What to expect from a '98 K1500 with 237,000 mi on it...?

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SpitShine_PL

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Some background here: I'm not in the States, I live in Europe (Poland, specifically), and out on the market for a nice GMT400 K1500 SUV now.
Not many options here, most of the finds are downright sh*tboxes 2 wheels in the junkyard, the remainder is very overpriced, with the condition/rebuild from borderline satisfactory to very, very nice (with the high end price tag of... 25+k USD, so big oof).
I decided to browse the Euro market for a unit that is dailied or at least a one that sees regular operation, and I found a 6k USD '98 K1500 with 237k miles on it. The car came in to Germany from California three years ago, so it's likely it's as rust free as the current owner says (Germans are incredible sticklers when it comes to safety and smog checks). I've only raked up info from the owner remotely, as I have a ~1,000 mi roundtrip to where the car is (south of Hamburg).
What I know:
(1) A/C works, both zones blow cold.
(2) The driveline works - 2WD, 4WD Hi and 4WD Lo switch over as commanded and supposedly have no issues. The transmission shifts OK.
(3) New timing chain and new water pump installed. All fluids replaced. Will need an engine oil change in 1,500 miles.
(4) Somehow, the owner had the cyl head gasket replaced one year ago - this _probably_ means both gaskets, but he said 'gasket' in singular - I wonder why? I know the L31 may require some more-than-average upkeep and parts replacement at this mileage.
(5) "No warning lights, everything runs fine". Huh. It's probably still gonna need some new bulbs in the dash. All gauges work tho.
(6) Emission systems must be OK, otherwise the German vehicle safety system wouldn't let it pass inspection.
(7) The interior is EEEEK. It needs new driver's seat leather (doable, I can have a whole mint seat installed), a ton of interior cleaning. Turtle Wax, and a power foam cleaner. With lots of foam to it, LOL.

What I need to know:
Basically, what the subject says. With these things done as listed above, what should I expect to replace at a mileage this high? I don't count in personal mods I'd go with (aggressive front rotors and pads, 3.5" shoes from the 10,000lb package truck, and 1999 Sierra 3500 DRW truck front brakes...)
I know the 4L60E can easily grenade itself if the cooling is poor and/or sees overheating often and/or the tranny fluid is not changed on schedule (or more frequently). The owner says it's a "workhorse" (which explains the interior...); the 3rd row is usually out of the car and he hauls stuff in the back. The more I'm concerned with the tranny's health.
Anything else to look for, driveline-wise? Anything else beyond that?
 

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HotWheelsBurban

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Looks like a pretty good Burb with the exception of the seats. I can tell you from experience with the two '99 Burbs I've had, that the leather on these seats was not high quality and doesn't last.
Engine wise, basic maintenance will keep the L31(5.7L, 350 cid) going for a long time.
On the brake upgrades, a Suburban has better brakes than a comparable half ton pickup. JB6 vs. JB5, which gets you a good setup with the 11 5/32" rear drums instead of the 10" that the pickup has. I think to go to the larger ones from that, you have to start with an 8 lug truck to begin with. 2500 series Burbs got the 14 bolt semi floating rear axle with 13" x2 1/2" brakes; the one ton pickups like my crew cab got the same brakes on the 14 bolt full floating rear axle, with a larger ring gear in the differential. And those brakes will stop that big truck; just activates the ABS if you have to make a really quick stop. Also with the 2500/3500 series trucks you get stouter transmission, frame and chassis/suspension parts.
And I understand the supply of these trucks is rather limited in your area; they're not super common in Texas either. Mostly what I see of 400s around town is half ton pickups and SUVs that are fixed up, or works in progress, or thoroughly thrashed work trucks. That's why I jumped on the crew cab when it became available; it ticked all the boxes I was looking for in a truck, to do truck things. Relatively low mileage for its age was another factor. Sometimes low mileage is good,and sometimes it isn't though. Low miles on a 26 year old truck, means it's been parked a lot....and these trucks last better when used.
 

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HotWheelsBurban

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So, probably a 10k BTU or bigger trans cooler for starters, plus a trans fluid gauge?
Would not hurt a bit! The newer 4L60Es are built a little better than the early ones, but any transmission is happier with cooler fluid. And if you tow, DON'T tow in overdrive (put selector in D instead of OD).
 

Erik the Awful

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Being in a northern climate, if the cooling system is in good shape you really don't need to chase an upgrade. These trucks are designed to keep their cool in Arizona.

I think it's likely the owner only needed to replace one head gasket. I will say to be wary of overheating. The Vortec heads crack easily when overheated. New replacement heads are, fortunately, very easy to acquire - although shipping concerns are a separate issue.

The leather being wrecked is fairly normal.
 

letitsnow

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That looks like a decent deal to me.

I wouldn't do anything other than normal maintenance on that rig, and fix the drivers seat bottom. I'd leave the transmission alone - not adding any coolers or new fluid. Make sure that the fluid is at normal level and drive it is what I would do.
 

SpitShine_PL

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That was my plan, I can get the whole identically optioned out driver's seat with the leather intact for about 100 bucks out here.
Other than that, the car needs deep cleaning and resto of the plastic trim bits... 500 bucks or more at a good shop here.
 

SpitShine_PL

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... I also stumbled upon this one. Sacramento, CA. Supposedly clean and everything works (my friendly car import company already contacted the seller).
160k mi on the odo, very agreeable. I'd have to pay just as much as for the white one in Germany... Minus cleaning.
I don't see a tow hitch somehow. No tow package here?
 

MMcc

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That Sacramento suburban looks tempting! It'd be nice to have something with 75k fewer miles! The listing does say "no any mechanical problem no any leaks" -- the only way that's true is if it's out of oil. And out of power steering fluid. And out of coolant. And the AC's been purged. I'd rather buy from a German.
But if you're going to be upset when the transmission goes out on your way home or the day after, don't buy that truck. Any original 4L60 with over 160k is on borrowed time. A rebuilt tranny around here is $1200 and they'll charge $2000 for installation and warranty.

In terms of what else to look for - ball joints and cracked leaf spring mounts in the rear.
 
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