have been done. I'd still be leary about that 5 speed with that many miles on it. I would also make sure that it isn't a 305, because I thought that the 350 only came with an auto. Could be wrong, though.

99yukon350 · March 11, 2006

I know all about the intake, my dad's yukon just had it replaced with 108,000. I brought it to the tech college and they replaced that and the ball joints for $460. So the intake isn't a big problem on the 5.3's? (off subject a bit but I thought the 5.3 was not a 327? I saw a truck with that on the side like the old ss 454 pickups) Is the transmisson the same on the 99-02 as the earlier trucks? Yes this truck is a 350. The only thing I would be trailering is a 5x8 chilton trailer full of firewood and maybe a snowmobile though I didn't even get to start my snowmobile up this year.

Thanks again

MS3DALE · March 11, 2006

I would also make sure that it isn't a 305, because I thought that the 350 only came with an auto. Could be wrong, though.

Nope there out there,My buddy has a '98 Ext.Cab 1500 Z71 with the 350-5 spd.

97chevy350 · March 12, 2006

I believe the 5.3 is a 325 not a 327 (I used to think it was but I think I read somewhere that it was a 325) and to be sure it is a 350, just check the 8th digit of hte VIN code, if its a 350 it will be an "R"