Faults:

Main seal leak (4 times).

Alternator replaced.

Air conditioner pump replaced (2 times).

Windshield water container replaced.

MAF sensor replaced (2 times).

Replaced battery (5 times).

Replaced head lights (3 times).

Running lights (3 times).

Replaced tail lights (1 time).

General Comments:

Normal maintenance - spark plugs replaced (3 times), plug wires replaced (2 times), replaced all O2 sensors, oil changes and air filter as required, belts when required, tires when required. Head lights and tail lights are junk and always cloud up.

8.1L engine hooked to 6 speed Allison transmission - awesome!

Normally get 11-12 mpg, towing 7.5 - 8.2 mpg.

Faults:

2nd gear in transmission went out, new tranny around 35,000 miles. Junkyard tranny cost a few hundred bucks, high performance clutch + slave cylinder etc a few hundred more, not a big deal. Still kickin'.

Clutch master cylinder went through the firewall, and the pedal was useless until the firewall bracket was replaced.

Dropped a big ladder on the roof, now have a headache rack...

General Comments:

The truck is supercharged with 3.90 gears + LSD. Power is NOT a problem, and the truck being much lighter than other half tons, still returns 24 MPG when cruising at 60mph. Averages 20-21 everywhere unless on the pedal. 17 if I get on it enough while only city driving.

Payload is a beast; it WILL take 2,000 lbs+ payload, but you'll be dragging the back end. Add-a-leaf or bags, and you'll be fine. It will tow a few thousand pounds; most people never tow more than that with half tons.

If you don't know your rear from a spark plug, buy a Toyota truck and use the stealership.

Although it's had problems, it's never left me stranded anywhere; attributed to the manual, and one of the most reliable engines GM has ever built.

Faults:

I replaced a brake light bulb at 70000 miles, and a fuel tank cap at 76000 miles.

Oh yes, and I put a set of tires on at about 50000 miles.

General Comments:

As of this writing, the truck looks, runs and rides as good as when it was new.

The cabin is very spacious and comfortable.

The 4.3 lt V6 could use a few more ponies for towing.

Faults:

Driver side speaker quit at 18,000 miles - dealer fixed promptly.

Cargo bed light quit at 20,000 - dealer says could not reproduce - took it in 4 times for this problem.

Transmission dropped the 3rd band at 30,000 - dealer fixed (kinda).

After the "fix" the trans made a horrid clunk when slipping into 3rd - Dealer says "Normal".

Trans began slipping at 34000 - Dealer says "Normal".

CD player crapped out at 35,000 - dealer replaced.

Windshield wipers quit at 35,500 - dealer replaced.

All in all, too much went wrong under warranty, and the truck could not be trusted.

General Comments:

I bought the truck used in 2008 to replace my 1978 Ford LTD that had finally thrown a rod after 208,000 miles.

The truck was nothing but problems, as you can see from above.

I did not beat on the truck, nor did I tow with it. I think I had a trailer twice the entire time I owned it.

It handed good and rode nice, but that it.

Power was adequate, mileage was OK; 16 average, and 18 on a good day on the highway.

Truck topped out at a limited 100 MPH, not that good for highway cruising.

Seats sucked! The pre-facelifted seats were way better.

Sound system sounded like a tin can!

After I was shook in its reliability, I dumped this dead fish for a used 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis Ultimate.

The Merk tops out at 108 and feels safe while doing it, unlike the Chevy where I was scared above 90!!