1999 GMC Sierra 4.8

[jimont]

Need your input fellas. Looking at a 1999 GMC Sierra ext cab,4.8 with 168K (105 mi).Have always been a Ford man, 302's and 300's. Now need an ext cab truck to act as a car as well because I'm finding it very difficult to enter and exit my Bonneville. I also provide rides for senior citizens and they too find the Bonneville a little difficult as well.
Any comments re. this truck and engine would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[rustyfarmall]

If you're planning on putting any of those seniors in the rear seat, the extended cab won't cut it. You need to look for a full 4 door version. Have you considerd an SUV? Something like a Dodge Durango? Ours is very easy for me to get into and out of. Even if I ride in the rear seat. I won't even look at something like a Bonneville anymore. Way too difficult to get in and out of.

 

[balatonm]

Somthing with 4 door would be the way to go, like a durango, tahoe, or suberban, they allhave plenty of leg room.

My 2 cents

 

[Allan in NE]

Rusty,

Not to change the subject, but there is a fellow over on the Farmall board that needs a front end.

Down in Migraine"s post.

Allan

 

[Anonymous-0]

From my experience with my elderly father and father-in-law,a mini-van might be a possible choice for you also. We had a JEEP Grand Cherokee and a mini-van, and both men prefered to be transported in the mini-van because of its easy in and out. No jumping up or falling into. Just slide right into the seat. It also got much better gas mileage than the atv. You have some great possibilities of your own, just throwing in my 2 cents. Good Luck.

 

[rustyfarmall]

Gotcha

 

[Goose]

I have a Chevy extended cab, and I wouldn't even think about trying to get seniors in and out of the back seat.

I agree with everyone else. You'd be much better off with a mini-van or SUV. Myself, I'd go with a mini-van with dual sliders.

 

[rustyfarmall]

That thread is already on the second page, and he didn't open the email option.

 

[Ryan - WI]

If you do consider other vehicles, a 4 door Dakota or Colorado might be an option. They are basically a car with a short box on it. From what I hear there is plenty of rear room and they are not 9 miles long like a full size 4 door truck.

 

[RayP(MI)]

We had a similar problem a few years back. Ended up with a Chevy Lumina APV, and later a Olds Silhouette. (looked like a dust buster on wheels!) Both of them were great in and out cars for seniors. We kept a 6" high wooden platform that I made, with a rubber mat glued to it just inside the door. Made a handy step for getting up into the van. Neat thing about both cars was that the seats (all 5 in back) were individual seats, and could be moved or removed at will. Seating arrangements were easy to make for variouss passenger and package loads. Those were great cars too, by the way.

 

[jimont]

Thanks for the input fellas. I guess I worded this wrong. I only give rides to one senior at a time, usually to Dr.'s appointments or grocery shopping so the rear seat area would only be for shopping bags. I was mostly concerned about the truck and motor reliability.