buying a 1500

[N2BRK]

My buddy went through a period of asking me what to get and then doing the opposite, lol. 2 lemons later, and he finally bought a Silverado 1500 and has loved it for almost 10 years. Now it's totaled. He's 50 and on disability, and he wants a truck that he can work on and make it last a lifetime. I told him the same thing that I told him last time - he's dead set on a Silverado 1500 loaded with a v8 and crew cab etc., so I said to find a 2013 with a 5.3 and 6spd auto, throw a tune on it and enjoy. He's telling me that the 2018 is more reliable and that's what he should buy instead. I'm I wrong and behind the times? I'd hate to bury my head in the sand if so. What is the straight dope, guys??? What's the live forever "cockroach" 1500 year(s)? Thanks! Wally

 

[JoshH]

GMT800 pre-DOD Silverado will be the most reliable and simplest to work on.

 

[shakenfake]

GMT-800 only.

 

[Chevy1925]

GMT800 pre-DOD Silverado will be the most reliable and simplest to work on.

Preach the truth brotha


18 is not more reliable. Going to have trans issue and direct injection issues.

We have some well maintained gmt 800’s come in with 250k and still going strong on original drivetrain. I cannot say the same for the newer trucks

 

[N2BRK]

ok, I'm confident that I gave him good advice. He doesn't seem to want a GMT800 so I told him 2013 and avoid the new shit! LOL We'll see what happens! Thanks guys!!!

 

[JoshH]

If he's out on a GMT800, I would probably go with the 14-18 style truck. I like the direct injection motors, and the build quality on that generation seems to be better than the GMT900 trucks from what I've seen. DOD delete kits are pretty cheap and not too difficult to do.

 

[N2BRK]

I've had good luck shutting off DOD before SHTF, with EFI Live. So far no one has had a problem when it's shut off first. Most of my friends have chebbys

 

[Chevy1925]

If he's out on a GMT800, I would probably go with the 14-18 style truck. I like the direct injection motors, and the build quality on that generation seems to be better than the GMT900 trucks from what I've seen. DOD delete kits are pretty cheap and not too difficult to do.

I would say, ive had a hand full of 150k+ mile trucks that are doggy as hell at low rpm due to carboned up intake valves.

I dont like when the high pressure pump fails, it pisses fuel into the crank case but atleast its easy to pin point and not terrible to fix

 

[PureHybrid]

I like the 14-18 body. If you're going to put faith into a 6L80 you might as well have direct inject too. As much as I really don't care for 4L60 / 65E you can build a good one for cheap parts wise

Even going to an older non DOD truck or converting one is no guarantee on lifter life. My buddy did his 2013 Tahoe with BTR parts and he's redoing the lifters and trays less than 75k miles later, he also drives an 04 1500HD 6.0L and lifters tick like a mofo on it too

 

[Bdsankey]

GMT-800 gets my vote as well. I have not seen any truck take the absolute beating that they do while still running. The drivetrains are bulletproof, easy to work on, and repair costs are typically cheap as there are so many of the damn things on the road.

I also agree with Josh, if he's unwilling to go GMT-800 I personally would pick a 14-18 after that and do a DOD delete. I can't stand the look of GMT-900, both interior and exterior. The only way I'd own one is if it was a killer deal or someone gave it to me.

 

[N2BRK]

His totaled truck is a '14 and he loved it. He had just over 100k on it and it was tuned. Massive difference between stock and tuned, even with no power added. The DOD delete, tip in changes, and trans tuning are pretty much mandatory IMHO.

 

[Lennydmaxguy]

His totaled truck is a '14 and he loved it. He had just over 100k on it and it was tuned. Massive difference between stock and tuned, even with no power added. The DOD delete, tip in changes, and trans tuning are pretty much mandatory IMHO.

I'm just curious, did he have a remote tune or dyno tune? I've done lots of basic DOD delete tunes, and if there's a good source for especially trans tunes, I'd like to look into it.

 

[N2BRK]

Remote. I’ve driven these trucks with Blackbear and with DiabLew remote tuning. Both were great.

 

[036.6turbo]

DIL is driving a 2017 Yukon Denali 6.2. Obviously shares a lot with the GMT900. It's approaching 200k. We have done injectors and high-pressure fuel pump. Other than that, it's been a solid rig.

I will say injectors are stupid easy to access, but if they stick in the bores, it's a nightmare. Driver's side rail came out like butter; passenger side fought us long enough where we actually bent the rail a bit. A small amount of pressure in the press, and it was still serviceable.

Hard to beat the 800, but I wouldn't shy away from the 900.

But shit, my daily is a 400, so don't listen to me.

 

[malibu795]

800/900 leaning towards 800.

If he can find a clean 400 95-00' 0411 swap with a LS swap call it good

 

[1FastBrick]

Personally I hate the 900's, currently down to 2 800's. My dad has a 900 and I can't wait till he gets rid of it. Other wise I would pull the drive train and sell the rolling chassis...

 

[N2BRK]

I went to look at a "creampuff" yesterday. More like creampie. He's head in the sand on a 2014. I tried to make him understand that if he truly wants his last ever truck that he can maintain himself and drive forever, it should be a GMT800... but he likes what he likes and he accepts its shortcomings. So he's going to keep looking for a 2014. I'll admit that it's a nice truck, though obviously I voted with my wallet and have an '02

 

[Chevy1925]

How totaled is the old truck? If its his forever truck, might be better off fixing it with the insurance money

 

[N2BRK]

He doesn’t want to try to buy back the salvage and repair the wreck.

He was the victim of a driver that didn’t stop for a stop sign. He was T-boned. All 4 tires blew out, rear axle sheared off on pass side, frame bent, cab and bed body damage. He stopped facing the way back on someone’s front lawn down the street.

I actually thought about buying the wreck to restore it, but I have enough unfinished crap in my life right now. Haha.

 

[Bdsankey]

Remote. I’ve driven these trucks with Blackbear and with DiabLew remote tuning. Both were great.

I haven't used Blackbear but I have DiabLew and have absolutely zero complaints with his files.