GM Truck questions

mightybooboo · #21 01/07/10, 05:25 PM

Phil you made my point,after 150,000 miles you are looking at expensive repairs and Cat is NOT a mechanic,Cat doesnt need a vehicle heading into the repair zone.There are low mile vehicles out there,worth waiting to find one.

Alternators,fuel pumps,water pumps,injectors,suspensions,transmissions all have limited lives.

Knew I'd get a rise out of folks on mileage,walk thru a junk yard,read odometers,200,000 mile vehicles are very rare.Now thats just fact.

travis91 · #22 01/08/10, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybooboo

169,000 miles in a Chevy gasser I wouldnt take for free unless I was a mechanic.

I base that on my trips thru Pick a Part,place is packed with 120-140,000 mile gas vehicles.

Ive seen ONE dead Ford Diesel,not a single dead Cummins diesel yet.FWIW only

To me,longevity is a KEY selling point,169,000 would send me running in the opposite direction,keep looking.

Hey now. my ford explorer has 314,000 miles and my uncles suburban has 390,000 miles on it

FL.Boy · #23 01/08/10, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybooboo

Phil you made my point,after 150,000 miles you are looking at expensive repairs and Cat is NOT a mechanic,Cat doesnt need a vehicle heading into the repair zone.There are low mile vehicles out there,worth waiting to find one.

Alternators,fuel pumps,water pumps,injectors,suspensions,transmissions all have limited lives.

Knew I'd get a rise out of folks on mileage,walk thru a junk yard,read odometers,200,000 mile vehicles are very rare.Now thats just fact.

How do you read the miles on a vehicle in the junk yard when the odometers are digital?

diamondtim · #24 01/08/10, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat

Okay, thanks for all the input. I have now run across a Suburban that has really caught my eye. I've been waffling between truck & suburban & just can't make up my mind. (I'm very indecisive!!)

http://wichita.craigslist.org/ctd/1536745085.html

This one should be a 3/4 ton as denoted by the 2500, is 4x4, has a 7.4l V-8. Towing package. Less importantly it's white (I like white vehicles & until my Camry all I've ever owned were white) and it would work great for trips where I carry small critters (goats, sheep, calves) a good number of 50# feed sacks, and my dogs can come along (they're currently banned from my car) AND I can use it when I go camping (or to sleep in at work...but that's another story

ha!). The down side is that every time I go to get hay I will have to use a trailer. Not an altogether bad thing as I'm going to be looking at a hay trailer tomorrow if I can make it.

So, what, other than being there & driving it, do I need to consider about a Suburban such as this? I assume that the 4WD can be initiated inside & I won't have to lock hubs. I tell you, I am really not mechanically inclined. At. All. lol

Cat,

Suburbans are beautiful things. I've owned two and like the way that they drive. Remove the 3rd seat and fold down the 2nd row and you have a lot of cargo space - and it's all out of the weather!. One of the decisions you'll have to make is between the "barn doors", fold down tailgate or the lift up tailgate (I love the later one).

Look for a 350 or the newer 5.3L rather than the 7.4L (454) or 8.2L. The 7.4L is a strong engine and it will pass anything - except a gas pump. Both of mine were 2wd and they are priced lower 'cause every Billy Bob wants a 4x4.

Look around for a good deal. I bought my 2005 for $6900 with 111k on the clock. She needed tires and brakes, but it was still a great deal.

Good Luck on your search

Theront · #25 01/09/10, 07:34 AM

We have a 94 k2500 suburban and love it. I have the 6.5l diesel and am amazed at how lively and dependable it is. I do have an issue starting it when it is 0 degrees or below. I have several trailers to hook onto so not a big thing for me. I do a lot of hauling with it. I can get sheets of plywood or sheetrock over the seats and it is easier to get them out. I take the seats out and can haul almost as much as a truck.

The 6.5l diesel is very lively some don't like it as it isn't a Cummins or a Duramax or a Powerstroke, but it does very well. I tow my 32ft travel trailer with it in the summer (about 8000lbs loaded). Just recently we took off and went far north with the kids for a couple of days. Did not take the travel trailer and put 727 miles on with 41.77 gals of fuel. That was a lot of idle time as well because of the cold. I can't complain about the fuel mileage we figure real close to 14 when pulling the camper.

I agree to stay away from the 7.4L for the Suburban if looking that route. They tow a lot but drink a lot also.

Theront

mightybooboo · #26 01/10/10, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL.Boy

How do you read the miles on a vehicle in the junk yard when the odometers are digital?

You know,never thought about that,maybe Ive only been reading the mechanicals?

Now I will have to look.80-120 thou on gas trucks is what Im seeing.And it seems to me Ive been reading ford explorer odometers.But now I have to check that now that you mention it.

350,000....how many trannies and engines,repairs? That is not a car that hasnt had massive repairs,be honest.I put over 200,000 on a gas mazda truck,yep,I replaced engines,clutches,etc.Cant say you cant do it at all,saying having it DONE by mechanics isnt going to pay,hence junk yards loaded with dead vehicles

Again,Cat isnt a mechanic,whats a tranny going to cost her? Multiple thousands,fix computers???? Astronomical.Injector system???She needs low miles,not 160,000,thats repair time bigtime real soon.Or like in My Cousin Vinny..What are those,MAGIC GRITS!!???

mightybooboo · #27 01/10/10, 12:52 AM

Billy Bob may love 4 wd,so does Joe Homestead who knows it a whole different ballgame if you get off pavement or in snow/ice with 4wd. Wouldnt even consider a truck that didnt have it for a homestead.BTDT,got smart waaaay too late on that.

Plenty available,and plenty with reasonable mileage too,why settle for something less,I dont get it.

Ahhh....WTH,buy a high mileage used truck,now thats good advice,eh?Cheap to maintain by mechanics at 100 bucks/hour,reliable....yup,buy a truck with high mileage.

Happy?

**Ross** · #28 01/10/10, 08:46 AM

Cat didn't say shop repairs were a problem, and when a diesel needs work it seems its always a nasty bill. A neighbor of mine just had new injectors put in his 05 Ford (I forget how many kms but it's not 300k) . $2000 later it runs like new! $2000 would get you two trucks like mine. A good friend of ours just put an exhaust system on his 07 GM Diesel 2500, $700. At least with an older beater truck the Camery can stay in the garage so the truck only gets used when needed. I wouldn't have a 4wd as my only transport either, they use more fuel, and have higher mait costs.... as a second vehicle sure.

FL.Boy · #29 01/10/10, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybooboo

You know,never thought about that,maybe Ive only been reading the mechanicals?

Now I will have to look.80-120 thou on gas trucks is what Im seeing.And it seems to me Ive been reading ford explorer odometers.But now I have to check that now that you mention it.

350,000....how many trannies and engines,repairs? That is not a car that hasnt had massive repairs,be honest.I put over 200,000 on a gas mazda truck,yep,I replaced engines,clutches,etc.Cant say you cant do it at all,saying having it DONE by mechanics isnt going to pay,hence junk yards loaded with dead vehicles

Again,Cat isnt a mechanic,whats a tranny going to cost her? Multiple thousands,fix computers???? Astronomical.Injector system???She needs low miles,not 160,000,thats repair time bigtime real soon.Or like in My Cousin Vinny..What are those,MAGIC GRITS!!???

I'm not sure on other makers but i believe gm went to digital
odometers in the mid 90's. I think 160,000 miles is a little much for that kind of price.

mightybooboo · #30 01/10/10, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

Cat didn't say shop repairs were a problem, and when a diesel needs work it seems its always a nasty bill. A neighbor of mine just had new injectors put in his 05 Ford (I forget how many kms but it's not 300k) . $2000 later it runs like new! $2000 would get you two trucks like mine. A good friend of ours just put an exhaust system on his 07 GM Diesel 2500, $700. At least with an older beater truck the Camery can stay in the garage so the truck only gets used when needed. I wouldn't have a 4wd as my only transport either, they use more fuel, and have higher mait costs.... as a second vehicle sure.

New vehicle repair costs are CRAZY,period,ANY vehicle.Im still loving the 5000-6000 dollar tranny replacement on a 2001 or later Jetta from the shop.A 2000 repair bill on a 05 for 300KM injectors,not bad actually when a car alternator nowadays runs 500-800 bucks from the shop.Water pumps for 500 bucks.Repairs are not cheap!

Try 6-8000 for NEW Cummins Diesel injector set!Computer controlled,something like 5-6 ports out per injector,INSANE!

But we are talking 95-99,......350,000 mile Cummins motors arent rare,and injectors are cheap.Putting a medium duty motor,detuned, in a light duty truck,that era,makes for an extremely long lasting motor.Stay before 1998 and skip a LOT of electronics too.Yep,give up 1 MPG in a Dodge for 4wd,and still outmileage a same sized gas truck with much more capability.AND durability on the motor for sure.
Im getting 17 going up and down a mountain 5000 feet with 4.10 axles and 4wd,auto,friends 92 with stick,4wd,3.54 axles I think it is, just got 25 MPG on freeway from northern cal to here,stick,350,000 miles starts first click on key,original tranny,original clutch,he replaced an injector pump and a fuel filter canister,thats it in 350,000 miles and it doesnt even smoke. Not bad out of a 3/4 ton truck that weighs 7000 lbs or so.

Cat wants repair costs?Not being a mechanic they will be high regardless.Better off with low miles from the getgo,her first repair could out price the vehicle cost.

countrymech · #31 01/10/10, 06:12 PM

Powerstroke, Cummins, and Duramax, my personal favorite is still John Deere. They all have their problems. I have an '03 Sierra with Allison transmission and spent a week before Christmas rebuilding the front end. I love the engine and hate the truck, does that make sense? Cab is way tooooooo tight. Rides great on the highway but takes a beating on dirt. Dodge has always been plagued with body problems. Great engine, they just seem to have more problems with their sheet metal than most. Personally, my advice for Cat would be to try to find an older Ford "Stroke" and I am not a Ford fan. The only Ford I own is a 1948 8N, but I use Fords constantly at work. They ride pretty rough and I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but dollar for dollar, an older Ford truck would be the better investment. Just an opinion.

mightybooboo · #32 01/10/10, 06:52 PM

CMech,good advice,I wouldnt argue with it.Fords from that era had darn good Diesel motors.

Good post too,they all have problems somewhere.

HermitJohn · #33 01/10/10, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybooboo

New vehicle repair costs are CRAZY,period,.

I agree and dont know what strategy I would recommend to somebody unable/unwilling to do their own repairs. Get a good paying job I guess....

Cause honest, cheap, competent mechanics are rare as hens teeth. Temptation to milk the cash cow is just too great many times.

And it depends on your needs. I need basic vehicle that is reliable and easy/cheap to repair that will be driven relatively few miles per year yet be able to occasionally haul bulky stuff. Old simple carb pickup meets my needs. Fuel mileage really isnt super important as my cost per mile will be more from insurance costs than fuel costs. Probably get by with my old F250 despite its 12 to 13 mpg, but its not my favorite thing in heavy traffic. Much prefer driving a smaller vehicle if at all possible. Plus with older vehicle sort of necessity to have a backup vehicle if one breaks down. Not like taxis or busses come out into the boonies.

Now somebody making long commute every day for reasonable paying job, well then something like a new Honda Civic would start making sense. Reliable for lot miles with only basic service and good factory warranty. With maybe an older pickup with minimum insurance for any hauling needs.

Its those stuck in the middle someplace that have the problems. Finding a vehicle whose cost per mile makes sense for their needs with some sort of reliability short of putting mechanic's kid through college all by yourself.

On high mile vehicle going to be automatic transmission that will be the biggest question if engine has good compression, overdrive modern transmissions arent cheap to rebuild or replace. Many vehicles, especially bigger ones, just dont offer manual transmissions anymore. Want a manual transmission, you have to graft one in and then deal with computer that is confused cause its not detecting its expected automagic wonder.

mightybooboo · #34 01/10/10, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrymech

Powerstroke, Cummins, and Duramax, my personal favorite is still John Deere. They all have their problems. I have an '03 Sierra with Allison transmission and spent a week before Christmas rebuilding the front end. I love the engine and hate the truck, does that make sense?

LOL!
Yep,you here that all the time from the Dodge Cummins crowd.They say the engine will drop out on the side of the road after the truck falls apart and still be running.

The Dodge has a weak torque converter on the auto,and mickey mouse brakes and could stand a stronger front end.But correct those issues and get a truck that is tough tough tough.And the after market fixes for those are there,then good to go for a long long time.

Oh,and dodge has a pretty big cab too.I do like that.

Recently drove it a few miles down a dry riverbed of rocks and sand in desert,amazing what that 4wd does offroad,and drives up my ice chute road in 4wd with Goodyear AT's like the road is dry,amazing!

mightybooboo · #35 01/10/10, 07:03 PM

HJ,you say it well too,very good synopsis of the issue.

OntarioMan · #36 01/10/10, 11:42 PM

There certainly is a cost advantage to driving whatever is very common. Around here, older 1/2 ton trucks are everywhere, and living in the rust belt, you find them in every condition - from scrap metal prices on up.

If you're handy and its a 2nd vehicle or you don't need to depend on everyday, its hard to beat an older cheap truck. Insurance on older trucks is also dirt cheap.

Which brand and model? Who cares... buy whatever is in the best shape for the cheapest amount of money. Durability and longevity is not really a concern if you pay so little for it. You spend $10k on a used truck, and it breaks, and you'll certainly be fixing it even if the repairs are somewhat expensive. You spend $500 on a used truck, and it breaks, well... you may just decide get another truck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

I have an old 89 GMC 2wd 2500. Gets better milage than out little 4x4 Jimmy has a posi rear end and good tires ............. so far I never got it stuck and I use it for service calls going throiugh some seriously nasty driving and snow. It is a long box extenda cab and there is some weight in the back. Very cheap to fix very cheap run very cheap to buy. GM made tens of thousands of them. I just replaced the front brakes discs calipers, pads bearings, maybe $300 CND?

**Ross** · #37 01/11/10, 08:25 AM

We have a 96 F250 Ford we use for farm work. It is sprung like a dump truck and we paid $4000 for it. Except that it has a different capability its really no different than my $1500 GMC in terms of value. One was bought when needed the other when found.