Brian2006

iTrader: (42)

In need of some advice here. I am currently looking at purchasing a Chev/GMC truck as a DD and to keep the miles off the Z.

I was originally looking at only the 99+ body style but because of budget, I am also considering the body style before that. Is there certain years that I should stay away from? Any specific things I should check out in either body style truck? How many miles would you consider to be too much? V8 or V6? I'm sure there are many questions I should be asking but am basically looking for ANY advice from people with experience. Once again, this will be a DD truck so I'm really only concerned about reliability.

BizZzatch350

iTrader: (33)

Dont get a V6, my friend has a 4.3 full size, the gas mileage was the same if not worse then my friends 4.8, both ext cab, 2wd. Maybe in a reg cab it would be ok, but I would look for an 8. I have a 4.3 Blazer and that motor doesnt have any real advantage over the 8.

Brian2006

iTrader: (42)

That's what I read up on and just wanted to get a second opinion. It just makes sense that a v6 would be underpowered in an ext. cab. However, I am considering both reg and ext. cab. Just depends on the best deal

GunshotZ28

My brother in law has a '00 Chevy 1500. Automatic with the 5.3L V8. It's a 2wd but he has like a 2" lift on it along with 32" tires. He get's pretty good gas mileage. I've used the truck to go out of town every once in awhile and it gets about 18-19 on the highway cruising. It has like 220k on it, but he takes very good care of his vehicles. If I were you, I would try and find a '99+ body style. I like them more then the previous body syle.

BizZzatch350

iTrader: (33)

The 4.3s well kept can run for a long time, but after having one, the gas mileage alone makes it not worth it. My S-10 Blazer, 2 door, 2wd, gets maybe 17.5-18 mixed hwy and city, high way trips it gets at most 20.5. Thats around full size truck territory in a smaller mid sized SUV. I knew some one who had one a in a reg cab 4.3 with a 5 speed, wasn't to bad. Regular cab trucks kinda suck to live with on a daily basis, the extended cabs at least have room to throw stuff behind you in the cab.

Phil8616

iTrader: (11)

97-98' with the 5.7L are pretty much bullet proof. Very good reliability rating and I love the sound of flowmasters on the 5.7L, but mpg is better with the 99+ 4.8L and 5.3L. I don't like to get the first year of a new body style so I would go for 01+ if you have the money. Just my .02 cents

DWZ28

I have a 95 Chevy 3/4 ton with a 350 and its great
I bought in in 04 with 188,000 miles on it and now it has 227,000
everything is original and with 4.10 gears it gets between 13 to 15mpg
the only thing that Ive had to replace is a battery and one time I lost the starter bolts and it fell out but no big deal
As far as Im concerned if the truck was taken care of and not totally abused they last awhile.
As far as year models are concerned Id probably go with 96 or newer just because its not TBI. The vortec 350s do have a tendency for the intake manifold gaskets to wear out but not really a big deal.

GunshotZ28

I had a '96 Z71.. Extended cab/short bed with the 350. I had a 4" lift on it and 33" Super Swampers. That thing had to be getting about 15-16mpg going down the highway which wasn't all that bad for a lifted fullsize V8 with stock gears front and rear.

Brian2006

iTrader: (42)

That's the exact kind of information I was looking for. I knew the 94-98 had the TBI but did not know the 96-98 did not. Good to know.

Phil8616

iTrader: (11)

Yeah, 96+ got the new Vortec engines with a good boost of hp and tq I believe 225 to 255hp or so and then a good amount for tq as well.

A-Dub

iTrader: (6)

Vortec 350s were 255/330 and tons of low end. I liked the vortec 350 best for driving around town, not really fast, but lots of torque. I realize the 5.3 is rated a 330 as well, but it peaks almost 1000 rpm higher than the 350 did.

I'd buy the newest nicest truck you can afford. I have owned vortec 350s, 4.8s, 5.3s, and 6.0s and there really isn't a huge gas difference between the group. 350 and 6.0 on the lower end, 4.8 on the higher end, 5.3 in the middle.

irbs

iTrader: (7)

I have heard the smaller V8's get better gas mileage than the V6's.

-Ross-

iTrader: (2)

I had a 2000 Chevy Tahoe Limited (old body style) with a Vortec 350. I never had any problems with it...nothing. I drove it from 41,000 miles to about 86,000 miles. I then sold it to my father-in-law. He's been driving it for 2 years now without any problems.

Pavlock Performance

iTrader: (39)

haven't read any responses but 87 started the TBI and I know you dont want the old box style. 88-98 are the same body style which I think you like. 88-95 are the TBI motors which last forever but are complete turds. 96-98 are the vortecs and get a little better fuel economy on average and are quicker. It seems like this era is holding value pretty good so you may be able to get a high mileage 99+ for the same price range.

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Stick with the 99+ body style. They drive better and are more comfortable than the previous trucks. Plus, the LS based engine is never a bad choice.

Pavlock Performance

iTrader: (39)

P.S. if you DO get the 99+ I know you will want to mod it so if your trying to save money than that may not be for you haha..

Fabrizi

iTrader: (1)

Been DDing an 05 Reg. Cab Silverado 4.3 for 2 years, and no problems as of yet with 40k miles. Lifted with bigger tires as well. Sans mpg, it's great.

1996Formula

iTrader: (2)

i dd a lifted 99 2 door tahoe with a 350 and 175k on the clock (70k on a gm rebuild 350). have had no issues at all with it, except trying to sell it with gas being so expensive lol

LS1Aggie09

iTrader: (25)

shoot me a message on aim brian if theres any quesitons you have in particular...i used to be very into the truck scene and can help you out with a lot of quesitons you have probably. something to consider is the transmissions probably being the weak points in all of the trucks you are mentioning.

Brian2006

iTrader: (42)

Alright will do that. There are a few that I have been eyeballing that I would like your opinion