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For Sale: 1996 Chevrolet Suburban K1500 LS 4WD 4-Door Automatic Sport Utility VehicleSo, this truck, The Falcon as I've come to call her, I really don't want to get rid of, however, it's been costing me more lately to drive and fix this truck than I can afford. She is a great truck, despite the issues wrong with it, I've had her for nearly three years and she's definitely pulled her weight since then. Of course, she does have a few issues, and I'm not mechanic, but I'm not sure a lot of them would be a problem to someone who has the money or knows what they are doing. I have fixed some of the issues that she had when I got her, but some I have not been able to do so.
She has helped me move (twice), normal family and work runs, and has even helped perform some IT contracting jobs (100-200 miles per trip), she was even stolen from us once! She's been down a long road in her 18 years of being around, three of which with me and my family, but it's time to move on. As I said above, I'd really love to keep her, but I need to raise some money for a more economical car for the family, which unfortunately involves getting rid of her.
Note: I have the third-row seat for her, however, I have not had a chance to retrieve it from our storage. It will be made available to the one who purchases this truck.
Of course, she has her problems...
So, before I continue to tell you how great of a truck this is for you, I want to fully disclose everything that is wrong with her (that I know about or have observed). I don't know a lot about automotive repair, simply enough to get me by, so this list may not be complete or accurate due to my own lack of knowledge: - The radiator(?) leaks
I'm not entirely sure what's causing it, the leak doesn't seem to drip from the bottom of the radiator, i'm pretty sure it's leaking from the tubing somewhere but I've yet to really have a chance to track it down. - Some missing plastics, some exterior damage
Not a whole lot, but it is noticeable. In January of 2012 the truck was stolen from the parking lot of our apartment complex. While much of our property inside was stolen (including a simple toy of my son's, the nerve!), the ne'er-do-wells broke a few of the internal plastics, mainly light covers, as to most likely hide themselves (it was the middle of the night). When we recovered the truck, there was also a dent above the rear-passenger wheel well and some of the trim was missing (I'm assuming they hit something during their joy-ride). - Hesitations on cold starts and low gas (obvious or not?)
It may be something wrong with the engine, or may be a quick fix, I have no idea - to be quite honest - but, when the truck has been sitting for a bit, or on particularly cold mornings, she is very hesitant to get started. She does, after some caressing, get started, but sometimes it takes a couple of minutes to do so. It also seems to happen when shes getting low on gas (not out of gas, but 1/8 of a tank or lower).
- Small issues with the Windshield Wipers
I'm sure it makes it illegal to drive, I've never been pulled over for it (not pushing my luck - just need to get to work and back), but there are a couple of minor issues with the windshield wipers. Primarily, and most obvious, the windshield wipers "home" position is not horizontal, as it is normally, it is stuck in a vertical position when turned off. I changed the windshield wiper motor a few years back and, after many times trying to correct this issue, the windshield wipers won't go to the proper position when turned off. Also, the passenger side windshield wiper doesn't work. I think this may be an easy fix (i think something came undone in the wiper assembly) but I can't find an easy way for me to get in there to fix it. - Environmental controls don't work properly
So there are two problems with the environmental controls in the truck. The most irritating is the front-seat control set. I've replaced the control panel for it, but the issue persists. There was (at some time before I purchased it) a short or something that shorted out the original control panel. After replacing it, it worked great for a while, but then started being turning on and off at random times. After further investigation, I discovered the short melted some of the plastic for the connector than plugs into the control panel and, sometimes, assuming when the wires aren't touching, the system works (as long as its on high). But, because if this (I'm pretty sure it's related) the blower doesn't blow out the proper or selected vents. You can hear the blower blowing, and I think it blows it in the passenger floorboard or out of the truck somewhere, but only a faint bit of airs comes out of the vents. - Botched Brake Repair (NOTE: They still work great... With brake fluid...)
So, a couple of years ago, I had to do a complete overhaul of the break systems. Rotors were changed, pads, I think one of the calipers (I really don't remember), but new parts were put on. I bought the parts, ready to do it myself, but I couldn't find the time. So, I took my truck to a (no longer operating) auto shop nearby, with their assurance it would be done accurately and professionally. After about a week, I noticed that the break fluid was low, so I filled it, and had to refill it another week later. I brought it back to them, they wanted to charge me more to fix the problem that, I'm pretty sure, was caused by them. It seems kind-of sporadic on when exactly it decides to leak, however, it does leak. I think a bolt probably needs to be tightened somewhere, but I'm not sure which one or where. - Alarm/Locking system operates weird
So, let me preface this with my attempted repairs on this issue. Shortly after the truck was stolen, I decided I'd try to fix some of the locking issues with the truck. The alarm works (or did before I stopped driving this truck, about Nov 2013), but is extremely sensitive. When I got the truck, it wasn't properly mounted. I mounted the system to a steel bar under the dash, but it still is pretty sensitive. Because of this, sometimes I (used-to) simply just lock the doors and not engage the alarm (which may have prevented it's theft), however, the locks didn't work fully when I got the truck originally, and still has some issues. The keys provided to the winner include two keys. One for the ignition (which I had changed the ignition lock thing [not sure what it's called] and so it has a different key) and one for the exterior (which only work on the driver and passenger door, not the back door). I changed out the locks on the doors as well, but was only provided with the two from the parts-store. The back door has no key (never received one that work on it when I bought it), but it does lock and unlock with the power lock system in the truck. However, the power lock system does not lock or unlock the driver side doors and the front driver door can only be locked from the outside. - Negligible issues with back doors
So there are two issues with the back doors. The first one is (and was the same when I got the truck) that the door jam-grabber-bar-thing (that holds the door open when you open it) does not attach to the door so it likes to close on you. Also, the right door on the back has a trick to opening. You simply push on it while using the lever. It's not a huge problem, but can sometimes be irritating (very slightly, for me anyway). - Last but not least, Moisture...
I'm not entirely sure what causes it, but sometimes there's a little bit of a moisture build-up on the inside of the truck. It might be caused by something I had in there, or maybe a leak somewhere, I don't really know.
But remember, she has some great strengths!
This is a work truck! The third-row seating is removable, the back seats fold down, and suddenly you have an entire truck bed (covered, of course) ready and available at your disposal! Or, maybe you have a group to carry around, eight seats baby! Two in the front, three in the middle, three in the back! There have been many times we've needed to utilize the fully seating capacity of this truck. She doesn't have much for back-seat entertainment, but who needs that anyway? Nearly everyone has mobile phones or tablets nowadays!
Four wheel drive! I've never used it, don't know if it works, but it has it!
Large Gas Tank! 42-Gallons of unleaded fuel for your driving pleasure. The truck, originally, was rated for 13.0 MPG in the City or 18.0 MPG on the Highway, that's over 750 potential miles you can drive before gassing up! I used to track my MPG and was getting about 11, but I have a really, really heavy foot.
Big Engine! It's got a 5.7 Liter (350 horsepower (i'm assuming)) SFI V8 Vortec Engine! I'm not really sure what all that means but I do know you put gas in it, start it, and it sounds great at it's peak.
Powered Stuff! Powered Seats (driver only), Power Locks (See Above), Power Windows, and Power!
Great for towing! Has front tow hooks, a place for a tow-bar, A tow ball.... I really don't know how to describe these things...
Best of all, it drives! Let's take a look at the bottom line. Yes, this truck has some issues. Yes, this truck eats gas like I drink soda (I really need to cut down). Yes, this truck is a little older, but it's a truck! It's a Chevy Truck! There are many reason's to buy this truck. Part it out and make more money on the parts (It works with computers anyways);Donate it to a good cause; Teach your kid's how to fix these things; Use it only for what you need it for; Or maybe fix it up like new and resell it for much more. It truly does pain me to get rid of this truck, I wish I could make the money I need for a new car on the sentiment alone, but I can't. She just needs some love.
In closing...
If you don't want to buy this truck, but love this story, and think you might know a fix for some of these issues, message me and let me know, please! If this truck sells, you may get some of the issues fixed with it.
Also, if the truck sells, depending on how much it sells for, I might fill up the tank and get it professionally detailed (and maybe fix a few issues, once again, depending on how much the truck sells for). If I meet my reserve, I'll fill up the tank. After it sells, I'll get a quote for professional detailing and, if it leaves me with enough for the replacement car purchase, I'll get that done for you too! In regards to the expired tabs, meeting my reserve, I will pay to renew them (if you want me to, that is)
EDIT: One final note...
I understand that this truck may be somewhat of a risk to purchase, for 7 days after the purchase I'll hold on to the cash (less the gas and other expenses) and, as long as I recover the truck in the same condition I sold it in (in the event of a return), I'll do what I can (within reason) to ensure your satisfaction!
Also, the notes of the Lien on the vehicle history report, the Auto Auction event on 7/14/2011 was the day I purchased the truck, anything before hand I'm assuming is satisfied as I've never had a problem in regards to the truck.
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