I have owned this truck for 9 years. It has been a vacation vehicle and is very dependable. This truck has the Vortec 8.1 liter all cast iron, push rod, multi-port fuel injection (no carbon build up) engine. It is a true medium duty engine.
Vacation time is precious so I plan to prevent vehicle problems with maintenance. All routine maintenance has been performed and preventative maintenance has been completed. You read that a lot, but here is the list of maintenance and upgrades beyond the Rotella T6 oil changes.
In the last 3 years, 20k miles.
Rebuilt transmission (4L85e) with Alto Red frictions, kolene steels, billet Circle D Torque converter ($1000) 1800 rpm stall with billet lockout
Replaced rear transfer case housing (oem magnesium).
Removed and resealed oil pan
Diff fluids changed
Replaced idler and Pitman arms
Receipts for the above work and parts = $7800
Water pump and hoses, thermostat and coolant
Brake fluid flush
Wagner heavy duty brake pads
Bilstein 5100 shocks (autoride delete)
Steering shaft coupler (upgraded version)
Harmonic balancer
Front main seal (rear was replaced with tranny rebuild)
BF Goodrich KO2 tires
Front and rear 2" receivers
Plugs and wires
Cleaned air filter (K&N)
Cleaned mass airflow sensor
Fuel pump
Alternator High output 160amp - kept original as backup
Odyssey AGM starter battery with maintenance charger when stored
Rear window struts
Rear door struts
Rear window actuators
Front running light lenses
Serpentine and a/c belt
Both belt tensioners and idler pulleys
Fan clutch
Additional equipment
TPMS for truck and trailer
50 AH LifePO4 Fuel Zero battery with blue tooth in fused battery box with switched usb ports and voltmeter.
Victron DC to DC charger with blue tooth
Fridge slider and compressor fridge
50watt solar panel with charge controller
Awning mounts
Lifetime Satellite radio
Front section of rear platform can be moved back to use rear seats.
Heated seats with power everything
Carhartt seat covers
Dual auto air conditioning
Power pedals
Moon roof
G80 Locker
4.10 gearing
Rear Airbags
3 Thule crossbars (had a roof top tent)
Massive Thule box that opens from either side
Czech army pack/Trasharoo
Fuelpax 3.5 gallon fuel container
Painless wiring kit for high beams - all 4 lights illuminate
LED fog lights
Power towing mirrors. The passenger side can get lazy and needs help.
Large storage tube that slides under platform. I used it for tools and recovery gear.
Fishing poles holder.
Removed rear overhead DVD player and added two led reading lights.
Tablet mount for the navigator or driver
I am going to change the climate control blend actuator before the sale. Once a year or so it has a mind of its own.
Problems
There is a random tick in the valve train.
The rear pinion seal has an occasional drip.
A couple chips in the windshield (one we bought with the truck, the other thanks to the Dempster highway)
A scratch in the rear window (taking the RTT off).
155284 miles
3106 engine hours
$15000
Location: Concord, CA
Vacation time is precious so I plan to prevent vehicle problems with maintenance. All routine maintenance has been performed and preventative maintenance has been completed. You read that a lot, but here is the list of maintenance and upgrades beyond the Rotella T6 oil changes.
In the last 3 years, 20k miles.
Rebuilt transmission (4L85e) with Alto Red frictions, kolene steels, billet Circle D Torque converter ($1000) 1800 rpm stall with billet lockout
Replaced rear transfer case housing (oem magnesium).
Removed and resealed oil pan
Diff fluids changed
Replaced idler and Pitman arms
Receipts for the above work and parts = $7800
Water pump and hoses, thermostat and coolant
Brake fluid flush
Wagner heavy duty brake pads
Bilstein 5100 shocks (autoride delete)
Steering shaft coupler (upgraded version)
Harmonic balancer
Front main seal (rear was replaced with tranny rebuild)
BF Goodrich KO2 tires
Front and rear 2" receivers
Plugs and wires
Cleaned air filter (K&N)
Cleaned mass airflow sensor
Fuel pump
Alternator High output 160amp - kept original as backup
Odyssey AGM starter battery with maintenance charger when stored
Rear window struts
Rear door struts
Rear window actuators
Front running light lenses
Serpentine and a/c belt
Both belt tensioners and idler pulleys
Fan clutch
Additional equipment
TPMS for truck and trailer
50 AH LifePO4 Fuel Zero battery with blue tooth in fused battery box with switched usb ports and voltmeter.
Victron DC to DC charger with blue tooth
Fridge slider and compressor fridge
50watt solar panel with charge controller
Awning mounts
Lifetime Satellite radio
Front section of rear platform can be moved back to use rear seats.
Heated seats with power everything
Carhartt seat covers
Dual auto air conditioning
Power pedals
Moon roof
G80 Locker
4.10 gearing
Rear Airbags
3 Thule crossbars (had a roof top tent)
Massive Thule box that opens from either side
Czech army pack/Trasharoo
Fuelpax 3.5 gallon fuel container
Painless wiring kit for high beams - all 4 lights illuminate
LED fog lights
Power towing mirrors. The passenger side can get lazy and needs help.
Large storage tube that slides under platform. I used it for tools and recovery gear.
Fishing poles holder.
Removed rear overhead DVD player and added two led reading lights.
Tablet mount for the navigator or driver
I am going to change the climate control blend actuator before the sale. Once a year or so it has a mind of its own.
Problems
There is a random tick in the valve train.
The rear pinion seal has an occasional drip.
A couple chips in the windshield (one we bought with the truck, the other thanks to the Dempster highway)
A scratch in the rear window (taking the RTT off).
155284 miles
3106 engine hours
$15000
Location: Concord, CA