Hey guys, looking into this truck.

https://elmira.craigslist.org/cto/d/...639723324.html






It has the 4.3, is that the same thing as the older S10'*? Someone give me info on it.

Gonna try and run down and look at it tonight, maybe grab a vin off of it.

Yep, the same thing, just better. The best of the old 4.3 if you ask me. I know lots of telco guys that have vans with 300,000+ miles on variants of this engine. Almost all of them are supposedly 2500 series but only have six-lug axles. All of them are extended wheelbase and filled top to bottom with cabinets and equipment and piles of stuff and have big ladder racks on top with at least three big ladders. They must weigh 9,000 pounds all the time.

I've been told all of them have eaten at least two (4L6xE) transmissions along the way though. I believe it.

The only 4.3 after this one is the redesigned one for 2014 based on the Gen 5 small block.

My only concern with the one you're looking at is that it has the V6 (which is a great engine) and therefore probably the 4L65E transmission (which is often okay enough) PLUS a trailer-brake controller (which means it pulled heavy stuff) PLUS seller needs a bigger truck (and learned this by pulling lots of stuff with this small truck???). The 4L65E is a good transmission, but the engine will happily beat it into the ground under a load. My suggestion is to scrutinize the transmission closely, and maybe look around and see if you can tell what it has been towing.

If it has the 6-speed I'd not worry near as much. The 6-speed has turned out to be a tough and smart transmission, and doesn't have as big of steps between gears if it is being beaten under a load.

Otherwise, looks like a good truck!