Considering picking up a 04 truck

[red]

Been thinking about getting a truck lately to help out my parents who live about 8 hours away. Found a 2004 chevy 2500 reg cab long bed, guy is asking 8k. Duramax/Allison combo with 155k miles, looks to be in pretty good shape.

Curious what to look out for when (if) I go take a look at it. Besides the injectors being known for a limited life were there any other big issues? Truck won't be used for heavy towing, mostly a 24' pontoon boat.

http://images.craigslist.org/00Q0Q_7ihSAenP9HD_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_hjFcd07HNo7_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00202_1FNv8i42TsI_600x450.jpg

 

[btfarm]

If it's an 04.5 it's an LLY and has external injectors so you won't have such a high failure rate. Does look pretty clean and if it was well taken care of 155k isn't alot of miles.
I don't remember the vin code for LLY vs LB7 off the top of my head. I imagine it's here somewhere. If the hour meter is working that would tell you alot about how it's lived its life.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

Looks like a 2WD work truck, if so then all you really have to watch for is the injectors(which is not if they will go, but when they will go). On 4X4's you have to watch for pump rub in the transfer case. Only other common issue on 03-05 trucks is the stepper motors for the gauge cluster fail, but is not the end of the world to fix.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

If it's an 04.5 it's an LLY and has external injectors so you won't have such a high failure rate. Does look pretty clean and if it was well taken care of 155k isn't alot of miles.
I don't remember the vin code for LLY vs LB7 off the top of my head. I imagine it's here somewhere. If the hour meter is working that would tell you alot about how it's lived its life.

8th VIN digit is a 1 for LB7, and 2 for LLY.

 

[WarWagon]

Hour meters do randomly reset with low voltage like jump starting or starting with one failed battery. So keep it in mind if you have a sudden low hour reading. Lots of clusters were replaced and IDK if the hours were set along with the ODO.

 

[btfarm]

Hour meters do randomly reset with low voltage like jump starting or starting with one failed battery. So keep it in mind if you have a sudden low hour reading. Lots of clusters were replaced and IDK if the hours were set along with the ODO.

Yeah with an unknown truck you have to be wary about it. But if it's in the 35+ ave mph range it's probably correct and that's a good sign it is more highway than town.

Sent from my SCH-I535

 

[red]

Passing up on the 04, found an 05 with a known history that I'll be picking up in 2 weeks

 

[btfarm]

Passing up on the 04, found an 05 with a known history that I'll be picking up in 2 weeks

:thumbsup: Good for you!