I drove a regular cab stepside 4.8L 2002 GMC Sierra from 2002 to January 2015. I averaged about 17 mpg or so with that truck. It was an absolutely fantastic vehicle and I finally sold it with 196k miles on the odometer. The only reason I sold it was I wanted an extended cab and I figured it was time to sell and move on rather than invest more money into it replacing shocks and breaks and another 100k mile service.
To replace it, I bought a 2003 GMC Sierra Extended Cab Z71 with a Rancho lift kit and 113k on the clock. Whoever owned it before me did not take care of it anywhere near as well as I did mine and in retrospect I never should have purchased it. I seem to be jumping down the rabbit whole with every new problem that crops up. I'm averaging about 11 mpg with this thing. After only a few months of owning it I've already decided to sell it.
So the questions is where do I go from here? I can't afford to buy new in my present situation (especially with the current cost of trucks).
I want a truck that will last me. I'd like to get 15 years out of it. I take care of my vehicles. I don't want to pour money into junk though.
All of this has led me to look at 7.3L Ford Powerstrokes (1999 to 2003). Seems to be an extremely reliable and strong engine and transmission with a well built truck surrounding it.
Any thoughts?