[Flash60601]

My boy needs a pickup truck, and quick.

He has found a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500, 2WD, w/trailer package. $4500. Private party.

Problem is, 250,000 miles on chasis , - - - - and the motor (a 5.3 Vortec V-8 ) was rebuilt 150,000 ago.

The truck is decent inside, about an #7.5 or 8. A few minor cigarette burns in the upholstery, which in no way affects his intended use.

Outside is another story.

Tires will prob pass PA inspection this time around (MY inspection guy will pass them, but they will have to be replaced before a year.), and everything seems to be in working order, I think it will go inspection except for the door-sills/rocker panels which are rusted through and will have to be replaced. My body shop guy will give me a quote tomorrow.



My question: What of the engine? Any of you with experience on the GMC VORTEC engine please tell me if there are problems that I should look at, things to be suspect of, or whaddaya think of it as an engine, overall?

We looked at it today, my son seems satisfied with it as such, but the door-sills/rocker panels replacement/repair will have to modify asking price, and the tires will be addressed.

 

[Desperado]

My own experience with that era GM pickup, and the Vortec V8s of that era, has been exceptional. Keep them maintained, and they will go for 250,000 miles or more,depending on how well maintained and how hard they are worked.

Only things I would look for are exhaust leaks around the manifolds; there are a few bolts that are known to break on the exhaust manifolds right at the head, and are a PITA to replace.

The 4L65-E automatic is known to be problematic, especially if NOT maintained with fresh fluid, and abused in use. With that said, the 4L65-E is an improvement over the 4L60-E and the 4L60 predecessors.

Other problems to look for in that era GM pickup are: Make sure the gauges all work properly. The gauge stepper motors have been known to be problematic, and the gauge panel itself has been known to have bad solder joints. There is a place in South Carolina (?) that will do a complete rebuild of your gauge package to fix this.

I, myself, would be a little cautious about that rust out problem in the rockers. It may be common in your area of the country, but it would lead me to be cautious of other items that may not have received necessary maintenance (transmission fluid, suspension components, brakes, other fluids). Again, inspect it THOROUGHLY. I would crawl all over the underside of that vehicle looking for rust and other signs of worn suspension, brakes, and steering components.

I hope this helps in your decision making on this vehicle.

 

[RonPT24/7]

Once i read rocker panels rusted out that’s when i said nope . You should look around some more . JMPO .

 

[kschilk]

I agree with Desperado but as a fellow Pennsylvanian, I can expand on some of it. We'll get to that. First off, that price seems awful high for a PA truck of that year and especially with that mileage, even if it were a 4x4. Some things also need explaining. The 5.3's a sweetheart, can't imagine anyone needin' a rebuild at 100,000 so...:dunno:...'suppidat? I'm no Clodumbo but that year, mileage and rebuild combination paints a picture of a truck that's had the ____ beat out of it. All that aside, underneath is the first place to look on anything up here. Take a hammer to the frame in its entirety to see if it goes through or gives off a dull thud. You have to check all chassis attaching points too, like the engine cradle (particularly where control arms attach), shock/spring/strut mounts, cab and bed mounts, etc. Radiator core supports, bumper mounts/reinforcements and bed cross members are common issues with everything of age up here too.

Hard to say without layin' eyes on it but I tell people to figure the vehicle's worth at $100 per month for every month they figure they'll be able to drive it, i.e....it would pass state inspection without major chassis repairs. Just a hunch but from what I'm gettin' so far, I have my doubts that truck would make it another 45 months.

 

[Flash60601]

The people on this forum never cease to amaze me.

An hour and a half, and I have three knowledgeable, articulate, and informative posts that really address my need. Brothers, may you never be without your needs being addressed as you have met mine.

After consultation with my body-shop friend, we will prob set up an appointment to go look this truck over CAREFULLY! My son thinks he will budge off the asking price at least the body-shop estimate.

I will let you know how ad where this goes.


Oh, now son tells me this vehicle is across the state line in Maryland. Shouldn't make much difference on rust issues, as they use chem/salts on their roads in winter, too.

 

[Jkoht]

That price seems really high for what you're getting. I ran my 04 chevy with the same engine to 201,000 with only replacing an intake gasket before I traded in. As someone else said it sounds like it's been ridden hard and put away wet. Also with that much rust issues I'd be leery. I'm in MN where they use salt and stuff on the roads and when I traded in just my wheel wells were starting to rust and the inside lower edges of the doors had a few spots. With tires you could easily start at 1,000 to replace all them. I think you'd be better off to find another truck.

 

[GhostHorse]

Question, if I may; why does he need a truck, specifically? $4500 can get you some good, reliable cars that will be cheaper to run and maintain too.

 

[Flash60601]

Question, if I may; why does he need a truck, specifically? $4500 can get you some good, reliable cars that will be cheaper to run and maintain too.

He is getting rid of an older (@90, I think) Dodge Dakota 4WD, they are getting a modest camper that will do well on a 2WD full-size. They have a Hyundai SUV that is front-whl drive and they want something that can do the camper

 

[GhostHorse]

So we're actually talking want, not need, so he can be more picky. No need to rush; in fact, avoid it if there's the slightest reason to feel wary about the deal.

 

[kschilk]

You have to really look over used vehicles here, it's amazing what kind of stuff dealers and individual sellers will pull. I've seen a lot of people get burned, mostly by those "buy here, pay here" outfits that used to be illegal in PA. Certainly for my regular customers but really, for pretty much anyone, I'll check out a potential purchase vehicle for free. I'm not only tired of seein' folks get ripped-off but it can save me a lot of grief in the end. I know if they buy a rat...:sad:...I'll prob'ly get stuck havin' to fix it.

 

[Flash60601]

Well, he called the seller tonight - - - and we are going to go over tomorrow and poor old Pop will have to crawl under it with a ballpein hammer and check everything underside.

Thanks to all youse guys for the quick returns and the sage advice. We shall see what a close look in the daylight gives us.

 

[pegasus]

Since you asked about the engine specifically, I've got the same engine in an 06, 140K miles, but so far the engine and tranny runs fantastic, strong pulling power. (never been rebuilt) Problems with the truck have been other issues, like rusting brake lines, rusting or corroded PS cooler, etc. The good thing is having come from an 01 Ford F150 the Silverado is three times easier to work on for most under the hood issues. Never had any engine issues with the F150 either though.

 

[Peacemakr40]

13 YO truck, 150K on the motor and it's rotting out? WALK AWAY. Just because the motor got rebuild, that doesn't excuse the wear and tear on the rest of the truck. you would be far better served picking up a truck from a no/light snow state and transport it. If the rocker panels have rotten, what about the wheel wells, and other spots that can't be seen as easily? What about brake lines and the tank straps?

Check here:
https://www.autolist.com/pickup+truck-under+5000#page=1&radius=any&price_max=5000&price_min=1000&body_style%5B%5D=truck&buyer_intelligence=true&sort_new_cars_last=true&location=Harrisburg%2C+PA&latitude=40.2731911&longitude=-76.88670079999997&year_min=2007&year_max=

 

[Taurus1965]

Sounds like this truck was used as a plow truck. I know chevy/gm have issues with rust but the rust on that truck seems excessive. They call it cancer for a reason. All of it has to be removed or it will spread. I would stay away from that truck.

 

[kschilk]

It doesn't hurt to have someone hook up a scan tool and take a peek inside either. Pending codes, history codes and the tests passed/failed alone will sometimes squeal on hidden issues. With most scan tools, freeze-frame data can be retrieved on codes that can be very revealing. Freeze-frame is like a snapshot of all retrievable data at the moment the code was set so you can see engine rpm, vehicle speed, what gear they were in, how far they were pushing the accelerator pedal, if they were on the brake, if the heat or a/c was on, how much gas they had, how far and which direction the steering wheel was turned, etc. Cops, insurance companies and lawyers use scan tools regularly for accident investigations. With the data from all vehicles involved, it's not hard to figure out who hit who.

 

[Flash60601]

Well! First off, thanks for all your input, everyone.

This truck is a Maryland truck, and the rust in the door-sills/rocker panels was all I could find. No other signs of fender, bed, or body rust. We spent the better part of two hours going over it, found NO rust anywhere else, no soft tin at all. The doors were so good they may have been replacement units, they were so clean. The frame was clean and solid, every point we could reach or see. Wonder of wonders, it had new brake lines throughout - except for the flex lines at each wheel New calipers and pads on each wheel, and only ONE rotor MAYBE will have to be turned or replaced to pass.

Exhaust system was solid, maybe less than a year old, a fully welded unit from the headers onward. Headers looked like they had not been off since rebuild, but no leakage there. Fuel tank may have been replaced, the shield was all new plastic, even had the stock number sticker and barcode on .

Son offered him $3800, guy said how about 4 thou? Sonny-boy said, "Split the difference and its a go!." They both were satisfied with the deal. We are going to bring it home Tuesday.

Again, thanks to you all for your thoughtful and to-the-point advice and knowledge.