Wrecked LS value?

[Sweeet67]

I have an opportunity to buy a wrecked 01 suburban with 250,000 miles. I’ve been wanting to do a swap in my 67 gmc for awhile now, how do I find a value for a wrecked rig?

[cornerstone]

I sold our 03 Yukon XL, (suburban) that had less than 150k miles for 1300. It needed only a front clip. Hope this helps...

[rjs53]

Ive been searching Craigslist for the same. Have found Tahoe's and Yukon with 170000 or less, running and driving for around $1800to $2200 just have to look.

[Sweeet67]

This particular suburban is 2 wheel drive, which is perfect. (2 wheel drive truck it’s going into.) It hit an elk going 80. Luckily, it went mostly under the vehicle. The front drive is beyond repair, the driver side body damage is fairly extensive. The nice thing is it didn’t touch the engine compartment.
I’m sure with those kind of miles, both engine and tranny are going to need rebuilt. I was kind of thinking $400-$600. I just don’t know how to value something with this much damage.
On a side note, for those of you who have done it, how much appox is it going to cost to rebuild a 5.3 ls?

[Janz99]

I spent just over 2k CDN to rebuild mine. That was, hone and deck the block, new rings, bearings, gaskets throughout, water and oil pump, timing chain kit, offshore head and main studs, LS7 head gaskets, LS9 lifters, trunion upgrade. Heads were decked, new vavle stem seals and lapped the valves. Basically a factory refreshed motor with some upgraded hardware.

You can spend as much or as little as you want it seems. This to me was a good middle of the road stock rebuild that would allow me to add a turbo down the road if I wanted.


Hope that helps.

[rjs53]

6.0 or 5.3 the cost will be close to the same depending on upgrades. 4-5 hundred for a complete vehicle I think isn’t bad.

[Pillow]

Agree with all the comments above.

For reference on the motor, you should be able to refresh your 5.3 for under 1000 and have a flywheel 400HP on basic GM parts combos. Again IMO keep it GM parts as they work for stock. Victor Reinz master gasket kit is a must.

ARP hardware is good where needed. Headbolts GM TTY if you plan never to touch it again, JEGS brand work, and ARP if you are spendy or high HP.

Check your bearings, but I bet they will be fine. Rinse and reuse.

LS6,LS2,LS7,LS9 cam just dump one in and roll! LS6 is the easiest though due to cam sensor

LS is soooo good on longevity, just let the stock parts run.

[sick472]

Sure sounds like the body is trashed and the drive train is all but tired. I wouldn't pay more than the local scrap price and if the seller is an individual, not a salvage yard...you'll be doing them a favor by hauling it off and I would expect to pay less than salvage value.

2 to $400 and I would start low...what are they going to do with it anyway?

[Grumpy old man]

what engine do you have now ? A dead Ls isn't worth much and if it where me I'd stick to what you already have and don't drink the Ls kool aid ...

offer $50.00 to haul it away ...sell the parts and rebuild your original engine .

[weim55]

I offered $500 for '02 Tahoe 250K Totaled in the front from a tow company. High miles but checked out and runs perfectly. Made $1300 back selling off parts on Craigslist.

Steve weim55 Colorado

[ubtripn]

100 bucks on the hood =)

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

what engine do you have now ? A dead Ls isn't worth much and if it where me I'd stick to what you already have and don't drink the Ls kool aid ...

offer $50.00 to haul away ...sell the parts and rebuild your original engine .

LS Kool Aid, thats funny. Just need a need a new sensor here, motor mount there, New complete digital idiot light, er Dash there.........

Boy the Money

[Slowguy]

I bought a 2002 2500 hd for my donor. I paid 1300 for it. 6.0 lq4 with a 4l80e. It ran and drove fine but had no working brakes. Pulled it completely apart and built the engine beautifully and proud to say I did it. Put a shift kit in the trans and a new stall converter. Will add a turbo before it's up and going again. The truck had 140k on it. I guess these ls engines are forgiving and strong. Glad I did it and would do it again. It was a ton of fun. I drank the koolaid and would have another glass if it was offered to me.

[Sweeet67]

I appreciate all the input. The seller is a family friend and I don’t want to offend them. I just think it’s all in the core status area. It runs but, 247000 miles, I don’t want to put it in without a rebuild.

[Slowguy]

With that kind of mileage I’d at least want to visually check the internals. I pulled my completely apart and found very little wear even at 140k. I went ahead and threw in new bearings, polished the crank, had the heads worked over, cam bearings, all seals, etc. Figured better to do it now rather than after i has it all installed nicely in the truck. Even with the plastic truck intake, with a little effort, they clean up nicely.
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[hotrod 80]

I just bought a wrecked 2001 Suburban 5.3 , 4L60E , 3.73 G80 2wd with 228K and a bent frame for $500 . I drove it on the trailer . Parted it out and only had it a month . Im sure a lot of good parts could have been pulled . Got drive train for free and made $360 . Could have made more , but just didn't want to keep working on it .

[Sweeet67]

thanks a lot for the replies.

[izzy_Britton]

where i live i generally buy just about every truck that comes my way, and until just a few months ago i never paid more than 250-400$ for them. I did paid 700$ for a 2500HD for the 8.1 and allison as a donor for my 47 COE, but generally 400$ is my limit. If you are patient and keep an eye out or know where to look they will begin to fall out of the sky and land in your drive way, once they start to fall you cannot stop them. I currently own more trucks than any one person should be allowed to own, and i have bought too many to count just for the engines and transmissions in the past 3-4 years. (2001-2012 model years)

I wouldn't sweat a mandatory rebuild on any truck you buy unless you know for certain it has a blown engine. My DD is an 01 with 330,000 miles on the nearly original everything, it still runs like a champ. I put a water pump, hoses and belts on it about 1,500 miles ago. I have owned it for almost 3 years and the only oil change it has had is because my buddy borrowed it to move out of state and thought he would do a proper oil change as a thank you. lol

bottom line is, set your price limit, keep a keen eye out and let the deals come to you. if your not in a huge hurry you can cherry pick the one you want. if you are in a hurry i can tell you the best place to look is at tow yards, be vigilant, spot a donor and ask, then ask again and again and again. before you know it they will be calling you on every possible donor that comes their way.