Faults:

Steering box leaked at 56,000 miles.

Poor weather-stripping in rear windows.

General Comments:

This is a very comfortable truck with plenty of convenient options. The 5.7 engine has plenty of power and is quite reliable. However, chevy is not the most reliable vehicle on the road, expect to be fixing misc. components once in a while, especially with a 4x4. I would recommend this truck to anyone who is looking for a comfortable, powerfull light duty truck (light duty means don't haul 2000 lbs+ loads), just make sure you get the 5.7 (350) and a bumper to bumper warranty. Expensive vehicles = expensive parts and labor.

Faults:

When I first got my 1997 z71, the truck was running like a champ; at least for a week. The transmission was jerking my head off between 1st and 2nd gear. I took the truck back to the dealership and they hooked up their analyzer. I don't remember the fault code exactly, but the problem was a sensor sticking. I told the mechanic that it only happens when I use the cruise control or if I keep the same speed, over 50mph. Then as soon as I stop and started again, that's when the jerking happened. They dropped the transmission and stuck a new sensor in and told me that when the truck had cruise control on, the transmission was in a state of idol. When that's the case, the sensor tends to stick because of oil build up.

The only thing I can recommen is definitely change the trans fluid and filter every 30,000 miles.

Faults:

Please note: My driving has included long hauling with a u-haul tandem wheel because of work. Basic apartment items over interstate. Trips in order have been: 1- Kansas to Georgia. 2- Georgia to Texas. 3- Texas to Arkansas. 4- Arkansas to Washington. 5- Finally Washington to Texas.

As you will read the truck has not been perfect.

While in Georgia the battery died, under warranty.

While in Georgia I also spent around 500 bucks for a major regular maintenance service and warped front rotors.

While in Texas, the first time, I bought new tires for under 400 bucks, over the Internet 8^), due to uneven wear on the original tires. It turned out that the wear was due to the upper ball joints being shot. Luckily it was under warranty and both upper and lower ball joints were replaced otherwise the cost would had been 600 dollars!

While in Texas, the first time, the battery died again. No longer under warranty. I spent about 100 bucks for the battery, cable, and new serpentine belt. The belt had cracks and look ancient.

While in Arkansas I also around 500 bucks for a major regular maintenance service as well as ensuring the drive-train will be able to take a long distance haul cross-country.

Now get this!

On the trip to Washington from Arkansas, the front front differential bearing wore out. On a Sunday, I had barely left Arkansas when I heard a high pitch whine that got worse with time. I had to jack up the trailer and drive the truck around to see if it was the U-haul or the truck. Without boring you, after several hours I finally found a service station that would help me out. Was I ever mad. I spent many hundreds of dollars at the local Chevy dealer with the specific standing order to: "Make sure that the drivetrain can take hauling a trailer cross-country". After a lot of screaming and yelling, I finally got reimbursed for the cost of the repair, motel for overnight stay, and meals while I was stuck overnight in Podunk. BTW, the local country service station was very good about getting the work done.

While in Washington -- the place that rains a lot? -- the Washer Motor Burned Out.

On the trip back to Texas from Washington, the "Service Engine Soon" light came on (steady, not blinking). It was accompanied by hard shifting that started the day before on the trip. Remember I'm on Super-slab, no shifting for hours, so I wasn't too concerned about it after reading the manual and talking to a local Chevy service center man.

I thought it was just due service station attendant in Oregon overfilling my tank. No self-service exists in Oregon by law. After spending a lot of money again, about 500 bucks, including general servicing the module was just turned off.

NOW! The "Service Engine Soon" light is back on again. The truck shifts hard after driving for over a half-hour. It is pretty strange. If I stomp on it past its regular shift point and let my foot off the gas it shifts pretty nice. It I drive like there is "an egg between my foot and the gas-pedal" it shifts like it is going to rip the engine mounts off. I assume that it is the Power-train Control Module. Who knows how much that costs?

General Comments:

First of all let me say this. The truck has all the lights bells and whistles save leather and moon roof. It has the tow and off-road (Z71) package, extended cab with third door, and hard tonneau blah blah blah. In general I love the truck. If Mister Bentley came back from the Ether he would be proud to call it one of his "trucks". But it has had its moments.

This beast has not been cheap to own at all. Between gas ($7200), oil changes ($700), dealer maintenance and repairs ($1800 plus), tires ($400).

So that is about 10,000 bucks in 72000 miles. Not cheap. These little annoying breakdowns are disappointing since most all the components have been standard for years. One would think that engineering and quality control would catch all this stuff by now. Anyway, when the truck runs well it is a joy.