Found a 2002 with 70k miles and thinking of selling my 1998.5 53 block with 90k miles. I know that my engine and auto transmission is origional. Is there enough upgrades to the 02 to make a trade worth doing? Are there 53 blocks in 02, the pin behind the water pump is it still a problem? Did they make any transmission upgrades? Is the lift pump on the block in the 02? Would it be better to pay extra and get a 03/04? Please advise me to your ideas. Thanks or your time.

 

it's possible to have a 53 block in an 02 but unlikely as is the KDP issue. i never had any tranny issues but i would bet that some minor issues were hammered out over the 98. the lift pump is on the block in the 02. as for the third gen i have no opinion on that because i don't have any traffic with them.

 

Personally I'd say it depends on the state the vehicle is in- You know what you did to your 98.5 and can only guess what the newer truck has gone through.
Depending on what you'd have to pay to do the swap you could also think of a built tranny, a fuel system and tabbing the kdp on your truck.
I do not like the 3rd gen, I think they are ugly and I hate the drivers seats in them. (cut the circulation from my legs after 30 minutes)

Just my 2c

AlpineRAM

 

The 2002 will have Disk brakes in the rear compared to your drum brakes.

 

no kdp and I really doubt you'll find a 53 block on an 2002...

and yes, you'll get 4 wheel disc brakes... but you could be missing wheel well liners.

lift pump is the same pump as the 98.5...

 

Seems to me they are very close. If you can get a good deal (like, equal trade ), I would consider it just to get rear disk brakes. You would have to install the fiver hitch though...
-P