Chevy truck 4wd 5.3L Z71 pkg questions

[Erickk120]

yup, pretty much expect oil leaks I have yet to see one of these engines not puking oil enough to look wet at over 200k miles. I will say for sure ford makes a better rear main seal/cover over 270k miles and not even wet on a 06 E150, wished I could say that about my 04 230k miles tahoe, although I did end up doing my rear main so that is that. The real concern is be ready to replace the trans sometime in the future, Mine actually just kicked the bucket last year at 230k but it had been opened twice, once for a broken sunshell at 180k and once at 204k for a front seal, now she is dead at 230k give or take.

 

[bigdog9191999]

same motors, I have an 03 that has 235 all original ( minus a few things from accident repair)

and an 03 denali which is the 6.0 build the same as the 5.3 it had a trans at 180 but is currently at 245k and I have no fear of it. getting about ready for some gaskets, but otherwise good.

 

[OR VietVet]

Anytime you do these mentioned oil leak repairs, look for and also do any gaskets/seals while in there. Just did my rear main seal. Did the transmission torque converter seal and tail shaft seal and transfer case seal(s), did the oil pan gasket and the pickup tube with new o-ring. Soon gonna be doing the knock sensors, so the oil pressure sensor will be done as well as the valve cover gaskets and anything else in that area. So, don't cheap out on the quality of parts or also replacing other PITA items while in the area.

 

[Summajet]

I will keep this info for the next truck I find. Dealer said they have a deposit on it till Monday. I drove yesterday evening and they were closed and it had a sold sticker on it. It definitely is super clean. No leaks on the rear main seal. It has new brake lines on the front and rear. I would have looked sooner but my past two trips to the big dealer were disappointing as the trucks were not what the pictures showed.

 

[Summajet]

Update,
buyer who had the hold on the truck was unable to come up with the funds this past Monday. Owner notified it was available. I was unable to get there until yesterday. I test drove the truck and bought it home. Super clean and smooth running and 231 miles home. No issues and has great power.
Anyone know of a set of running boards for it? I see 3" and 5" wide.
Thanks!

 

[Summajet]

I wanted to give an update. I purchased the truck and it was cleaner in person. Not any oil leaks. I was furnace as the independent dealer was honest and I test drove it for an hour. Great truck and super clean!!

 

[MassHoe04]

I bought my 04 Z71 in October. It had 193k on the clock. Outer rockers are gone, but otherwise a solid truck and the interior was MINT. Engine runs beautifully! Super smooth and no weird noises.

Work required since then:

Inner tie rod to pass initial RMV safety inspection.

O2 sensor started throwing code on Bank 2 Sensor 2. Replaced both downstream sensors.

Front brake pads and rotors.

Front sway bar connector link and front brake hose, after the link on one side broke and rubbed a hole through the rubber brake hose.

Rear brake pads and rotors. Then, I found out the calipers were sticky (or seizing).
So new rear calipers this week too.

This is all stuff that has to happen on higher mileage trucks. I am coming up soon on 198k mile.

It runs/drives great! I have an occasional EVAP code to deal with in warmer weather, but other than that... I think I should be out of repair mode and in the routine maintenance and upgrade mode for 2022.

I think you'll be super happy with your decision to buy your Z71!

 

[Summajet]

Overall they are reliable. I replaced all the fluids last weekend. Flushed the power steering rack too. I look forward to enjoying the truck this year. Only repairs left is to replace the electronic climate control bulbs to led, and the steering wheel buttons to led also.

 

[MassHoe04]

At first I was annoyed that some of my steering wheel buttons were dark. They worked, but a couple won't light up.
With some higher priority and unexpected repairs needing to be done, the issue was put on to the "that would be nice someday" list.

I have been driving the Tahoe almost 4 months now. I have learned which button does what and where it is in the dark. Since I don't look down to see what I am pressing, having them light up was even less critical for now.
Maybe, I'll get to it someday. Maybe I'll just wait for one of them to just stop working and replace them when that happens...

 

[tRidiot]

Overall they are reliable. I replaced all the fluids last weekend. Flushed the power steering rack too. I look forward to enjoying the truck this year. Only repairs left is to replace the electronic climate control bulbs to led, and the steering wheel buttons to led also.

I remember seeing something about this years ago, but I don't know where the thread on it is. If you have a link, please post it. I will do some more looking later, too. I really want to get rid of the ugly green on the HVAC screen, too, but I don't know that that is possible.