Am I crazy?

[mjulezjr88]

I'll try and keep it short. I did own a 03 1500 sierra 5.3 4x4 in my early 20's, fantastic truck but it started to rot out where the a-arm connects to the frame. Bought it secondhand with 33k miles and only had 89k miles on her (upstate NY) when I had to ditch it because my first kid was on the way. As of now, I own a 2019 f150 with the dreaded 10r80 trans, 5.0 with 46k miles, purchased in 2022 with 11k miles.

I can't stand this transmission anymore and the only solution is a tune but I feel like it's too late and the 10r80 will crap out within a year.

Anywho, I'm looking at this

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...ear=2002&state=NY&zip=12009&clickType=listing

Can't stand the new trucks anymore, had a 2015 Silverado 5.3 and the trans started slipping at 80k. So I got the Ferd because the new Chevy's look like absolute dog shit.

I know this truck is priced pretty high but I know they will last for over 300k with regular maintenance. I need it for commuting and my side hustle which is plumbing and HVAC.

Am I absolutely fucking bat shit crazy to pay that much for a California truck not including shipping to NY and sight unseen? Yes I have a private inspector going to look at the truck. Yes I am capable of working on/diagnosing an older truck

 

[ORVietVet]

Welcome to your first post in a long time, I assume. Working hard to get the forum bigger and busier. Have good luck so far. Ok, back to the question at hand.

I assume you are getting a Ca. truck, and close to paying double what KBB says it is worth, because you want a rust free truck. You can get a better assortment of trucks by looking for one at B.A.T.=Bring a Trailer, auction site. Lots more info too. Tons of pics to really get an eye full.

2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD for sale - Portland, OR - craigslist

2006 *** Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab Work Truck 1 Owner Tow Pkg Canopy Roof Rac truck * Stock ID : 3705** Call ☏ Delta Auto Sales Inc 4200 Roethe Rd Milwaukie OR 97267 Milwaukie, Oregon 97267...

portland.craigslist.org

2002 chevrolet silverado 2500hd for sale by owner - Redmond, OR - craigslist

**Barn Find** 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd 4x4. 109,000 original miles. No leaks, no smoke, no electrical or mechanical issues. Routinely maintenced and oil changes regularly. All 4 newer all...

bend.craigslist.org

Here are two trucks that are in a no rust state of Oregon. Come closer to actual value and IMO, I would not ever buy a lifted truck. Hopefully others will chime in with recommendations. IMO, you cannot buy a better all-round truck than a GMT800.

 

[bigdogYJ]

Here’s my take on this. I understand the value a rust free California truck brings to the table, but being in California myself I would have a hard time paying this for this vehicle. Yes it looks extremely clean and straight and yes it is actually very low mileage Unfortunately the price is in the realm of Diesel’s of this era. Now there’s nothing wrong with the 6 L gas motor but being sold through a dealer I think the only way I would consider this vehicle at that price as if they had every minute service record from day zero. It’s also got a lift and oversized tires, and I didn’t see any details of what actual lift components etc. were used and most lift kits just cause parts to wear out faster. Something to consider

 

[mjulezjr88]

Welcome to your first post in a long time, I assume. Working hard to get the forum bigger and busier. Have good luck so far. Ok, back to the question at hand.

I assume you are getting a Ca. truck, and close to paying double what KBB says it is worth, because you want a rust free truck. You can get a better assortment of trucks by looking for one at B.A.T.=Bring a Trailer, auction site. Lots more info too. Tons of pics to really get an eye full.

2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD for sale - Portland, OR - craigslist

2006 *** Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab Work Truck 1 Owner Tow Pkg Canopy Roof Rac truck * Stock ID : 3705** Call ☏ Delta Auto Sales Inc 4200 Roethe Rd Milwaukie OR 97267 Milwaukie, Oregon 97267...

portland.craigslist.org

2002 chevrolet silverado 2500hd for sale by owner - Redmond, OR - craigslist

**Barn Find** 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd 4x4. 109,000 original miles. No leaks, no smoke, no electrical or mechanical issues. Routinely maintenced and oil changes regularly. All 4 newer all...

bend.craigslist.org

Here are two trucks that are in a no rust state of Oregon. Come closer to actual value and IMO, I would not ever buy a lifted truck. Hopefully others will chime in with recommendations. IMO, you cannot buy a better all-round truck than a GMT800.

Forgive my ignorance, had no idea Oregon was a no rust state. I peeped into Oregon Craigslist and wow there's so many on there. Thank you

 

[mjulezjr88]

Here’s my take on this. I understand the value a rust free California truck brings to the table, but being in California myself I would have a hard time paying this for this vehicle. Yes it looks extremely clean and straight and yes it is actually very low mileage Unfortunately the price is in the realm of Diesel’s of this era. Now there’s nothing wrong with the 6 L gas motor but being sold through a dealer I think the only way I would consider this vehicle at that price as if they had every minute service record from day zero. It’s also got a lift and oversized tires, and I didn’t see any details of what actual lift components etc. were used and most lift kits just cause parts to wear out faster. Something to consider

I totally agree with you on the price, it's very high. The dealer has the Carfax which I know doesn't always tell the truth. It's been a cali truck it's whole life, 3 owners. 1 owner moved to Arizona for a year or so. I'm not sure the lift brand, dealer installed it prior to listing it. He said it's a 3" level lift (probably rough country) The tires are 295/70/17, not a huge fan of the offset on the wheels. Thanks for the input, I know it's more than what's out there ...I just really love the features, color and the 8ft bed would be so nice for work.

 

[ORVietVet]

If you look hard enough, you can likely find a Texas truck that is rust free, less money and closer to you. Hell, even a Florida truck. I am all about the "no rust" trucks. I turned wrenches in a "salt on the roads" state, KC, Mo. and when I moved to Oregon in 1995, it was Nirvana here with no rust.

I own a 2004 Silverado K2500HD 6.0 crew cab with no rust. I love it and has 118K miles on it and I paid $16k for it only because it had new tires and because the seller is the father of a shop owner friend of mine and I know his work ethic.

If you look hard enough, I think you can find a better stock height deal. Thankfully you have mechanical skills. IMO, the "50% value" thing is the history of the vehicle paperwork.

Please keep posting finds here for our opinions. I certainly look forward to it.

 

[MultiVAC]

I see what you're saying, because thinking about alternatives, this is a good cross between something that can serve your purpose, be reliable, and not cost what a newer truck costs. I haven't looked around recently, but I would hope you could find a better, closer deal. For this price I would at least want crew cab.

I've done something similar twice, set the deal up, flew in, checked it out, hand money, drove it a long-long ways home. I would never buy it with out checking it out first though, always had plans to get back sans-car incase it didn't check out. I have had cars turn out to be completely imaginary or scams, despite photos they sent. Also lots of bad stories about shippers on the internet..

 

[ChrisRHC]

We have real winters in Washington state, but because we don't over salt the roads, vehicles last forever here as well.

My 2000 gmt800 has been my daily for many years, and nothing but surface rust. Even my older more abused 92 has no rot whatsoever.

20 grand for a gmt800 seems quite crazy. But who knows, I bought my 92 thinking it needed just a couple of grand of repairs and ended up being 20k in repairs ON TOP of the initial purchase, and that truck is still a steaming pile of dog shit.

If you paid 20gs and it lasted you for at least 10 years than it seems worth it. How long will a mint condition truck stay that way in your area?

 

[Cadillacmak]

My take on it is, if its THE truck, its the right price. Every year these get destroyed by tornado's, hurricanes, bad accidents, etc. and you can't order a new one. A new F250 is insanely priced and a new K2500 is uglier than a pigs back side! If its not THE truck, keep looking for a better priced one.

 

[mjulezjr88]

Well fellas, did a pre purchase inspection today. That's not my address, it's the dealers. Hope if anyone else is looking at this truck they come across this post.

 

[bigdogYJ]

Good call on the pre-purchase inspection. There's a few too many things listed there that make it worth 20 grand to me. Obviously in our market here probably a $12-$15,000 truck without actually seeing it in person if the paint is really that good and there's verification of its true mileage. Only reason I mentioned true mileage, is because it seems like a lot of things were done for only being 100,000 miles.

 

[ORVietVet]

If you have patience and look smartly, you will find a better truck. The most glaring thing to me is that lift. I do not like them and steering/suspension components wear way quicker when all that geometry is messed with.

 

[mjulezjr88]

We have real winters in Washington state, but because we don't over salt the roads, vehicles last forever here as well.

My 2000 gmt800 has been my daily for many years, and nothing but surface rust. Even my older more abused 92 has no rot whatsoever.

20 grand for a gmt800 seems quite crazy. But who knows, I bought my 92 thinking it needed just a couple of grand of repairs and ended up being 20k in repairs ON TOP of the initial purchase, and that truck is still a steaming pile of dog shit.

If you paid 20gs and it lasted you for at least 10 years than it seems worth it. How long will a mint condition truck stay that way in your area?

will indeed be a rotten pile of shit in 10 years

 

[mjulezjr88]

If you have patience and look smartly, you will find a better truck. The most glaring thing to me is that lift. I do not like them and steering/suspension components wear way quicker when all that geometry is messed with.

I know, I think I just saw something shiny and jumped the gun on it. I am definitely opening up my search area to Oregon too, I saw a couple nice ones up your way.

 

[mjulezjr88]

My take on it is, if its THE truck, its the right price. Every year these get destroyed by tornado's, hurricanes, bad accidents, etc. and you can't order a new one. A new F250 is insanely priced and a new K2500 is uglier than a pigs back side! If its not THE truck, keep looking for a better priced one.

Chevys looks really fell off the deep end, everything is garbage today. My 19 f150 5.0 likes to be in 8th gear at 38 mph ...now can anyone tell me what could cause oil consumption? Hmm idk maybe cuz the motor is fucking lugging. They're all like that, my 15 5.3 did the same, low on 2 quarts between 5k miles. Hopefully one day soon I'll be back in a gmt800.

 

[ORVietVet]

I know, I think I just saw something shiny and jumped the gun on it. I am definitely opening up my search area to Oregon too, I saw a couple nice ones up your way.

Are you looking for a 1500 or a 2500? 2wd or 4wd? Manual or automatic? Crew cab or ext cab? Long bed or short bed? Specific engine?

 

[mjulezjr88]

Are you looking for a 1500 or a 2500? 2wd or 4wd? Manual or automatic? Crew cab or ext cab? Long bed or short bed? Specific engine?

2500hd 4x4 auto preferably crew because I have 2 kids 4 and 7 y.o but I can work with a extended cab because that's what I have now. Previous truck was a 15 single cab short box chevy and I have no clue how I worked out of it but I did.

I've done HVAC and plumbing my whole life, I landed a sweet maintenance plumber job for NYS a few years ago but I run a pretty successful side business just myself. So the truck would be used as a daily commuter (50 miles round trip) and used for work/towing my enclosed install trailer.

The half tons have been great for me but idk if an older 1500 5.3 gmt800 would be happy towing my work trailer and my 1987 24ft camper. I really like that blue one you posted with the topper, I noticed the rear bumper was spray painted black so idk what they're hiding

 

[ORVietVet]

The blue truck posting is gone now, so must have been pulled or sold. Yea, the auto 4L60 transmission, in the 1/2 tons, is not a great towing option.

Ok, I can look around for you. If I find one and send you a link and you like and is close enough, I can check it out for you. I am a retired ASE Master Tech and ASE Service Consultant. Been on this merry-go-round before.

 

[mjulezjr88]

The blue truck posting is gone now, so must have been pulled or sold. Yea, the auto 4L60 transmission, in the 1/2 tons, is not a great towing option.

Ok, I can look around for you. If I find one and send you a link and you like and is close enough, I can check it out for you. I am a retired ASE Master Tech and ASE Service Consultant. Been on this merry-go-round before.

I was thinking the same exact thing as far as anyone on here who wants to check out a vehicle for me. I will happily pay you for your time. I am so happy I reached out to this forum. Reminds me of the days when vwvortex was a good solid community.

 

[ORVietVet]

Yea, I can do it within a certain mileage area. I will continue to look and post links. Maybe other members in Texas/southern states, Washington state...etc. can do the same.