refreshed member, had to start new account. Used to be active when I bought my 2002 years ago and now just bought a 2005 as my 2002 has seen better days. So I have some thoughts that maybe you guys can help with.
My original 2002, Z71 4x4 1500, black with cladding was a family vehicle that I ended up purchasing from grandparents at 72k miles and now has 302k. Mostly highway, still original motor and trans but I have a very bad lifter squeal for the last 3k miles. To the point I sometimes get the check engine light to come on momentarily while on the highway so I have since stopped driving it except for around town. The real problem I have is that this truck is solid. It was originally a TX truck but has spent the last 10 years up in WI. Frame and body are still nearly rust free, just getting the first hints of body rust over the rear wheel well. I have rebuilt the front suspension, brake lines and all calipers rotors and serviced both axles in the last two years. I'm partial to keeping it and putting a crate motor in it but don't have the time for a while.
On to my 2005 I just bought for $3000. 210k miles, Z71 4x4 1500, blue/green with cladding. A northern vehicle so while the frame is in decent shape the underbody is rusting pretty bad. For example, I was going to pull the running boards from the 02 and put on the 05 but the 05 is too rusted to do anything with if I take off the originals. Overall, I can probably get 50k miles out of this truck without much effort so I'm good with that. Suspension and brakes need some service but nothing major.
Now that I have dug in further it seems that the 02 is a beast unto itself and minimal parts can swap between the two save for suspension/brakes etc. Seems 03 was the remake of the truck line as far as the interiors and electronics.
The big question: Is there any value in my original 02? I was looking at the for sale postings and someone wanted a shell last year so that would have been perfect for them. I could strip the parts I've put into the 02 suspension/brakes along with nearly new tires and know that I'm good on parts for the life of the 05. I just hate taking an AV off the road when someone might have the time and energy to put into it when I know she only needs a motor and is in such good shape.
Thoughts?