Twistedrx7 Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Well, right now i have my 99 protege with 180,000 on the clock and running fine. I am thinking of getting rid of it and picking up a 99 Sonoma as my daily instead. It is a 4.3l V6 automatic and 202,000 miles. It looks like it can haul 5000lbs at the most, so i would assume i could use it haul the Rx7 where i needed to. anyone know of some downsides to the truck at all? so far i havent really come across anything. As i do not know very much about the vehicle. Jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qtr_pndr Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 I've had more trouble with 4.3s then anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benner Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Sorry but I'd never try to haul another vehicle with an S series truck. too much weight for that small of a truck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 4.3 is bad about.. intake gasket leaking coolant, pricey tune up parts, injector failures, fuel pump failures, and i sure wouldn't haul 5000lbs with one, axle seals and axle bearings just cant take it! never tow anything with a s-10, unless it a wheel dolly deal. and even then i wouldnt do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 4.3 is a solid motor, maintain it properly they will last forever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
znperformance Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 His car only weighs 2850-2900 lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 (edited) His car only weighs 2850-2900 lbs plus a 1500-2000 lbs trailer? just because it says it will haul 5000 lbs, doesnt mean it will do it very well! tongue weigh is a big factor too! standard towing rating is 3500 max is 5500 and that for the v-6 sls trim 4wd model..it was the highest one! Edited February 21, 2009 by Removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlr8tn Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 (edited) I have a 97 gmc highrider (zr2 package) with the 4.3 in it and tow my camper which weighs 3k pounds. I wouldn't want to tow anything heavier than that...it doesn't really even tow that very well. The truck is just to light and the brakes leave something to be desired so unless you have a trailer with brakes I wouldn't even consider something that heavy. The intake gaskets on just about all those 4.3's leak at some point. Not a bad job to do really, just time consuming. The spider unit's leak on a fair amount of them. GM fuel pump...nuf said. I would pass on it. I have 120k on mine and it serves it's purpose. Not a bad truck....just has it's little quirks. Edited February 21, 2009 by xlr8tn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourString Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 4.3 is a solid motor, maintain it properly they will last forever ...and that maintenance will cost you dearly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 ...and that maintenance will cost you dearly. Just keep oil in it and be able to tell when to change the intake gasket and you're set. They are durable as fuck and thats a pretty well known declaration. I dunno what you guys are thinking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Just keep oil in it and be able to tell when to change the intake gasket and you're set. They are durable as fuck and thats a pretty well known declaration. I dunno what you guys are thinking... put 100,000 miles on one while towing 3500 lbs a day with it then get back to me on durability . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Buy American. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Well if used for hauling maybe not, I understand that. But I'm sure it's more reliable than a Protege Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T Rex Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Well if used for hauling maybe not, I understand that. But I'm sure it's more reliable than a Protege No way. He either has a 1.8l or 2.0l (practically the same engine) that are derived from the Miata engines. Stock those things will go 200k w/ no serious problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourString Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Just keep oil in it and be able to tell when to change the intake gasket and you're set. They are durable as fuck and thats a pretty well known declaration. I dunno what you guys are thinking... I am thinking that I have worked in auto parts for 4 years now, and I get more calls daily on 4.3s than ANY other setup(no joke). It's never just intake gaskets and tune-ups, but rather anything imaginable to go wrong with them. S10 Blazers are the worst by far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kspiatt Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 i have 200,000 on my 4.3 and i have never had any problems with it. keep up on tune ups and oil changes and it will be fine. also mine is a 1991 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 I am thinking that I have worked in auto parts for 4 years now, and I get more calls daily on 4.3s than ANY other setup(no joke). It's never just intake gaskets and tune-ups, but rather anything imaginable to go wrong with them. S10 Blazers are the worst by far. Maybe because they are very common and theres a million of them out on the roads? Its a 350 minus 2 cylinders. Friend of mine has 277k miles on his original never rebuilt 4.3 in his S10. My old '91 has 190k, untouched motor and trans never had any work done, original clutch even, sold it to my brother and it still runs like new. Body rust is another story lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourString Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 OK. You have both changed my mind. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qtr_pndr Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 imo the older 4.3 where better then the new ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 OK. You have both changed my mind. Thanks. lol I'm not trying to get into a pissing match and be like "so and so has this with x miles and its badazz and indestructiblezz!!!!!!" I'm just sharing my opinion and I'm not used to hearing bad things about that motor. And I do agree that the older (TBI) ones are probably better. I don't have much first-hand experience/knowledge with the Vortecs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedrx7 Posted February 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 It is actually a 1.6l engine pretty much the same setup as a honda. I have no idea on what has been done as far as maintance on the truck at all. The protege on the other hand was taken to a dealer at every service interval, all the receipts were in the car. I could do a compression check on the truck and see what is going on inside of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qtr_pndr Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 It is actually a 1.6l engine pretty much the same setup as a honda. I have no idea on what has been done as far as maintance on the truck at all. The protege on the other hand was taken to a dealer at every service interval, all the receipts were in the car. I could do a compression check on the truck and see what is going on inside of it. just do yourself a favor and don't get it save for a fullsize truck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonderboy Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 Dont do it. Typical leaky gm motor, fuel pump issues like crazy, and front end parts wear out like crazy. I agree with not trading a vehicle that you know is good for a vehicle that may have a bunch of issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlr8tn Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 in defense of the good ole 4.3 trucks....mine has been put through hell for 11 years and still runs great. I just wouldn't recommend one to tow 5k lb trailers with. It's just not big enough for that. As far as the other stuff I don't think there's a vehicle made that doesn't have it's faults...they all do. My truck has 120k really hard miles on it and it's been a good truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 My dad's 01 blazer has literally been a rock (excuse the pun) for us. With the 4.3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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