04 Chevy 1/2 Ton. The good & Bad!

[Chubbydog]

Is there anything I should be aware of when buying this truck. I found one I really liked, but wasn't sure if there were any problems with this year.

I know the diesel is a better truck, but I just don't have any thing I'd tow to make it worth the money.

Thanks

 

[BossRev]

the speedo cluster was the only issue I had with mine, other then that it was a solid truck.

 

[Super B]

Nope, they are solid.

Speaking of Diesel, I just got rid of my Dmax and went with a '07 Denali XL. I do not have a use for it. And now with two kids, the crew cab was not big enough.

 

[Chubbydog]

Nope, they are solid.

Speaking of Diesel, I just got rid of my Dmax and went with a '07 Denali XL. I do not have a use for it. And now with two kids, the crew cab was not big enough.

You didn't have room for 2 kids in a crew cab? There seems to be allot of room in those. How big are your kids B?

 

[Super B]

You didn't have room for 2 kids in a crew cab? There seems to be allot of room in those. How big are your kids B?

With the car seat in the middle of the truck it was pretty tight in there. Add a third person in back it was very tight. Plus the deal I got on the Denali I could not pass up.

 

[let it snow]

Is there anything I should be aware of when buying this truck. I found one I really liked, but wasn't sure if there were any problems with this year.

I know the diesel is a better truck, but I just don't have any thing I'd tow to make it worth the money.

Thanks

Fromo has one that he beats the nuts out of on a daily basis... That thing is WFO all the time. He's changed a few wheel berrings, but other than that I think it's been pretty good. If you ask him, he'll tell you he doesn't beat it, but trust me...

 

[PCDOC]

I have one with 63k on it and zero problems. Been a great truck. Mine has 4.10 gears and pulls an open 4 place in OD without downshifting. Get about 16-17 mpg on the highway and 12-13 in town.

 

[Jaynelson]

- Fuel tank sender - gas guage will not work properly and give erratic readings
- Front end/idler arm - wears out frequently, expensive to fix
- Front brake rotors - require frequent machining and replacement
- Rear brakes (if disks) - expensive to replace
- Parking brake - usually broken, particularily if it's got rear discs and the "easy push" e-brake pedal
- No motor worth getting except a 5.3L with the 4.10's....other motors suck, and the 5.3 doesn't have enough low end to push taller gears.
- Limited slip rear-end is nice, winter traction is marginal without it
- SLT package gets you really nice seats, good stereo, perimeter lighting, and lots of other toys.


Nice truck overall, needs to be bought cheap to be a good deal against newer/brand new alternatives right now. I just sold my 03 SLT and would buy another, for the right price, without great reservation.

 

[minie me]

got 165k on mine and its still kicking hard!

 

[montanasledder]

mine an 04 GMC same thing, insturment cluster my only problem also, Pulls my open four place fine

 

[duffman]

They fixed the fuel sender in 04, no problem. I had 170K on my front brakes and they still had life. Replaced the rear disk brakes at 125K and I think the rotors were $25.

Other than the brakes I had to do a fuel pump and two slip yokes. It developed a few annoying squeaks and rattles, but I think any pickup would.

Mine was a very good truck, I liked it better than my 07. But you are right about the price, great time to buy a pickup if you need one.

- Fuel tank sender - gas guage will not work properly and give erratic readings
- Front end/idler arm - wears out frequently, expensive to fix
- Front brake rotors - require frequent machining and replacement
- Rear brakes (if disks) - expensive to replace
- Parking brake - usually broken, particularily if it's got rear discs and the "easy push" e-brake pedal
- No motor worth getting except a 5.3L with the 4.10's....other motors suck, and the 5.3 doesn't have enough low end to push taller gears.
- Limited slip rear-end is nice, winter traction is marginal without it
- SLT package gets you really nice seats, good stereo, perimeter lighting, and lots of other toys.


Nice truck overall, needs to be bought cheap to be a good deal against newer/brand new alternatives right now. I just sold my 03 SLT and would buy another, for the right price, without great reservation.

 

[Mafesto]

The 5.3 is a great motor, but as mentioned it needs 4.10's.

 

[EricW]

I had one that I sold at 100k and it now has over 250K. I think the only issue I had was a seam in the plastic radiator splitting. A year newer though and you get the Vortec motor (I think it was '95). Lots more snort with the Vortec. Good luck. EW

 

[gonehuntnpowder]

How many miles on it? If less than 72,000 there is a special policy through GM to replace the clusters for speedo problems. They will fix it if it has a problem for free, and they all have a problem. Depending on the miles I would get that done as soon as possible, save you about 400. PM me for more info, I can run the vin and tell you whats been done. I am a service manager in a GM dealership.

 

[Chubbydog]

How many miles on it? If less than 72,000 there is a special policy through GM to replace the clusters for speedo problems. They will fix it if it has a problem for free, and they all have a problem. Depending on the miles I would get that done as soon as possible, save you about 400. PM me for more info, I can run the vin and tell you whats been done. I am a service manager in a GM dealership.

What is the speedo problem? Is there a way of fixing it before it goes out? I sent you a pm with the VIN#.

Thanks