Reliability of this truck? Good/Bad
Has the 6.0l gas engine with 139,000 miles.
Its in very clean condition. http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/ctd/2193805535.html

I need to have confidence in the reliability of my purchase.
Known problems?
Expected life if taken care of?

Thanks for feedback, ~easystreet

 

I drove a 2002 1500HD for a while and miss it. They are great trucks. I sold it with 175,000 and the truck ran like new. I read your other thread and I think this is a great truck for what you are looking for. They will only get you 14-16 MPG but for the power and comfort they provide it is worth it. Plus any capable truck that isn't diesel isn't going to get the best mileage. I would stick with gas though, with the price of the initial diesel purchase and the higher price of fuel right now driving a diesel isn't as advantageous as it used to be. They do pull great, but I will put my 454's against just about any of them. Plus the simplicity of the gas motors and the cheaper parts make it more desirable in my opinion as well. Good luck and like any make truck CHECK IT THOROUGHLY!

 

Thanks for the input Shamrock. I have been all excited for a diesel, but I started doing the research today and I'm losing that desire now. I think they are going to be overkill for my needs. I like the better mileage and longer life expectancy, but I got to thinking that the difference in purchase price from a diesel to a gas engine is almost the amount of money required to have a gas engine rebuilt.

 

I agree and I have had 6.0's with 250,000 still running great.

 

I have the exact truck you want to buy... If you read through some of my past threads you may want to reconsider..... Good Luck!

 

Damn... now ya got me all nervous!
What kind of condition was the truck in when you bought it? How many miles?

Any suggestions on a better truck choice that meets the below requirements?
1. crew cab
2. front bench style seat (no center consoles)
3. button or **** actuated 4x4 (no floor shifters)
4. 6' foot bed length option (no 5.75ft or 8ft beds)(needs to fit atv)

Meeting the above 4 is a rare truck. Having trouble finding models like this.

 

I wouldn't be too concerned. There will always be someone that has had a bad experience with everything. I have been in the business literally my entire life. I have never seen a more reliable line of engines then the 4.8, 5.3, 6.0. This is not just my opinion, but I have a lot of mechanic friends and they are all very impressed with these engines. They come in regularly with over 250,000 miles still running great. They have their common issues like all motors, but they are very minor in my opinion.

 

Like all motors preventative maintenance is the key. A 6 liter is a strong motor. Sure it has its problems like all motors do. I have the 5.3 and I am perfectly happy. The 6 liter ahs more towing power though... Key word, "More power." Like Shamrock said Check it out thoroughly. Get a rebuilt 6 liter if you are worried about the motor going out at a later date. Built it like you want it built so you know what is in it. If it is what you want then go for it.

 

I bought my 03 Silverado brand new - 0 miles with all your above exact features. I currently have 126,000 miles on it right now. I do have to say that this truck does ride comfortable and pulls that snowmobile trailer with 3 sleds in it without any problem at all. However, the things I'm not satisfied with are all the annoying ,troublesome costly repairs I've had to incur. Examples: dashboard instrument cluster replacement, transfer case pump rub, engine light constantly on, broken exhaust manifold bolts. In all my years of owning other than GM cars and trucks I never had to deal with these types maintenance issues and nobody should expect to. But, if you research just these mentioned problems you will see that they are all not so uncommon with many GM truck models. - Just my personal experience. Skoot61

 

I bought a new 04 silverado, and it was the biggest POS I have ever owned, kept it 40,000 miles and offed it . Lets start at the beginning First the day I picked it up the clock in the radio would lose 1.5 hrs a day, install new radio, no volume would not turn up loud enough to cover road noise with stock tires , reprogram radio through dealer, 1 week later realize that CD player does not work another new radio, at this time I find out they are putting re con radio's in my brand new $45,000 truck and I ask why they said they don't put new ones in I said I didn't buy a re coned truck I bought a new one and I want a new F*&*#!* radio. Got new radio, month goes by went to use $ wheel drive push button on dash burns out puts truck in neutral on the transfer case can't go any where . Call dealer have truck towed new switch installed, couple weeks go by dead battery, they install new battery, [ended up 3 batteries in 40,000miles, 1 alternator ,2 rear axle seals , 1 instrument cluster , 2 4-wheel drive switches, this was a strong truck but what a electrical nightmare. I will now stick with the older c/k model trucks no where near the problems .