Water pump, a common failure on these vehicles, but covered and replaced under warranty.
Transmission started slipping around 65000, however, I did some incredible feats with this truck up to that point, e.g. towing an 11000lb pontoon boat about 150 miles, pulling a 12'x6' dual axle trailer from CT to Fla, a '78 nova on a flat bed from Ct to Penn, a couple of field hopping stints, and some smoked tires. I paid $2400 to have it rebuild and built up. I'm having problems with it shifting between 3rd and 4th from 40mph to 65mph, but the rebuild is still under warranty.
I also have the turning problem, but these reviews have given me insite into corrections.
This truck has been my life blood and life saver for the past 3 years. It's not a great handler, nor is it the best mpg vehicle on the market, but I couldn't see me in anything else, not even a new one. (What was the General thinking, dropping the 5.7L aka 350!?) I would, however, like to convert mine to a standard. I can't find any material about doing this swap. I know the 4L60 automatic is not the most note worthy piece of machinery to ever come out the Generals garage. But I don't even know what kind of manual was offered in these trucks.
Overall, there's no truck out there that can compete with my '98 Z-71, accept maybe a '97 or '96 Z.
I have owned a chey with a five speed and a good friend owned one as well. Both were driven on the high way. Better mpg, but auto was more reliable. The 5 speed was a pile. Expensive to fix, hard to find parts, over all I will never own another chev standard.
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