late build 99 GMT800 ext-cab Z71 LT 5.3 4.10, still looks great, people still ask if it's new

So far the truck has cost me virtually nothing in repairs. The worst I've had so far has been fuel gauge and clock spring for the airbag. Including warranty work but no regular maint I'd say it's had about $2K in repairs in 6 years. Now my question is what can expect to go wrong??? I know I'm going to need a water pump gasket since mine already leaks just enough so I can smell coolant occasionally, I feel like their is something going wrong with the power steering but it's been acting up since 60K and never gets any worse. I've never owned a vehicle past 80K miles before and I want to keep this one for a while longer (at least until the new style is out and some of the bugs are worked out).

I'm a little bit surprised your ABS module hasn't given you any problems. These are located under the truck on the driver side. When they fail they vibrate and buzz loudly even when the key is out. Other than that the 99NBS trucks have had steering shaft, seat braket, sliging rear window, and rear disc issues. If you haven't had any of those then you're doing very well.

-James

The steering shaft has to be lubed using that stupid lube kit every so often. I have no issues with the seat bracket but at 135lbs I probably don't stress it too much. No ABS problems yet. I have Praise Dyno Stage II brakes with custom SS lines...got sick of warped OEM rotors after the second set. No slider on my truck, I don't think it was an option on the LT due to the defroster???

I do still have an intermittant popping in the suspension that 2 independants and one dealer cannot diagnose. This has been going on for a few years now and doesn't seem to adversely effect anything. I also have a broken power seat on the drivers side...it still operates but will only move forward or back an inch (or less) at time, so you must keep letting off the control and pushing it again to move a few inches...this effects the memory seat too, so I've unplugged the seat controls so the car wash doods can't change my seating position. It takes 2 seconds to plug it back in if I need to move the seat for some reason and it's fun to stand around and watch the car wash guys try to get it to move (on the rare occasion that I don't hand wash it myself, like last week when I had a pulled muscle in my shoulder). Besides a couple of rattles that I haven't had time to work until I hurt myself last week, that's the list I can think of.

I'm about to redo the stereo again. I planned to do it last summer but got busy. This time around the interior is coming out of the truck and floor, roof, back wall and doors are going to be completely Dynamatted...right now just parts of the doors are. The single 10" sub under the rear seat is going to be replaced with 4 8" front firing subs and I'm adding a 2-ch amp behind the seat and will bridge the 4-ch currently there to run just the fronts (I have no rear mids/highs). When the headliner is out I'm going to have it covered with Ultra-suede to match the Graphite color of everything else inside the truck instead of the light gray it is now.

I turned 148K on my 01 last week and it too has been a great vehicle. I did the Praise Dyno upgrade early on (40K) and am just starting my second set and I am thrilled with the performance and longevity. Just finished rebuilding the whole front end (ball jts, tie rod ends, pitman, idler, bushings) and had the trans rebuilt. Other than those 2 items, the following is what I have replaced.

Alternator (on my 3rd), fuel pump, shocks, tires, battery (red Optima), T-case output shaft seal, rear axle backing plates (rusted to point of disintegration), axle seals, and just replaced the two front hubs/bwheel bearings.

I don't think it's bad for 148K miles on a 6000lb truck that is beat regularly by my right foot and periodic heavy trailering. I'm hoping to get another 100K out of it before I replace it. It is only 4 years old and the seat fits my a$$ perfectly AND it was long ago paid for. Probably replacing the water pump and all hoses soon as they are still original. No leaks, just PM. I would consider doing the same on yours.

My 02 topping 120k has been excellent as well. Only things done to it were brakes all around at 70k, started to leak some coolant around 110k, still dont have that solved yet. Never had any real issues with it except the standard clunk, the antifreeze leaking, shitty door gaskets in the wintertime arnt sealed too well, lets air in around 80mph or so. Electrically the truck is perfectly sound, never had any 4x4 issues or tranny problems. Always put synthetic in it since it was born.

As per the antifreeze leak, I havnt been able to see it leak anywhere, but can definitely smell it, and the temp rises up pretty high when in town. Any ideas on where it might be? Ive heard either out of the back of the intake manifold or water pump, dont see any leaking either side, hoping its not internal, I dont think it is, plugs are always clean when checked and nothing out the tailpipe is irregular.

I haven't done the hoses yet and my water pump gasket is on the way out, so yes I think that will all get done soon. I got my PD brakes at about 40K too. I replaced the shocks at 50K with RS9000X's, tires have been replaced a few times and wheels once. I think my suspension noise will eventually result in a similar front end rebuild like yours and I'm sure the extra 130+lbs I have hanging off the front of the truck doesn't help with suspension wear. I rarely tow anymore but do drive her hard, bumps and road humps are not something I slow down for

I forgot about one other minor thing wrong with mine...the vinyl part on the side of the drivers seat is cracking, once it gets worse I'll probably just get Katskin covers to replace the stock leather. I've recently replaced the outer weather strip on both doors and the drivers side plastic rocker cover (it was getting really worn from me stepping on it and I drilled some holes to mount a flashlight before I checked the fit).

FiatDale wrote:

My 02 topping 120k has been excellent as well. Only things done to it were brakes all around at 70k, started to leak some coolant around 110k, still dont have that solved yet. Never had any real issues with it except the standard clunk, the antifreeze leaking, shitty door gaskets in the wintertime arnt sealed too well, lets air in around 80mph or so. Electrically the truck is perfectly sound, never had any 4x4 issues or tranny problems. Always put synthetic in it since it was born.

As per the antifreeze leak, I havnt been able to see it leak anywhere, but can definitely smell it, and the temp rises up pretty high when in town. Any ideas on where it might be? Ive heard either out of the back of the intake manifold or water pump, dont see any leaking either side, hoping its not internal, I dont think it is, plugs are always clean when checked and nothing out the tailpipe is irregular.

Regarding the antifreeze leak, I would suggest oil analysis on your next change. I use http://blackstone-labs.com/ They will tell you if there is any antifreeze in the oil. If yes, I'd look at the intake manifold gasket or head gasket. If not in oil, it must be an external leak somewhere.

Good to hear of your good fortune with her. I've got about 83k on my 99 and I too am trying to hold out for the new style and some more cash in the bank.