We're looking at a 2005 Z71 with the 5.3 motor. About 90,000 miles. Any suggestions on what problems I should be looking for?

Thanks
Al

 

It's a 4x4 so definately check both of the differential fluids as well as the transfer caseto see if they've ever been changed. If they've been filled up with water it will most likely be thin and milky looking and you might have problems later on down the road if they've been ran like that for most of that 90,000 miles. Other than that I wouldn't worry about much of anything else. It's a good idea to let you know these things are bad about killing fuel pumps atleast once in their life if not 2 or 3 times. I wouldn't worry about that but it does happen from time to time. As long as you keep atleast a 1/4 tank of gas in it or more you probably will NEVER have this problem but if it's been ran at 1/4 or less quite a bit that'll kill it pretty quick.

Other than those two things Chevy pickups are the best! I love my Sierra and couldn't imagine driving anything else.

 

Make sure oil looks healthy, tranmission fluid isn't burnt, no clunk in steering wheel, no rust on or around cab corners, suspension is tight and shifts are smooth but not slipping.

 

Im going to list the stuff that ive broke but be mindful that ive got over 200,000 mi on a 2000 gmc z71 and ive rode it hard. 2 rearends (finally upgraded), bolts off the stock manifold(itll pop a code for a knock sensor headers fix that problem), heater core connection into the cab ( just get a bigger hose to fit around the remaining part), Transmission just bit the dust but i did tow another truck for about 1000 miles(getting a raptor from patc ill let you know how it turns out) water pump, fuel pump, little connector went out on the ac(if you think the ac bites the dust check that first $3 fix), alternator, tailgate handle(Thanks mrlm7) and i think thats it ill let you know forgot something which im sure i did.

 

Check the hours on it.Just hold down the odometer "stick" and the hours will pop up.Divide the mileage by the hours, and it will show the average speed. My guess is if it is a 2005 with 90,000 miles,it has mostly highway miles on it. (Higher mph)... 2005 is the year i would get... better brakes and electric fans are factory...

 

I bought an 03 Ext Cab Z71 with the 5.3 back in February it had 80k on it I now have 84,400 I love the truck I plan on changing the plugs and the diff fluids this summer..

 

well ive had my silverado for quite some time now...when i got it the tranny was slippin so i had it rebuilt and problem is fixed...buit it was obviously slipping so if the one your lookin at isnt then i wouldnt worry about it...i had the plugs replaced as well. with the fuel pump, i had to have mine replaced twice...i bought it with 94k and at around 105k it was messin up so they put another one in for pretty cheap i dotn remember how much...well that pump was faulty so they replaced that from the warranty and its been workin fine ever since...

In conclusion, check fluids and make sure its been decently taken care of...fuel pump might happen down theline...but even then its not that big of a deal.