CHEAP 'N Rusty GMC 2500 6.0 Auction Gamble. They Said It Doesn't Run...

Another will it run video! This one is pretty simple. For parts you can visit www.Importapart.com or email us at [e-mail].
Today's subject is a wrecked 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD. 6.0, 4wd. I bought this truck at the auction for parts as these do quite well for us. Copart said it didn't run, so this video shows our entire process of what we do to get cars and trucks to run and test as much as we can. We've seen all kinds of reasons why cars or trucks won't run. The auction usually doesn't put any effort into figuring out why so just because they claim it doesn't run doesn't mean it won't with a little elbow grease. This is just a little easier than most vehicles that come in not-running but most of that is because its a GMT800 chassis and we know them quite well.
Buying from the auction is always a gamble. We've had "run and drive" vehicles come in with a bad engine AND transmission. Sometimes the auction will even try to start the vehicle with a major oil leak and ruin your engine for you.
This truck was a relatively low investment at $800 plus fees (About $1200 all in) we should do quite well on this truck. Its a shame its so rusty because it wouldn't take much to get it back on the road.
I know these will it run videos aren't everyones thing but you can always tune into this channel every Saturday night for a brand new blown up engine teardown.
As always I love all of the comments, feedback and even the criticism.
Catch you all on the next one!
-Eric

[@craigbomer8962]

I bought a truck rusted a lot like this off Marketplace a year ago. It's a 2000 Sierra non-HD 2500 with a 6.0 and a 4L80e. Body looked like crap, frame was fine, 4x4 worked, and it made spectacular oil pressure. It was 1800 bucks and it drove itself 30 minutes back to my house. Seller said the "starter has a bad spot in it", but I know the sound of a broken flexplate when I hear it. I rebuilt the front end, the brakes, put new tires on it, replaced a skewed MAF, resealed the bottom of the engine while I had the transmission off to do the flexplate, and replaced the non-existent rear bumper. Got it all buttoned up and it drove great except the torque converter wasn't locking up. The incorrect MAF readings and the broken flexplate had done a number on the transmission, according to my transmission shop when I had them rebuild it. Even after all that, I'm still in it for less than a sorted 2500 in my area and the transmission has a warranty on it now!

[@geneberry7114]

These "will it run" vids are every bit as good as your Saturday night vids : )

[@theburnoutbox9736]

I fully agree

[@majorwedgie8166]

Heck! It even came with $400 worth of gas😂 thanks Eric, that was fun.

[@Peculiarsafe83]

Bro what? That’s a gas 6.0L. What state do you live in where it costs $400 to fill a 26 gallon tank up tf? 🤨

[@jonathancormack]

What are you talking about? What planet do you live on where a full tank costs 400 bucks

[@kingedwin]

It's so cool that you were able to reseat the tire without lighting up some starter fluid. Not that I've ever done that.

[@SurelyYewJest]

Whattya talkin' about? That method is totally OSHA-approved /s* * So nobody can sue me.

[@Texas21Texas]

Only an idiot would fail. 😂

[@rickbaker8021]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@christopherweise438]

He said his insurance doesn't allow open flames on the property. So....as far as they know.....no open flames were used in the making of this video.

[@gtraylor3054]

Me neither…

[@1JackTorS]

A truck carrying Vick's Vaporub overturned on the highway today. Thankfully, there was no congestion.

[@lzaffuto]

I've heard of people pulling a fuse or otherwise sabotaging cars at an auction that they want to try to discourage other bids and buyers. I wonder how common it actually is.

[@thomasfletcher760]

Very common ( unfortunately )

[@sp1nrx]

This also happens at industrial auctions.

[@grahammonk8013]

A friend thought he had been caught the other way, he put a silly bid in on a small truck, and nobody else bid. He thought everyone else knew something bad. When he went to drive it away, he found it would only engage 2 out of 4 gears. Oh well, pick up a used tranny and throw it in. Once he got it home, had a quick look to see how many bolts he'd need to remove and found only 2 bolts of 5 in place, found 3 more and he now had a working gearbox! Cheap work truck!

[@weswest8666]

Very common

[@Benton0812]

Great to see the way you diagnose the issues. Even better to see a business person with ethics!!! thank you

[@Shiny_Dragonite]

I love these will it run videos... especially the Chevy pickups. My old '88 K2500 had all sorts of electrical issues to diagnose, some of which we never worked out. However, I learned what the issue was and how to fix it from one of your previous videos! These help refresh my memory as it's been about a decade since I consistently had to put effort (beyond oil changes and routine maintenance like brakes and filters) into a vehicle to keep it running and I've forgotten a lot. One of your teardown videos actually helped me fix a friend's car a couple months back, too. I am here for whatever videos you put out, even the quick and simple ones.

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

Nice truck! Ehhh, okay, maybe not.... But seriously, I had an 05 Sierra 2500 HD 4x4, standard cab (small), for one of my work trucks, for years. Ran it up to 350k. I loved it. I was sad, when they took it away from me, when the transfer case blew out of it, and they sent it away..... Just a great solid truck.... For you younger gentlemen out there, you WANT an older work truck.... Look, when your boss gives you that brand new truck.... Guess what. When he sees the first dent in it, you're gonna hear about it. When he hears that you pulled Kenny out of that mud bog construction site with it, you're gonna hear about it. When he sees you smoking in it, you're gonna hear about it. When he sees a dip bottle in it, you're gonna hear about it..... When someone else's truck breaks, they're gonna wanna borrow YOURS..... When your work truck is OLDER, nobody cares.... Is that a new dent? Nah nah, it was always like that.... (definitely a new dent, from a deer that ran out and broadsided me in the middle of the night on a callout a month ago).... Ohhh, Brian's truck is in the shop???? No no, he's gonna drive Steve's.... Steve's doesn't smell like smoke.... Nobody cares. They LEAVE YOU ALONE. Which is good. That's what you want. You don't want anybody looking too close at your truck.... You want them to just keep it moving, nothing to see here..... Hey, you want a new truck??? Nah nah, I'm good, this is fine... Get Larry a new truck, his is broken literally half the time.... (Pro tip: say this to the boss IN FRONT OF LARRY. Now he owes you big time). The 6.0 in that truck was awesome... Very underrated.... Underrated truck in general. I did things to that truck, that you should NOT do to your truck. No problem, never broke a sweat.....

[@mikebott2080]

Thanks for fixing the duct tape, that was seriously bothering me 😂😂😂

[@denniss5512]

You are probably the most honest "secondary market" dealer in St Louis.

[@TheBandit7613]

Good find. I am blessed to live in the desert southwest. No such thing as rust or corrosion. Electrical systems like dry, metal likes dry. I have a near showroom condition 50 year old Mustang Mach One. The original owner kept it out of the sun.

[@johnmoore8599]

Puts the duct tape back over the seat tear before climbing in the first time. Classy! Glad it at least has a good engine and you'll get some decent parts off of it.

[@majorwedgie8166]

Yeah, this is a perfectly good truck bed! (as he throws it over the fence) lol

[@heathwoodlee520]

Love the tire inflation instruction 😂

[@marchettejw]

its really strange for me to see such rust on these vehicles. I've been spoiled by the dry utah climate. most people around here think our stuff is super rusty due to the salt we use on the roads but it's extremely rare to see something under 20 years old with holes around here (unless it came from somewhere else). we typically use trucks like this until they have something major go like engine, trans, rear axle.. etc. we just run the hell out of them. my personal fleet consists of a rust free 96 c1500 & 1996 Suburban, surface rusted 89 C2500, typical rocker rust on a 1967 C20 and rust free 1950 3600 Chevy

[@NoWr2Run]

NICE RIDES.

[@billthepainter5106]

200k is just broken in! I had a 2004 Denali with the LQ4 that had 360k miles on it when I sold it. Ran just fine and still had plenty of power!

[@jaredfletcher1587]

I have 295k on mine. And other than the occasional lifter tick, it runs great

[@gfawnmeade]

Sweet! Really like your diagnosis videos "will it run"

[@daniel9111]

I love the honesty of your videos. It doesn't have to be an hour long will it run video if the problems are simple. Keep being you!

[@elitetripod4188]

These videos are great for teaching inexperienced viewers that you shouldn't completely trust what yards and wreckers tell you. Using your noggin is always worth it.

[@MM_in_Havasu]

Dang, road salt back there almost guarantees vehicle obsolescense! None of that stuff here in the AZ desert, but paint gets toasted inside of 5 years here.

[@rodleypumpkins4174]

Dude great buy. I worked in the oil fields for quite awhile and that same year and color was our work truck. There was dents on every panel. There was a hole on the passenger side floor board you could see the ground. The bed had huge hole in it too. We had three slip tanks in the bed too lol. It had holes in the seats that you could see springs but the seat warmers still worked It was a piece of shit. It had 280xxx miles worth of oil field roads. We jumped it one time. I could go on and on. That truck ran great. We had to do a transmission and shocks and tires that’s about it.

[@96xl1200c]

My first truck had an engine and trans from a 1985 chevy van. My dad worked for the state, he knew it had a brand new crate engine and a trans rebuild few years before so he bid a couple hundred because they "couldn't get it to run " we brought a starter with us to the auction to put on it. I crawled under it and the starter was hanging, bolts put back in where they came from. I put it back in and it fired up and ran perfectly.

[@SA-dl9ox]

I am loving your GM 6.0 enthusiasm! Last of the non-DI cast iron block pushrod generation.

[@CaptainSpadaro]

The LY6/L96 didn't have DI.

[@SA-dl9ox]

Edit: yes the L96 was the last one. I own a 2013 and 2019. Just a dumb mistake.

[@tonyfreeman5048]

Them older 6.0s are pretty well bullet proof good video

[@maxcactus7]

You got almost 7/8ths a tank of gas in that thing! That's gotta be worth at LEAST $250 at today's prices.

[@Peculiarsafe83]

This truck has a 26 gallon tank, and the Suburban 1500 has a 31 gallon tank, while the 2500 Suburban has a 36 gallon tank. I pay no more than $100 to fill my tank up. So I’m not sure what state you live in, but here it’s $3.10 a gallon currently.

[@maxcactus7]

@@Peculiarsafe83 My comment wasn't meant to be serious, but since you went there, regular 87 octane is almost $6/gallon in California right now. Cheers.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

HAA HAA! Copart auction fees are ludicrous, so expensive, amazing people buy so many cars from there! I've done those 6.0 manifold bolts, they can be real real bad, much worse then Ford , great video as the usual.

[@ralphadams4478]

At least u don't have bullet holes in truck and hood signs of use like da car wizard has with his new ok ride...after all duct tape and snow white bondo makes Mirceales happen...and another claim to fame other you tubers have caught on to autopsy of engines now ...your a leading star of what people want and need! Good job!

[@imtheonevanhalen1557]

This cat is very entertaining, and a helluva mechanic! I grew up wrenching carbs and distributors. When one of my "modern" cars has issues (before Google..) I'd go ask the kid behind the counter at Autozone....they were usually spot-on.

[@paulhaney6449]

Man, I love these videos when you are able to resurrect these old trucks back to running

[@itsjustme1949]

Hey, it's got over 3/4 tank of gas...what a find. Doubled the value of the truck.

[@OingBoing-bh5vm]

He will make it run. It's alive ! It lives . It lives !!! Dr. Frankenstein hooks up the Juice. 😊

[@brianallen9810]

Definitely looks like your average Michigan pickup. I love these videos, keep them coming.

[@justinb8833]

Love these will it run videos! My favorite part of any project car. So satisfying when you figure out the issues.

[@gerriefarman3174]

Keep these coming, they are fun to watch as you fix a motor instead of tear it apart.

[@stans5270]

😂🤣😂"That's supposed to be over there..." While you make the first repair of MANY on the truck. Even duct tape is tired of holding that truck together.

[@rickbaker8021]

I have a great respect for peeps that can sort out these modern car electronics issues. It was much simpler in my day before computers and those f***ing infernal relays, reminds my of old Fiats from 60s and 70s.

[@metalted6128]

Missing fuses, to disable auction vehicles, very common! I picked a 2001 mustang gt Convertible , No start not dash working, Got it home , replaced fuses, 26k miles . Ran awesome, easy hit. In front right side. BUT !!! It is always a gamble!!! Fixed it for the wife. She still drives it, 7 years later. It’s got 55k now.

[@aaw376]

Great video! You probably have no idea of how many people ( shadetree mechanics) that just helped. A tutorial video, Awesome job!!!

[@nbrowser]

I love these little mid-week surprise videos from Eric...always a nice treat.

[@electronicengineer]

Agreed. When Eric drops one of these "midweek" videos, it always puts a smile on my face as I know it is going to be fun being an armchair automotive technician for a couple of minutes! Fred

[@frankmoreau8847]

The most comfortable truck I ever owned was a 99 GMC 3 door 1500. It needed a rear end when I sold it but at 217,000 miles it ran like a champ. I have a Ford F-250 6.2 gas and while it's decent, it just isn't as comfortable.

[@timtimtimmay4654]

As soon as you pulled the fuse box I was looking at what may be a missing main fuse too

[@4wdiesels]

Wow it's crazy seeing this rusted out beat up truck. I bought one brand new back in 2004. Makes me feel old seeing them beat up now. 6.0 was a good enough engine for what I needed but it averaged 14mpg. My buddy opted for the Duramax and averaged 18mpg but he paid the price in the end with super expensive repairs that my 6.0 gas never needed.

[@HappyHarryHardon]

I’m building a 6.0 that will make 1400. They’re great engines.

[@NoName-qs6ei]

6.0's are one of the best engines ever made.

[@NoName-qs6ei]

@@freiherrdinkelacker Haters gonna hate

[@NoName-qs6ei]

@@freiherrdinkelacker I have a 2011 silverado, 2008 tahoe, 2 1987 monte carlo LS's and 1 toyota tacoma. Newest vehicle is the tacoma.

[@NoName-qs6ei]

@@freiherrdinkelacker I thought you were referring to the GM vehicles. Your talking about business practices. Yeah I agree. We got sold out by everyone. Our politicians enriched themselves and their donors. Stole our kids future's.

[@burntle]

Definitely make more of these videos, learned a lot. I own a 2004 GMC 2500HD 6 Ltr and this was informative.

[@trclark7689]

I bought an 03 Sierra with the 5.3 a couple years ago off a guy fairly cheap because we're in Texas and the A/C didn't work. I noticed that cold air would come out of the defrost from time to time. Did some research, removed the A/C actuator from under the steering wheel area and got full blast, ice cold AC. Apparently that was a huge issue with trucks from that era.

[@rayproductionsbackupchanne3862]

i'd love to see GM's Ecotech engine's from the late 90's/early 2000's on the show sometime! i heard they are decent. but have some dumb flaws in them, alteast said flaws are easy and cheap to repair.

[@ChrisLincolnHomes]

Eric O at SMAC is laughing saying "Welcome to the party pal!" (you just read that in Bruce Willis voice).

[@majobis]

If it has a good heater it is perfect for a Minnesota winter beater.

[@oscarpuente2029]

I bought a Big truck at auction. in Sioux City. it ran great. new tires and injectors. 👍.

[@two6520]

It looks like you bought a few more cars. Thanks for the extra video this week!

[@AB-nu5we]

Agree with others. like the 'Will it Run' videos along with the 'Tear Down Mysteries' series. Keep 'em coming.

[@mahcooharper9577]

Fantastic to see you actually make an effort to sell good parts. I doubt many yards would care about the oil pressure so it's good to see you care enough to be sure. And even came with a nearly full tank of fuel ;) Enjoy these videos, keep them coming :)

[@typxxilps]

Great and really fast achievement to get it back running. I like these kind of videos a lot that are straight till it will be fixed.

[@benmac1395]

Awesome video. These are definitely a good addition to the tear downs. Keep them coming.

[@nodrug2]

Well it started and drove, didn't sound too bad either. I enjoyed watching you get it going. I'll watch more of these.

[@BlueSteel331]

I misread that dash message...I thought it said 'service old bag' ! 😂🤣

[@user-uw7ds3xm9t]

I also have an '04 GMC 2500 (maybe "higher trim level"). The reason for writing - there was a problem with the instrument cluster on '03 thru '07 Chevy and GMC larger vehicles (pickups and SUV's). The servo motors in the clusters started giving out. If one went, you could depend on the others going soon. I sent mine to an aftermarket rebuilder (because the vehicle mileage is stored in the cluster) - this was in '21, I believe it cost about $150. Easy to de-install and re-install. Regards and bon Holiday!

[@MurphyTheBandChild]

One of the things I have always liked about GM trucks is that they give you an actual oil pressure gauge, not a dummy light (or a "gauge" that's actually a dummy light with a needle). This is probably the last generation of Chevy/GMC I would actually consider buying, but even the newer ones still give you all of the helpful information in the gauge cluster.

[@TheBandit7613]

My F350 has fake gauges. Except the temp gauge, I think that one is real. The oil pressure doesn't move and it's always perfect, same with the rest. The temp gauge actually moves the way it's supposed to. Who ever came up with dummy gauges needs a smack.

[@Mustangg16]

Love your videos. Watch them all except engine teardowns, no interest in that. Great job

[@GrandPitoVic]

That's awesome brother. Great buy even tho the body is shot. You will make a nice profit with the engine,trans,transfer case, axles and all the other good parts on that truck. Good job brother.

[@toddewire13]

Love these videos Eric thank you

[@liver.flush.maestro]

"... the concern is when they say it will run, because this means it may not" 🤣

[@dj-kq4fz]

Thanks! I've got a 2000 Silverado and this was similar in many respects. More of these please (and thanks for taking time to share)!

[@breakinggames6356]

the frame looks good I would put another bed on it and keep driving it

[@joshuamerrill2422]

Love these will it run videos along with the teardowns

[@toddewire13]

I hope sometime you could get a second gen expedition in I need parts LOL!

[@Wicc3R1]

Would you do a full teardown for a vehicle as a video? Like from the parking lot to parts?

[@Joeameturexpert]

Looks like a gem wish I was closer.

[@MrWoodyBalto]

About how that fuse got removed... Wouldn't it have had to been removed before Copart inventoried it? The listing was "No Start". That would mean it didn't run when it arrived there. (I suppose it could have removed by the car hauler or the Copart employee).

[@kristensorensen2219]

Thanks Eric🎉

[@509brown]

Nice, enjoyed this one a lot!! I thought the one tire needed the bead set but apparently it didn't even need air! My bad!

[@KiyaWarrior]

Good video. Inspired me to buy a copart salvage vehicle recently. So far its going good!

[@TheVespap200e]

Thanks Eric for the video! Always interesting to watch! 😁👍

[@feezyp1338]

Quickly becoming my favorite channel. I’m learning so much.

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

GM big iron are always great. Love those videos

[@jb5nf]

😂yep, gotta make sure that duck tape stays in place....

[@fuse8052]

I HATE fighting with those quick connects. The disconnect part takes a while.

[@jamesu]

Thanks for the video Eric. Have a great day!

[@stger2384]

Thanks for another bonus video, you're spoiling us :D

[@GT-fy1mr]

Love the vids Eric 👍🏽

[@mickleblade]

And 3/4 full of fuel, that's doubled it's value at once!

[@SilkyChar]

Eric how much for the whole 6.0/4l80 untouched. They're borderline impossible to chase down here in california since we dont get rust to eat away at the rest of the truck.

[@I_Do_Cars]

Shoot us an email. [e-mail]

[@rickbaker4571]

"nailed it"... and I spit beer... you owe me one!

[@johngoodwyn8246]

Nice Job Guy !

[@171apples171]

I got a 01' 2500HD. Ex plow truck here in NW Iowa. Your truck is not rusty lol man im jealous. What a score

[@kurtschreiber908]

Really prefer your will it drive videos over the tear downs….also love your project videos.

[@danb2122]

I took an LQ4 out of a truck just like that. Ring and bearings, comp cam, LS2 heads. Stock crank rods pistons. Made 435 hp at the crank. Easiest hp I’ve ever made.

[@FrankySilverFace]

Really enjoy the vibe of this channel. Jennings also does amazing will it run videos.

[@stephanebolduc6501]

Nice find, great trouble shooting, thanks for posting!

[@patmcbride9853]

Good candidate for a flat bed conversion, after rebuilding or replacing the engine.

[@lowellcrabb151]

I love the shorter videos (not the shorts though). You and Derrick from Vice Grip Garage could collaborate.

[@boelensds]

Vechor loves these GMC trucks.

[@darrenvictoriathornhill1170]

A friend once told me that canola oil in the spray can works with a lighter …… ahem…. I love these vids. Will it run. Oh shi? Yeah. !,,,

[@srt8madman727]

Nice if the gas gage is right you got about $100 worth of gasoline.

[@Gearsandoil]

I just bought a retired electricians truck with an LQ4. 285k, 4 broke exhaust manifold bolts, gauge is reading the same way, 79 psi 😮. The bottom end is a little noisey, I may rebuild it and build a flat bed for it. Zero rust and 2wd so I’ll save it.

[@DesertGeezers]

You did it again....great video !👍👍

[@demenACE]

Oil pressure reading with KO engine off is a good sign of sending unit (Shorted)

[@Segmaster01]

Really enjoyed this one. I must admit I do love the "will it run" videos, as you say! If you ever find a Jeep 2.0L I4 Turbo (also used in Alfa Romeo, etc.) I'd love to see one of those torn down so I can learn how mine works. Thanks for the content!

[@DaveImagery]

Always love your vids. Thanks

[@18Macallan]

Thank you Eric! 👍

[@RandBLSWorld]

Love the variety !