Which truck is more reliable and cheaper to maintain? 88-95 Chevrolet/GMC 1500

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Joshua D

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or 96-99 Chevrolet/GMC 1500? I will be getting a 4x4, 5.7l v8 and auto tranny. I know the 88-95's had the TBI 5.7l v8. and the 96's and up had the Vortec engine. I just wanted to know which generation im less like to have problems out of.
 
The TBI motors had IAC (Idle Air Control) issues and I hear a lot of injectors that fail (leak or not open).

The Vortec Gen 1 were good at leaking antifreeze from the intake manifold because of the different design because of the Vortec; This usually happened around 100k, so most out there have already been fixed. The injectors are prone to leaking on older units; upgrade to MPFI for a few hundred bucks. Fuel pumps... Need I say more?

Either 'era' are great trucks IMO!!! A friend of mine had a '92 ex cab 4wd with the 350 and 3.73 gears. He could get 17-19mpg on the highway.
I have a '97 ex cab 4wd with the 350 and 3.73 gears, I get 18-20mpg on the highway and I have 200k on the factory motor and 4L60E trans. I wouldn't hesitate to drive that thing to the moon if I could!

As for choice of purchase... I would take the Vortec just because of the higher output power. You will also have dual airbags, and 4-wheel ABS. Get an extended cab, and in '97 you could get the 3rd door.
 
That vortec engine will get you a lot more power per fuel cost, and with a 96+ you'll have the newer interior, as far as transmissions the 700r4 or the 4l60e are both really great trannys
 
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