What year for a good used 4x4

[carsandbeer]

I was just curious what some good years were for 4x4 and some light towin'. I know Chevy has had their off years like the 99-00 when they switched to a new body style. I just don't know if somethin' like the 98's would be best or should i look for somethin' more along the lines of the 01's? Any info would be great!

Guess I should say what i'm lookin' for:
Extended cab, short box, bench seats in front and back.

[corning_d3]

My dad has a '98 W/T 4.3 Auto, and he's towed quite a bit with it. A monte carlo and a ranger on a 18' dovetail(Not at the same time, lol), 4-wheelers, you name it. The truck seems real solid and is still going strong. But it is rated as a Work Truck...

[JaVeRo]

For 1/2 ton I would get a 96-98 with the 350.

96 and later have the vortec 350.
95 and later have the cupholder in the dash, makes it easier to pour coffee going down the road

For 3/4 ton I would get something with the 6.0 after they put the raised hood on the 3/4 ton and before they screwed up the looks of the headlights. I think that would be 02-03, not sure.

[ponchonutty]

It's all really on how the vehicle has been taken care of. My inlaws have a '93 with the 4.3 with about 150k miles on it and it hasn't had anything major go wrong with it. My '01 with about 75k hasn't missed a beat either. Of course I run nothing but synthetic all thru it. I've been toying with the idea of selling mine but being without a payment sounds so much better these days!

[carsandbeer]

Great info, thanks guys. I understand taking care of the vehicle and what it has been through is the best way to buy. I just wasn't sure about the years. So now i guess i'll be lookin' for a 96-98 or an 01-03.

[abaird]

I'll sell you my 97

[RexT]

whats the info on ur truck?

[abaird]

136,000 miles. Z71,third door,

New-Fuel pump, water pump, intake gaskets(common on these motors), battery, trans service, A/C sevice, rear brakes, dist cap and rotor.
Newer alternator
Recently ran compression and cylinder leakage test on it and it looked perfect. Runs as good as it did when I bought it 4 years ago. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska.

[ponchonutty]

RexT, you wanna look at my truck too? It's only got around 75k miles. My wife usually drives it so I don't know the mileage until it needs gas or service. Anyhoo, the only thing it needs is tires. It's still running the original set. I've never had to do any major repairs. It's real clean and we don't smoke. It's never been repainted or damaged either.

[MyTOY]

I'm trading mine in on Wed. for $5000
I had wished I could sell it to someone that would appreciate the work.
Over the last 2 years: rebuilt trans, new TC, Rancho RSX shocks, brakes, rotors, wheel cylinders, K&N filter, cap, rotor, wires, plugs, PVC, EVO sensor, fixed wiper board, new oil cooler lines, pinion seal, couple of fuel filters, new tires (2 months), new belt, tensioner, alternator & ac service (few weeks ago), water pump, hoses, cleaned MAF & EGR, Flushed rad twice, flush & dyno test trans, replaced TC fluid with AutoTrak (no more clunk), numerous oil changes with synthetic blend, brake system flush, couple sets of wipers, heater hose connection.
I wanted to keep it but the gas is too much for me. This will probably be my last post in this forum & thanks to all here for their advice who prolly saved me a grand in diagnosis.