NFB: Looking to get a used truck

[DeWynter]

I was looking at getting a used truck, specificly a 2001 chevy Z71 Full load minus leather (ext SB). Pewter metalic with black/dark grey int. It has 186,000Km (116,250 miles) Older man driven (60ish) and its in really nice shape. Has the 5.3L and its an auto. My question is, has anyone had any problems with the 99+ GMC/Chevy pickups? Anything in particular I should look for? They are asking $14,500.00 Canadain ($12,618.57 USD) plus GST which is 7%. Mostly I just want to know about problems I should be on the lookout for.
KBB says for an excellent truck it should be $14,955 Dealer price. This truck would not quite mke excellent grade in my opinion, But almost. There are a few scuff marks on the paint, not full on scratches. And the back seat has some marking from a brief case sitting on it all the time.

[Trash man]

the only thing we ever had problems with those trucks are sometimes the fuel sender goes awall and the ball joints but other then that we have had no problems(of course they got thru brakes and rotors a lil too fast)

[ExtinctBird]

Brakes have been a serious problem. I had a 2000. There is a recall now for correcting the issue that I had (the reason I traded it) where the ABS would activate for no good reason when slowing to a stop. This would cause me to nearly rear end people stopped at a light in front of me, or to run into the wall when parking in a garage. Make sure that any recall work related to the brakes has been performed, and have the brakes inspected.

The stock rotors rotted from the inside out very quickly. With that many miles, it obviously won't have the original rotors, but check them anyway.

There was also a recall for the tailgate cables. The original ones were not stainless, and would eventually snap from rust at the worst time. Make sure those have been replaced.

The only other issue I had was that a brake line popped off of some junction between the cab and the bed. I lost all my fluid at a stop light and had to nurse my way to a shop. I don't know if this was a recurring flaw for these trucks, or just a fluke incident with mine.

To me, that sounds like alot of money for a truck with that many miles.

[FroSSty]

Watch out for the window regulators. (like most newer cars)They are cable driven and have a real problem when they get iced up. If it does get iced up or sticks in any way, let off the switch and see why it is stuck. What happens is the plastic that is used around the regulator will break and then the cable will wind up in the regulator drum. Then guess what...you can't buy just the regulator. You have to buy the motor and regulator as an assembly for around 300 bucks plus installation. For some weird reason the dealership stocks 20 of them at a time.

My friend has a 99 Silverado with the 5.3 that spun 2 cam bearings. We pulled it and rebuilt it and it has had no problems since. I think this was just a coincidence though.