Upgrades for longevity

[Schurkey]

Lay down the RTV per the GM service manual... ...Let the RTV start to cure...

Permatex specifically states to NOT let the RTV "skin-over", install the parts with the RTV "fresh".

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Permatex specifically states to NOT let the RTV "skin-over", install the parts with the RTV "fresh".

They may say that, but if you do not let it skim over a bit, will simply smear out and leak 110% of the time.

 

[caw_86]

They may say that, but if you do not let it skim over a bit, will simply smear out and leak 110% of the time.

i hate it when manufacturer recommendation go against real world experience, makes it so hard to make the right decision some times

 

[izzylopez]

Thanks to all of you who responded. Money has been tight and there are definitely some things that need to be addressed with this truck and I can only slowly repair them. Replaced the canister vent valve and next is both downstream o2 sensors because of the codes it has.
I see that ACDelco and Bosch are excellent brands. What other brands are there like these for GM parts? I get a lot of parts from RockAuto.

 

[Dravec]

I use RockAuto for a lot of parts, despite working at AutoZone. They still have the AC Delco/GM Genuine for a lot of parts, so I try to go with that. I recommend either Delco or Denzo for oxygen sensors, not Bosch. Just due to past experiences of Bosch failing frequently on my old K3500.

 

[Erik the Awful]

When I was a dealer techinician, we never had the time to let it skin over. Take from that what you will.

 

[RichLo]

What goes/is wrong with the rear end I actually have had my trans rebuilt at 150 as it was slipping like ya said. But it’s good now but how do I know if my rear is going bad or is???

Usually catastrophic failure of some kind when doing truck stuff. There are some warning signs that its not long for this world... if it starts making noise that increases with load and road speed, or if the plug welds that hold the axle tube to the diff housing are all cracked, or if it has heavy flaky rust on the tubes. Any of these signs you should be actively looking for a 9.5"

Otherwise at the very least while shopping for a 9.5, change the leaf spring U-bolts and perches. The perches hold water and mud and rust the u-bolts down to pencil lead thin before they just pop off unexpectedly.

 

[sneakingfart]

Thanks to all of you who responded. Money has been tight and there are definitely some things that need to be addressed with this truck and I can only slowly repair them. Replaced the canister vent valve and next is both downstream o2 sensors because of the codes it has.
I see that ACDelco and Bosch are excellent brands. What other brands are there like these for GM parts? I get a lot of parts from RockAuto.

For parts that need to be reliable, I only use OEM. So generally Delco. By that, I mean parts that are crucial to you not ending up on the side of the road, and/or parts that are a pain in the ass to replace. Examples would be the fuel pump, the turn signal multifunction switch, alternator, AC compressor. I could have ordered a Chinese made turn signal switch for $30, but once I saw all that is involved in replacing it, i paid the $200+ for the Delco one. And it's a job I never want to do again. Not particularly difficult per se, but time consuming, with lots of disassembly required, including removing the airbag.

I use Rockauto for the part numbers and then always do a Google search. More often than not, I find the same exact part on Amazon with free Prime shipping. Otherwise I order from Rockauto and I've never been disappointed.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Thanks to all of you who responded. Money has been tight and there are definitely some things that need to be addressed with this truck and I can only slowly repair them. Replaced the canister vent valve and next is both downstream o2 sensors because of the codes it has.
I see that ACDelco and Bosch are excellent brands. What other brands are there like these for GM parts? I get a lot of parts from RockAuto.

NGK/NTK

 

[L31MaxExpress]

When I was a dealer techinician, we never had the time to let it skin over. Take from that what you will.

When I was working in an independent shop and dealership that prioritized oil changes over main shop work, had plenty of time for it to skin over. That is a different story and part of the reason I left that part of the industry. I hated having to drop everything unless I was working on a waiter and make less money doing maintenance crap for waiters with advisors that could not upsell to save their life. I made more $$$ on warranty work than the maintenance upsells they focused on. The advisors got spiffed on tires and the techs took it in the rear. I cannot even begin to count the times they would sell tires and leave brakes completely shot, ball joints and tie rod ends rattling around and timing belts hanging on by threads.