The majority of repairs done to my Z71 would be considered normal wear and tear. It is on it's 3rd set of tires, has had the shocks replaced once, and the brakes replaced twice. The oil is changed every 3000 miles. The repairs that have occurred that have not been wear and tear is the winshield wiper motor was replaced, which I was later reimbursed for on a recall, a new fuel pump that cost about $350 to replace because of where it is located, Intake manifold gasket which cost $170, and bearings for the rear end which started to make a whining noise around 100K miles and cost about $700. Most recently I had to get the front lower ball joints replaced at a cost of $180 because they had to be pressed in.
All in all this has been a great truck. I have had an Intergra, a Legend, and now own an Accord along with the Z71. It has out lasted all 3 Hondas, and with the exception of gas, has cost less to run. The beauty of this model compared to the new ones is it's siplicity. Any backyard mechanic can do most of the repairs. On top of that it is an offroad beast and has pulled more than it's share of SUV's and Jeeps out of the mud. On road it rides a little rough, but can cruise down the highway at 80mph with ease. It is just a great all around general purpose truck. It goes off road, on road, towes, and is extremely reliable.
I have owned my 1997 Silverado Z71 for about two years, which is the entirity of my driving career. I'm 18 years old now and have owned a reliable, but timid '94 Explorer, a '87 GMC Jimmy, and a '73 Chevy C-10. The Silverado takes the cake, hands down. It has been very reliable, given the abuse I subject it to. When I purchased it I had to replace the power steering lines because they were leaking. Since then I have replaced the water pump myself at a cost of sixty dollars, replaced the rusty exhaust tips, also at a cost of sixty dollars, and the front brakes twice, at a combined cost of about $850. The electrical system is rather weak, and I am currently just coping with the shortcomings. The GMC Sierra has a more sturdy harness and peripheral systems, and such problems are not as common. The most costly repair has definitively been the transmission, which burned out is currently being rebuilt, at a cost of about $1,000. However, don't let that deter you from buying a Silverado (or any Z-71) because all of those large expenditures were assuredly due to my driving style. Illustrated by the fact I am currently on my fifth set of tires. If it were not for the peeling out, heavy mudding, and constantly being slung into front yards and over medians due to understeer, the truck would be in a far more favorable condition. As to the physical toughness of the truck, it has been in three wrecks. I rearended another truck, cracking the grille. Soon after I bought a brushguard. I also was rearended by an Isuzu Rodeo and it slightly bent the rear bumper downward. I could have bent it back, but decided that I would let the other driver's insurance buy me another one. After the brushguard purchase I rearended a Ford Taurus; no damaged was sustained to my truck. The Rodeo and Taurus were totaled. In conclusion, despite the gas guzzling, I have loved owning this car and would recommend it to anyone with the stipulation that they look for the 5.7 or 5.3 liter engines as the V-6s are more prone to problems.
For all the Z71 fans.
I have a 1996 Z71 turbo diesel …that’s right every time I pull into a gas station
You should take a look at people faces
Its loud as hell when idle
But all components are extra heavy duty
Like having a ¾ ton on a ½ ton frame
Now pulling no prob. Reliability …..after 205k I do need to replace the injector pump
But do to not having the time
I drove the truck 30k + after the service needed to be done.
Its still give me around 18 mils for the gallon and kind of week (going to replace that pump)
Except of tires oil and light bulbs I had 0 expense …..forgot brakes.
I Ruther have this 1 then the new GM.
GM in my opinion should have a Detroit 671 shoved into the new truck body
And then go to a pulling competition against the rest.
I’m an Israeli that just love American trucks (only Chevy)
I will never buy a ford again had 3 of the F and what a bad luck I had
Chevy is the king.
I just got a 96 Z71. Who knows where to find tecnical info?
I have a 1996 Z71 Ext. Cab 5.7 I bought new. It has the rare NV3500 5 speed manual transmission. Yes I get 20 MPG highway.
230K miles to date.
No rust.
Uses no oil.
Had to replace the clutch once at 150k. I also had the manual transmission rebuilt; cost $ 1200.00.
3 sets of Wrangler RTS (Only tire to use on this baby).
Rear brakes $50 did myself.
Front brakes and rotors twice $300.00; did it myself.
Hit a deer once; had to JB weld the grille ($4.25).
I just love this truck and will keep it as long as I can!
I wish I could find another low mileage truck; I'd buy it.
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