High mileage late model

[BigJohnson]

I still drive my Blazer and use it to tow with but the list of things broken/wrong/needing repair is getting to be about a mile long. You know the stuff I am talking about. I am considering a buying a late model to me (2001-up) 2500 truck or suburban to tow with etc. I am getting to the point where I would enjoy something more comfortable and hopefully more reliable. Man I sound old....

My budget would be sub $7K for this and I have found some nice looking 2500 4x4 6.0 Burbs in this price range and trucks but they all have high miles 150K-200K++. What could I expect from a truck like that? I don't want something is as bad of shape as what I have. I don't have any experience with newer trucks. Everything seems to be high mileage these days so maybe they would be good for another 100K. The suburbans seem like they might be better than the trucks as most look like they haven't been used as a real work vehicle. Some of the trucks I have looked at where fleet vehicles and look like they have seen some use.

So what are my chances of getting hosed with a high mileage newer truck or burb?

 

[swettysblazer]

Interested to see the outcome of this, because I'm in the market for the same truck...

 

[jt512]

We (our construction company) have two 2500hd's , a 4wd 03 and a 2wd 02, both were bought new and have been maintained properly. The 03 is my dads and it just turned 374,000 the other day, the engine has never been apart other then a intake gasket replacement done under warranty and the 02 has just under 300,000 on it. Both have had water pumps go right around 250k ( super easy to replace) both also have had fuel pumps replaced. The 03 also lost an alternator and the t case took a dump around 275k ( google case rub).
They both still run excellent, don't burn much if any oil, and still pull a trailer once in a while. I would not hesitate to drive either one anywhere in the country tomorrow . They were both used as 3/4 ton trucks were built to be used, frequently pulled trailers up to 10k and hauled loads at or slightly over factory recommendations.
IMHO they are great trucks,........oh both are 6.0, autos, extended cab short bed silverados.

 

[BigJohnson]

Thanks for the reply. That is good news on the 2500. If I can find one under 200K sounds like it will have a lot of life left in it.

 

[dhcomp]

We (our construction company) have two 2500hd's , a 4wd 03 and a 2wd 02, both were bought new and have been maintained properly. The 03 is my dads and it just turned 374,000 the other day, the engine has never been apart other then a intake gasket replacement done under warranty and the 02 has just under 300,000 on it. Both have had water pumps go right around 250k ( super easy to replace) both also have had fuel pumps replaced. The 03 also lost an alternator and the t case took a dump around 275k ( google case rub).
They both still run excellent, don't burn much if any oil, and still pull a trailer once in a while. I would not hesitate to drive either one anywhere in the country tomorrow . They were both used as 3/4 ton trucks were built to be used, frequently pulled trailers up to 10k and hauled loads at or slightly over factory recommendations.
IMHO they are great trucks,........oh both are 6.0, autos, extended cab short bed silverados.

No Trans issues?

 

[jt512]

No Trans issues?

Nope the 02 has had flushes every 50k, the 03 (dads truck), he swore up and down he had the trans serviced, come to find out the first fluid change he had done was at 220 !!!!!!

 

[dhcomp]

Good reminder that things often wear out over time....not just over use.

 

[C/Kjunkie]

If you find one around 150k or so, you got plenty of miles left. My 99 Z71 1500 has 416k miles on it. It's had 3 waterpumps, 2 alt, and regular service with Mobil 1 oil. One thing you really want to check on these trucks when the get over 100k is the Pitman arm and Idler arm. They tend to need replacing around 100-150k miles (about 100.00 if you can do the labor).

The trick to the fuel pump issue common in the GM truck is low fuel. Try not to let them get below a 1/4 tank. The pump uses fuel to cool itself and thats what keeps them from burning up. I've lived by this and my 99 still has it original pump.


I hope this helps. Good luck!