About to purchase a '99 Tahoe.... insight?

[Justa99tahoe]

Hey guys,

As you can see I am new to the forum here and would like to say that this looks like a great site with a lot of info! I am about to purchase my first truck that will be my daily driver for a few years. I just finished college and begin my job in early July and I am currently looking at this truck below.

The truck itself is in immaculate condition and after test driving it, I am sold. The under body is clean and free of rust, and the interior and exterior look brand new. No stains, no scratches or dents even. It was a one owner truck and it has been maintained very well.

The trans shifts firm, the 5.7 runs strong from idle up to red line, it rides well, everything works (except the a/c, both front and back. Blowers work, im assuming the lines are shot and need to be replaced and a fresh charge is in order. I can fix this without a problem)

Anyways, do you guys have any thoughts about the truck? I am familiar with the GMT800 chassis trucks and have worked on those, but not many GMT 400 trucks. I assume fuel pumps go and front hubs? Let me know what you guys think. it has 113k on it.

Carfax with service records

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?vin=1GNEK13R8XJ459076&partner=COO_0

 

[Justa99tahoe]

I forgot to mention that the truck is also listed for $5990.

 

[Gregski]

beautiful and clean truck, this is my feedback as an owner of a 97 four door like this one, you will love the barn door in the back very unique and cool, don't see those on SUVs any more, and you nailed it, mine has 220,000 miles on it and it is on it's third fuel pump, so find out if this one is still on the original one, I doubt it, but if so a fuel tank drop is in your future, LOL. Some bad things on mine were brakes it seems like I was doing a brake job every 18 months if not every year and I don't tow anything. Oh, they are bad on gas, so if you don't need all that space and they are super spacious inside, think three bikes and a stroller in the back WITHOUT the back seats down big. Steering, something has been wrong with my steering for as long as I have owned it and I must have had half a dozen alignments made and always check my tire pressure, and went through 3 or 4 sets of tires so that couldn't have been it. So see if this one pulls to one side or the other, and see if it goes wonkers when you are trying to get on the freeway on one of them clover leaf loop turns, you know right before you merge into traffic, when I turn my steering wheel that much it kinda wants to kick back or something. Driver side door handle may go out on you as it gets more use than the other ones, but no big deal. Mine also has the cloth interior and we love it, normal in the summer and not cold as ice in the winter like leather. Oh check to see if you have the optional speakers in the rear doors and double important see if they are hooked up and working. So that's that hope it helps.

 

[clkelley]

Make sure to check the idler and pitman arms, ball joints, tie rods, etc like on all these Chevy's. When/if you purchase it I would recommend doing the normal maintenance right from the start with plugs, wires, oil, tranny fluid, ps fluid, brake fluid, etc. They CAN be very good trucks when properly maintained as it looks like that one has been. AS for the brakes, I highly recommend upgrading to at the very least drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads up front. This will help to lesson the burden the brakes can be on the GMT400 series trucks with drums in the back.

As for the AC, I would recommend cleaning the cabin air filter as well.

 

[Justa99tahoe]

Thanks much guys. I ended up buying it today and couldn't be happier. The vehicle was well taken care of and I'm not worried one bit. Going to do the transfer case and rear diff fluids and fill her up with some fresh mobil 1 synthetic oil. The plugs look good and wires cap and rotor were replaced only 30k ago.

 

[lesterl]

I would almost immedieatley change out the LIM gaskets..........