So dad is thinking about getting this truck, he's tired of driving the old S-10.

http://www.great-gm-deals.com/VehicleDetails/421428053


2006 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD X-Cab

basically all the options you can imagine



any opinions/concerns? let me know before he gets too infested.

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It's been a very long time, but, I am still around!

I like it... But be warned the Diffs, the transfer case and the Trans will all need service more frequently than GM states.. He may even have to go in and replace an apply piston in the trans to correct for issues with the 4L60-E

true... and she's nearing 100K, which is normally when things start to go.... i was kinda suprised at the price for all of the options it has. then again, i'm only 15... but ive been around a little bit....

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It's been a very long time, but, I am still around!

and if im not mistaken, don't the new 5.3's (327) have the ignition coils on each cylinder? i know my buddy's '99 with teh 4.8 has em....

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It's been a very long time, but, I am still around!

They have individual coils per cylinder, but each one has a short spark plug wire.

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2012 Grand Cherokee Overland Summit - Hemi
1996 Thunderbird LX - 3.8

As Don said, as he has the exact same experience on my truck as I do, both differentials need to be serviced every 50k, transfer case every 50k, transmission fluid and filter every 30k MAX w/o a cooler.

At the mileage of that truck...it still may be fine..but the preliminary checks are...

#1: In 4 HI on a STRAIGHT road, accelerate from a stop, and listen for an abnormally loud humming not present when in 2WD. Presence of this calls for new front differential side bearings. (Make sure it is back out of 4 HI before making ANY turns or curves in the road.) This is NOT uncommon, and more than likely nothing is going to break...just make sure the gear oil gets changed.

#2: In 2 HI, accelerate in tow/haul mode with the gear selector in "2". Accelerate forward with about a 1/2 to 3/4 pedal. If you get slip and a clunk/catch/etc after about 4 seconds or so, you've got a weak and slipping second gear. If the acceleration is authoritative and formidable, you've nothing to worry about. Chances are though, you'll experience the first symptom. If this is the case, but it's not TOO severe, the purchase a "Corvette Servo" from eBay which is an oversize replacement of the 4L60E's intermediate servo/apply piston. It essentially gives the fluid more surface area to build more pressure to make the bands grip the reverse drum a bit harder than it would with a stock servo.

#3: This can happen in trucks that have some transmission problems starting. If you're at a complete stop, and press the accelerator to go forward, and find that the transmission is still in second gear, giving you that same slipping start you experience in the last test, you're one step in a transmission shop before you even buy it. Mine has been doing it since 40k miles, was fixed with the corvette servo, but has just started to reappear. I'm sure its something like a faulty or sticky solenoid, but no doubt, it'd be fixed in a rebuild.

Now as you've noticed, all my test drive evaluation guidelines focus mainly on the transmission. This is a HUGE Achilles heel in the GMT800 behind the 5300, especially in the heavier vehicles and in hot climates. If you want a GMT800 chevy truck, this is what you're dealing with. I'm very happy to report that nothing else has really given me a worry some thought. The engine will spin up to six grand sounding like a million bucks, supplying all the thrust you'd want in a truck, the steering and handling are solid, especially with the Z71 or other on-road handling packages...and of course, it being a chevy, the comfort is top notch.

Maintenance is simple. Normal fluids every truck needs, brakes are fantastic, and actually tend to last 100k miles or more, and nothing else is too out of the ordinary.

Only other thing that has come up is that the driver's window regulator is out as of 60k. Can't complain really.

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John
Now: '15 Toyota Prius III | 134 hp 2ZR-FXE | Silver | 36k
Now: '03 Honda CR-V AWD | Slow 4-Cylinder | Dirt | 180k
Then: '07 Ford Fusion SEL | 221hp Gen I VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Tungsten Silver | 150k
Then: '99 Toyota Avalon XL | 200hp 1MZ-FE 3.0 V6 | Diamond White | 189k | Sold: July 2015
Then: '11 Ford Fusion SEL | 240hp Gen II VVT Duratec 3.0 V6 | Ingot Silver | 84k | Totaled: Oct 23 '14 (Rear-Ended)
Then: '96 Buick Park Avenue Ultra | 240hp Series II L67 | Medium Dark Lichen | Bought: JAN 11 @ 135k | Accident: FEB 3 '12 | Crushed: MAR 1 '13 @ 153K
Then: '98 Pontiac Bonneville SSE | 205hp Series II 3800 L36 | Topaz Firemist | Bought: NOV '09 @ 74k | Accident: MAY 28 '10 | Crushed: MAR 15 '11 @ 84k
Then: '93 Pontiac Bonneville SE | 170hp Series I 3800 L27 | Dark Yellow Green | Bought: JULY '07 @ 92k | Sold: JULY '12 @ 118k
Then: '89 Pontiac Bonneville LE | 165hp 3800 LN3 | Medium Garnet Red | Bought: JAN '05 @ 117k | Sold: SEP 30 '07 @ 152k

On top of what John said...

1) Check the 4x4 several times. I have seen several Chevy's that dont like to go into 4x4 even with low miles.
2) See how the trans shifts from 1st to 2nd at low speed.
3) Make sure that is an 06. I thought all GMC's and Chevy's got my newer style taillights in 06?
4) Make sure that all of the extensions for the spare tire release are there. (I didnt...kit is several hundred dollars!!!)

My thoughts...
1) Hit it...
2) 5.3 has plenty of power, sounds bad@ss, and the MPG are not that bad (4x4 and crew will hurt it compared to mine though)
3) Plenty of cheap mods
4) Factory painted fender flares are a nice touch. I just added aftermarket OEM flares to my truck.
4) I love my truck and I hope to never drive a car as a daily driver again. The ride may be a little rougher and the MPG may be a little lower, but I can have way to much fun on and off the road in my Chevy.

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--2006 Silverado LT-3/3 RCX Lift, Bilstien 5100's, CAI, Exhuast, BFG A/T's,
Tuners Inc. dynotune, Aeroforce Interceptor, Kicker 10" TC, iSimple Interface
--1989 Camaro RS-LT1/700r4 drivetrain swap, Corvette trans internals w/2200 stall,
rebuilt engine with LT4 cam

*dang*, well, bank will only allow up to $15K. and if its older than an '05, his intrest rate jumps.

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It's been a very long time, but, I am still around!

I'm pretty sure that is an 06 model, based on looking at pictures of other 06 models on the web. At first I thought it was older by looking at the interior, then I realized I'm just use to looking at the SLT/Denali trim levels.

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1997 SSEi | Bright White | 170,000+ Miles | Stock | Best 1/4: 15.374

Looks like an 06 to me. The GMC tails never changed, IIRC.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Make sure he really listens to the engine too, these are known for piston slap.

There's even a website related to this:
http://www.pistonslap.com/

I'm a little partial to these.....

http://myfox9.carsoup.com/used/detail.a ... ertified=0

It's got a bit more of everything, but is still basically your price range. The engines and trannys in these models also seem to be solid compared to the lower models. If you go back a year or two you can find one like this...

http://myfox9.carsoup.com/used/detail.a ... ertified=0

It has 4 wheel steering as well, which is rock solid technology.

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Owner / Admin

1995 SSEi / 2002 SSEi / 2001 Sierra C3 DENALI

wow man, that second one you shown me is BAD. kinda gives like a commander look lol

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It's been a very long time, but, I am still around!

Quadrasteer is awesome. I saw one doing a U-turn, and it crab-walked into the left lane. It was amazing, lol.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock