2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS 5.3 Vortec gasoline from North America

Summary:

Surprisingly dependable and a joy to drive!

Faults:

I have only experienced two small things:

1) A rear side window air leak, which I fixed with an aftermarket latch link designed with better closing geometry.

2) I also replaced the factory front suspension camber adjustment cams with an aftermarket set with holes instead of the factory slots.

Beyond these two minor things, I have not experienced any major issues with this vehicle, largely due to the great upkeep and general maintenance it received prior to my ownership.

General Comments:

The reason for this review is to share my great opinion of this particular Silverado.

I just completed a 1,500-mile round trip from Wichita, Kansas to Denver Colorado, although I was somewhat apprehensive about making this trip regarding the extended miles on the odometer.

However, my truck ran absolutely flawlessly during the entire trip up and back. She ran the 75 MPH speed limit at 2,000 RPM, engine temp of about 180, oil pressure of 60 psi and the charge was a consistent 15 volt even with the air conditioner running the entire trip.

My normal in-town gas mileage is 17 mpg, and even at 75 mph on this trip, it was right at 20-21 mpg on the highway, just as the factory handbook said it should!

The suspension provided a wonderful ride, and the steering was great -- she almost drove herself!

And, even with the nose and windshield covered in bug splatter, every single stop I made, I received the same "What a beautiful truck, what year is it?"

In closing, even though my Silverado is 23-years old, she still runs great, performs great, sounds great, and is very dependable. Even if I had the money to buy a brand new truck, I have no reason to even look! I love my truck! Thanks Chevy!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th September, 2023

2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LS 6.0L Vortec from North America

Summary:

***Tow Beast*** One great truck that has and will continue to serve well

Faults:

Bought the truck for $2600 so I didn't expect a 15 year old truck with over 300k miles to be perfect, however what I have replaced or fixed:

Front/rear differential fluids.

Power steering fluid.

Brake fluid.

Inner/outer tie rods.

Tires.

Alignment.

Transfer case (leaked and sounded horrible in 4wd).

4wd switch.

3rd door exterior door handle.

Driver's door, interior door handle.

Spark plugs/wires.

7 pin plug end.

Air filter (K&N).

AC belt.

Rear brakes.

Driver's side hub bearing.

Engine oil cooler lines.

Installed auxiliary battery (all wiring was there, just needed the battery).

Mode door actuator for the heater/AC.

Serviced AC so it would work again.

Multiple bulbs throughout the truck.

Front shocks.

There is more, but I don't remember right off hand.

Still need to do:

Transmission filter.

Coolant flush.

Thermostat change (pretty sure it's partially stuck open).

Continue to find all the engine oil leaks (uses 1 qt every 600 miles or so).

General Comments:

When I first got the truck it was pretty rough, the body is dented and dinged everywhere, the paint is still intact. The interior was pretty dirty. The carpet is still in bad shape, but I'm not fixing that or the exterior anytime soon. I couldn't go above 40mph without getting the death wobble shake from the tie rods being worn out and the tires were completed destroyed.

As this past year of ownership had progressed, I slowly would replace this and that, and with each repair the truck got just a little better. I really enjoy the power of the engine, but I do take quite a hit on gas mileage compared to my previous 2006 GMC Sierra. I had to replace the GMC due to an accident and I wasn't left with much time to shop. Also I didn't want to have car payments, so I went used. Actually I bought the truck from a side of the road dealership from "out back". The truck wasn't at all ready to be sold, but after talking with the owner, he agreed to sell it to me as is. I figured it to be a great fixer upper so I didn't mind the overall condition or mileage. Right now I've spent somewhere around $3k on the truck, so I figure I still made out ahead compared to buying another brand new and having payments again.

I now have driven for a little over 15k miles. I've gone on a few small road trips (300ish miles round trip) and the truck handles great. I really like the transmission (4L80e)/engine combo along with the 3.73 gears in the rear. This combo makes for an outstanding tow rig. Again the only downside I have is the gas mileage. I used to get high teens with my previous truck. Now I'm lucky if I get 14 or 15 MPG on the highway. I don't mind, since with this one being a 2500 I can tow a whole lot more than my previous truck, and probably get the same towing MPG as the old truck. The truck still needs repairs here and there, but nothing that stops me from driving it everyday.

Overall I'm very happy with my purchase. With it being the same generation as my previous truck, it made "getting used to it" pretty quick. Also it helped me not miss the old truck as much. I had my old truck for about 8.5 years and 136,612 miles (I have a review in the GMC Sierra section as well.)

I have owned GM for my last 3 vehicles; all were trucks, all were great, and I will continue to buy GM until they stop making vehicles that I like.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th January, 2016

16th Jan 2023, 05:19

Well it's been 8 years and 107,000 miles. The truck is now at 470,400 miles. It's got a few new dings and dents. Also while towing from Georgia to Alaska the fuel pump died. Then back in 2020 the engine lost oil pressure and starting knocking. Replaced engine with a used engine with 190k miles. So far have put about 35k more miles on the "new" engine. Otherwise all routine upkeep maintenance items, tires, brakes, etc. The truck is holding up well. Not too bad for a 23 year old truck with a bunch of miles.