Decision time on trucks

[Truckman]

I need some advice basically in the form of pro's and con's from those of you who have experience with Chevy trucks. I'm looking at Chevy 1/2 ton, extended cab, short box trucks. I'm am deciding between a '98, 3-door, 5.7L truck or a '00, 4-door, 5.3lL truck. There is some difference in mileage (38,000 vs 9500) and price ($4,000). However, my primary concerns rest with the following questions:

1. Pro's and con's of the new 5.3L vs the proven 5.7L motor?
2. Pro's and con's of a 3-door extended cab vs a 4-door extended cab?

Thanks in advance for sharing experiencs and advice.

[WAeyes]

The new 5.3L will give you better mileage and more horsepower than the older 5.7L. It also comes with a better transmission including a tow-haul gear for hilly terrain. The 00' will also come with standard 4 wheel disc brakes. I have a 3 door 99' and always wish I had the 4 door when I need to get in the back seat on the drivers side. Get the newer one for the extra $4,000, you won't be sorry.

[Hans]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-04-01 AT 11:57AM (CST)[p]I have a 01 Silverado LT Extended cab with the 5.3L engine. There are only minor changes from the '00 model.

I can't say enough good things about this truck! The 4-door cab is roomier than the earlier models, and the rear seat is much improved.

The 5.3L is a gutsy engine, and the "tow/haul" mode on the new transmissions makes pulling even a big boat a pleasure. It's not really a "new" engine, but is based on the small-block "L1" engine which has been used in Corvettes for some time.

Go for the newer one -- you won't regret it.

Hans

[Bob]

I have to agree. I have a '00 GMC with the 5.3l engine. As of yesterday I am getting 15.5 mpg around town. I've got the 3.73 gear package and have noticed a vibration when slowing down from highway speeds. From about 50 mph to 40 mph with my foot off the gas, slowing down, I feel a rumbling, vibration feeding back through the steering wheel. Have you guys felt this? I took it back to the dealer thinking it was a wheel bearing or something, and they reset the computer, told me GM was aware of the problem, and was working on a fix. So it wasn't a wheel bearing. Have any of you guys run into this?

[Brad/nd]

My father-in-law and I both have the '99 chevy 1/2T xtended cabs. We both can't say enough good about them, other than the 4th door would be convenient. He just had his truck in for warranty work. Had a vibration coming through the steering wheel, felt like something was loose in the front end. The dealer knew right away what was wrong, said they have had a problem with quite a few of the newer trucks. They replaced a speed senser which has something to do with the steering. Not sure if that is exactly what it is called, but it does relate to your speed and steering. He said it works fine now. He has 18,000 miles on his, mine has 9800 miles, so I am keeping a close eye on mine. I pull a 1850 tyee with mine, hardly notice the boat behind. To anwser your question, go with the newer one. You will have the newer body style, better mileage, & most importantly, the warranty.
good luck!

Brad

[Joe]

>My father-in-law and I both have
>the '99 chevy 1/2T xtended
>cabs. We both can't say
>enough good about them, other
>than the 4th door would
>be convenient. He just had
>his truck in for warranty
>work. Had a vibration coming
>through the steering wheel, felt
>like something was loose in
>the front end. The dealer
>knew right away what was
>wrong, said they have had
>a problem with quite a
>few of the newer trucks.
>They replaced a speed senser
>which has something to do
>with the steering. Not sure
>if that is exactly what
>it is called, but it
>does relate to your speed
>and steering. He said it
>works fine now. He has
>18,000 miles on his, mine
>has 9800 miles, so I
>am keeping a close eye
>on mine. I pull a
>1850 tyee with mine, hardly
>notice the boat behind. To
>anwser your question, go with
>the newer one. You will
>have the newer body style,
>better mileage, & most importantly,
>the warranty.
>good luck!
>
>Brad
Brad, Just had my 99 Chev truck down at the garage for the same problem. [25,000 miles] They balanced all the tires and the vibration went away. Joe

[Truckman]

Thanks for the great information. You convinced me ..."go for the '00 with the 4-door extended cab feature." It sounds like the 4-wheels with disc brakes and the 5.3L are plusses. It is great getting information from the field versus the sales people...thanks again.

[Mopar MAN]

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[Phil T.]

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