Gmc Vs Chevy Questions

truss64130 · September 20, 2007

Hey all. I've been lurking for a while. I have been in the market for a truck and I am very fond of GMC/Chevy's.

Usually I have been looking at chevy's, but ran into what I think is a good deal on a GMC. It is a 2002 sierra 1500 work truck RCLB 4x4, 4.8L with 55,600 miles on it, and a plastic bed liner. Asking price is $7,900, with only 1 owner. I'm going to carfax it just to be sure (inital carfax shows only 2 records but I have to pay to see more).

Anyways, it is lightly scratched on both sides of the bed from actually being used as a truck. Inside, outside (minus the scratches), engine bay, and underneath all seem very clean. No leaks under the truck, and it has been parked in the same spot for about a week.

Here are the questions I have...

1. What are the differences between the sierra and silverado work trucks? I noticed that all silverado work trucks I have been in have rubber floors, but the sierra I am looking at has carpet.

2. What do you all think of the 4.8L engine? Durability, power, fixability on my own, milage. I will be using the truck mainly to haul building supplies such as plywood, lumber, etc as I work on my house. No major hauling, but the possibility for a load of gravel.

3. The window sticker listed some sort of tow/haul suspension package, but there is no hitch installed. What does that package include and mean?

4. When I started it up last night, there was a change oil indication in the DIC. Is that clearable by me if I were to buy it and change the oil?

5. Provided that the truck was maintained correctly which it appears to be, what are common items I should look for problem wise?

6. Finally, what service items are usually needed around 60,000 miles? I don't want to buy a truck that needs $1,000.00 worth of work done to it.

Sorry for the long post, and I always see helpful information being passed all over the boards. Also, if there are other things I should ask or look for, please let me know.

-Todd

MS3DALE · September 24, 2007

Welcome!

Since no one else answered any of your questions I'll chime in..........

1.Not much difference between the two,I can't remember if GMC's work truck came with carpeting as standard equipment back then but I don't think so,It was probably ordered as a separate option. (If you PM me your VIN I can run a build sheet/invoice to find out)

2.I had the 4.8 in my '99 and it was a great engine,I put almost 84,000 miles on that truck with no issues,It had plenty of power & torque for me.

3.The tow/haul suspension (which is RPO code Z85) is nothing but heavy duty shocks,It has nothing to do with a trailering package/hitch.

(Although if the factory towing package was ordered the Z85 suspension was a required option)

4.Yes,You can reset the change oil light by turning the key to the on position (Do not start the truck though) and depressing the gas pedal three times real quick,This will reset the change oil indicator.

5.Rear disc brake pads like to wear out around this time,especially the right rear inner pad,also the rotors themselves might need replaced at the same time.

6.At 60,000 miles you could do all kinds of service items....Plugs,wires,coolant,belts,hoses and maybe a tranny & rear diff. service,But you could do these items a little at a time over time. (When mine hit 60,000 I did all of the mentioned items on a weekend)