Currenty have 2004 Suburban 1500 5.3/3.73 daily driver and tow rig. We tow our 6,000 loaded 27 ft trailer less than 10 times per year. Suburban has been a great family rig and now has 120,000 miles. It has handled the trailer well but is certainly at its upper limit. For years my thought was to replace it when the time was right with a 3/4 ton truck. Giving a better tow experience and a bed for bikes, firewood, etc. However, I really like the utility the burb provides for all other aspects of our life(ski trips, golf clubs, 3rd seat for kids and friends) SO, I am back to deciding between truck and SUV.
I can't seem to grasp the $55k price of a new burb today. Nor can I feel comfortable trading it for a new truck to get better towing at the expense of giving up all the positives of a full size SUV.
I think my conclusion is to keep the burb and put some money into it as a daily driver. Second, shop for a 2002-2006 gas crew cab 3/4 ton for tow rig and garbage dump/bark truck.
I am not however mechanical and worry about the reliability of adding another upper mileage gas truck to my fleet.
Anyone agree with my plan? Any things to steer clear of when looking at used higher mileage gas trucks? Should you be concerned when the used truck has 90,000 miles and fifht wheel hitch holes in the bed? I am partial to Chev based on my satisfaction with the burb, I understand the 6.0 gas is a good engine? I would not hesitate to look at Ford either?
90,000 miles is not alot of miles any more on a used pickup if it was not abused. My 02 GMC has 173000 miles on the 8.1 gas and would drive it any where as it sets right now. My work truck is a 04 chevy with a 6.0 240000 miles on it and I still drive it across montana often. I think Ford or GM were both good trucks in the early 2000's but I think the GM 8.1 and GM 6.0 are a little more powerfull than Fords V10 and 5.4 but the GM motors are bigger so it is hard to compare realy.
If you like the SUV why not look for a 2500 suburban or a Ford excursion? A good V10 Excursion does not bring alot of money in my neck of the woods.
What I would look for in a used Ford would be if it had new spark plugs because they could be a pain on some ford motors and at 90,000 miles it would be ready for them any ways and the front end, wheel bearings and ball joints go out on fords around those miles but if is not that expensive if you have to have it done.
On a chevy I would look for oil leak up by the front of the intake and antifreeze leak under the water pump. Also I would check if the oil cooler lines are leaking, I think most chevy truck oil cooler lines do, mine does but I put a hose clamp on the fitting to stop it. Front ends seem to hold up better than a ford but I would still check it out.
* This post was
edited 06/15/12 01:22am by montanacamping *
That is basically what I did. I found a GSA truck with 23,000 miles on it. It is a 6.0 Crew Cab Long bed 3/4 ton Chevy. I paid 12,000 for it. It has only cruise and A/C. Rubber floors and Vinyl seats.I got it two years ago and it now has about 28,000 miles on it. It goes to the Dump, Lowes and Camping.
Then I have my Buick Regal GS with 89,000 miles or my Trans Am to drive daily. There are deals out there. You just have look.
Couple of things with the 6.0. Some will have piston slap. Not an issue. Most will eventually need knock sensors. They are under the intake and moisture will cause to them to corrode.
Some get carbon build up which can cause detenation. A good product like seafoam will take care of that.
As far as the 6.0 those are they only common issues I know of.
Mike
2002 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0 Crew Cab long bed
2012 Passport 3220 BHWE
Me, the Wife, two little ones and two dogs.
ls1mike wrote: That is basically what I did. I found a GSA truck with 23,000 miles on it. It is a 6.0 Crew Cab Long bed 3/4 ton Chevy. I paid 12,000 for it. It has only cruise and A/C. Rubber floors and Vinyl seats.I got it two years ago and it now has about 28,000 miles on it. It goes to the Dump, Lowes and Camping.
Then I have my Buick Regal GS with 89,000 miles or my Trans Am to drive daily. There are deals out there. You just have look.
Couple of things with the 6.0. Some will have piston slap. Not an issue. Most will eventually need knock sensors. They are under the intake and moisture will cause to them to corrode.
Some get carbon build up which can cause detenation. A good product like seafoam will take care of that.
As far as the 6.0 those are they only common issues I know of.
Mike it sounds like you hit the jackpot to get that kind of truck for $12K. With upkeep that will be a good truck for that kind of usage another 10-15 years.
You should have no problem finding a chevy 3/4 ton gasser with the 6.0. The 8.1 is a lot harder to find around my area. The 6.0 is really a great engine and has proven itself for years now. If I were to look into a Ford of those years I would go looking for the V10. Even if you found either of the trucks with some miles on them I would not be overally concerned if they had been well taken care of. I have 160K on my current 6.0 and it runs great, pulls hard, and doesnt complain. Overall very little money spend on this truck and yes most of those miles have been "worked truck miles", pulling something. Doesnt drink any oil, and starts up everyday. Wish you well on your search.
i agree that the 6.0 will do a good job for you, as would a v-10 ford. a diesel truck will cost you double to start with and for the size and frequency of your towing it will work well for you. i would not be concered about the existance of twoing equipment just take it to a reputable shop and have an inspection done. the money spent will be well spent if they find that it has been abused. as far as repairs you can get a lot done for what it costs to go to a really low milage newer truck.
2000 K3500 CCLB DRW 6.5 TURBO
2009 Cougar 320 SRX
2007 atlas 24 auto hauler
1987 GMC origional low miles
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