Older 00-04 Chev 5.3 as 1st full size- pros - cons - suggestions. Budget 10K or less

[Landrew]

Had an S10 was ok but no space for kids, got stolen and paid out.

Now I think a full size is in the works.

I do all my own work and I usually run my vehicles for the long haul and make sure they get regular maint. and they have treated me well in return. (375K on my last 4 cylinder and 300k going on our Venture minivan)

Budget 10k or less. (already have a minivan and a car) I don't haul much more than say 5000lbs. I need all 6 seats in there. I prefer reliability and mileage over towing capacity. I need 4X4 and prefer a regular or long box.

I've narrowed it down to something with the Chev 5.3 in it so far.

Any suggestions on the common issues with models running that engine, years to avoid or problem spots?

I'm open to other brands if youve got some good details on why I shoudl look at brand x or y.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Slamnek]

You can't go wrong with a Chevy 5.3. Good mileage and decent power but the front ends can wear out if there not greased every 5000km. I have 173000 on my 07 chev 1500 and have had to replace the pitman arm, control arm and a tie rod end other than that its tight.

 

[ZEDNECK]

5.3l is good. I have a 03 silverado with the 5.3l and its at 229,000km with the only problem so far being the catalytic converters which will be coming off anyways when I get dual exhaust. my friend has a 99 silverado with 290,000km on it and the only thing that went wrong with that was the fuel pump went at 285,000km in -45. and neither of us drive them nice

 

[Landrew]

Good to hear thanks.

Do the chips/programmers pay for themselves in fuel savings eventually on the full sizes? Did you notice anything?

I had my S10 ECU reflashed my Wait-4-Me Performance in the US and it was a noticable change on the 4.3 V6.

 

[Bogger]

Good to hear thanks.

Do the chips/programmers pay for themselves in fuel savings eventually on the full sizes? Did you notice anything?

I had my S10 ECU reflashed my Wait-4-Me Performance in the US and it was a noticable change on the 4.3 V6.

I had a 1999 & 1/2 Silverado Ext. 2Wd 5.3L.... I'd regularly get 700Km to a 90L tank @ 125 km/hr

Nothing bad to say about that thing.. bought it with 125000km sold it with 298000Km was my fort Mac commuter only ever needed tires/brakes/steering pump.....

 

[ZEDNECK]

Good to hear thanks.

Do the chips/programmers pay for themselves in fuel savings eventually on the full sizes? Did you notice anything?

I had my S10 ECU reflashed my Wait-4-Me Performance in the US and it was a noticable change on the 4.3 V6.

I couldnt tell you about the fuel mileage the way I drive. according to the guy who owned it before us it was getting 20-22 highway at 120km/h. but my dad raced a nissan 240sx in camrose with it and smoked it. and it does have quite a bit more jam than my buddies 99.