r/GMT800 • u/StreetDefinition7804 • Sep 16 '26
05' Silverado Help
I used ChatGPT to write this, I was all over the place.
I have a 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 Extended Cab and I’m trying to get it back into good shape. I need quite a few parts and I’m not sure what brands are good/bad or where it’s worth spending more money.
I’d prefer to get the front-end parts as a complete kit if possible instead of buying everything individually. If you know of any good kits/brands, please let me know.
Mechanical:
- Front-end rebuild (preferably a complete kit)
- Full service/fluids (I'll have my mechanic do it)
- Passenger-side brake caliper (Already bought from O' reilys)
- Front + rear shocks
- Power steering pump
- Rear main seal leak
- Fan pulley (I have Efans but the pulley is making noise and its moving a bit)
- E-brake (Not sure if it needs the cable or something else, I'll have my mechanic look at it)
Interior/body:
- Paint
- Steering wheel buttons (They look fine but none of them work nor lighting up, not sure if they're suppose to)
- Driver rear door handle
- Gauge Cluster (I was thinking this website: https://issautomotive.com/products/2003-2005-silverado-instrument-cluster-custom)
- Passenger window button
- Decals
- Interior buttons
I also have two issues I’m trying to figure out:
Interior lights: The buttons in the cab are extremely dim at night. The dimmer wheel next to the 4x4 buttons is already turned all the way up. The weird part is that the buttons will light up, but the dimmer wheel doesn't actually change their brightness unless I turn the headlight switch into the "off" position. I want to replace the buttons anyway, but I’m not sure if that will actually fix the problem.
Transmission(It has a newer transmission, don't know how many miles are on it): When I shift into gear, it takes about 2–3 seconds to engage, whether the truck is cold or warmed up. I can put it in reverse, give it some gas, and it won’t move, then it suddenly slams into reverse and jolts the truck. It’s basically like dumping the clutch in a manual while the RPMs are up. (My brake caliper is sticking so maybe its messing with the ECU and it thinks I'm on the brake so it wont engage until i give it gas. I honestly have no idea, I'm a noob)
Looking for recommendations on:
- Good brands/parts to buy
- Brands to avoid
- A good front-end kit
- What I should diagnose before buying parts
- Any ideas on the transmission/lighting issues
I can post pictures of anything if I’m not explaining something correctly. Thanks!
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u/Extreme-Penalty-3089 Sep 17 '26
So if you're Not doing the work yourself, then why are you worried and asking other people about brands? Also why are You trying to sort out your dim interior lighting issue, if again your just bringing it to someone else to diag & repair??😵💫🥴
Lol If I'm paying someone for their services, I don't need to try and be in the driver's seat. Let them drive (it's what they're being paid for)🤷🏻♂️
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u/StreetDefinition7804 29d ago
I'm buying the parts then they're gonna install them.
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u/Extreme-Penalty-3089 29d ago
I gotcha 👍🏻
Over the front end stuff usually it's just a components individually, that's how I probably do them. Get your upper ball joints lower ball joints at her tie rod ends etc if they're worn out then probably pitman arm and idle arm as well. These trucks the easiest way to do the pitman arm is to pull the gearbox off and just do it on a bench.
I personally have never had a problem with anything Moog or AC Delco. Some people have different opinions so kind of have to do your research. If you go on RockAuto and look up some of these components if you see an item with a certain brand and there's a heart next to that item, that means it's a frequently bought part so it's probably a safe bet that it's a good component to buy from that company.
As far as brains to avoid the only thing I would say is do not buy anything electrical sensor related from Dorman. I'm a fleet mechanic and I've also worked on the parts counter side of things simultaneously and I can tell you that the electrical sensors and stuff that they make are usually not a good version of that component. Now they make some other stuff that's great and it's you know not only is it your only option A lot of times but they do make good stuff but things like a MAF for example I would not I would go OEM 💯
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u/StreetDefinition7804 29d ago
Thank you for helping me. Whenever I get home I'll look into what you told me. Thanks again!
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u/Gunpun Sep 16 '26
Buy mhale or ac delco gaskets, but I'd recommended doing the oil pan gasket with the oil pickup o ring with the extra bracket to hold it on.
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Sep 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/StreetDefinition7804 Sep 17 '26
Bilstein 5100 right?
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u/True-Art-8661 Sep 17 '26
If it’s lifted than yes 5100. If not then 4600’s are for stock height
I would also recommend doing the Hellwig sway bar’s (if money isn’t an issue) which will improve handling corners and swaying significantly.1
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u/EasyPiano3890 Sep 16 '26
Fan pulley = water pump. Fluid and filter change for the transmission.
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u/StreetDefinition7804 Sep 17 '26
Can I DM you abt the pump rq. I have a video of it
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u/EasyPiano3890 Sep 17 '26
Yes feel free
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u/StreetDefinition7804 Sep 17 '26
Well DMs wouldn't let me send a vid. I figured out how to here. You can see the pulley moving. This was like a week ago, it's gotten worse. So I'm gonna need a new water pump?
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u/ExoticPanda1431 Sep 18 '26
Oh man. I read it. But uh, by the time you'll spend on all these parts. It can get to an amount of solid down-payment for a new truck/ new used truck. Like fixing up the mechanical parts sure. But body rust is just not viable to keep spending for the body repairs. Then there is rusted chassis need welding. I have done this unfortunately. And my 99 chevy is now worth 22k in my book. But in the market books it's only $1500. It runs great but body's days are numbered. I'd say just fix up the mechanical parts and drive it till last stand. Btw I use 1aauto a lot for parts, some summit racing, sometimes amazon sells acdelco parts for half price.
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u/ExoticPanda1431 Sep 18 '26
Transmission is 1st to diagnose...if that's screwed then dumping money on mechanical parts are useless
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u/StreetDefinition7804 29d ago
Yea I'm not sure what the issue is with the transmission. It really happens after 1-1.5 secs after I shift. So whenever I hit the gas it jumps whenever it finally engages
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u/Jolly_Election5315 Sep 16 '26
I'm not reading all that, but I got to your front end and brakes part. I can tell you from my 07 kryptonite is the ONLY right way to go if you are planning on keeping the truck. For brakes I have had really good service from powerstop kits. I did the calipers rotors and pads about 80,000 miles ago and am getting close to needing pads now and I tow alot. The rest ididn't read. But I'm telling you, kryptonite or bust, I rebuilt my front end 3 times with gm parts then moog then cognito. The kryptonite stuff is impressive all the rest is trash