Used GMT800, what to look for??

[prowler09]

I'm fairly new in the truck game. I've never really needed one until recently. I'm looking for one under 100k mi, around 10k bucks, 4wd, extended cab. Looking for a truck to do some hauling, maybe some light offroading, pretty much a fun daily driver. Is there anything in particular maintance wise I should keep an eye out for or have checked out before buying one of these trucks? I've been around S10's all my life, and pretty much know what to expect out of them. I like them fine, but I really can't see myself buying one when I can get a 1500 to pretty close the same price. Any thoughts on this also? I'm sure you guys wil be a little biased on that though, haha. I've been looking around the forum a little bit and found some helpful information, but it seems like a lot of it is about the new new body style. Any help would be welcome. Thanks!

[Carder09]

You might be able to find one for that price but its not likely, 12k depending on the year might do it but my truck is worth 14k right now as it is but I also keep my truck well maintained, and its 2wd.

[Stevens03]

GMT-800's are pretty solid trucks. Typical issues with them have been the slip yoke causing a bump feeling, intermediate steering shaft that will make you feel like the entire front end is loose when it's not, and the 4x4 front actuators or electronic buttons failing causing the "service 4x4" light to come on. All 3 are simple fixes. Overall, they're pretty good.

 

Obviously check out the regular maintenance items, fluids and happy hunting

[Morgan1986]

My 800 has had no problems bought it in 05 . Regualar maintance . oil changes and that kind of stuff.

[strafingmoose]

Take a look at the tailgate cables too, there was a recall for weak ones. Also, known problem (I think there was a TSB for it) with flasher relay can lead to four blinkers on when signaling either left or right.

 

Easy fix, taking out some of the dashboard to insert a new flasher relay. (100$ incl. shipping @ rockautoparts.com)

[chakis24]

lets see...i warn i might not be the perfect example because ive had e range, 34" terra grapplers on my truck close to 6 years now with a body lift and the torsion bars cranked and these mods could have easily affected my front end....but:

 

front driver side wheel bearing (~2 years ago)

2 pinion seal leaks (first about 2 years ago, second a few months ago)

pitman and idler arms replaced (last year)

intermediate steering shaft clunk (annoying but not worth fixing- its been for awhile)

air bag front bumper sensor (last year)

CEL is on due to the evap solenoid breaking (from overfilling my tank all these years- bout a year or so)

had a front shock wear out prematurely (~4 years ago)

the crank position sensor failed last week

my heated seats quit working properly awhile back.

the heater squeaks when i turn it on. had some issues with the AC blowing scorchingly hot (i think theres a flap or something in the dash that was getting stuck open). havent fixed.

 

also forgot to mention my gauges are acting up (theres actually a class action lawsuit about this, but my truck is outside the mileage window). the stepper motors in the dash act up where the tach and speedometer wont increase/decrease properly/smoothly.

 

my truck is a 2005 with 140,000 miles. i dont think thats a terrible list considering.

 

Take a look at the tailgate cables too, there was a recall for weak ones. Also, known problem (I think there was a TSB for it) with flasher relay can lead to four blinkers on when signaling either left or right.

 

Easy fix, taking out some of the dashboard to insert a new flasher relay. (100$ incl. shipping @ rockautoparts.com)

 

 

really? my truck does that every now and then and the dealer told me the aftermarket reverse lights (they were 20 dollar autozone fog lights i wired directly into the reverse wire of the trailer harness) caused some melting of wires in the junction box.....wasnt sure what to think of that assessment (its a possibility as i didnt use a relay and i dont know the gauge of any of the wires, but likely?)...i think i'll try the relay first...

[wilsonz71]

My 06 was $12 500 can before taxes. In mint mint mint condition with 140km. And that was a steal (around here anyways)

[k2500]

There is also the fuel gauge/sender issue (shows empty when full) on at least the earlier 800s. The fix is fairly straight forward (drop the tank and replace the sending unit) and you may not see the problem during a test drive. As for price, I think it depends where you are located. In my area, I frequently see early V8, ext cab, 4wd 800s with under 100K miles for less than $9k. If you can afford to be patient, they do show up.

 

Jay

[strafingmoose]

BigBlueSilvy,

 

Try part # EFL27 on Rock Auto Parts. It was 80$ shipped actually. That solved it for me. The part is located in the back of the fuse box. You can slide it out with a flat screwdriver.

[Morgan1986]

There is also the fuel gauge/sender issue (shows empty when full) on at least the earlier 800s. The fix is fairly straight forward (drop the tank and replace the sending unit) and you may not see the problem during a test drive. As for price, I think it depends where you are located. In my area, I frequently see early V8, ext cab, 4wd 800s with under 100K miles for less than $9k. If you can afford to be patient, they do show up.

 

Jay

 

I dont understand 100K miles . I understand 100 km or 100 miles but what is 100K miles is that 100 thousand miles ?

[tesnoboy]

There is also the fuel gauge/sender issue (shows empty when full) on at least the earlier 800s. The fix is fairly straight forward (drop the tank and replace the sending unit) and you may not see the problem during a test drive. As for price, I think it depends where you are located. In my area, I frequently see early V8, ext cab, 4wd 800s with under 100K miles for less than $9k. If you can afford to be patient, they do show up.

 

Jay

 

I dont understand 100K miles . I understand 100 km or 100 miles but what is 100K miles is that 100 thousand miles ?

 

Yes! Apparently you talk different in Canada!

[k2500]

There is also the fuel gauge/sender issue (shows empty when full) on at least the earlier 800s. The fix is fairly straight forward (drop the tank and replace the sending unit) and you may not see the problem during a test drive. As for price, I think it depends where you are located. In my area, I frequently see early V8, ext cab, 4wd 800s with under 100K miles for less than $9k. If you can afford to be patient, they do show up.

 

Jay

 

I dont understand 100K miles . I understand 100 km or 100 miles but what is 100K miles is that 100 thousand miles ?

 

 

Yes it is 100,000 miles or 160934.4 Km

[latreille89]

There is also the fuel gauge/sender issue (shows empty when full) on at least the earlier 800s. The fix is fairly straight forward (drop the tank and replace the sending unit) and you may not see the problem during a test drive. As for price, I think it depends where you are located. In my area, I frequently see early V8, ext cab, 4wd 800s with under 100K miles for less than $9k. If you can afford to be patient, they do show up.

 

Jay

 

I dont understand 100K miles . I understand 100 km or 100 miles but what is 100K miles is that 100 thousand miles ?

 

 

Yes it is 100,000 miles or 160934.4 Km

 

 

So you guys get a 5 yr 100000 warranty, we should get that extra 934 km! So not fair!

[chakis24]

BigBlueSilvy,

 

Try part # EFL27 on Rock Auto Parts. It was 80$ shipped actually. That solved it for me. The part is located in the back of the fuse box. You can slide it out with a flat screwdriver.

 

 

awesome thanks very much- i'll be looking into that.