New plow truck (2000 k3500 454)

[ChevroletTough]

Hey guys,

 

been awhile since I posted.

 

I just purchased a 2000 k3500 reg. cab long bed 7.4l (454) 4x4.

 

Shes in pretty decent shape for being 19 years old. Has 115,xxx miles on it. Needs new rear brake lines (maybe shoes too), and the drivers side window track fixed. (manual). Manual floor shift 4x4.

 

I've never owned at 1 ton, but have had a long box. Comes with an 8ft plow which has hydros and a joystick.

 

Going to be a work horse more or less, maybe use it for going ice fishing. (keeping my 04 out of the damn salt!)

 

Anyway, I am excited on this adventure.

 

Plans:

 

front single long or 2 smaller led bars (on plow mount), 2x rear cube led's hooked to aux or reverse (haven't decided yet). I also have a new LED amber strobe system coming.

 

We live in the country and do get some big drifts from time to time. I always used our 4 wheeler with a 60" county blade to plow with. This will obviously be quite a difference. I won't have to nail those big drifts anymore. I can only assume this 1ton will just about move anything I put infront of it.

 

Has duratracs on it already (which are the best truck AT snow rated tire). Has aftermarket wheels and running boards. I will pick up a tonneau cover this weekend (used).

 

Has the factory 7 ping and hitch which I was hoping for as I have an enclosed trailer with trailer brakes for ice fishing (hauling 2X wheelers).

 

new starter, new batteries (dual), new alternator. Starts right up. I will post pics in about a week when I finally bring her home.

 

Ready for the snow to fly, I might start plowing on weeknights.

 

Front end hasn't been touched so I assume in the coming years I will be replacing the ball joints, sway bar end links and potentially bushings on the UCA and LCA (might just but who new CA's upper and lower with new bushings and moog ball joints in place).

 

My wife isn't too pleased with my purchase, but I got a HELL of a deal on a decent truck.

[john61ct]

Sounds like exactly what I'd want.

Ideally with the 8.1L but only see forestry / cherry pickers with those, and so far never in 4WD and way pricey.

Thinking might need to look at skoolies?

[ChevroletTough]

Just picked up an 8ft truxedo tonneau for $100.


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[ChevroletTough]

Needs rear brake lines as i stated. I don’t know how long the rear brakes have been out. Planning on new shoes, do you think I should get new cylinders?


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[Logan Lanfear]

16 hours ago, ChevroletTough said:

Needs rear brake lines as i stated. I don’t know how long the rear brakes have been out. Planning on new shoes, do you think I should get new cylinders?


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You can get them pretty cheap off rock auto.  I would for cheap insurance.  Id hate to get everything together and have them start to leak.  

[ChevroletTough]

$16 per side on advanced without a 20% discount and speed perks rewards.  Thanks for the advice, I'll probably just get them.

[davester]

I would suggest also getting new brake hardware (the various springs and other small bits in there).  They wear out from use and brake heat...

[ChevroletTough]

Yeah I had considered that as well.

 

I am going to be replacing the thermostat/coolant also.  Too cold out for me to do a flush myself with the garden hose.

 

If the hoses look bad I'll swap those out too.

 

Gotta check the cabin air filter.

 

 

[Logan Lanfear]

On 11/18/2019 at 3:09 PM, ChevroletTough said:

Gotta check the cabin air filter.

 

 

I didnt think they had one. 

[ChevroletTough]

13 minutes ago, Logan Lanfear said:

I didnt think they had one. 

My 2004 did not, but I retrod it and put one in.

 

I believe 2003 is when they stopped putting cabin air filters in if I recall correctly. If this one doesn't have one, I'll probably retro it and install a cabin filter.

 

 

[Logan Lanfear]

My 1998 does not.  I don't think any had them until the GMT-900 platform in 07/08. 

[davester]

at least the early GMT800's did, then they stopped putting them in, then I believe they went back to putting them in with the gmt900s

[ChevroletTough]

I think Davester is right.

 

Either way, if for some magical reason it does not, I will do the same process I did with my 2004. Literally need a small kit doorman sells and a utility knife.

 

link to doorman kit: cabin filter amazon.com

Edited November 20, 2019 by ChevroletTough

[powerhaulic]

I put together an '03 2500 6.0 Suburban last fall for plowing, to replace a '94 454 2500 Suburban.

Good luck, happy plowing

[ChevroletTough]

She’s a little rough but she should do. Starts and runs great. Got 13.1mph on a 200 mile trip with the plow on, highway driving.

Need to troubleshoot the plow lights, the switch works to kill the headlights but only the running markers are on the extension lights and they don’t blink with the signal.

Notice quite a bit of water coming out the tailpipe. Going to monitor coolant level.


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