1999 Chevy Silverado

Ford tractor · Nov 4, 2010

Hi, Had some windows replaced and the contractor was driving a 99 silverado 1/2 ton 4x4 with the 5.3l and auto trans. He always has it attached to the 14' enclosed trailer that holds all the tools, windows, equipment, etc that he uses. The trailer is about 8' tall from the ground and 6-7k pounds. Well, he said he just had to replace the rear ring & pinion gear, but that it was the first service needed in 395,000 miles. The truck still runs smooth and has lots of power according to him. Impressive as that truck has been pulling that trailer since new, all 395,000 miles.

Nice to hear that there are some decent American made vehicles out there still.

Oh, I mentioned to him that county highway patrol was starting to hit on guys for not having USDOT numbers. He rolled his eyes and asked where I was 3 months ago. He as nailed, got a big ticket and now has commercial insurance, flares, spares, etc etc etc.

Just thought y'all might want to know.

Diamondpilot · Nov 4, 2010

Ford tractor said:
Hi, Had some windows replaced and the contractor was driving a 99 silverado 1/2 ton 4x4 with the 5.3l and auto trans. He always has it attached to the 14' enclosed trailer that holds all the tools, windows, equipment, etc that he uses. The trailer is about 8' tall from the ground and 6-7k pounds. Well, he said he just had to replace the rear ring & pinion gear, but that it was the first service needed in 395,000 miles. The truck still runs smooth and has lots of power according to him. Impressive as that truck has been pulling that trailer since new, all 395,000 miles.

Nice to hear that there are some decent American made vehicles out there still.

Oh, I mentioned to him that county highway patrol was starting to hit on guys for not having USDOT numbers. He rolled his eyes and asked where I was 3 months ago. He as nailed, got a big ticket and now has commercial insurance, flares, spares, etc etc etc.

Just thought y'all might want to know.

You take care of them and use them they will last forever. Let them sit and don't keep up on the maintenance and you will have nothing but problems. Sometimes you get a lemon and sometimes you get a good one but on average anything will last if you take care of it.

Longest I have keep a truck was about 170,000 miles. All it needed in that time as a set of spark plug wires and a slave cylinder above fluids, filters, brakes, belts, hoses, ect.

I just read a story of a guy with a 06 F-250 Powerstroke and it just turned over 1,000,000 miles. He drives for a living but not a single issue. Said he changes the oil once a week.

Bigger issue is something else not happening to it. A deer, tree falling, or just a accident can end all that.

Chris

bdeboer · Nov 5, 2010

Ford tractor said:
Oh, I mentioned to him that county highway patrol was starting to hit on guys for not having USDOT numbers. He rolled his eyes and asked where I was 3 months ago. He as nailed, got a big ticket and now has commercial insurance, flares, spares, etc etc etc.

Just thought y'all might want to know.

Where are you located?

Iplayfarmer · Nov 5, 2010

My truck is a '99 Silverado. It sounds like the same truck... 5.3L, Z71 4X4. Auto.

Mine is just under 170K miles right now. It had about 60K on it when I bought it. It's been a great truck. It's still going strong, but I have started putting some money into it. I replaced a window regulator a few months back. Before that I had a few oil leaks fixed. I need to replace the shocks on it. So far the repairs are much less than a truck payment, and I love this truck. I hope to get at least 250K out of it.

grnspot110 · Nov 5, 2010

Mine is a 2001 Chevy 2500 HD crew cab, 6L, w/160,000+. Had a sensor go out once, left front spindle replaced (nut loosened) & the gas gauge sticks (only when full). Don't really need the 3/4 ton now, not towing as heavy, but it was paid for the day I bought it w/35,000 on it. I'll probably keep it until it starts giving me trouble. ~~ grnspot110

Builder · Nov 5, 2010

My BIL has a ~10 yr old Silverado that just went over 200K miles. Original engine/trans/rears, no major repairs. OTOH, I maintained the heck out of my Fords, but never got to 100K without spending close to 10 grand on repairs. My '07 Sierra is at 60,000 and nothing other than an ABS sensor so far. I'm still on original brakes! I can see this GMC going 250K with no problem.

Sure, American made trucks are built great these days and can go 200-300-400K.

JoelD · Nov 5, 2010

2002 Ford Ranger, 160000, I've replaced tires, break pads, just did shoes for first time last month. Replaced rotors (wore thin). Just replaced exhaust (mechanic said it needed cat back, I did it my self and had to use a cutting wheel to get the exhaust out, in the end all it really needed was gasket between cat and pipe). Replaced thermostat and thermostat housing (plastic and it cracked). I used R132 with patch which fixed AC leak. I replaced front bearings when I did the rotors.

I replaced coil pack, wires and plugs.

That is about it.

This has been the most reliable, well built vehicle I've ever owned.

Joel

Dmace · Nov 5, 2010

It's all in how it's driven and maintained. My 98 Dakota hit 185k when I sold it and it's still on the road 6 years later with over 240k miles. My current RAM only has 99k so it will be a while for that one.

For work I also have a 98 Chevy Tahoe with 230k miles and an 04 Ford Ranger V6 that just hit 269k miles and still rides pretty **** nice. It's tough to say any of the big three really make a "bad" truck. I think sitting is the number one killer of a vehicle, drive it daily and use it for what it's built to do and it will last you a lifetime. :thumbsup:

Diamondpilot · Nov 5, 2010

Dmace said:
It's all in how it's driven and maintained. My 98 Dakota hit 185k when I sold it and it's still on the road 6 years later with over 240k miles. My current RAM only has 99k so it will be a while for that one.

For work I also have a 98 Chevy Tahoe with 230k miles and an 04 Ford Ranger V6 that just hit 269k miles and still rides pretty **** nice. It's tough to say any of the big three really make a "bad" truck. I think sitting is the number one killer of a vehicle, drive it daily and use it for what it's built to do and it will last you a lifetime. :thumbsup:

I agree fully. I have bad mouthed plenty of vehicles on here but you will never hear me say one can not last. Some may require more repair than others and some may nickle and dime you to death but if you take care of the things as they come up it will last you. Its all what you can tolerate.

If you use it for a living or depend on it for your primary transportation then you have to decide when to let it go. 9 times out of 10 I want something new so that is the reason for getting rid of something, not because I can not keep it going.

Chris