Lightning reliability?
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Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 47
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From: Arlington, TX, USA
Lightning reliability?
I am thinking about buying a 01' L and have read this site vigorously trying to find info on these trucks. I must say I am worried about having half the problems I have read about. Why are intercoolers failing? Motors knocking? Dealers can't get parts for the L's? Did they fix a lot by the 01's? Man I love to hear the stats you guys are posting but I don't want a new truck in a dealers bay or out of commision due to bad design and poor factory support. Thanks for your input.
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1995 2dr Tahoe 4wd, heads, cam, intake, 454 TBI, dyno programmed 300HP/400lbs., sway bars, 5 position shocks, and too much more.
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1995 2dr Tahoe 4wd, heads, cam, intake, 454 TBI, dyno programmed 300HP/400lbs., sway bars, 5 position shocks, and too much more.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: Monrovia, CA
Just my opinions...
I traded my Tahoe (99 4wd) in for a 2000 Lightning and I don't regret it a bit. I think the quality is there, typical for an American built car, perhaps not quite as good as an import, but I honestly think it depends on the driver as to how many problems are going to crop up, with exceptions - namely on the 99-00's with the infamous intercooler leak. I think that the piston slap issue is remote, but every manufacturer has its lemons...
If you drive it hard all the time, it's a mechanical system and it's going to break in places in time. If you drive it like my grandma then you may never have a problem with it. But who can do that with this truck...
[This message has been edited by DB (edited 03-29-2001).]
I traded my Tahoe (99 4wd) in for a 2000 Lightning and I don't regret it a bit. I think the quality is there, typical for an American built car, perhaps not quite as good as an import, but I honestly think it depends on the driver as to how many problems are going to crop up, with exceptions - namely on the 99-00's with the infamous intercooler leak. I think that the piston slap issue is remote, but every manufacturer has its lemons...
If you drive it hard all the time, it's a mechanical system and it's going to break in places in time. If you drive it like my grandma then you may never have a problem with it. But who can do that with this truck...
[This message has been edited by DB (edited 03-29-2001).]
Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Alhambra Vallley, Ca.
Do yourself a favor and drive one. Thats all you have to do. Having 6 other vehicles this one is in a class of its own. For what your money buys it is unmatched in performance and utility, not to mention resale value. If anything else its guaranteed to raise your testosterone level. The 2001 is an awesome truck!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 0
You've also got to remember that most on here are enthusiasts. We tend to notice "small" problems (like piston slap) that your average Joe and Jane Family would more than likely just dismiss. Plus, many of the posters on here are constantly pushing their trucks and adding more and more horsepower. This added strain seems like it would "bring out" problems that would go unnoticed on your average stock family cruiser. I'll admit, things like the leaky I/C, seat wear, and front-end clunk are annoying, but they can all be (or will soon be able to be) fixed with minimal effort. Do yourself a favor and drive one. You won't be disappointed.
DUCK
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November 18, 1999 We will not forget.
The fallen 12 will live in our hearts forever.
Fightin' Texas Aggie Bonfire 1999
DUCK
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November 18, 1999 We will not forget.
The fallen 12 will live in our hearts forever.
Fightin' Texas Aggie Bonfire 1999
Really Old "Member"
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga. USA
'Bout on par with any other HiPo vehicle I have ever owned. We didn't buy our Father's Oldsmobile, we bought a fairly sophisticated, fairly limited production performance vehicle and that will always carry some baggage.
Definitely a problem with the IC, but that is a bought out part. I have seen less than a dozen failed trannies and most of them were "used hard". About a dozen seat problems that I remember and that is probably bought out too.
The piston knock is not heard of much lately and was not exclusive to the Lightning but was found in all 5.4 litre engine variants.
As for me, 23 months and 13K miles later I still listen to the clunk on sharp turns once in a while and my seat got fixed. Don't know what they did to the seat and I just didn't like the welded on star washer fix that seems to be the favorite here. I just lube the bump stops once in a while and try to remember not to turn too sharp.
If you can take the time to visit some of the other high performance bulletin boards I think you will find we have probably far fewer problems than almost any HiPo new vehicle. Including our cousins with 1999 Cobras, sad to say.
Drive one and see if you can resist.
Bill
Definitely a problem with the IC, but that is a bought out part. I have seen less than a dozen failed trannies and most of them were "used hard". About a dozen seat problems that I remember and that is probably bought out too.
The piston knock is not heard of much lately and was not exclusive to the Lightning but was found in all 5.4 litre engine variants.
As for me, 23 months and 13K miles later I still listen to the clunk on sharp turns once in a while and my seat got fixed. Don't know what they did to the seat and I just didn't like the welded on star washer fix that seems to be the favorite here. I just lube the bump stops once in a while and try to remember not to turn too sharp.
If you can take the time to visit some of the other high performance bulletin boards I think you will find we have probably far fewer problems than almost any HiPo new vehicle. Including our cousins with 1999 Cobras, sad to say.
Drive one and see if you can resist.
Bill
Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA USA
TahoeSS,
I just traded a Black 2000 Tahoe Limited for the 2001 Lightning and don't regret it a bit. I've been a faithful Chevy owner for the past 18 years but, I absolutly love this truck. All it took was one test drive and I was hooked. Like all things, if you beat the snot out of it, sooner or later it will break. I take it that a lot of people on this board race their L's. Mines a daily driver (don't think it will ever see the track) and I expect to put 20K+ miles on it a year. I wouldn't have bought it if I thought reliability was an issue. My main concern was the Intercooler leak in 99's and the 00's. I trust the 01's redesign cures this.
I just traded a Black 2000 Tahoe Limited for the 2001 Lightning and don't regret it a bit. I've been a faithful Chevy owner for the past 18 years but, I absolutly love this truck. All it took was one test drive and I was hooked. Like all things, if you beat the snot out of it, sooner or later it will break. I take it that a lot of people on this board race their L's. Mines a daily driver (don't think it will ever see the track) and I expect to put 20K+ miles on it a year. I wouldn't have bought it if I thought reliability was an issue. My main concern was the Intercooler leak in 99's and the 00's. I trust the 01's redesign cures this.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 0
From: Allentown,PA
Tahoe,
How's this for reliability...
The only problem i have had was the infamous I/C leak. Which came at 25K. Im probably the only one on this board who has slammed his truck into reverse at 100mph+(accidently after the floor mat held the pedal to the floor). And i still dont have any problems with my truck. She also has a few hundred passes on her at the track. Reliability has been ROCK SOLID.
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1999 Lightning
12.88 @ 104.5
JDM Chip(untested)
PSP Filter Kit
JL RamAir
3.73 Gears
How's this for reliability...
The only problem i have had was the infamous I/C leak. Which came at 25K. Im probably the only one on this board who has slammed his truck into reverse at 100mph+(accidently after the floor mat held the pedal to the floor). And i still dont have any problems with my truck. She also has a few hundred passes on her at the track. Reliability has been ROCK SOLID.
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1999 Lightning
12.88 @ 104.5
JDM Chip(untested)
PSP Filter Kit
JL RamAir
3.73 Gears