I was wondering how many miles I should expect to get from a 1997 4dr 4x4? It has 199,000 now and runs good. I am looking at buying it and it is from my sister in law and runs great and in good shape. Never beatin up or off roading.

It has an O2 sensor that needs replaced, idler arm, pitman arm, shocks and tires. She is wiling to sell it for $2000. My dad thinks it has too many miles for a chevy. I think that 4.3 is good for another 100,000 at least.

What do you all think?

Thanks Brian

 

It's different for every truck because everyone maintains theirs differently, have different driving habits, etc. I will say that the 4.3, in my experience, seems like a strong trusty motor. With that I mean the engine itself seems quality, no major issues are "common" usually (at least in my case) it has been the little things such as the pitman arm, idler arm, spark plugs, little things such as that that seem to go wrong. But that is to be expected when you have 200k.

If you know the history on the truck and know that it has been takin care of, I'd say go for it. 02 Sensors are <$50, and idler arm and pitman arm will run you a few hundred bucks, maybe 300? tires and shocks vary greatly based on what brand you by.

 

With thoughts like that I take it your dad is anti-chevy lol.
Me personally I have 182000KM (about 113000 miles) and haven't had a problem yet. I know that's way below what you're at now though. There isa guy in town that has a 96 Sonoma with the 4.3 and he has 315000KM (195000mi) without a problem. I think they are fairly strong motors.
My buddy (Stitch17) works at a GM dealership, and he said the same thing...they don't really see many problems with the 4.3

 

The actual motor itself is near bulletproof.

 

^^^ Depends on the bullet^^^

To expand upon some of the maintenace you mentioned above:
as for pricing out pitman/idler arms you can get em for like $20 a pop on rockauto, etc.
Mine were $45 and $48 a pop. Install can be tricky though if you are attempting yourself (search it up, there is a bunch)
Shoucks should run you about $150 is for a pair of front and rear monroe reflexes. good shocks IMO. search it up on those too. lots of opinions on lots of shocks in here.
tires can get spendy depending on what you want, but decent low-name brand 235/75r15 A/T should run you $400 or so before mount and ballance

 

I figured 300 w/ install. Who knows though, mine are still good

 

gotcha. i'm trackin' now. thats right about what mine cost me installed. *bows out*

 

Well I can install allparts myself. The pitman may be the only issue but the tire shop will do it for $65 if I bring the part.

I am going to take the front cover off the truck this weekend and look at all the steering linkages and ball joints and do it all at once!!

 

Good man! Nothing like knocking out the maintenance side of things before throwing mods at it... *wishes he had done that*

 

What do you consider decent low-name brand? I paid around that for 4 BFG Radial T/A's in 255/60/15. Looking to go wider next time. Possibly 275/60/15 for the same price.