Help on a 2002 2500HD Purchase

jaoder · December 31, 2006

Hello everyone, this is my first time on this forum and looks like a good group. I am looking at purchasing a 2002 2500 HD LS 6.0 Auto from a local deal for my son to use pulling his race car. Since he can't afford the payments one a newer one I thought this one would be a decient one for him. It's and extened cab, 4X4 that was owned by a guy in his mid 50's that farmed and used it to pull a stock trailer he drove it between farms which are spead out over a large area so there are a lot of highway miles on it. The truck appears to have been very well maintained and is not all beat up like you find most farm trucks. I know the dealer and he's let me have it for evaluation over the long weekend. The truck seems to run fine the engine is smooth and quite the trans shifts good solid and the temp stays right were my 3500 Duramax allison runs when not pulling. The only down side is that its high mileage 160K, I ran a carfax on it and it was clean as I expected. What kind of mileage have they been getting out of these trucks when they have been properly maintained? What are some of the thing I should be looking for? Its got a few minor issues, drivers seat is somewhat worn and the power functions are not working, the SES light is on but runs fine the dealer said he would take care of that and service the truck and trans. Mainly things I would expect on a truck with this kind of milage. The body is in really nice shape only a couple of small dings and the normal paint chips on the front. The steering is tight and the brakes are in good shape. He would let it go for 9K which I thought was a good price considering the condition it in. I'm looking for some input this would be the first high mileage truck I've picked up and if it works out well I will not be afraid to look at others down the road. My son's a body man so the paint touch up and stuff like that would be an easy fix for him.

Thanks,

John

mmmikkke · January 1, 2007

I'd say if you don't have piston slap, give it a try...

But I'd be a lot more confident if somebody had gotten over 200k on their 6.0L...

Anybody?

These 3 links might be helpful...

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...4&hl=most+miles

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...3&hl=most+miles

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...ndpost&p=433423

icecoldtexan · January 1, 2007

Hello everyone, this is my first time on this forum and looks like a good group. I am looking at purchasing a 2002 2500 HD LS 6.0 Auto from a local deal for my son to use pulling his race car. Since he can't afford the payments one a newer one I thought this one would be a decient one for him. It's and extened cab, 4X4 that was owned by a guy in his mid 50's that farmed and used it to pull a stock trailer he drove it between farms which are spead out over a large area so there are a lot of highway miles on it. The truck appears to have been very well maintained and is not all beat up like you find most farm trucks. I know the dealer and he's let me have it for evaluation over the long weekend. The truck seems to run fine the engine is smooth and quite the trans shifts good solid and the temp stays right were my 3500 Duramax allison runs when not pulling. The only down side is that its high mileage 160K, I ran a carfax on it and it was clean as I expected. What kind of mileage have they been getting out of these trucks when they have been properly maintained? What are some of the thing I should be looking for? Its got a few minor issues, drivers seat is somewhat worn and the power functions are not working, the SES light is on but runs fine the dealer said he would take care of that and service the truck and trans. Mainly things I would expect on a truck with this kind of milage. The body is in really nice shape only a couple of small dings and the normal paint chips on the front. The steering is tight and the brakes are in good shape. He would let it go for 9K which I thought was a good price considering the condition it in. I'm looking for some input this would be the first high mileage truck I've picked up and if it works out well I will not be afraid to look at others down the road. My son's a body man so the paint touch up and stuff like that would be an easy fix for him.

Thanks,

John

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I don't think 160K miles is high mileage for that truck. I have 119K on my '01 6.0L 2500HD and have not had any major problems. It will ba paid off in a couple months and I expect to get 300K before I let it go. I still have the original brakes on it. Purrs like a kitten, but roars like a lion when I need it.

Trouttrooper · January 1, 2007

I would focus concerns more towards hubs, u-joints, ball joints, steering linkage, rotors/calipers, etc. type stuff. Not saying that that I think they will be bad on that truck but things to check out on high mileage vehicles.

As long as the engine/tranny/transfer case have been taken care of they should last a long long time.

jaoder · January 1, 2007

Thanks guys for the help, I just filled it with gas and took it on a little 50 mile trip mostly highway and it got 16.78MPG which I though was good. We went through a couple of small towns and some hills so I think the engine is in good shape trans seemed to be working fine. I did notice that the gas gauge is a little off it won't go clear over to full it stops about 1 mark short. I'm sure that would take a new sender/pump assy so we'll just live with it. We had some ice so I was able to check out the 4X4 and it was quite and shifted in and out fine. I was also able to check out the Anti Locks and they worked fine, the only things are fixing the power drivers seat and finding some lube like silicone to put on the door seals so they don't squeak. I'm taking it back up to the dealer in the morning and before I sign the papers I'm going to have them put it on the lift so I can inspect the front end and looked the rest of the under side over it just not that easy on a creeper. It drives real nice and feels solid doesn't pull to one side or the other, brakes seem fine quite and it will stop straight. I was looking under the front and the CV Joint boots, ball joints and tie rod ends boots look to all be in good shape not torn or caked with grease. He's going to fix the problem causing the SES light to be on and service the trans since I thought the fluid was starting to look a little old but it smelled fine. Its got such a nice body for the miles and for the most part it looks well maintained so I'm not to worried about it and if the front end checks out ok tomorrow I think we'll take it. It will make a good truck for my son to pull his 24' tag with plus in a pinch I can use it to pull my 48' goose and were not going to have a bunch in it. I want to put in a spray in bed liner which do you guys like the Rino or LineX? I have a Rino in my 04 3500 and really like it but it got a couple of spots were it's pull away from the bed I need to get it back to the shop and have it fixed. How do you post pics to this site?

icecoldtexan · January 2, 2007

How do you post pics to this site?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You will have to upload your picture to a host web site like www.photobucket.com

and then enter the url info into the post.

Trouttrooper · January 2, 2007

Sounds like a good truck to me. I'd take it if that's what I was looking for.

The gas guage has had some issues with the sending unit in the tank not working right due to some kind of buildup or corrosion (can't remember exactly what). It can make the gas needle unreliable. Not cheap to replace from what I understand. I just started relying on my trip odometer when the gas gauge on my '99 started acting up.

jaoder · January 4, 2007

They are going to check on what it would cost to repair that sensor but I like your idea of just using the trip to keep track of the fuel usage. I was just up at the dealer and it was up in the air looks good underneath the U-Joints, ball joints and steering linkages are in good shape and tight. The tranny fluid was probably about due to be changed no debris in the pan or filter which made me feel good. The tech working on it knows the owners son and told him that his dad rarely pulled with it took good care of it regular oil changes and such. He also said if he wouldn't let his kids drive it! The main reason it had so many miles on it was he took off to go fisning in MN 5 or 6 times of year (must be nice) so it probably 85% long trip hiway miles. Should have it home tomorrow I think it will be a good truck for my son with a lot of life still in it. Thanks guys for all you input, this is a really nice site!

John

Big Jay · January 4, 2007

They are going to check on what it would cost to repair that sensor but I like your idea of just using the trip to keep track of the fuel usage. I was just up at the dealer and it was up in the air looks good underneath the U-Joints, ball joints and steering linkages are in good shape and tight. The tranny fluid was probably about due to be changed no debris in the pan or filter which made me feel good. The tech working on it knows the owners son and told him that his dad rarely pulled with it took good care of it regular oil changes and such. He also said if he wouldn't let his kids drive it! The main reason it had so many miles on it was he took off to go fisning in MN 5 or 6 times of year (must be nice) so it probably 85% long trip hiway miles. Should have it home tomorrow I think it will be a good truck for my son with a lot of life still in it. Thanks guys for all you input, this is a really nice site!

John

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I have a 2002 truck same as yours with265KM on it. Put in a water pump,coolant sensor runs great.Only complaint is most of the interior control panel light have burned out,wind noise is a bit much on the hwy and the mirors have both come apart at the stem and are currently held on with electrical tape,not impressed with that. Solid truck just a bit unhappy with the quality of some of the minor fit and finish items that are annoying. .