Looking at an 03 1500

[jman340]

Hello,
I'm looking at an 03 1500 work truck that has a 4.3 in it. I've had an older blazer and an s10 with that motor, but not a full size. Before I make the deal, is there anything I should look at? Any common problem areas? It has about 80xxx miles on it. The owner had aftermarket power windows and locks installed which I know may be a problem, and need to be replaced. I'd prefer the V8, but the deal is pretty good on this. This will be used for daily commute and hauling stuff for home improvements from time to time.

[Palf70Step]

I have an 02 W/T with the 4.3. No speed demon and the gas is not much better than with the V8, but I really like it for a DD. If it was anything other than a SWB Reg cab, I would not have the V6 though.

Manual tranny helps it a lot for go, but the automatic seems good.

I got mine with 130,000 on it, but it was well maintain (a rental car company service vehicle). I cannot remember anything specific to the V6 for problems. You may want to check for leaks with the intake, since that was common for the 350s and the V6s.

There is a thread listing some of the problems folks have had with the 99 up years.

Most common I think is the clunky steering secondary shaft.

[GOPAPA]

I think it depends if you live in hilly country or flat land ..Hills in my opinion call for the 5.3 V-8 at the very least.. I do have a 7.5 grade to climb ,,so my call is easy..

And if you pull a trailer you might want a larger engine than the 4.3 ..Again hills VRs flat land .. papa

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

I think it depends if you live in hilly country or flat land ..Hills in my opinion call for the 5.3 V-8 at the very least.. I do have a 7.5 grade to climb ,,so my call is easy..

And if you pull a trailer you might want a larger engine than the 4.3 ..Again hills VRs flat land .. papa

Don't underestimate the 4.8 v8's. 285hp out of the box.

As for the 4.3, send your ECM (ECU/PCM???) to one of the custom tuners. Some one here had done that with his and said it drove like a small v8.
I did wait4me because at the time he was only $75 but may have went up a little bit though. Less than half of what others were asking.
I went from mid-18 to mid 22 mpg and noticeable mid-range improvement.

[jman340]

My last vehicle was an 01 Blazer 4 door 4x4 with the 4.3. I would hope that performance with the 2 wheel drive truck would be similar. I did use wait4me for a custom tune, and I installed an underdrive pulley with an electric fan. I got an extra 2 MPG out of it with a noticeable increase in performance. That truck had some common issues and I don't know if they are also common in the silverados. I had a leaking fuel pressure regulator, which is inside the intake. I also had the dexcool problems that caused my heater core to clog, and I had leaking intake gaskets that had to be replaced. Also leaking issues with the remote oil cooler lines.
If do get this truck, I'll try these same mods. My plan was to sell the wife's impala and then buy an s10 or similar pickup, but this guy is offering me an even trade. According to Kelly blue book they are of the same value. Having a full size truck has its benefits. I won't be towing, just hauling stuff from home depot from time to time and parts for my classic car. I would hope that the full size would hold it's value better than smaller pickups too.

[cmart]

I say do it! If it's an even trade...I think it sounds like a great deal. I'd get a lot more use out of a truck than a car, but that's just my opinion.

Good luck!

[Palf70Step]

[chevyfan87]

id go for it, i have a 2000 4.3 4x4 automatic...and even though its not a powerhouse, with the 3.73's exhaust, and intake it had no problems hauling my old 81 3/4 ton with 33's on a trailer behind it...never even had to put it into the good old "haul ass" mode...it pulled it fine, it might not get you there quick but that 4.3 WILL get you there, every time