Might buy a 2001 GMC Sierra C3/Denali pickup - any thoughts ???

[Green Machine]

2001 Sierra 1500 C3 package. Extended cab - short box 4wd. I did not know these even existed until a few weeks ago. Has the Vortec 6000 and full time 4wd, not available in any other half ton truck, also has leather and all the bells and whistles.

Anyone have one of these trucks ? They move pretty good with the 6.0 engine !!! Has 94K on the clock, any problem areas to look out for ?

Thanks - GM

[Z-71]

I have only seen a handful of the C3's around. Good looking truck, but i don't know how good the gas mileage is with the all wheel drive. I have a 07 Vortec Max and i get around 13.5 to 14. If mileage isn't a concern, i wouldn't worry at all about the engine, its a solid performer. Good luck.

[N2TRUX]

13mpg is average. Beyond that listen to the front dif. They are prone to a noisy clunk that could require all of the inner bearing to be replaced.

[Green Machine]

That front diff is my main concern right now. We took it overnight and checked a few things. Seemed like a lot of slack in the front diff. We pulled the drain plug, holding our finger over the hole to not lose much oil, and the magnet was full of gray stuff, with more than a little shiny bits in the oil. I think the front diff needs rebuilt, and that could be expensive. How much to rebuild them, assuming it just need bearings and such ?

13 mpg - ouch ! I assume a 5.3 4wd with regular tranfer case would do quite a bit better, or just a little better ??

[N2TRUX]

Keep in mind, the Denali is AWD not 4WD so it full time. That mpg is based on my wifes Denali XL. The truck "should" get better since it's lighter, but I doubt it. I had a 03 GMC 1500HD 2wd with the 6.0 and it got 15mpg but no drag from a front dif.

I had the front dif rebuilt and replaced "all" the bearing for 950.00. I would get a quote locally and factor that in to the purchase price.

[67ChevyRedneck]

00 Z71 ex cab 5.3L here. If I drive straight city (lots of stop and go, hardly above 45 mph) I get 13-14 mpg (I used to get 15 before SC started using E10 year round). When I tow the boat I get 11.5-12mpg no matter how fast I go. Highway is where it shines. I can get 19mpg at 65mph or 18mpg at 75mph+

According to the EPA the fuel mileage for the truck you're looking at is 11 city 15 highway. Under the "old system" it was listed as 12/16.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

[GMTruckGuy]

Are there any more thoughts on the GMC 01 C3 6.0l with AWD?

What are any of you getting for MPG on the above truck?

[GMTruckGuy]

Do any of you have Green Machine's email or phone #? I tried PM him, but his PM box is full and won't accept a PM from me. His profile says he has not been on since last August.

[Leinie]

Is the transfer case on that prone to the pump rubbing through the case ?
Also, check the electric door locks to see if they ALL work

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by GMTruckGuy

Do any of you have Green Machine's email or phone #? I tried PM him, but his PM box is full and won't accept a PM from me. His profile says he has not been on since last August.

He passed away around 4.5 years ago. I think his son is on here from time-to-time.

[GMTruckGuy]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

He passed away around 4.5 years ago.

My condolences to his family.

[GMTruckGuy]

Originally Posted by Leinie

Is the transfer case on that prone to the pump rubbing through the case ?
Also, check the electric door locks to see if they ALL work

No idea...

Will do.


I am in the same boat as Green Machine was 6 years ago... thinking of buying one.... The price is right... but am hesitant due to the high cost of repairs.

What I have learned is that there is not a lot of info out there on this truck. Something like their target was 15,000 units total for 01 on this C3 (not even sure if they built that many).

[Boog]

If I'm not mistaken the 6.0 requires a high grade of gas which adds to the cost of operation. In my area hi test runs from 30 to 75 cents more per gallon than regular.
That full time 4wd would bother me. That's just extra drag on the engine and driveline parts and tires, seems to me.
And if the truck has that suspension leveling option it can get expensive. Some of those shocks run around $200 each.
Oh don't get me wrong. I love GMC trucks. I have 2 currently. I just don't spend for some of the bells and whistles available on them.

[GMTruckGuy]

Originally Posted by Boog

If I'm not mistaken the 6.0 requires a high grade of gas which adds to the cost of operation.

Interesting... Hmmmm.... never thought of that. If in fact that is the case--that is like getting 1.5 miles less per gal in equivelent 87 oct cost.

[GMTruckGuy]

Originally Posted by Boog

If I'm not mistaken the 6.0 requires a high grade of gas which adds to the cost of operation.

For what it is worth, a friend of mine had a 6.0l, and he says his owners manual says 87 octance.



I just figured out that if I got a 5.3l that got 3 mpg better that saves me $900 a year. That savings in 4 years time would pay for a 00-01 silverado ext cab 4x4 5.3l around here.

[Boog]

Ah. Apparently only some 6.0 applications require higher octane. One of my friends has a 6.0 Burb and it calls for hi grade and her daughters' Denali Yukon does also.
Anyway it's something to consider.

[GMTruckGuy]

FYI, I passed on the C3. I went out and looked at this afternoon. It had rust straight through on the rocker panels. On the drivers side it had a hole the size of a hot dog bun and 2 places where in 2 years there'll be 2 more holes that size, and the passenger side was like 2' long x 1-2" high rusted all away--and this was with running boards too to protect it--that really suprised me. And it had a fuel gauge issue and bald tires. So was not looking to spend $2k on those last 2 items and then another $2k for the rocker panels with a truck that has 218K for miles. The front end seemed OK. I liked the fuel usage screen. Basically at 67mph it was getting 14.7mpg(2000rpms), at 62mph 15.2mpg. The owner said closer to 12-13mpg city driving. He averaged 13-14, but got as much as 19mpg on level freeway and unloaded.

I ended up traveling 90 miles in the other direction to look at a hail damaged truck, no rust what so ever and 152k for miles on a 01 5.3l 4x4 Silverado with G80 rear locker. It needs $3k to repair the body, but I can always do it as time and cash permitts. I paid $2950 (he was asking $3600, but then the battery went dead and won't start) and so avoided over $200 in sales tax too here in MN (if $3k or over you have to pay 7.15% sales tax). It does need a ABS sensor though.

My brakes on the '93 are all screwed up today, at times they act like a broken brake line--other times are OK. And then I refilled the AC--only to find 3 hrs later it blowing hot air again. Wipers sometimes do not work, medium fan speed is kaput.... So it was time to dump it and thus I bought a more reliable truck for I think was a very good price. It's mechanically sound, but cosmetically blemished. (sounds like a few women I have known)

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