I have a buddy looking to buy a used 2nd gen 24V Quad cab short box. I have a 3rd gen and was able to answer some of his questions but I need help.

What is weak on these trucks? What does someone need to look for? He specifically asked about the T case. I hadn't heard of any problems with them. Was I right??

I told him he might figure a rebuilt trannie in the not to distant future.

Right now he's looking at a 99 or 2000 SLT auto with 200,000kms for $22,000 cdn.

Does this sound about right??

Anything else to add??

Thanks

Blygy

 

The auto transmission, and lift pump. A little lower on power than your 03. Never heard of a transfer case gone bad. Price is about average for around hear.

 

Tell him to go with the 2000. it has better front brakes. 2000s have 2 piston calipers and rotors that come off without removing the hub.

 

I think the 2000 models have rear disc brakes, but if not and he finds a "99" he likes tell him to upgrade the rear wheel cylinders to the GMC 1 ton for about $30 USD.

I think the "99" quad cab body style is the best. I like the "suicide" rear doors.

 

2000 would have the same doors.

2001.5 had the rear disks. I never had much luck with vehicles with rear disks but haven't many complaints on this board about them.

 

53 block

 

Better chance of the 99 having the 53 block, but still possible in the 2000.

2000 will have a slightly better VP44, unless the 99 has had it replaced in the last couple years.


phox

 

the better years are the 01 & 02. You can get the HO motor, rear disks, and 6 speed. Its still posssible to have a 53 block in a 2001 (dont ask me how I know this)....

 

To check for a 53 block look down below the injector pump where the oil pan and block meet. If you see 53 in large numbers thats the culprit, if you see a bunch of small numbers and letters smile it's a good block.

 

Don't forget to look for worn front end components -- ball joints, trackbar, shocks, etc. You don't say if 4x4, but definitely worth looking at. Worn parts aren't cheap to replace, but if he is prepared and the price is right, he will have a new front end for piece of mind. I would upgrade to the DSS plate and the '03 trackbar.

 

what's the advantage of a 53 block?

 

actually the 53 block is a dis advantage, they had a weak water jacket or something of the sort that cracks under high hp or heavy pulls

 

A '99 would also have the tone wheel on the crankshaft that sometimes comes loose taking out the crank sensor in the best case and the crankshaft and/or block in the worst case. Only the '98s and '99 had that. I know all about that one.

Kim

 

Not all 99's have 53s first off... but that is a weak link, autos are weak, expect to do a rebuild when buying one, hook up a fp gauge to check to see if lift pump is working properly.

 

The transfer cases were all the same on the 2nd generation diesel trucks, either light or heavy duty versions of the NP241, and they were reasonably solid units with very few failures.