Little Sanity Check and Advice about a 2003 Silverado - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

oorin · 01-07-2011, 11:34 PM

Hey Guys, I found a nice 2003 1500 HD 4x4 LS that I really really like. But before I jumped off the bridge I wanted to ask the folks here what I need to pay attention too when I go back to look at it again. I just don't know where the trouble spots were with these trucks, what to look for and signs that would make this truck one to avoid.

Sorry no pics or vin... I could probably get a couple though.

2003 Chevy 1500 HD 4x4 LS Crew Cab Shortbox.
Loaded to the hilt.
132,000 miles
$14,900 - asking price... my inside sources tell me I can get them to 13,500 or lower easily.

Thank you very much for the help.

oorin · 01-11-2011, 04:37 PM

After checking other sources... I was told that the electronics on these trucks can be buggy and the air conditioning goes out by looking at it wrong. The model I'm looking at has the electronic four wheel drive - I was also told these are problematic. The last thing... which I thought was odd... was the passenger side doors can start to sag really badly. I'm not sure why only the passenger side doors would be an issue...

Is there anyone here who as a similar year to the one I'm looking at, that can offer a little more insight? Is the above information pretty accurate?

**bwood** · 01-11-2011, 10:50 PM

I haven't heard of any serious electronics issues. On occasion there have been issues with the pushbutton 4wd switches but they are an easy fix. The instrument clusters in this date range (2003-04) have a tendancy to loose it, but they are fixable and there is an aftermarket for them. As far as the pass door, I've never heard that one. My neighbor has a 01 2wd with 250,000 miles and his doors don't sag. There can be issues with the intermediate steering shaft at the base of the steering column but again its not a difficult fix nor expensive (around $100). I'm thinking that $14,900 is on the high side. Kelly Blue Book shows $12,400 in excellent condition.

**truckdude239** · 01-11-2011, 11:05 PM

the bushings on the door are wore out don;t sound like a 14k truck

JohnC · 01-14-2011, 11:34 AM

I have a 03 Sierra 1500HD 4x4 Crew. I love it. Yeah it has had some electrical bugs here and there, but nothing major. The cluster was my biggest issue, twice, but easily fixed. I haven't had any issues with my auto 4wd. I just got back from a 4,400 mile trip from Oklahoma to Washington and it did great. It is now sitting with 121,000 miles on it.

63chevyll · 01-14-2011, 01:17 PM

Fuel pumps, pressure regulators, guage clusters, piston slap, water pumps.....
All the normal stuff
Posted via Mobile Device

63chevyll · 01-14-2011, 01:32 PM

Fuel pumps, pressure regulators, guage clusters, piston slap, water pumps.....
All the normal stuff
Posted via Mobile Device

63chevyll · 01-14-2011, 02:50 PM

Posted via Mobile Device

01-07-2011, 11:34 PM	#1
oorin Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Silver City, NM Posts: 9	Little Sanity Check and Advice about a 2003 Silverado Hey Guys, I found a nice 2003 1500 HD 4x4 LS that I really really like. But before I jumped off the bridge I wanted to ask the folks here what I need to pay attention too when I go back to look at it again. I just don't know where the trouble spots were with these trucks, what to look for and signs that would make this truck one to avoid. Sorry no pics or vin... I could probably get a couple though. 2003 Chevy 1500 HD 4x4 LS Crew Cab Shortbox. Loaded to the hilt. 132,000 miles $14,900 - asking price... my inside sources tell me I can get them to 13,500 or lower easily. Thank you very much for the help.

01-11-2011, 04:37 PM	#2
oorin Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Silver City, NM Posts: 9	Re: Little Sanity Check and Advice about a 2003 Silverado After checking other sources... I was told that the electronics on these trucks can be buggy and the air conditioning goes out by looking at it wrong. The model I'm looking at has the electronic four wheel drive - I was also told these are problematic. The last thing... which I thought was odd... was the passenger side doors can start to sag really badly. I'm not sure why only the passenger side doors would be an issue... Is there anyone here who as a similar year to the one I'm looking at, that can offer a little more insight? Is the above information pretty accurate?

01-11-2011, 10:50 PM	#3
bwood Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denison, Texas Posts: 1,919	Re: Little Sanity Check and Advice about a 2003 Silverado I haven't heard of any serious electronics issues. On occasion there have been issues with the pushbutton 4wd switches but they are an easy fix. The instrument clusters in this date range (2003-04) have a tendancy to loose it, but they are fixable and there is an aftermarket for them. As far as the pass door, I've never heard that one. My neighbor has a 01 2wd with 250,000 miles and his doors don't sag. There can be issues with the intermediate steering shaft at the base of the steering column but again its not a difficult fix nor expensive (around $100). I'm thinking that $14,900 is on the high side. Kelly Blue Book shows $12,400 in excellent condition. __________________ 1998 GMC Sierra SLE 1/2 ton 2WD 305 Vortec -Gibson Stainless Cat Back Swept Side -SS Wheels 2005 Honda CRF250R 2006 Honda CRF150F

01-11-2011, 11:05 PM	#4
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: Little Sanity Check and Advice about a 2003 Silverado the bushings on the door are wore out don;t sound like a 14k truck __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

01-14-2011, 11:34 AM	#5
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Little Sanity Check and Advice about a 2003 Silverado I have a 03 Sierra 1500HD 4x4 Crew. I love it. Yeah it has had some electrical bugs here and there, but nothing major. The cluster was my biggest issue, twice, but easily fixed. I haven't had any issues with my auto 4wd. I just got back from a 4,400 mile trip from Oklahoma to Washington and it did great. It is now sitting with 121,000 miles on it.

01-14-2011, 01:17 PM	#6
63chevyll gets board easy....... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 717	Re: Little Sanity Check and Advice about a 2003 Silverado Fuel pumps, pressure regulators, guage clusters, piston slap, water pumps..... All the normal stuff Posted via Mobile Device

01-14-2011, 01:32 PM	#7
63chevyll gets board easy....... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 717	Re: Little Sanity Check and Advice about a 2003 Silverado Fuel pumps, pressure regulators, guage clusters, piston slap, water pumps..... All the normal stuff Posted via Mobile Device

01-14-2011, 02:50 PM	#8
63chevyll gets board easy....... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 717	Re: Little Sanity Check and Advice about a 2003 Silverado Posted via Mobile Device



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