Review of This 2004 GMC Sonoma Pick up

[@MarkPdot]

I use to own the very same year and color truck as this that I bought brand new in 2004. It was a damn good truck. I even towed a travel trailer with it. My only real complaints were stock tires sucked for traction, not truck's fault. The other issue was highway fuel mileage. I typically only got 16 mpg. Lastly was everyone thought my headlights were too bright or maladjusted. I had it for 2.5 years & 54k miles. The family expanded and we decided to get a bigger travel trailer....so I traded it for a full size Sierra. I had a bed cap on it that I bought from a coworker that was selling his identical Chevy S-10. Good truck & I've seen it still on the road from time to time.

[@secondhandspeed]

They are good trucks. Perfect for small jobs or taking needing a utility vehicle in tight spots and locations. Gas mileage is the worst for this truck. I use to get 16mpg but now it’s more like 12-14. I’m sure I have a leak somewhere or an intake gasket is bad.

[@tunesgarage]

This channel is golden. My 98 sls has almost 300k, still has 60 pounds of oil pressure. Awesome little truck

[@secondhandspeed]

I love this truck and plan on keeping it as long as I can!

[@skeetrix5577]

​@@secondhandspeedyour videos aren't popular because your trying to sound like Doug demuro and you're not him. be your own person

[@dieselbossbrandon]

I just got a 2001 GMC Sonoma V6 it looks almost brand new! No damage what so ever. I got it for 1,000 bucks but needed a engine wire harness. But cant wait to drive it! Hopefully next week it will be running

[@secondhandspeed]

Keep that lil pickup. They are reliable and fun trucks to drive. I get offers to sell mine but can’t let my truck go.

[@Dw-ul1ru]

I got a 2003 gmc sonoma sls package with 123,000 miles on it and it is a really nice truck, fun to drive and gets you to your destination. My only complaint is that in Wisconsin weather it does rust in a lot of spots like the rocker panels and the back fenders but im happy with it.

[@secondhandspeed]

I hate rust and you are absolutely right about the rust it's horrible. Great fun little pickups with full-size mpg tho

[@tkpumped6233]

This channel is underrated I just subscribed

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks! I have more content to release. Thanks for checking me out

[@BenJustSaid]

2002 Chevy ZR5 owner here, this review is spot on! Specially the bed and interior parts. It is horrible to find *anything* for that bed, no covers, no racks, no nothing, not even the universal ones might fit. And if you find one it's around $600. Also, Chevy says not to fasten anything to the rails that come with it as they are purely cosmetic. If you go ahead and do it they might either rip out or bend the top of the bed. Nuts. Also, the fender flares, if you lose you'll never find them again OEM, and aftermarket fender flares go for $600 as well. The interior plastic and "rubber foam stuff" will break and warp and neither the front vent or the tweeter covers will fit as good as it was before. Regarding the engine, it is solid if you take care of it. Right now I have a P0303 that I can't get rid of with easy fixes, so I must pop open that engine and inspect everything. The transmission, which is notoriously bad, has been good to me, never skipped a beat. Will not get rid of it as of now.

[@secondhandspeed]

These trucks are a solid platform and require regular maintenance which even if you don’t give it it still runs, rough but it still runs. It can get annoying fixing one thing and another thing pops up but once everything is done it’s going to last for a really long time. Glad you liked the video!

[@ding9633]

4L60e owners are notorious for not changing it's fluid

[@secondhandspeed]

@@ding9633 this is true I have never even changed the fluid in mine and ill keep it that way 💀

[@delapaloma6934]

Em cup holders ass I’ve been spilling my coffee for the past 6 years

[@secondhandspeed]

They aren’t the best that for sure

[@riadelramahi]

Great video, 1st upgrade I did was power seats from the junkyard. Ended up grabbing power heated leather with lumbar support. Plugs into existing harness. I think I'm at about 20 different upgrades/repairs into it now lol

[@secondhandspeed]

I feel you on the repair part for sure! I still have to fix my u joints and tie rod ends since they pop but I want to replace the whole front suspension since im in there.

[@danielbeckstead-xk8md]

Got an 01 extended cab GMC Sonoma and it's definitely been interesting to own great to drive great on gas handles really well but has no balls or power for acceleration climbing and towing and it can be a headache to work on at times but I have enjoyed it for the most part over the past 6 years but I think I want something different now because I have put a lot of time effort and money into it over the yrs...

[@secondhandspeed]

Yeah I like my crew cab even if the bed is an odd shape. Acceleration sucks and sucks gas but they are reliable that’s for sure.

[@cognac8297]

That's a survival lighter. I don't know why smokers call it cigarette lighter. It isn't a lighter like a lighter It's a 12v port and most have a survival heater coil in it

[@RAMPAGE47]

I love my 2004 Sonoma it's my everyday driver. 188k miles, motor is solid. Lifted it 2 inches and put a snorkel on it. I cut out the cat and ran a straight pipe to the back.

[@secondhandspeed]

how hard was the 2 inch lift? I want to do the 2.5 lift but im not sure if its worth the time and effort

[@RAMPAGE47]

@@secondhandspeed it was pretty easy as long as you don't mind using a wrench. Everything is bolt on.

[@RAMPAGE47]

@@secondhandspeed I will have to say the worst part is getting out the old bushings for the rear shackles. The outer metal sleeve gets rusted/fused in place. Lots of heat and a good hammer.

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks for the info! Rust on my truck isn't too terrible but I know it's still there. I'll make a vid on the lift install whenever I get around to do it.

[@photondebuger45]

The steering "wiggle" is sometimes or more often than not is the rag joint that connects to the steering box. Those were just like a rubber donut that they used for that instead of an actual metal rag joint u joint. You can replace that part and they say there's an upgrade to it but see more issue than it fixing anything really. Tho like truck set ups that when you attack all the steering components and its still loose dont go after the steering box, go for the rag joint thats usually it. Plus steering boxes and or rack and pinions cost way too much money to throw at it for the loose feel. Steering boxes can be adjusted just putting it out there...

[@secondhandspeed]

I greatly appreciate the input! I need to replace my tie rods, pitman arm, ball joints and other things to make this a super reliable beast.

[@photondebuger45]

@@secondhandspeed still do that because well it's always a good thing because boots tear and well they go bad eventually. Plus feels nice knowing it's been done too, a like solid steering wheel is like one of the greatest things too. That and a solid brake pedal too, love that and like when you breathe on the pedal the car would do like a nose stand if you're not careful lol. I will do that to my Sonoma one day actually when the money comes in and the time too. Also because you need to align it too after all that. I want to do all four ball joint too and the control arm bushings, they like 26 years old they can go now.

[@KNoxTratZ]

i got a bare bones 07 colorado and this thing looks decked out compared to mine 😭

[@secondhandspeed]

Colorados are nice rigs too. I prefer this generation of pickups even when things are starting to need replacing. The newer GMC Canyons are very tempting to me.

[@businessman2085]

Good video

[@secondhandspeed]

Thanks :)!

[@ZZ48UUP]

As an S10 owner for 21 years, you really don't appreciate what you have. These were economical trucks without unnecessary features that are incredibly dependable. I'm not trying to be rude, but you should sell it to someone that would appreciate it more

[@secondhandspeed]

I don’t plan on getting rid of it anytime soon.

[@joshualaird5303]

Sounded to me like he's pretty happy with it

[@crowneproductions9908]

I had a 98 Sonoma extended cab with sidestep bed. Just the 4 cyl version with 2wd. Was a good little truck. Cracked the head gasket and sent her to the junk yard around 2012 so she lasted a good long while. Had about 180k miles when she died. Only problem I ever had was winter time. Tough getting around, would have to pile sand bags in the back and even then she had a lot of trouble on slick roads. But you'll have that with any 2wd back wheel drive truck. I currently own a 2021 Chevy Colorado Z71. So the bigger and younger brother of the S10/Sonoma. Love that truck.

[@secondhandspeed]

Sadly many of them are getting scrapped or neglected so there will be a time when people want to buy clean examples of these trucks at a high price. A truck cap may help add weight to the rear too. The new colorados look great.

[@teller_of_truths6499]

has it held up? I am interested in a 2003 near me with 96k miles

[@secondhandspeed]

Still running strong. I’ve replaced the fuel pump, u joints, and other small things but this thing hasn’t failed me yet. If the price is right I’d buy. As long as you change the oil and flush the coolant to prevent any gunk and overheating problems you’ll be ok. Good luck

[@dabnisbrickey6527]

Not a bad truck but I’d rather have a dodge Dakota of the era.

[@secondhandspeed]

I have a 2000 Durango and I love that suv. So having a pickup would be better. I grew up around Chevy blazers so this a reason why I love this Sonoma.

[@RAMPAGE47]

That era dakota rust to much