Ok guys sorry to bug you with this question, but my buddy is looking into a 99 6.0 2500 hd ex cab short bed blah blah blah.... anyways, i dont know much about this truck, but i want to make sure he doesent get bent over by some dealership. The odermeter is broken?!?!? and reads 94,000 (kinda sketchy) I was wondering what to look for as far as wear and tear on this thing, and I know where to find the most knowledgeable out there (hell yeah dieselplace)....they are asking just under 10,000
thanks in advance,
Cody

If it's a '99 then it's a strait up 2500 8600gvw. The HDs (9400gvw) didn't come out til '00 or '01. I had a '99 extended cab short bed K2500 6.0l 4:10 gears and it was a great work horse. Very few problems up to 100k when I sold it for my current truck. Only issues for those trucks are (remember they were the first year of the changover body style); power window regulator/motor, steering shaft clunk (go figure), water pump gaskets leaking, EBCM malfunction ($6-800 fix), exhaust manifold bolts broken.

Alot of the things are just anoying, only a few have $$ involved. My biggest concern would be the broke odometer, who knows how many miles are on that thing. Plus if you ever go to sell it you will have to fill out an odo statement on how many miles are actually on it and it will greatly depreciate the value of the truck. If it's a dealer, they may have to fix the odo just to sell it, but you need to check on that.

They are overall good trucks. Just look for the obvious, ask for maintainance history, test drive it for steering, brake, shifting and performance issues.

Check the fuel gauge also. If it is malfunctioning, it is probably the sending unit in the tank. Another $6-800 for the dealer to fix.
99-03's were notorious for that.

Thanks a lot guys I will let him know. He swears it is a hd. So, I figure some guy put aftermarket decals on it, or its not a 99.... But if it is a 99 can I expect a 4l80e with 4.10's or 3.73's?

Thanks a lot guys I will let him know. He swears it is a hd. So, I figure some guy put aftermarket decals on it, or its not a 99.... But if it is a 99 can I expect a 4l80e with 4.10's or 3.73's?


It's not a HD. HD's came out in '01. I had a 2000 2500 w/ 6.0 & 3.73's. Yes the 4L80E is the only transmission you can get with the 2500 other than the 5-speed manual.

As Rttoys stated above, those seem to be most of the problems to look for. On my truck all I had was the fuel sending unit problem (replaced under warranty) and a 4 wheel drive switch go bad ( I think it was around $250).

Easy way to tell if it's a '99 (other than the vin) is it only has 3 doors. '00 started the 4th door on extended cabs.

thanks for replying to my budys thread.

went to the dealer to day its not an hd. Also went to gm to see what it would cost to replace the gauge cluster parts and labor 600 or buy the cluster for 260 online and do it my self.

Anything else you guys can think of?
thanks again

It may have the famous 6.0 piston slap. Doesn't cause any issues other than embarrassment when you start it cold. Sounds like a collapsed lifter for 5-15 seconds first thing in the morning.

Only issues for those trucks are (remember they were the first year of the changover body style); power window regulator/motor, steering shaft clunk (go figure), EBCM malfunction ($6-800 fix), exhaust manifold bolts broken.

Can you explain these some more. I have a 2001 1500HD. I am wondering if any of these apply to me. I am having some small little things go wrong. Thanks.

Also...front wheel speed sensor malfunction and rear disc brake desintigration necessitating a complete rear brake job well before fronts need it.

Many on these things are more predominant in the north-east...salted road issues.

Window regulator cable breaks (all silverado, yukon, tahoe, etc..)...actually corrodes then brakes...NE only? Required complete regulator assy replacement. Anyone figured out how to replace only a cable?

Front Wheel speed sensor malfunction (all Silverado, yukon, tahoe etc...)...Recalled in NE...corrosion on mounting area of front wheel speed sensor. Easy fix/prevention: Simply remove rotor to gain access to sensor. Remove hold-down bolt. CAREFULLY pry up EVENLY on each side of sensor to remove (O-rings may be seated). Then stick a disposable earplug in the hole...clean area with scotch brite pad. Lube area with antiseeze or similar "sticky grease".

EBCM or electronic brake control module (All? I only had with my '99-1st yr 1/2 ton ext cab 4x4)...malfuntions and runs ABS motor constantly...anyone figure out how to repair the EBCM w/o replacing it? I imagine its a stuck valve or something. I replaced mine...about $600 for the unit.

Steering shaft clunk (all?)...greese the shaft...to add a "cushion"....will reapear agian...grease again.....

Exh Manifold bolts broken...(is this 6.0L only?) Thats the only one I have heard with this problem...

Rear rotor disintigation (All)...rear rotors actually disintigrate before your eyes...requires new ones and the pads that are destroyed in the proces...Can be a big pain to change rear rotors due to e-brake shoes stuck on the lip of the mini-drum style e-brake thinky in rotors.

What about rear door hinge/slider grinding...also a Tech Service Bulitin (TSB) from dealer...(all including extended cab and SUVs)

Overall great trucks...I love 'em. Just wish GM would step up and take care of reaccuring things like these instead of brushing them off year after year...Thats why people go Toyota... I guess they got people like me who put up with it...look past the occasional bad...and focus on how GOOD the trucks are...

Can you explain these some more. I have a 2001 1500HD. I am wondering if any of these apply to me. I am having some small little things go wrong. Thanks.


If your electric windows won't move, probably a window motor/regulator. $150 part
Bump noise while driving or turning, probably steering intermediate shaft, lube or replace (just like on out current trucks). Lube it for no $$
Coolant leak at or near water pump, probably the water pump gaskets, not the pump itself. Gaskets $8 pair + dexcool
Hear a motor running noise and your key is off. Noise right under driver seat and your battery is dead in the morning... Electronic Brake Control Module is shorted out. $6-800 module depending on who you get it from

This one is one I noticed but noone really does anything about it or even notices it. The first and last bolt on the exhaust manifold (to head) will sheer off at the bolt head. Either drill and tap for new bolts or fabricate some brackets to hold the ends of the manifold tight to the head to prevent exhaust leaks.

I didnt pay that much more for my 01 crew cab 4x4 HD w 8.1 allison,Id look around before you commit to what it known is a TMU truck (true mileage unknown).10 yrs from now it wont matter that it is tmu,but if he needs to sell it in 6 months,it will.

That brake sensor is a PITA. The HD rotors are for that matter. They all RUST horribly. I've replaced all 4 this year on my 01 and that's after having them turneed last year. Turned for rust; not wear. Original pads all the way around.

Got a 5.3 1500 2000 model. I know that it is not the 2500 with the 6.0 but I have 149k on it with zero problems. I will buy a 2500HD down the road with the 6.0 gas. I really like the vortec gas engins. I pull at times a small 24 foot fiver wieghing 6500k good on flats slower in the hills. I also agree that with TMU the truck has very poor resale value. I have already been down that road and will never do it agian. Just check around i have seen many 2002 model 2500HD or 2001 HD go for 15k or less. Keep checking.