Owners' Stories

i have a 95 chevy 1500 the fuel gauge is bouncing up and down, and also when try to shift into 4wd it grinds already changed the front acuator any suggestions on a fix?

My dad has a 96 Chevy 1500 Silverado 4X4 with a 350 Vortec stepside pick up, He bought it new at a Sheriff sale when they orderd new equipment to replace the older trucks. Then a cut back less officers so he bought one of those With out the lights. Gave $12,000 less than a Chevy dealer. These trucks are Awesome This truck I guess has a super chip in it or something. He has used this truck for everything from pulling people out of a ditch or it is seen on u tube where he drove out in the lake to retreve a Dodge 4X4 that was hung up in the mud and sand where a drunk guy missed the road. This was a sight to see. As well as a trip in Colorado going places where no one could make it. Then for fun when someone would say how great their newer truck they have and it was tougher than his. He would do the Chain test where they would tie a chain on both and see who could drag the other. Again on U tube where he drug a 2010 dodge diesel 4X4 a block and pulling it hard enough where its front wheels came off the blacktop. This was done when it had 790,000 miles on it. he changes the oil and all filters when it needs it, uses the same Quakerstate 5 30 Besides a tune up every year the only thing he had to replace was a water pump and 4 fuel pumps and Last month with almost a million miles on it, he rebuilt a new motor himself. And installed it. It is still the same it can do everything as it always could Last year he decided to rebuild a nother motor for it and done this his self. He is good at it. And you know This is the only truck that I have ever seen smoke all four wheels taking off. Never seen it before. This week he is going to go buy another one at the same place he bought this one. And he will not sell it to me. It still looks like it is brand New truck not a scratch or dent on it. inside or out. They say Fords are Tough Naha Chevys are tough Ford the only thing tough is the ride you get out of it and having them in the shop all the time Tough on the Wallet.

Good work truck. 4 wheel drive has been dependable.

I have just bought a 1990 Black chevy Silverado 1500 with just under 100,000. I was very Blessed to have bought it from the Original owner who had all the paperwork of when he changed the plugs and the oil, filters you name it and he had it in the folder. The truck is very clean. Did have to put new exhaust and Added a nice Dixie Air Horn to top things off. Right now I am worried about the A/C system.

The very best truck I have ever owned, all power, all torque, could not get stuck, could not break. Love this truck.

I have a 1998 with a 350. It has a 3 inch body lift and 33" tires. She is a beauty. I love this truck, I bought it at 263,000 miles. It had a pretty good transmission leak, and had a miss in second gear. I promptly wrecked it about 5 months later and it was down for about a year. I had the frame straightened, replaced the hood and driver's side front quarter panel. The shocks are very stiff had almost no give when we wrecked, very hard on the back. But the wreck fixed whatever was wrong with the transmission, no more miss and just ever so tiny of a leak. I will never part with this truck. We have a fund we are saving for when the motor and transmission go out. This truck is my baby.

The gas engine is reliable with regular use of injector cleaner. I am writing though about the 6.5L Turbo Diesel Engine. If you don't already know stay way from this one. The block is weak as well as the crankshaft. I have been through two engines in less than 250000 km's and that is with constant babying. If yours goes look to replace with a titan 6.5 L, a beefed up version that has upgrades to strengthen the bad areas. 6.5 L problems range from the injector pump itself to the little black box on the injector pump (you'll know it's bad when you stall out often and are able to restart a few minutes later to only have it happen again). The stalling problem can be cured by moving the PMD (the little black box) to a cool area of the vehicle i.e behind the front bumper. I'd keep a PMd in the glove box for fun though. Be very careful that the pulley and harmonic balancer are in new condition. They are located on the main shaft at the front of the vehicle under the fan. If they are in bad condition you will damage your engine immediately. I lost my crankshaft two weeks ago because the rubber on the balancer gave way without the slightest warning, Instant engine death. The starters on the 6.5L are not reliable be prepared to change one every 18 months and every 12 months with the glow plugs. Chevy's Pitman and Idler arms are poorly designed on these units. May as well keep one of each in the glove compartment because you'll be changing these often to keep the front end in good condition. If you can keep it running the ride is nice like a luxury car. Make sure to service the ATF fluid and filter once a year to keep the transmission in good condition.

We are the original owners. Other than one recall item and one warranty replacement item, truck has been a jewel. We are about to hit the 80k mark on the odometer and have only had to replace the front disc brake pads and the idler arm - not counting the regular maintenance items. Plan on having this truck until death do us part.