Chevy C/K Pickups (1996 - 1999)

jethro10

I have a 97 Z-71 Ext Cab w/53000 mi. Over the past few months I have noticed that the steering at certain points tends to "slip". This happens mainly during a slow turn (such as on an exit ramp off a highway) and above about 20 mph, but not all the time. I've changed the serpentine belt and checked the steering fluid, but it still does it. I'm thinking the pump is going. Anyone else have this problem?

lspangler

I just traded in my truck. It was a long box 4X4 with the 5.7. I had removed all the molding and badges and the silver Chevrolet on the back. I added Xenon flares and Centerline rims with 33 x 12.5 BFG all terrains. I loved this truck for 120,000 miles, but in the end the squeeks and rattles, leaking slider window and finally the head gasket leak made me decide on getting rid of it. $1150 for head gaskets? Ouch. The trucks are nice, get you from point a to point b but they are far from being well built.

akjbmw

Jethro10.
My '98 K1500, ext. cab, SB, 5.7, and AT developed a similar condition some time ago. It got more noticeable and frequent, but only on a right turn. I remembered a previous series of posts about that problem and took it to the local Chevy dealer. I explained what it was doing and that it sounded like something I had read about. They checked it and replaced a pressure switch that is supposed to adjust the effort required to turn in accordance to vehicle speed.
So far, my experience with the dealer here in Reno has been positive.
Hope this helps.
Adrian

cspaulding

My dad also has a '95 K1500 which has front seal problems. He bought the truck new, it now has about 110,000 on it and he has gone through 5 or 6 front seals on it.

chris

cspaulding

I know this doesn't fall within the years listed on this site, but the style of the truck does. I have a 2000 K2500 crew cab with a 454 and 373s. We have been having engine problems, including the valves knocking, poor power, hesitation, etc. Anyone out there with a 454 with similar problems? Chevy denies there is a problem with it. Zone manager says this is normal. Problems started at about 8,000 - 9,000 miles, truck now has about 14,000 on it.

chris

iusecad

sorry to hear about your crew cab. if I could afford to fill its tank, I would love one of those...

on your dad's truck, did his axle seals start going just recently, like last 3 years, or has it been a constant thing, like every 20k miles? I'm trying to decide if I should stick with my truck to 100k, or unload it in the spring... its a tuff call now that taconite plants & paper mills in my area are making production cuts, which affects my work...

cspaulding

My dad's truck has done it ever since he got it. I think the first time was under warranty, then after that it's every year or so. Hope it helps.

As for the crew cab. The space is wonderful! Gas mileage isn't bad 12-15 with the 454 with 373s. Pulls good, but the take off is crap...can't even turn the tires. I believe it was made on April Fools day, since we've had so many problems with it. Our last new Chevy was my husband's '92 K1500. My opinion: Chevy has sure lost something throughout the '90s. Customer service for sure.

Good luck with your truck. Here, one is a necessity (to us)...hunting, fishing, horses, snow, and mud. Wouldn't have a car, but trucks do seem to be getting worse and worse. Quality seems to be going and prices, well, our 2000 listed at $35,000, that's half what we paid for our home. We expect trucks to last us 10 years, at least...we still have our '84 Chev. K25, still my favorite.

lol
Chris

4x4man

I haven't had a problem with the front seals yet on my 97...I am approaching 65k on mine, gettin ready to do another tranny service. I've heard rumor that some of these auto tranny's don't make it past 70k, so I figure I would change its fluid every 15k being as I tow my boat on weekends during the summer and drive rush hour to goto work (oh joy...) to make it last. My dad has an 88 K2500 extended cab that hasn't had front seal problems yet, just had to rebuild the motor 2 years ago, that's it he has been fairly lucky.. Maybe we're both just lucky??
Anyway, gotta go...

Bob

cspaulding

but I think '95s were known to have front seal problems. They were supposed to have resolved that problem later in the '90s. Earlier trucks, our '92, didn't seem to have the problems. They, of course, seemed to be built different back then.

iusecad

I'm not going to have to go Ford (F-Series), am I?! aw geez... that's all I see 'round these parts...

if my axle seal didn't go until 60k, do you suppose they'd go another 60k? or is this a sign of things to come? at least my tranny went at 26k so I'm good until 96k... right? :>

shinemaster

What engine performance upgrades has anyone used without breaking the bank??

peatmoss1

Have a "98" chevy 2500hd 4x4 with 350 vortec, auto- overdrive, 4:10 gears and lt265-16"tires. Usually get 10.5 to 14.5 mpg with no load and no lead foot. Haven't checked it on the turn-pike , but expected more mpg on regular driving. Have heard that headers and air cleaner mods wake these engines up. Would the computer need calibrating and where can these mods be purchased?

4x4man

The only thing I have done is put in a K&N filter. Didn't notice any difference..but hey it's a status thing, ya know!!! :-)
I want to change the exhaust and go with a cat back dual exhaust system, just for the sound, don't think it will give much change, but if it does...hey bonus!!! Also found in Summit Racing mag that there is a tranny control module that can change shift firmness without having to drop the pan. It is just a box that gives three differen't options at the flip of a switch with wires that connect to the computer, I guess..want to do a bit of research on it before I decide as it would be helpful while towing my boat.

Now that I think of it, let me ask you truckies something. My truck has the Z71 package, I think...I say this because it has the Bilistein (sp?) shocks, skid plates, stickers, glove box states Z71, but on the drivers side door, it states the tires should be 245's...is this what they all say??? I only ask because I bought the truck used from a dealer and they had put brand new 245's on it when they put it out on the lot, but the spare is a 265. If I should have 265's instead of 245's how much is my speedo off by, can't be much, right??? Maybe I am getting better gas mileage than I think?? I know I am reaching for that one, huh??!!
Thanks all,

Bob

peatmoss1

I believe the Z71,s mostly came with LT 265's. The 245's are not that much shorter and only slightly narrower. Power, computer and mpg should not show much change. Are the tires P or LT rated? Sometimes people put on P(passenger) rated tires cause their cheaper, but the load rating is much less. LT's are recommended if you work the truck at all.

4x4man

The tires are LT rated, never thought about checking that, good point.....

Bob

cspaulding

Dual exhausts do help fuel mileage a little. Our '92 (manual trans.), 305, has true duals (no catalytic converter) under it and we get between 20 and 25 mpg. depending on the driving. My husband's pedal to the floor (130mph+) days are over (I hope), thank god...that saves too. Oh to go back to the days when upgrades were easy, and trucks weren't governed. Our 2000 K2500 cuts out at about 110.

peatmoss1

Seems like the "new" truck features that make them smooth and comfortable, also make them harder to modify and more likely to need expensive maintenance. I guess that's the price we pay for modern convenience's. 130+ MPH IN A PICKUP?

iusecad

I'm not 100% sure, but I bet one of those 454SS from '91(?) could do it... you know, black 1/2 ton short box...

profanic

I have had this truck for 18 months, had 30K on it, now has 52K. It has been great, I haven't done anything except one tune up after purchase, and change the oil every 3000. It has a 4" lift, 33's, KnN, single flowmaster, etc...
It has never broken down or failed to start.
The ONLY thing is lately I'm getting a vibration while braking, so I'd assume I need a rotor turn and new pads, but I ride this thing hard....
I would buy another, and am selling it now to get a 99 Tahoe.

cspaulding

even with the 305 Chevy had in '92. Needed a little upgrading. But my hubby raced it and managed to beat larger engines easily- including Thunderbirds & 'stangs. The truck is still around...124,000 miles, beat to heck, but still reliable.

4x4man

It was some time ago, but someone put headers on their 98 5.7 and they stated there was a difference with that upgrade and it was less than $200 from Summit. My only concern with headers is that I have heard the bolts loosen up, maybe that is just the cheaper ones with thin flanges or something....maybe a header and exhaust upgrade will be in its future. Oh well, maybe I'll just keep looking through my summit mag. and keep dreaming!!

Bob

mechanicgy

Anyone out there know the tow ratings for the above vheicle C/K 3500 6.5 diesel? I have heard its only 8000 lbs. I have heard people towing 5th wheel trailers of 11k to 14k.

assofjack

I have '99 GMC K1500 classic - ext-cab 5.7, Z-71 / 3.42 rear, not limited slip. Stock rims w/ Goodyear 265/75/16's & 15K on motor now, but average only 12mpg since new.
Mods: K&N filter charger, Jacobs Pro Street Ignition, & Hypertech III programmed with 160 thermostat, but none helped any in mpg.
BTW, mix highway & city, not heavy footed (not abused), how is everyone else getting better mileage? Both the K&N and the ignition package "guaranteed" mileage improvements, neither delivered!! I also thought the 3.42 rear would help-oops!