Hey guys i currently own a 88 first gen and while a good runner only 127xxx on her it need too much little stuff and i dont have the time for it right now. Looking at getting a second gen and id like your thoughts on them maybe what you own and what engine, 2wd or 4x4 etcc and any issues you have had or stuff to know about certain years made?? I live in the tundra of Mn so i want one with 4x4 for sure and im thinking about a V8. Most likely an 98 - 2000?

What kind of mileage are you V8 owners getting?

thanks

 

I have a 98 4x4 auto 5.2 ext cab. Mileage is going to depend on how you drive,elevation,tires,gear ratio. I have 32in bfg a/t's,cold air intake and running just a cat and on average I get about 12. When I first got my truck I was getting average of 15 dont know why it went down hill.

 

'99 SLT Extended Cab w/ 318, 5 speed, 3.55 rear, rear ABS...

180,000 miles...

Currently starting massive maintenance work that I anticipate will take the better part of a few months...

First, the intake manifold gasket (AKA plenum gasket or belly pan gasket) will fail. One of the maintenance issues I addressed above is this part. It was repaired by original owner at like 80,000 (I used to have the receipt, but have no idea where it is right now, but it was somewhere around there). Anyhow, 100,000 miles later, it needs doing again. Actually, it needed doing a year ago. I have just been feeding it oil. About a quart every 700 miles. Still runs good, so I haven't been worrying about it too much.

Second, my whole front end, I think, needs fixing. I am putting in new axles and hubs this coming weekend. Pretty cheap, surprising enough. $300 for parts, and likely 4 to 5 hours of my time should do it. Hopefully, this addresses the insanely terrible grinding noise I get in 4 wheel drive at the same time...we shall see, I suppose...

I have replaced the rear speed sensor twice. Replaced rear drums. 3 u joints. 3 mufflers (stupid salt on the road in winter). 1 mid-pipe. Front shocks. Battery.

Thing is, all of this, really, is maintenance as far as I can tell. The engine is still very strong. The clutch is original, although it may be needing replacing owing to what I believe is a rear main leak (although, to be honest, when I was looking at it yesterday, I started to think that maybe the oil back there is coming from the belly pan leak...). The interior has held up well (when clean, it looks as good as new).

My A/C hasn't worked for a couple years. Honestly, I don't care. It dries my eyes out, so I prefer not to use it. It would be nice sometimes to still have it, but I am not about to fix it at this point...

Body has seen better days, but it is almost like the sheet metal came from two different places. My fenders are disappearing everyday as they are replaced with rust. Same with the roof of the cab. Everything else, though, is surprisingly rust-free. Go figure.

I get 15 mpg. I got 15 when I bought it. I got 15 when I had it for a year. I get 15 now, 110,000 miles later. Thing is, I get that no matter how I drive it. Beat on it - 15. Putz around - 15. Who knows...

I would buy my truck again. It doesn't owe me anything, and I have discovered that the parts are surprisingly cheap to fix it, which means I can keep fixing it much cheaper than buying something new. It is fun to drive. It has never (knocking on wood) made me walk, even when it has serious issues (I limped home once with two of the spark plug wires completely wasted, so basically 6 cylinders).

When it was in working order, it would go through anything. Soon, it will be going through anything again.

I like it. Even with the rust and the old-age related break downs that are starting to pop up...

 

Thanks guys all good info thank for taking the time to share!

 

Any more owners out there i know there are So far i have in mind a 98 SLT with 50xxx on it town package, 4x4 V8, and second is an 04 4x4 quad cab sport V8 with 40xxx.... Im leaning toward to 98 because i kind of want the bigger V8, any thoughts on the older magnum V8 vs the newer V8's 4.7L's

Any ideas or more experiences you want to share?

 

The 4.7's will get you a little bit more mpg but if you ever plan to mod your motor the 5.2 has more options. I love my 5.2 90k on her and hasnt let me down.