I am the truck killer!
My "kill count" is up to three. First my trusty 2002 Chevy 3500 8.1L started missing and was undriveable. The mechanic changed the 20 year old plugs and wires so maybe that's fixed, but that truck ...
Forum Discussion
Mkirsch
Generally speaking, I have to agree with grit, the pre about 2013 4.3 was not a bad motor. Especially the vortex versions from about 94/95 on. Previous 2bbl, and TBI versions were good to about 150k Mile's. GM put a better different set of rings, pistons bearings etc in the vortex versions, 250+k Mile's was not uncommon.
I've driven all 3 versions, and owned an 89 TBI, 2000 vortex in Astro vans. Was overall happy.
The LS version is a beast vs previous versions.
If I wanted and wanted to afford a new rig, with some pulling power, assuming mpg's, the turbo 4 cyl with the 8 spd trans 3.73 gears would be hands down better yet. Or the diesel IF you drive about 15-20k Mile's a year could make sense. The diesel is not an extreme $$ addition upgrade vs the 8 lug rigs. About $1500 vs $7-8k! At 33-35 freeway mpg empty you can pay for that extra in 3-4 yrs or less or about 70k Mile's total.
Assuming you can get away with a 1500.
Marty
Generally speaking, I have to agree with grit, the pre about 2013 4.3 was not a bad motor. Especially the vortex versions from about 94/95 on. Previous 2bbl, and TBI versions were good to about 150k Mile's. GM put a better different set of rings, pistons bearings etc in the vortex versions, 250+k Mile's was not uncommon.
I've driven all 3 versions, and owned an 89 TBI, 2000 vortex in Astro vans. Was overall happy.
The LS version is a beast vs previous versions.
If I wanted and wanted to afford a new rig, with some pulling power, assuming mpg's, the turbo 4 cyl with the 8 spd trans 3.73 gears would be hands down better yet. Or the diesel IF you drive about 15-20k Mile's a year could make sense. The diesel is not an extreme $$ addition upgrade vs the 8 lug rigs. About $1500 vs $7-8k! At 33-35 freeway mpg empty you can pay for that extra in 3-4 yrs or less or about 70k Mile's total.
Assuming you can get away with a 1500.
Marty
