Just recently my '96 GMC Sierria reached 200k miles. So many people told me that it wouldn't make it that far and it did. My question for you is how long do these motors run for?

How you drive and how well you maintain the car has a big effect on how long the engine will last. It wouldn't hurt to do a compression check on the engine to see where it is at. You might be facing a rebuild any day, or you might get another 50-100k out of it.

My 2003 Z71 that I bought new has 220,000 on it now. The 'major' repairs I've had have been 2 cats on one side, 1 cat on the other, u-joints, an 02 sensor, and a rebuilt water pump.

My speakers could be replaced, I replaced the guage motors in the instrument panel for $5 each and a little soldering time, and a couple of the backlights are out on the air conditioner controls.

Other than that its all good, changed the oil usually somewhere between 3k and 5k miles and some other routine maintenance, but not as stringent as I should have been either.

edit to add, a contractor buddy has a 99 Z71. He replaced the transmission at 300k, truck has 370k on it now and he hasn't touched the motor.

The internal parts of the engine are not the weakest link in the chain for that year chevy.

There's no way to accurately predict "how long" or "how many miles".

If it's not using any oil, or very little, between oil changes I wouldn't worry about it or bother paying for a compression test.




Last Nov I replaced the speakers* in my 98 chevy. It sounds better than it ever did and it should help to make my truck last a long, long time.

*JBL 608c's from Amazon ... if you're sticking with the stock HU and want a cheap upgrade.

As stated, depends, but have seen many through the shop with 300,000+ have one with 425000.

my old man has a 93 with 220 we have put a couple of clutches in it. The only engine work was stupid stuff, like a block heater that popped out and a valve cover gasket that leaked enough to be annoying

Wifes 96 Tahoe is at 146K, but nothing real major. Only tow with it once or twice a year and really baby it at that only because I am worried about the auto trans in them. Luckily our shop is a block from our house.

Depends on how you've treated it. My '94 gasoline Sierra with 234K has mostly sat since I got the DMax in '04. Still runs fine very well and has never ever failed to start, even after being idle over the entire winter. Your truck will keep going until it stops.

I put almost 300,000 on my 1988 GMC. I have 135,000 on the 2003 I currently drive. Put a tranny in the 1988 once. No problems whatsoever with the current truck. Makes me smile when I see the 40-50,000 dollar rigs. mtmuley

Right up until you need it the most.

It will run for as long as you maintain it. We get work trucks in our shop with 300k+. Usually just oil leaks and water pumps on the motor or oil cooler hoses. Some lifter issues, but that is mosty a bad maintenance thing. Don't overheat it and it will last longer than you might want it to. Be worried about a transmission job before the motor.

The fuel pump and the tranny (even if you don't tow with it) would concern me way more than the motor.

Pards 1991 305 TBI had over 500,000 KMS when he sold it.

Currently driving 700kms down the highway in my buddies 2003 5.3L with 285 000 on it. No issues. Original front end in it even.

Was just up at camp breaking trail on the sled for my crippled up uncle. He has 260K on his 2002 5.3L and has done one wheel bearing and one SRT of ball joints and tie rods.

I just bought a 2000 GM 3/4 ton 6.0L last week with 167,000 km on it. I'm not worried about getting it to the 300K mark.

I have a 95 with the 350/5.7 and it has 208k on it and no leaks or oil burning. Good engines says I.

I have a 1990 with 240,000 on it, but it's been relegated to farm duty: motor is fine, but can't close the driver's side door anymore........ Costs more to fix the door than I paid for the truck two years ago, LOL!

From what I've seen, a Mexican with access to a 24 hour Autozone can keep a mid-90s model Chebby running for...forever.

My wife's truck is a '96 Z71 with 280,000. Still runs good