Z71 Tahoe 2002-200? - Opinions Please

[HMFIC]

I had an 02 Tahoe 4X4 flex fuel, it knocked from 60K miles. At about 90K the top end of the motor got rebuilt, 10K miles later it knocked even worse. The motor was under powered, and did not get great gas mileage. I don't just drive around town, I drag a boat with it in the Summer and trailer with a quad on it in the Fall. I would not buy another one.

Do you know exactly what motor is was?

 

[dowmace]

I didn't know the flex fuel was an option in 02

 

[AKguy1985]

My cousin had a 2004 tahoe, and yes it gets about 18mpg average or so. My V6 F-150 got worse mileage than it did. He didnt have anything negative to say about it really other than it was a gas hog.

 

[Deleted member 6551]

I just recently got rid of my 01 Single cab short bed Z71 with the 5.3. Truck had 209k on the original engine, didnt burn a drop of oil and got around 18mpg combined. Only weak points are the dash gauges and fuel pumps. Trans and rear diff can be an issue if you throw big tires on it and wheel it but other than that they are great.

Only reason for getting rid of it was that I got an offer to trade straight across for a F250 with the 7.3 Powerstroke....and I still miss the Chevy.

 

[Mad Professor]

Pay close attention to the AC temp blender servo actuators. It is a pretty common issue. The driver side will cost about 600 to repair, the passenger side about 850. Same servo, passenger side is more difficult.
My 2005 Yukon Denali has been great. 172k miles. Water pump, driver side servo per above, 1 wheel bearing, oil, tires, and plenty of fuel. It is 6.0 liter w/AWD so mileage takes a hit. 16.5-17 hwy, 14.5-15.5 local. Pulls my 14x7 tandem axle enclosed like a champ. The factory air leveling rear has been a big plus. Even more so with the 2"-5" drop (front-rear) and factory 20" wheels from a 2010.

Great vehicle, but I still miss having a pickup.

 

[Pokinfun]

5.3-litre Vortech Flex Fuel, I don't know if the actual motor was any different, but it was gutless.

Do you know exactly what motor is was?

 

[AllOut]

You guys are really making me want one of these even more... and educating me on what specific years/engines to steer clear of.

Thanks!!! Keep 'em coming, so far so good!

There arnt any....
The 5.3/4L60 is probably the longest lasting drive train you'll ever find in a half ton. 5.3s arnt notorious for being power houses in stock form but they are light years ahead of what the 5.7 (350) was. The 5.3 is capible of a lot of power of tuned right, they are very restricted from the factory. Do yourself a favor if your get one and get a good PMC tune (not a junk plug in tuner), have them delete torque management, VTC and all that other crap. Your milage will improve greatly in town and power/felt power will be nigh and day difference!!!
As far as longevity, there are no bad years but there are bad seeds in every bunch so ya "someone" has always had an issue... But odds are with the vehicle your looking at 250-300k miles is expected and more isn't uncommon without and drivetrain issues.
The Oil issue, it's an LS and a lot of them do it. Some will use a quart of oil I between changes by its no big deal, it's the nature of the beast.
I just bought a 2005 Z71 suburban 2 months ago, it's about the 10th 5.3 vehicle I've had. I agree with the earlier poster, it go with the Suburban over the Tahoe, they are the same price and you get more room.

 

[338Shooter]

I have a '97 Z71 SWB pickup. the motor and trans are still going strong at 150k, but all the other parts on the truck are new. Just got a new drive shaft and u-joints for it this month. Only thing still good was the transmission output yolk.

Rear main seal leaks a bit too.

The GMT-400 has cheap available parts, but you gotta work on the SOB all the time. I don't know that the GMT-800s are any better. GMT-900s are probably the same with some age on them.

 

[powdernlead]

Stay away from any models with air suspension, or electronic dampening as parts are very expensive. I work on several, most of the issues I see are suspension/steering or HVAC related. Front crash sensors are also very common failure items on all Chevy trucks. I have seen a few with broken motor mounts, but they were the newer models. The car lot next door has a nice one in your year range, if you just want to come by and kick tires or drive. Feel free to bring one by if you would like me to look at it before you purchase.

 

[HMFIC]

Stay away from any models with air suspension, or electronic dampening as parts are very expensive. I work on several, most of the issues I see are suspension/steering or HVAC related. Front crash sensors are also very common failure items on all Chevy trucks. I have seen a few with broken motor mounts, but they were the newer models. The car lot next door has a nice one in your year range, if you just want to come by and kick tires or drive. Feel free to bring one by if you would like me to look at it before you purchase.

Good to know. I'm not ready to buy one just yet, just thinking ahead but I'll definitely bring one by for you to scope out when the time comes!