Some trucks have issues with the starter grinding, a new OEM starter normally takes care of it(pricey, but don't get an aftermarket cheapy and end up worse off). Injectors are an issue, but are an issue for any common rail injection engine(yes, even the mighty LLY, LBZ, and LMM's are having injector issues as well now). ONLY use BOSCH remans, or injectors from a BOSCH licensed repair facility. BOSCH holds the patent on them, and will not sell parts to companies that are not licensed or approved of by BOSCH, and hence ONLY those shops can get teh parts to rebuild them. The only parts available on the aftermarket for inejctors are nozzles, and the nozzles rarely are the problem portion of the injector when they go. Front ends can be an issue depending on how it's been used. Idler and pitmans are prone to wear out just like the earlier trucks. Also check the upper ball joints where they press into the control arm. The ball joints themselves don't normally wear out, but the stamped steel control arms woller out and let the ball joints move around. Boosted launches or pulling hard in 4 wheel drive can bend the inner tie rod ends, but a set of sleeves will take care of that if they aren't already bent. And the 01-02 trucks seem to peg the oil pressure gauge out alot. 30-35 at idle how is normal for 01-02 trucks, but the early trucks seem to jump straight to the top of the gauge when you touch the throttle when in reality they are probably only making 40-60(the squirters open up around 40-45 PSI to cool the pistons, and the regulator opens around 60-65).
And don't forget to have it checked for pump rub. The transfer cases are known to develop a wear hole where the pump rides inside the rear housing, causing fluid to leak out while driving from the top of the rear case halve. When you run out of fluid, it tears up the transfer case. So long as theres no wear hole, it is easy enough to split the case, and put a wear plate in to keep it from happening. And the Nuetral safety backup switch on early trucks was a problem area. If it has been upgraded to the grey switch from ALLISON, it has been fixxed, but if it still has a black one on it, plan on changing it out soon.
