Another New Guy

[Rickk55tn]

Just bought a 2000 GMC Sierra 3500HD box truck with about 245k miles. Plan on turning it into a tiny home and heading West at some point. Lots of work to do between now and then. Including finding a manual. Anyone have any suggestions on where to find one? Local dealers don't have them and can't seem to find the right search terms to locate any online.

Anyway, looking forward to reading and discussing pos/neg issues about owning one.

 

[stutaeng]

Sounds like you bought a 10 lug C-3500HD? Those were based on the GMT400 mostly. Can you post a photo of your rig?

The manual transmission a NV4500...

Or are you asking about OWNER'S manual?

Well, at least you didn't called "manuel."

 

[Rickk55tn]

Hi. The info I posted is from the title. TBH, I have no idea what the difference is in that it's a box truck with the badge "3500HD" on the side. The goal was to get a cheap fixerupper and turn it into something I could use to roam wherever. It is a 6.5L diesel and has a number of issues which is why I'm looking for a maintenance manual. Might have to enlarge the picture.

 

[tmpass]

i've got an 01 3500HD as well... workshop manuals are only on EBAY for the most part... and expensive.. but there really isnt much different to working on these vs a "regular" 3500. the only real difference is the I-beam axle with kingpin steering, the dana 80 rear and 120lb 19.5 wheels/tires

 

[Rickk55tn]

i've got an 01 3500HD as well... workshop manuals are only on EBAY for the most part... and expensive.. but there really isnt much different to working on these vs a "regular" 3500. the only real difference is the I-beam axle with kingpin steering, the dana 80 rear and 120lb 19.5 wheels/tires

Have you had any issues with a leak at the rear? Haven't had time to do much of anything with it yet but, there's a leak of a very black looking liquid from the back of the truck. I'm thinking I need to fix that before I do anything else to it.

 

[tmpass]

nothing other than a pinhole leak in the cover.. i just put some jb weld on it..

you could have a cover or pinion seal leak like any other differential

 

[tmpass]

if you are on Facebook this is a pretty active group for the 3500HD/GMT455

https://mobile.facebook.com/groups/3500hd/

 

[Rickk55tn]

I love surprises. I also have a feeling I'm in store for a few.

 

[tmpass]

these trucks are just GMT400's on steroids.. they can really haul some weight.. they are rated for 15,000lbs but seem to be able to handle a lot more from the stories i've seen. and unless you get some weight in the back, they quickly let your back know they're not your average home depot weekend hauler

The ONLY reason i have mine is a saved it from the crusher.. it's way too much truck for me.

 

[stutaeng]

My 2000 K3500 pickup (regular 8 lug) has towing capacities listed on the owner's manual for the C-3500HD, but I don't remember seeing anything else on there specific to the 10 lug version?

The engine, transmission and cab are basically GMT400. The frame and axles are different. That's about as much as I know about them.

@someotherguy is a member here and he is very knowledgeable on these trucks.

 

[Rickk55tn]

these trucks are just GMT400's on steroids.. they can really haul some weight.. they are rated for 15,000lbs but seem to be able to handle a lot more from the stories i've seen. and unless you get some weight in the back, they quickly let your back know they're not your average home depot weekend hauler

The ONLY reason i have mine is a saved it from the crusher.. it's way too much truck for me.

View attachment 5749

Absolutely beautiful. Have so much work to do

 

[Rickk55tn]

Sounds like you bought a 10 lug C-3500HD? Those were based on the GMT400 mostly. Can you post a photo of your rig?

The manual transmission a NV4500...

Or are you asking about OWNER'S manual?

Well, at least you didn't called "manuel."

Hey there. I'm trying to find a maintenance manual. Not only do dealers not have any, they don't even know what direction to point me in finding one.

 

[stutaeng]

Site Maintenance

Maybe check here for maintenance?

Oh, I just realized you said your truck has the 6.5TD....

 

[Rickk55tn]

After re-reading the Carfax report and the title it is, in fact, listed as a 2000 GMC Sierra C3500 HD box truck. And, yet, no matter what search terms I use I cannot find any maintenance manuals. The Duramax manuals are all over both Amazon and eBay but, that's no help since mine has a 6.5L diesel from 1999 (actual year of manufacture). Keep finding bits and pieces and (just guessing here) I'm probably going to end up making my own manual.

 

[ORVietVet]

Welcome to the forum, from Oregon.

 

[Rickk55tn]

Welcome to the forum, from Oregon.

Thank you.

 

[Tonimus]

Welcome to the forum! Just a quick search yielded this guy: https://www.emanualonline.com/cars/...c3500-hd-service-and-repair-manual-emo-233764

 

[Rickk55tn]

Welcome to the forum! Just a quick search yielded this guy: https://www.emanualonline.com/cars/...c3500-hd-service-and-repair-manual-emo-233764

I've been looking for days. Thank you very much for the link.

UPDATE: I bought the manual and downloaded it. Thanks again.

 

[Rickk55tn]

Just discovered today that my truck was built as a cab w/chassis. Box was added later (don't know how much later). Getting more and more info - slowly but, surely. Thanks to you all.

 

[tmpass]

Yeah thats the way all these trucks were sold, as cab and chassis, 2wd only. then they went to upfitters for the rest. Mine was a Verizon bucket truck and has a Verizon RPO when decode the VIN.

Even the rare "factory" quad cab trucks all decode to 2dr trucks. They were also sent out after being built, to get the cabs and the frame under the cab extended.