RKTECT

Replacing the engine seems to be the concensus. I'm just putting the list together of everything else that could possibly go on a 10 year old vehicle. I know one of the hubs is starting to get loose, transmission, rear end, fuel pump, ... anything else major that I should add to the list. Naturally I would hope that everything wouldn't start going wrong at the same time, but you know Murphy. Am I all of a sudden talking about committing to spending $10K on this vehicle. I know it's still cheaper than a new one, or used one for that matter. Do I run it till it dies then trade up to a newer used vehicle.

Spicoli

Unfortunately that is a question only you can answer. It's all a matter of opinion. Overall these are very good trucks if even remotely well maintained. If the engine otherwise is running OK then you could have a driveline specialist inspect the rest of the driveline before you have the engine replaced. Just a thought.

Dman97

I had both intake gaskets go out right after i bought my rig. Easy way to tell if it was the intake gaskets was: Motor running id pull the oil fill cap, The motor would die. It acted like a vacum. idk if it would do the same to a 5.3, but maybe worth a try?

legolas894

That's always the question-Do you stick with the devil you know or trade up to truck that may have less miles on it but unknown issues? I don't think I would ever put $10K into a 10 year old vehicle that's pushing 200,000 miles.
Electrical gremlins plague these vehicles. The control modules for the various system will start failing. I'm sure GM didn't mean for people to keep these vehicles over 10 years so you're looking at other major wear itmes (fuel tank, fuel pumps, injectors, drive shafts, u-joints, hubs, transmission etc) all wearing and needing replacement.
I guess if you can do your own repairs that's one thing. Otherwise, you are going to be paying a grand or more every year to keep it up. Before I started working on my trucks, I was paying at least that to mechanics keeping a 94 Astro and 95 Caprice on the road. My 98 Suburban is going down this road too. That is the risk you are taking-a constant expense of one or 2 grand a year or the risk buying something newer that costs a lot more!

Sorry to be negative but as they say "Been there-done that"

RKTECT

Do you stick with the devil you know ... ?

Boy that is always the magic question isn't it. It is funny to read all the different viewpoints. If the vehicle wasn't used on a daily basis traveling with kids I might be willing to take some more risks but if I decide to push it and end up leaving my wife stranded with the kids on the side of the road I'll be looking for more than a new vehicle ...

Older kids start college in 2 years at which point I don't need the same passenger capacity. It's always been good to me but I'm starting to think I put as little as possible into it for the next couple years and when it dies out she goes.

Where's the crystal ball when you need one.

legolas894

Just as an update, mine has 230,000 miles on it now. I've got four kids. I took them to paintball and picked up another three so that was 7 of us + me. Pretty typical to have eight people in it. Having a great time and then pulled into a driveway to drop a kid off. Put the vehicle in reverse, backed out of the driveway and then heard a loud bang from underneath in the area of the transfer case. Now, it makes a banging noise when every I am coasting (foot off the gas). Sounds like the driveshaft hitting something on rotation but I can'ts see anything loose. Also, one of the headlamps went out. Went to take out the two 5mm bolts that hold the headlamp assembly and one just spins in place. So, had to take the entire grill off (10 bolts) just to change the bulb.

This is pretty much par for the course with this vehicle. I still like to drive it but I stay close to home as much as possible! No long trips for this old girl anymore.

So, I'll probably be dropping of the truck at the garage and then waiting for the bad news of several hundred dollars worth for transmission or something else. My '67 is really more reliable but of course it doesn't do the things the 'burb does.