Buying a 2002 2500HD 4x4 - any checklist items?

[teambell]

Hello, just found this board and love it. I was researching some RPO codes on a truck I am test driving and found this forum. I have read the posts, but still would like to get your run down on what are the potential gotchas to look for on this model.

 

The specs...

2500HD

Crew Cab

8.1L (yes!)

Alison 5 speed

4WD

Heavy duty tow and alternate battery

 

It seems to be the middle grade model, power seats, cloth not leather. I also had some codes that I could not find descriptions for, they are:

CMD

HVY

PCM

SLN

V73

YD3

YD6

YK6

 

Anyway, If you have some tips for me I would appreciate it!

 

Thanks!

[Haulin' 8.1]

Welcome to the site and good luck finding a truck. I love my 8.1 powered 2500HD.

 

Here's some issues to look for or check to see if it's been addressed on the truck you've listed.

 

Tailgate straps breaking from corrosion inside the sheath. This is covered by a recall. One of mine broke with hand pull strength when I checked.

 

All '01 and early '02 8.1 crank sensors fail. Replace with the updated part.

 

Delco batterys of this vintage have about a 40% premature failure rate to the positive terminal corroding off from the inside. Look for corrosion around the POS post and or acid trails down the battery and tray. I drug a dead auxillary battery around for almost a year before I figured out it wasn't working.

 

These engines burn a lot of fuel and consume moderate amounts of oil. A trade off for the power and simplicity it seems. Be prepaired to change things like plugs and filters more often than on normal passenger cars for best efficiency and long life. Plugs routinely are fouled by 50K on the 8.1. I put a fuel filter on my truck after purchase at 50K and by 75K it was clogged again.

 

Myself and many others have found Rotella 15W-40 to give lower oil consumption, less burn off, and one member performed used oil analysis to find less wear with it.

 

The Allison has a easy to replace spin on filter and a drain plug in pan. Use them to service it for better trans performance and to avoid issues.

 

Some of the codes you listed are in my '01 manuals:

CMD?

HVY : 2" body raise, HD model

PCM?

SLN: Not sure but probably mid level trim. SLT is LT trim (sales package)

V73? in the towing and trailering options group

YD3?

YD6 : Sring Rear, Base Equipment

YK6: ? Rear tire size, not listed in '01

 

Overall the truck has been easy to maintain and problems are minor. You've got to fight for your fuel mileage though.

 

Vernon

[catch2otwo]

make sure you get the posi in the rear, looks like the codes you posted doesnt indicate it has one. code should be G80

[teambell]

Guys,

 

Thanks very much. I do have the G80 option also. BTW, in my list of codes I show M74, in 2002 was this a 4 or 5 speed Allison transmission? Also, what grade of fuel do you run? I am in the land of | 85 | 87 | 91 | as the most frequest options. I am also at 6500ft for most driving.

 

Thanks!

[catch2otwo]

what year is the truck, i believe that all allisons up until recently were 5 spds, the new ones are 6. if its the 4 spd i believe its the 4l80e.. someone correct me if im wrong

[teambell]

what year is the truck, i believe that all allisons up until recently were 5 spds, the new ones are 6.  if  its the 4 spd i believe its the 4l80e.. someone correct me if im wrong

 

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It is a 2002 with the RPO M74.