Well it is with great sadness that I had my trusty old 1997 GMC Z71 4x4 towed away today.

I have had her for many years, I got her when she was a couple years old. She towed a few of my boats over the years, and has given me many trouble free miles. A few of the guys here (InTgr8r, Msedanman) have had the pleasure of cruising around Kincardine in her.

This week early one morning I started her up and she started to rap a bit and you could feel her pulse rapidly changing, I checked the oil pressure and ouch, there was none. I shut her down, popped the hood and checked the oil, extremely low . I looked underneath and the poor thing was violently spewing out her lifeblood ..

What was it, thrown rod, cracked block, oil cooler line . I left it that day and checked it the following morning once I got the 5 quarts of oil cleaned off the driveway. A friend and I checked it out and on close inspection we discovered the rubber gasket on the oil filter was half blown out . Ah ha maybe she just needs a fresh filter and some new lifeblood. We picked up a new filter and fresh oil and installed the same. I cranked it over with the coil wire disconnected to see if I had oil pressure, after a bunch of cranks it started to come up. We reconnected the coil and started it up. It instantly fired up. It sounded like the lifters were rapping a bit and as I was watching to see if the oil pressure would come up and give new life POP !!!! oil started spewing across the driveway, and I quickly shut her down. We blew another seal on the new filter and all the fresh oil was now on the ground.

Well enough is enough and I was not going to put any money into her. My friend is a mechanic and runs his own shop. I sold it to him as is and he towed it away tonight.

It was sad seeing her towed down the street, the body was still mint, I rust checked it yearly. My buddy will be checking it over and he has another engine for it if need be.

She still looked as good as this


Now I am on the lookout for another 4x4 that is only a couple years old to take her place.

 

Wayne, I am very sorry for your loss. Hopefully your mechanic friend can give her a few more years. She looks pretty good for her age.
What will you be looking for... (wipes tears) ...to replace her?

 

That's the cleanest old truck I've have seen! Wow.

 

Too bad Wayne. Maybe your mechanic will throw a decent used motor in 'er and she'll live to tow another day.

 

Prolly just a stuck pressure relief valve in the oil pump? Sad to see a trusted vehicle crap out though.

 

Sorry to see the old girl go Wayne.
It sure has served you well over the years.

 

Sorry to hear that...

 

Thanks guys, it's strange how you get attached to sopmething you have had for years. I must say the body had no signs of rust which says a lot for Rust Check.

Paul I am looking for a 2007/2008 Chev Silverado Extended Cab or Crew Cab with the LTZ Package. This package fully loads the truck with leather, dual climate 5.3 L V8 and all the goodies. I prefer Black or dark Gray.
My Z71 had the SLT package which meant it was fully loaded also.

I have a few weeks to shop before I get my boat out of storage.
This is what I need the truck for:

 

I know the feeling my last truck lasted me 17 years! I might have shed a tear as I drove it to the wreckers yard.

 

wow the truck was in great shape wayne!! hope your new chev serve's you as well as this one did!!

 

Well, sad to see it go knowing how much love was put into it, but I must say, you have your share of toys to keep you from being too sad (like that awesome boat).

 

Thats a nicely setup Campion. It just wouldn't look right behind the FX.
My father-in-law is a big time sport fisherman up in T-Bay, Wawa and Manitouwadge. I've gone fishing with him a couple times. It's a lot of fun.

 

wow she was nice for her age

 

what an emotional story... sighhhh

 

Sorry to read that Wayne. I'm also one of the guys having the pleasure of cruising the town in the Z71.

That should be a good choice for you. Best wishes finding a good one to serve you for many years to come. You definitely need a nice one to haul the boat or the RF25SC to come!