used chev/dodge pickup input requested

[john walker's workshop]

i'm looking to buy a used, '98 to '03, chevrolet or dodge pickup. ex cab, 4X, longbed. i had a '88 gmc ex cab 4x longbed several years ago and the ABS braking system was so poorly designed that the brakes would release whenever the back end got to bouncing around. going down bumpy hills was fun. i wonder if this has been fixed yet, or GM is still denying that there is a problem. i never had a cyrysler product, but the ram trucks sure look good. i want gas not diesel, and probably a small block. any input from chevy or dodge pickup owners about longevity of the components or other problems?

[lendaddy]

I was in the same boat. I had a '90 1/2 ton Chevy for about 10 years and although it was "fine" it had component longevity issues. Exhaust systems would only last a couple years, underbody and suspension componant corrosion was insane, etc...

When I went looking for my next one I got a '00 Toyota Tundra and I couldn't be happier. It has 175k miles and drives and runs better than my Chevy ever did. I even had to change a U-joint and the bolts wern't rusted solid, it was great!


My .02

[oldE]

John,
I've had a couple of GMs, an 88 and a 96. Both were pretty much bare-bones trucks and went well. Note: 96 GM 1/2 tons had problems with fuel pumps (in the tank).
When I was looking the last couple of times, I was tempted by the Dodge prices, but kept getting put off by the way the interiors seemed to fall apart and the stories about electrical problems. Also, the two Dodge pick ups I drove gave me back aches so bad inside 20 miles I took them back and said "No thanks" (Your results may vary).
Current parts hauler is a F-150. It has issues too, but I couldn't turn down a 6 year old truck with 36,000 km.
Les

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
. i had a '88 gmc ex cab 4x longbed several years ago and the ABS braking system was so poorly designed that the brakes would release whenever the back end got to bouncing around. going down bumpy hills was fun. i wonder if this has been fixed yet, or GM is still denying that there is a problem.

Heh heh, we pulled the fuses out of the ABS system to fix that problem. Then they stop on a dime!

PS - Chryslers are known for grenading the rear end and trannys when you tow with 'em.

rjp

[VINMAN]

I love my Dodge! It's a diesel though. Personally, for what you are looking for , I'd go for a Ford.

Just my $.02

[Jeff]

I have an 01 Z71 Chevy ext. cab. Good truck with plenty of power (5.3 small block) and for a big truck it stops great. They have 4 wheel disks now with bigger brakes than previous the model.

[wcc]

If I was buying a truck I would go with a Toyota. I've had a few of them now and really liked every single one. If I wanted to stay American I would choose a Ford.

But to answer your question between Chevy and Dodge, I would go with a Chevy all day. Not a Dodge fan.

Good Luck!

[928ram]

I've got an '02 Ram quad cab 60K miles, towed ~ 6500# cross country with it in the middle of July plus some normal local towing, wife comutes daily in it .. not a lick 'o trouble since new. Normal oil changes, full tune-up and 1 set of tires is all it's needed.

Father has a '98 Chev 2500 since new, brother an '05 Chev 2500 4x4 that he tows daily with; don't recall either of them having any problems.

Keep in mind that the Dodge has the Hemi from '03 up; '02 used the old 5.9 (360) for the bigger gas engine.

[NICKG]

just buy a tundra and be done with it.

[Craig 930 RS]

Ford. 97 and up.

[Venetian]

I have a 98 Chev Z71 since new with 85000 miles. It"s been a very good truck with only an alternator replacement and maintenance items.

Have considered getting a new one but like this one a lot. I think generally speaking Chevs have better gas mileage than the others. Mine gets 18 mpg on the highway.

[gatotom]

bought a 96 chev 1/2 ton 4x4 with 5.7l vortex with manual trans. with tow package( larger radiator) new. It now has 104000 miles on it. Clutch is getting weak due to the fact I plow snow with it.

It was my daily driver for yrs until this past yr, replaced it with a 2000 a4 quatrro 1.8t, it is now my designated snowplow and hauling lumber truck.

I love my chev truck, it has been very good to me, the vortex motors are the way to go, had a 96 chev 1/2 ton without the vortex and had a 89 ford diesel 3/4ton. Fords and Dodges ride like buckboards, chevys ride like a car.

[kaisen]

Chev/GMC:

You span two different platforms. The 98 and some 99's (Classic) were the 'old' platform, and 99-03 are the current platform. Very different.

The 'old' platform has the venerable 350 small block, and 98-99 would be the Vortec SFI..... bulletproof, although they can leak oil from the intake and oil cooler lines. The brakes were always rear drums, but I have never had problems with the rear ABS. The extended cabs were available in three-door or two-door. Rare to find a 1/2 ton ext cab longbox. That's a big truck! If you are considering 3/4 ton, you will find that bodystyle through 2000. All of those fuel pumps are noisy, but they stay noisy and don't always fail. Look for leaking front axle seals... the left hand one costs $$$ in labor. My personal experience was with a 99 Suburban (same basics) that had only an alternator and u-joint in 127,000 miles.

The 'new' platform is the 'current' (99-2006). They generally have the 5.3L V8 based on the new Gen 3 LSx architecture. Great motors, lotsa power.... iron block, alum heads, plastic intake. No real problems, but some of the early ones had audible piston slap. '99 was all three-doors, '00 was three-door or four-door, and 01-newer were all four-doors. Try to buy a 2003 as they had some minor changes.

Dodge:

The Dodges from 98-03 also span two platforms. The 98-01 were the old square trucks with the 5.2L (318) or 5.9L (360). Both are gas pigs, but engines that have been around forever. Intake leaks at the back of the motor were common. Those trucks also had solid coil-sprung front ends that were strong but unsprung weight was huge (GM had torsion-bar IFS). 98's were two doors, 99-00 were either two or four (Club cab or Quad cab) and 01's were almost always four-doors (suicide rear). Rear ends were certainly a weak point.

The 'new' Dodges '02-current are crew-cab-like, but the length of an extended cab. The rear doors open like a car, not suicide like earlier Dodge, GM, or Ford. Motors were a mix. You could get the 4.7L SOHC V8 that originally came out in the '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee or the old pig 5.9L (360). The 4.7L isn't quite enough for the big truck. In 2003, Dodge answered with the 345hp 5.7L HEMI. They have proven to be pretty good trucks.

My two cents: Either buy the best-cared-for highest-mile cheapest old-body GM as you can find, OR buy the newest Dodge Hemi or GM you can afford.

E

[Dantilla]

I sold a 1989 Chevy to a friend with 200,000 plus miles on it.
It now has about 240,000. Maybe I should have kept it longer.

My current truck is a 2001 Chevy. I hope it lasts as long as the '89. The 2001 has better power, much better brakes, more towing capacity, better interior, and gets about the same gas mileage as the 1989. Over all, a better truck. Old one was a 5.7. A Flowmaster exhaust and a better intake made a noticable difference in power. The 2001 has a 6.0, and is still stock.

[Craig 930 RS]

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

i could drive my GMC Diesel into a train and it would still run. God knows i beat the **** out of it.

[juanbenae]

i have had an 03 z71, the 1/2 ton 4x4 for about a year and have been pretty happy with the power and braking to this point. been towing my 911 on trailer and found it to be very stable and good at the tow duty.

there have been a few things that have pissed me off, bad design stuff. example, i went to change tranny fluid and filter, no big deal right? YES, the bracket that held the linkage for the shift mechanism kept the pan from dropping down and off. i though it would come off but the bolt were way out of reach. i ended up having to bend the linkage bracket to get it dropped, and bend it back after filter install.

another thing,, the 03 and newer had more than just a few minor changes. i don't know what they are but it has required haynes and chilton to do a whole new repair manual on them. they are now up to the 02 model, and the 03+ has not come out yet, i am still looking for one.

[Tobra]

My father-in-law is a died in the wool Chevy guy. Has a '92 4WD work truck that has over 400K on it. 5 sp V-6. Original motor, 2nd clutch, he laid commercial flooring and generally had the bed full and a heavily loaded trailer behind it. I don't know anyone with a Chevy V-8 truck who has had trouble with it, and I lived in Texas for 10 years.

I hope they fixed it, but everyone I know with a Dodge truck has had front end and/or front brake issues, and problems with the rear if they don't have a diff cooler installed for towing.

[john walker's workshop]

thanks for the comments. the tundra is a possibility. the bed doesn't look very big though. it should at least be able to haul plywood or it ain't worth crap.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
thanks for the comments. the tundra is a possibility. the bed doesn't look very big though. it should at least be able to haul plywood or it ain't worth crap.

The Tudra will carry 4x8 sheets no problem. The reason the bed doesn't look as big is because it's not as deep. I was worried about that at first, but in the end it hasn't affected any hauling I've done.