Mikelly Posted March 27, 2004 Share Posted March 27, 2004 GUys, I have what I believe to be a good deal on a 98 Chevy 4X4 Z71 silverado package 3 door truck. It is a shortbed extended cab with about 90K miles on it. Guy wants to sell it for $12200. It books for $14200 in average condition... Anyway, He is willing to take my truck (GMC stepside 2 WD) and $10K for his. I know nothing about the Vortec 5.7 Motor. Any help or tips would be good... Also, Before I give this used car dealer my truck.. I'll extend the same offer locally to anyone who wants it for $2200... And I have a BUNCH of parts that go with it... It is a 93GMC Stepside Sierra GT, power everything LOADED, Lowered with a 2inch front (Spindles) 4 inch rear (Shackles) drop with Doersch drop shocks. It has some bolt ons, a tow cam, under drive pulleys, 3 inch exhaust and High flo cat. Few other things like a Reece hitch and a hard bed cover... I'm selling it cheap because it has a pyle of miles on it (260K) and will need a motor in the not so distant future... ANy advice or tips on the other truck I'm buying would be great! Mike 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted March 27, 2004 Share Posted March 27, 2004 My two cents... The Vortec 5.7 is a great motor. Beware of intake manifold leaks. Most around 80k, but some will make 100k+. My personal opinon is DO NOT buy a 1/2 ton truck. You will regret it in the long run I believe. For the most part the Z71 is a sticker package geared toward a yuppie audience. It is better than the base because of the extra coolers and skidplates. Some of the 1/2 ton trucks have the semi-floater 14 bolt axle with 9.5" ring gear. If this one does, if shouldn't have any axle woes. If it is one with the 8.5" ring gear, you may have troubles depending on tire size. The rear springs are exceptionally soft in the 1/2 ton trucks, and you can expect to notice sag after as little as 25k miles. Also check the TH700R4 for noticeable signs of wear or if it is a warranty replacement. It is not up to the task of truck use. Buy a K2500 4x4, you will be happier for longer which translates into money well spent. At minimum it will have the semi-floater 14 bolt, some have the full floater which is indestructible. The 3/4 tons should also have the 4L80E automatic. Trucks around here sell nowhere near bluebook. The specials the manuf. are running on new trucks has killed the resale on used ones. Once again, JMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted March 28, 2004 Author Share Posted March 28, 2004 I did a bit of research and a couple of things changed significantly on the later year trucks... The 96 models all got upgraded to passenger airbags as well as drivers bags (Which my 93 has neither) and 4W ABS (Mine only has rear wheel ABS). The 98 models were supposed to be upgraded to the 4L60E. It also had improved rear suspension to aid in the drooping rear end... I'm torn... I'll be driving this truck 130miles round trip on days I don't drive the Vette, so figure atleast 50% of the time... Not sure my wallet could stand the hit from the 454 in the 2500 series... Mike 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted March 28, 2004 Share Posted March 28, 2004 The 5.7 should be the standard motor in the 2500 not the 454, at least they were up to '95 I know. I agree the extra cost of fuel could be important as the 454 will return about 14 mpg while the 5.7 can do as well as 17 on the road. Pulling a trailer, the mileage will be about the same, but the performance of the 454 much better. The 4L60E is just an electronically controlled TH700R4. Same as in my Impala. One thing you learn about the 4L60E having an Impala is they WILL crap out, and sooner rather than later. My car had one put in it under warranty at 75k. And it has never towed a trailer nor had to contend with 31" or taller tires. The Impala boards are loaded with guys who have done T56 or TH400 conversions because they have put 4 or 5 4L60E in their cars. My brother's '96 does not have a passenger airbag, so it may have been optional. I think 97 was the first standard pass air bag. The 96 had TERRIBLE brake problems as well. They redesigned in '97 I think. Regardless, the 95 and newer dash you will like a lot more than your 93 I think. The manual trans equipped trucks are few and far between, and I have heard mixed reports on the reliability of the NV4500. It is said to be bullet proof, but I know Dodge had LOTS of problems early on with theirs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MistressMotorsports Posted March 28, 2004 Share Posted March 28, 2004 Starting in 96 with the Vortec engines, the 5.7 was the engine for the 1/2 tons and the 7.4 was the engine for the 3/4 tons. THe Vortecs were really just small or big block Chevys with port fuel injection replacing the throttle body injection on the earlier trucks. I'm sure there are other small differences as well. These engines lasted until the GMT800 trucks came out with all new engines roughly based on the LS1 Corvette engine. The previous posts were correct that the 4L60E's are not the most reliable transmissions, but if you are doing lots of straight highway driving, you won't be shifting a lot or using it hard. I have also heard stories about the light duty rears, although I never actually met someone who had one fail (I do know two people who had tranny replacements.) If the tranny was replaced with a warranty replacement rebuild, it should be as good as the original trans. GM has pretty strict requirements for the guys who do the rebuilds. I think the Z71 gets you a little more spring, as well as the already mentioned guards. It was kind of an off road package (although not really a hard core off road package.) It might have a steeper rear end ratio, which might be the same as whatever came with the towing package. If the truck is in good shape, the price is not unreasonble, although another thousand or so off might be a better deal. I had a 96 Suburban 3/4 ton (Vortec 454) with 98000 miles that I just sold to another forum member. That truck had almost no problems. I had to put an ac compressor in it this year, and a throttle position sensor ($60 for that) a couple years ago and that's it. Of course, I had the big engine, 4L80 trans, and big diff/brakes. But I liked that truck a lot. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted March 28, 2004 Author Share Posted March 28, 2004 Well My 93 has the 700R4 in it and hasn't been touched except for a fluid flush at 125K and a BG flush at 250K miles... It shifts a little funky, but is otherwise doing OK... I think this truck will serve the need, just didn'twant to buy a complete dog of a vehicle... I should have posession of it tomorrow! Thanks guys! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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