You guys are great! - I have a new truck! I sure learned a lot reading through this forum, and I appreciate all the responses to my questions, especially the ...

I have a new truck!

I sure learned a lot reading through this forum, and I appreciate all the responses to my questions, especially the great diagrams on my transmission question. After a summer-long search, I found on an 07 GMC Sierra Classic four-door extended cab Z71 with the 5.3 and the 3.42 transmission. It had 113,000 miles on it and came with nerf bars and vent shades installed. I'm ok with the color; I would have preferred the bluer gray but this truck had what I wanted at a fairly decent price, so there it is. All I've done so far is temporarily stick my cap on it so we could go camping, and put on a mossy oak steering wheel cover.

I've put a thousand miles on it so far; hauled my little utility trailer loaded with kayaks through some of the two tracks in the Mack Lake recreation area, and made two trips all the way down to Lansing for meetings. So far so good, no problems aside from fumbling with some dash buttons that are different from my old Silverado.

I did notice a blue cloud out of the exhaust when I grabbed some power to pass someone while I was pulling the trailer, but haven't had it happen since. I do wish the seat had the six way power like my old truck, instead of the the strange hybrid seat with up and down, back and forth power, but manual seat back, and I don't like the radio controls nearly so much. But I'm really digging the driver's side back door, the larger back seat area, and all the fancy things like heated mirrors and can't wait to hit the dunes and try out the 4x4. The best mileage so far is 17.8; sure miss the 22 I got with the old 5.7.

There is a significant amount of road noise and the BF Goodrich tires it came with have worn in a chopped pattern I've heard is common to these 4x4s; not sure what to think of that but I'm planning to put a set of Coopers on it soon and really hope that diminishes the noise, it gives me a headache on longer trips.

Anyways, didn't mean to run on so, just wanted to let you know I appreciate all the great info here.

P.S. Anyone looking for a 15 year old Silverado with 300,000 miles on it?

Dam fine buy.... Dam fine!!! Congrats!!!

Nice truck--it will grow on you. After 300,000 in the old rig, you can't expect this one to fit like a old glove after 1k miles. Take your time and enjoy the ride

Very nice. As far as the tire wear, when you get the new tires make sure to have it aligned. While it is in for the alignment have them check the suspension really good (the pitman and idler arms are prone to go bad). After that I would just reccomend keeping the tires rotated and balanced (every oil change or 5k mile intervals is good). As far as the smoke out the exhaust while getting on it, that's not unusual if it is not driven hard now and then. It's usually not really smoke as much as it is crap getting blown out the exhaust (carbon and rust).

That's a nice LQQKin truck you will enjoy it I'm sure GL with the dunes >>> Just remember if ya get it stuck it weighs close too 5000 lbs <<< thats alot to push lol

Hi 4X4,

Great looking truck! Good buy... I'm glad we were able to help you...

Enjoy your new ride!

Congrats on the new truck! Looks good! the tire wear could very well be an alignment issue and as much as it would stink, a front wheel bearing. Besides that she sounds like a good rig!

Congratulations on your new truck! It looks real clean, and well taken care of. Another thing that could cause the tire wear that you mentioned is worn shock absorbers. Good luck and enjoy.

Well, when I get ready to put tires on it I'll be sure to get the alignment and suspension checked.

I need to do something with the cap; the top was even with the top of the cab on the old truck, but on this truck it's just a tad shorter and I think it looks dorky. Also the latch on the back window won't quite latch because the tailgate top comes up a little higher.

I'm thinking that maybe if I put bedrail covers on the truck, along with a thicker protector tape on the bottom of the cap, it might make up the difference? Has anyone tried this?

Also the cap need to be sanded and painted, any opinions as to whether I re-do it in the same black, or try to get color match paint, and make it the same color as the truck?

+! on the comment about jumping on the gas pedal from time to time. You were probably just cleaning out some junk. I bet it won't continue to happen.

Great truck, and very glad all the advice helped! Don't be a stranger around here, now!