yetavon

We love what we have and have spent time and money setting it up for our towing use, but time has caught up to it. 2005 Ext-Cab 1500 Silverado with the L33 heart. We have towed our camper from gulf coast of FL to the Maine/Canada border and now has about 280K. The engine has lost some UMF, ticking gotten worse, kicking multiple engine codes and rear main is leaking. We just got back from a 2750 mile trip and went thru 8 qts of oil, and1/2 gallon of antifreeze, likes to smoke on starting. Our toy hauler is about 7500 Lbs bumper pull and our average MPG was 11.5 over the trip. We love the suicide style rear door, the newer double cab just seems smaller to get in and don't want a crew cab. Its nice to have room to haul someone extra, but don't want it comfortable enough that they always want to go along.
So now we have some choices to make. If we keep it, need an engine, either rebuilt or junkyard, prices about $1000 more for a rebuild. would also look at adding 2500 springs to the rear.
To replace the truck, would have to consider going to diesel since future plans include retirement travel to the west and bigger hills... I'm tired of being a 1st gear 3700 RPM. 30 MPH rolling road block.
Anyone have suggestions or comments

oldchevy

If the body is in good condition and it sounds like you really like the truck, then it is worth it to put in a rebuilt engine. You never know what you are getting with as used one. I would also rebuild the transmission.

yetavon

Body is in great solid shape minor rust spot on passenger rocker. Trans has been rock solid, Pan was clean when I changed the filter, Corvette 2nd servo, external cooler.

jfmorris

With the cost of new trucks capable of towing your trailer being so much, spending a few thousand on the engine and transmission pales in comparison to the many 10's of thousands a new truck will cost you. That said, if you truly need to go diesel, that would drive a new truck purchase I think.

I am in a similar position with a 1996 C1500 I really like, mostly due to the step side body and extended cab. I plan to use proceeds from the sale of my 2006 Silverado to pay for a new paint job on the old 1996. At 28 years and 201,700 miles on the original engine and transmission, while it runs well, it's on borrowed time.

My plan is to rebuild the engine and transmission when the time comes, or buy rebuilt ones to swap in. I wouldn't buy a junkyard engine, as you don't know what you are getting. A quality rebuilt transmission or engine can be had for around $2000, give or take.