A couple friends and I are all looking getting early to mid 2000's 1/2 ton pickups, and were wondering how the newer ones hold up. I'm personally looking at GMC's with the 5.3 liter, with the others looking for Hemi's. How do these motors hold up after say 100k? 150k? What type of mileage are these trucks usually getting? I know this is a diesel site, but there seems to be a diversity of vehicles owned other than the oil burners and feel I can get some good info from you guys.

I'm personally looking for something that's easier to run during the winter and that I can get heat out of in a reasonable amount of driving. I'm hoping to be able to swing both the 97 and another truck out of the deal. Plus I want something with a little bit of luxury and more manueverable, and rear doors on the extended cab. Thanks in advance.

 

My boss gets in the 17s range on his '03 2500 QC short bed with a hemi. Thats running empty.

We were leaving Houston one night and pulled away from a light next to a dually with a cummins. Both trucks run comparable in engine revs. I haven't been in any of the other newer trucks.

 

5.3 is a good motor, the early one I believe has some piston slap/knock issues, but they will go along time, I have a friend with 170k on his and it runs great and use very little oil.

 

My parents have a 2001 Silverado with a 5.3. Its a good engine and the truck is pretty good too. The only issue that its ever had has been is that the passenger window doesn't work all the time.


About 3 months ago I was hit head on while driving my S-10 (no more little vehicles for me) and ended up with a broke femur and crushed kneecap.

So my parents have let me borrow the Silverado for now because its an auto and my leg isn't strong enough to push the clutch in on my Dodge. I can drive my truck but after some stop and go driving my knee lets me know I should not have done that.

Anyway I put the Silverado in my mileage spreadsheet and it consistently gets about 16 mpg. This is a regular cab 4x4 with an auto and 3.73 axles. The 5.3 is pretty snappy too especially if you push in the tow/haul button. It really improves the shift schedule of the truck.

My parents truck has just over 60k on it.


A coworker of mine has essentially the same truck but an extended cab. He tows a travel trailer with it all the time and has over 120k on the truck. It still runs great, doesn't burn any oil or anything.

 

My wife just got rid of her 2000 Tahoe with a 5.3. Truck averaged about 19 on the highway and 16 or so in town. Great engine.

 

from friends with gassers, I know that the dodge is a bit sensitive to cheap gas, a tear down at 80 thousand miles and about 3500 to rebuild the motor...... one of the ford gassers is real sensitive to oil change intervals, so much so that not having documented oil changes will violate the warranty, something to do witthe valve train, maybe one has roller rockers?

 

I had a 6.0 ltr GMC 2500. It had that awful piston slap problem. Dad's 01 Denali is even worse. I traded it in because of this. It actually did pretty good on the highway for a 3/4 ton. around 18 if I kept it under 70. Buddy's '02 5.3 runs like a scared rabbit. I like that truck for a gasser!

 

The 6.0's aren't all that great, but I love the heck out of the 5.3L in my '02 Avalanche. That truck flippin screams! I've owned it since new and have a little over 80K on it now. The only issue I've had with the motor was the intake gaskets, other than that it's been a great motor.

 

As far as the piston slap/knocking issues, how detrimental is it to longevity? And is there a fix to it? Other than a complete rebuild? It seems that the 5.3 seems to be a good engine, even though it may use spark plugs.

And are the intake gaskets on the 5.3 similar to the ones on the Vortec 350? In that they are a regular maintnance deal, or is it a fluke when they puke? Thanks to all for the info.

 

The intake gaskets are not nearly as common as with the vortec's. The only other thing is they like to break the #8 exhaust stud, not a big deal to repair it.

If it were my money and I were looking for a 1/2 ton it would be the GMC hands down.

Good luck,

Tim

 

I have heard with regular maintenance, the 5.3L and the 6.0L get 200,000 miles with nothing major happening.

Someone here remarked that they tore a 5.3L down at 160,000 miles and it still was in very condition.

If I had to get a gasser, most and GMC or Chevy would be tops in my book, especially the new (2000+) ones

Jon

 

Chevy small blocks are hard to beat in the gasser world. Just like a 5.9 CTD is hard to beat in the diesel world.

 

how are the new trannys holding up?

Any other problems out of the new trucks?

Im really considering a new Chevy....