2011 gmc 1/2 ton

[racsan]

The lot that im considering a 2nd escape from also has a few trucks, one appeals to me even if it is a gm. Its a 2011 extended cab 1/2 ton 4wd. Base work truck trim, vynil floor, transfer case lever instead of the buttons or switch. 4.8 V8 with 4L60E auto. White in color, 125K miles for $7,000. Ive been wanting a V8 and a bigger truck for towing. This doesn’t look beat to death but the drivers seat is awful like someone was in & out a lot with a screwdriver in their back pocket. Dont know the axle ratio, going to take a closer look tomorrow. Not getting rid of the ranger, just want to keep it out of the winter salt bath and have a better tow vehicle.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

The 4.8 is pretty weak for towing ive heard. Ive only drove one empty for 10 miles though.

If the 4.8 uses the MDS shit like the 5.3 in those years id stay away. Do some googleing on that subject. I think there was even a class action suit over all the issues.

Other then that i wouldnt be scared of it.

 

[racsan]

I read where the 4.8 doesnt have that MDS crap (its one of the things I liked about it) Almost 300 hp out of less than 300 cubic inches (but @ 5,000+ rpm) . The most Id tow would be 4,000#. I figure the V6 escape could handle it than a small V8 chevy should too. Ive never driven one, heck I didnt know they existed, thought the 5.3 was the start of the ls V8 line. I do like the lever t/c over a button/knob. Like the vynil floor. Not crazy over the 17” wheels. 4 speed auto o/d instead of the newer 6 speed. Guess Id just have to drive it & see. It does have a receiver hitch on it, its been all over. Sold new in new york, been to several states and last registered in indiana.
Hopefully its not steep gearing like 3.42’s I think 3.73 or 4.10 would be fine. Too bad there wasn’t a picture of the door sticker or rpo sticker in glove box. The little bit of rust on bed wheel wells looks easily fixable. Would definitely change out that drivers seat. Accessories list “running boards” but none on there unless its some fancy retractable ones like Ive seen on high-end suburbans. It is a gmc after all (high price chevy with frilly do-dads) Rear defroster on a pickup? Back seat looks like its never been in at all. Need to look underneath, no one ever posts photos of that. They had a ranger there once with pinholes in the diff cover.

 

[Roert42]

Seems like a lot of cash for what you get.

 

[Blmpkn]

If it's got a clean carfax I'd go for it. GM parts are a dime a dozen should something go wrong.. and only having 125k on it.. still a baby.

The pickups we use at work have always been GM, and unless they rot or get in an accident we've always gotten at least 300k out of them. My bosses last truck was a 2014 1/2 ton with the 4.3 v6, we finally got rid of that thing earlier this year and it had 360k on it. Still ran and shifted fine.. just needed too much other crap.

The 4.8 will out tow that escape no problem, but if it's still not enough for you.. a 5.3 can be bought for 250-300$ and a 6.0 for 500$.. easy swaps.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Yeah 4000lbs shouldnt be an issue for it. Even if it has a 3.42 (it probably does).

Some of the newer GMs have one of those goofy square barcodes you can scan with your phone to get the build list. Its in the door jamb

 

[dvdswan]

126K mileage and the seat is tore up like that? I'd be looking at more maintenance things that weren't possibly done.

 

[Roert42]

Looks like a rusty old beater that was used as a shop truck. I would offer $3000 at best, and that's if the brakes are new and the underside isn't completely coated in grease stains.

The miles are low, but it just looks like it has had the snot beat out of it with no love.


I wonder what it looks like under that bed liner.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

To its credit...newer vinyl seats arnt exactly known for durabilty. Ive seen alot of white fleet trucks with tears like that with less mileage.

It coulda been meticuliously maintained mechanically but "eh f it" when it came to the interior.

 

[racsan]

Just got back from checking it out. Ok underneath and under bedliner. Back bumper beat up a bit. Dealership is closed until jan 4 but truck was unlocked. From a page in owners manual it does have 3.42’s. Smells awful in cab, typical commercial vehicle that was smoked in a lot and never cleaned. Think I will pass, too much for what it really is. The carfax has a odometer discrepancy red flag. Pedals aren’t excessively worn but that drivers seat sure is.

 

[Blmpkn]

126K mileage and the seat is tore up like that? I'd be looking at more maintenance things that weren't possibly done.

We have trucks at work with less miles that have worse seats, I wouldn't stress over it.

 

[scotts90ranger]

My brothers 2500 van has a 4.8L, he's towed with it a fair amount (towed my '97 Ranger 4 miles on a 2200lb trailer like it wasn't there...), the 4L60 trans is fine but they do go out like anything else, common enough parts are cheap it's mostly the labor...

Other than the smell and the price it doesn't sound horrible, it's new enough you might be able to find a new seat cover.

 

[dvdswan]

We have trucks at work with less miles that have worse seats, I wouldn't stress over it.

I agree with that but if the individual didn't care about the seat I'm sure they didn't care much about maintenance.

 

[Blmpkn]

I agree with that but if the individual didn't care about the seat I'm sure they didn't care much about maintenance.

Eeh.. If 'the individual' is just a guy in charge of fleet maintenance at some company, he doesn't give a hoot about comfort.. his only concern is watching his fleets mileage, making service appointments, and driving trucks to/from said service appointments.

I've complained about less than comfortable trucks before.. "Does it get you to the jobsite and back? Yes? Ok then.. out of my office"

Such is the life of the corporate subordinate.


The company I work for, last I knew, has the 11th largest fleet of vehicles in the country. A lot of the time they are disgusting vehicles.. torn seats.. leak water between the box and the cab.. radios only play static.. gas station food encrusted over every interior surface.. just terrible... but they've never been late for a servicing!

That being said... not EVERY company is so diligent with its fleet maintenance, I'm sure.

 

[dvdswan]

No dents, scratches, and the interior is pretty decent. Don't think its corporate. But again, can't disagree with you. @Blmpkn