GMT 800 Thoughts? aka 2006 Sierra

[CaliWagon83]

I have an '04 Avalanche 1500 I bought used with 163,000 miles. I've put about 6,000 miles since I've bought it. I fixed a few relatively minor things on it (at least they're minor to me), and it runs like a champ. Personally, I'm a big fan of GMT800s. But as others have said, condition is key. Any vehicle can be neglected and beat to $#!+.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I personally thought the GMT800's were no hell. I remember borrowing my In-laws 04 Avalanche. My BIL told me to watch the headlight it pops out. Plus the A/C cut in and out and just ugly styling. I was not impressed with the mighty 5.3, no low end torque. I liked my 94, the door bushings do wear out and they do get crappier mileage.

 

[joesregalproject]

Pictures do lie---I looked at a 120|K mile 2005 Silverado - obviously a repaint: wavy rockers(slip on), painted over lower fender rust, holes in front fender liners, rear fender liners patched with ?, frame crossmember at the point of being porous, poor attempt to blackcoat sections of the frame, primer inside the gas filler cap etc. Wonder if the average used truck buyer cares.
pic of inside rear fender lip and photogenic truck

Those body shop 'butchers'.(sorry to all the pro body people). The reason I could not feel holes in the rear wheel tubs to fender joint- they smeared some sort of epoxy layer in the gap left by the rust hole(grey material). By doing that they eliminated the drain holes.

That's fiberglass body filler, aka Kitty Hair or Tiger Hair. It's great for small pinholes, dressing welds, or for fixing holes on a beater car that you don't care about. It's not meant to fill big gaps or giant holes.

Keep looking, you'll find one.

 

[454GrandPrix]

GMT 800 Thoughts? That's an easy one. They are the best truck/SUV value on the road, period. If I had to buy a vehicle and then put 250,000 miles on it, I wouldn't even bat an eye; I'd go straight for a GMT800 of some sort. As someone else said, the GMT800 was a significant improvement over its GMT400 predecessor in virtually every way--better overall quality, better engine longevity, stronger workhorse capability, and on and on.

OP: you're obviously looking for a pickup. Could a Suburban/YukonXL fit your needs? If so, you can save money and purchase one of those instead. You'll get the same chassis and similar capability.

I mention the Suburban because that's what I did. Back in February 2013, I bought a 2001 Suburban 2500 4x4 with the 8.1L big block V8 and 4.10 gears. At the time, it had 219,500 miles on it. I needed a cheap tow rig, and Chevy rated this vehicle to tow 12,000 pounds. A Chevy-loving co-worker encouraged me to buy it, telling me how stout and durable the 496 is. I am extremely glad I listened to him. In the five years since, I have put over 32,000 miles on it (I am now up to 251,850 miles and counting--that's over 405,000 km to you). In that time, I've performed a little bit of basic maintenance; I fixed a couple small oil leaks, replaced a dead alternator and the battery, and I do a trans filter/service every three years.

Here I am in Moab for last year's Easter Jeep Safari:

Despite no major work or repairs, this thing just keeps chugging along. I've towed my Jeep on countless trips (including to the Rubicon trail in California), I've towed the Grand Prix to Tucson for the Zip-Tie Drags, and I've towed dozens of other cars for friends and neighbors when disaster has struck them. The 8.1L engine is a beast, and it pulls anything at whatever speed I want. I would hop in and drive it across the country without a second thought. If something happened and this vehicle died a horrible mechanical death, I would run right out and purchase another one just like it.

I cannot imagine being happier with a tow vehicle.

 

[online170]

Ed thats exactly the sort of thing i kept seeing over and over again. Shiny truck on top, hackjob below. Its like they have an entire industry setup for it there (of course theres always exceptions). Regular buyers dont care, because they dont ever bother to go under the truck.

 

[ed1948]

Ok, we can shut this thread down. I found a low mileage, one owner, maintenance records, bad rockers(surprise) , clean interior, but everything else is solid.
Knowing me the way I do I'll probably do the same stuff to this GMC as I did to my MCSS except this needs rocker metal work.
Pics once it's at home.

...and if the body is scrap at least I will have a 5.3 for the MCSS.

 

[airboatgreg]

Be really careful. These have a bad habit of needing a cam and lifters at 125k. Just had to do my sons truck. I bought new, used only synthetic oil. Had to put 2 oil pumps in before 100k. Read up on it. GM not doing a thing

 

[Clutch]

Thank you for all the helpful replies.
I may look at an 04 Chev, 4.8, manual conveniences, chrome steel wheels, rubber floor mats, 120K miles. Problem is I'm not happy with the Chev grille and lights and prefer the Sierra look....but.....!!
I've been truck hunting for GMT400's since September - the sellers think I'm nuts for taking at least 1/2 hour to crawl under and snap pics. I have quite a large collection of the ugly underbody pics I've taken.
Beloww - either too high mileage or too high asking$View attachment 82909 View attachment 82910

Lol that roof rot is UGLY! That truck better be free. And I'm a body man

 

[Turbolq4]

Be really careful. These have a bad habit of needing a cam and lifters at 125k. Just had to do my sons truck. I bought new, used only synthetic oil. Had to put 2 oil pumps in before 100k. Read up on it. GM not doing a thing

They have some trouble with lifters. Rarely cams or oil pumps. Yours must be a problem child. Put GM Performance lifters in it and they are good to go.

They actually have more trouble with cam bearings than oil pumps or cams themselves.

 

[pontiacgp]

350K km is not bad..
I want rear drums which the 2005 has.
I believe there might be ways to 'tune' the 4.8 so it too can twist driveshafts😆

the twisting was caused by towing the race car in an enclosed 24 foot trailer but the truck never overheated or ran hot