Help Selecting A Truck

hey all...i am interested in buying a new truck..all i want is a single cab 2wd silverado..now the only problem is i dont know which year to buy and y..i need all of your help..

I've got a '04 with a 4.8L with dual exhausts with Flowmasters and 275/45R20s on Torquethrusts, dropped 2" in the rear and a billet grille.

I like the way it looks, rides, runs and drives. In a truck like this the 4.8L is just as ballsy as the 5.3L, unless your in a hard pull.

It's the cheap one but with an 'LS' seat and full power, cruise, tilt and CD.

www.geocities.com/tbuckit1/silver.jpg (http://www.geocities.com/tbuckit1/silver.jpg)

Try the link, I couldn't get pics to come up

If you could afford it,always go with the newer stuff.Everything breaks down in time.I have an '02 and i'm loving it.It does have that engine knock ,but i have owned it for 1 year now and have 90'000 on it and no problems.I really like the look of the 99-02 though.But i'm really liking the new GMC look with their trucks.Heck to tell you truth,i would buy anytype of chevy truck again,chevy trucks always has been to good me and my family.Now since i said that ,i'm looking at it and style of the truck to see if I like it.I always test drive the trucks When you test drive the truck floor the truck somewhat to see if it has any funny jerks,sounds,shift hard,or sometype of funny moves.Also I figure out one thing though when looking for a truck,smell the oil.I was looking at a cheap '01 and smelled the oil ,it had gas in it.The small dealership guy said thats normal.ONce he said that i left and will never go to another small dealership.

i like the 99-02 body style better but there are all different opinions out there too. find some somethin used and save yourself some money.

go for a new base model short box with a v8. you'll save money by not paying for the options u dont want.

With the Chevy employee discount, you can bag a great deal on something new. The flip side is if you're patient and do a lot of research on line within a hundred miles or so from home, you might find a good deal on a 1-3 yr used one that has a lot of that extra stuff you don't normally get from the dealer.
My suggestion is you start with deciding what you want on the truck (engine size, bed liner, reg cab, performance extras, standard and optional factory items...yada..yada...yada) ... and go from there. If you can find a new one with what you want at the right price.. but it, if not, consider a well equiped used one. Of course there's the bottom line of what you're willing or able to pay for it.
One other thing, if you buy a used one, consider doing one of those history researches on it just to make sure you're not getting someone else's lemon (you know, a Ford disguised as a Chevy).... Have fun!!!

If you want a LOADED '01 excb sportside email me...

What are you going to use the truck for, off-road, racing, around town....????? More info??????

I have an 04 Silverado. Awesome truck. The 4.8 is enough power for me, and i've got all options on the truck except power seats. I'd go a Silverado definately.

hey all...i am interested in buying a new truck..all i want is a single cab 2wd silverado..now the only problem is i dont know which year to buy and y..i need all of your help..

What route are you wanting to go with the truck? street truck, show truck, race truck(my favorite :naughty: ). This will play into deciding on what year model/engine size/ factory equipment you will look for. Also are you even planning on modding or staying stock?

Example....If you were planning on staying stock, then you would probably want to go with the newer year model, fairly well equipped with a 4.8L(plenty of power to do everyday chores,cruising). Then you have that factory warrenty and a nice truck to boot.

Street truck/show truck....I would probably go with a 99-02 due to the fact that part prices are down slightly with the addition of the newer body style, and you will save some of that valuable modding money on purchasing an older model truck. These trucks are very dependable(IMO) and can take some abuse, so anything within reason(mileage wise) should last for you. You can again save money here with the smaller v8, unless you just want the 5.3L.

Race truck.... Here's where it can get interesting. If I had it to do all over again...I would have probably bought a base model with a 4.3L. Main reason being that I would have saved a ton of money on the factory options I've stripped off of my truck. I replaced the motor, tranny, stock g80 posi rearend, replaced the cd player, sold the "nicest" wheels they offered at the time, stripped off the molding, replaced the front grille(with an all chrome tahoe grille), replaced the seats, etc. I could have saved some money(and weight) on the electric window option as well. I've basically rebuilt most of the truck and removed the options I paid alot for.

You could also just get a new truck, mod the hell out of the 5.3L, and still have that deep down security of having a new engine under the hood. All of your other drivetrain parts would be new, and would last a while. Motor parts are the same, so the aftermarket backing is there either way.

I've gone so many different ways with my truck...you wouldn't believe it!!!!!!!!!!! In 99, mods included a bug shield, vent visers, blackouts, tinted windows, and low profile tires( summer job mods I could afford in highschool).

From 2000-2001, I had wheels on it, lowered, decent sound system, intake, exhaust, programmer, and removed all I had done in 99(in other words I wasted my summer of 99)

2002-2003, I spent most of mod money on stereo equipment. Sold the old system and went with 4 12s, 2 coaxial setups, 4x6s, and 2 other pair of tweeters. I also had the whole tv/dvd/playstation 2 setup kicking. I had 3 amps and I did some other interior work(flame gauges, chrome pieces,etc.)

2004-current, I sold ever speaker in my truck but my door speakers and my 4x6s(took a huge loss there). I sold my other stereo components and my bolt on performance mods. I stripped the truck down of most things I felt were dead weight, bought tons of performance parts(engine/tranny/see sig) and sold my factory seats/wheels for pocket change.

Moral of the story.....I've gone all over the place with what I wanted to do with the truck. If I would have had a set plan from the beginning...just think of the money and time I would have saved. It hurts ME just thinking about it. Now I just like to go fast, but damn if I didn't just buy a set of SS wheels and am getting them powdercoated. No telling what I will want to do next.

Moral of the story.....I've gone all over the place with what I wanted to do with the truck. If I would have had a set plan from the beginning...just think of the money and time I would have saved. It hurts ME just thinking about it. Now I just like to go fast, but damn if I didn't just buy a set of SS wheels and am getting them powdercoated. No telling what I will want to do next.

Slow, maybe what you will want to do next - is start over with a 2wd vho. Think of the challenge of starting with the z60 platform and 6 liter motor and then building from there. :tongue: :wink: :licka: :licka: :cool:

Slow, maybe what you will want to do next - is start over with a 2wd vho. Think of the challenge of starting with the z60 platform and 6 liter motor and then building from there. :tongue: :wink: :licka: :licka: :cool:

Would have been nice!!!! I've already started plans for a 408 and turbo setup, 4-link/coilover, and Ford 9" rearend for next year though. It will never end!!!!!!!! :biggrin:

Slow, maybe what you will want to do next - is start over with a 2wd vho. Think of the challenge of starting with the z60 platform and 6 liter motor and then building from there. :tongue: :wink: :licka: :licka: :cool:

First a 6.0L doesn't come in a 1/2 ton, and it's a THIRSTY SOB!:disappoin