Back to GM, with a question

BigMikey · 07-09-2012, 11:38 PM

Howdy, all. My name is Mike, and I may be the proud owner of a Canyon tomorrow afternoon.

My first truck was an '87 S-10, then I had an '89 Toyota pickup, followed by about a half dozen F-150s ranging from 1977-1996. I've decided I want something a little more modern and fuel-efficient without sacrificing too much in the way of capability (since I actually use my truck like a truck), and that led me to the 355 platform.

Anyway, I went and test drove an incredibly clean '04 Canyon today. It's an extended cab SLE that seems to have everything but a sunroof, and I really like it. I'm bringing the wife to see it tomorrow, and barring anything spectacular happening, will likely bring it home.

That brings me to my question. I noticed on my test drive that the brakes were a little grabby. I did some research, and that seems to be par for the course for these things. Other than that, is there anything specific I should be looking for tomorrow? If it helps, the truck is a 2wd with the front coil spring setup and the I5/automatic. It's got about 99000 miles, and appears to be 100% stock other than the drop-in bedliner.

GregDAP · 07-10-2012, 12:49 AM

Some of the '04 - '06's had cylinder head problems. So you may want to inquire about that. Other than that just regular maintenance stuff. Keep the throttle body and MAF sensor clean... these trucks run real well with iridium plugs. These transmissions need a little extra TLC to last longer. I recommended changing tranny fluid and filter every 20,000-25,000 miles. Ask and see if the 100,000 service has been done(diff fluid, radiator flush, trans service, ect...) since its almost at 100,000 anyway.
LATEST P0300 FIX, NEW HEAD & EXT. WARRANTY Updated 08/18

Welcome to the site and good luck with the purchase.

GregDAP · 07-10-2012, 12:51 AM

Oh and if it has stock shocks they are probibly shot. Coils and leaf springs may be sagged as well. Expected on a truck with 100,000 miles though.

BigMikey · 07-10-2012, 06:57 PM

Well, it's official. I had my mechanic give the truck a thorough looking-over, and he gave it a clean bill of health, other than the brake fluid being very dark. I bought it, and it's going in tomorrow to have all the fluids (tranny, diff, brake, coolant, and oil) flushed/changed. So far, I'm loving this little truck, although I have decided that I need a truck box- the extended cab is a lot smaller than on my F150, and I carry a fair amount of tools with me.

Greg, thanks a lot for the tips.

zeuce · 07-10-2012, 09:10 PM

nice truck welcome to the club!

Racer X · 07-12-2012, 11:14 PM

07-09-2012, 11:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigMikey Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 5	Back to GM, with a question Howdy, all. My name is Mike, and I may be the proud owner of a Canyon tomorrow afternoon. My first truck was an '87 S-10, then I had an '89 Toyota pickup, followed by about a half dozen F-150s ranging from 1977-1996. I've decided I want something a little more modern and fuel-efficient without sacrificing too much in the way of capability (since I actually use my truck like a truck), and that led me to the 355 platform. Anyway, I went and test drove an incredibly clean '04 Canyon today. It's an extended cab SLE that seems to have everything but a sunroof, and I really like it. I'm bringing the wife to see it tomorrow, and barring anything spectacular happening, will likely bring it home. That brings me to my question. I noticed on my test drive that the brakes were a little grabby. I did some research, and that seems to be par for the course for these things. Other than that, is there anything specific I should be looking for tomorrow? If it helps, the truck is a 2wd with the front coil spring setup and the I5/automatic. It's got about 99000 miles, and appears to be 100% stock other than the drop-in bedliner.

07-10-2012, 12:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
GregDAP Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colton, CA Posts: 2,013	Some of the '04 - '06's had cylinder head problems. So you may want to inquire about that. Other than that just regular maintenance stuff. Keep the throttle body and MAF sensor clean... these trucks run real well with iridium plugs. These transmissions need a little extra TLC to last longer. I recommended changing tranny fluid and filter every 20,000-25,000 miles. Ask and see if the 100,000 service has been done(diff fluid, radiator flush, trans service, ect...) since its almost at 100,000 anyway. LATEST P0300 FIX, NEW HEAD & EXT. WARRANTY Updated 08/18 Welcome to the site and good luck with the purchase. __________________ 2011 Colorado CC Z71 2LT 4X4 3.7L 3.73 gears/Snuglid/MBRP muffler/K&N Air Filter/Air Doc intake/Supermod PTB/SuperSparks/Z71 decals removed/4" Rancho Lift/Rancho RS5000series/ProComp 17" Alloys/285 70 17 Goodyear Duratracs/5000k HID lows and fogs/LED DRLs,tails,reverse lights/Super 2nd apply servo/tanny cooler/PCM tuned by Justin @ Black Bear Performance/Off road club #3/Lifted Club #440

07-10-2012, 12:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
GregDAP Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colton, CA Posts: 2,013	Oh and if it has stock shocks they are probibly shot. Coils and leaf springs may be sagged as well. Expected on a truck with 100,000 miles though. __________________ 2011 Colorado CC Z71 2LT 4X4 3.7L 3.73 gears/Snuglid/MBRP muffler/K&N Air Filter/Air Doc intake/Supermod PTB/SuperSparks/Z71 decals removed/4" Rancho Lift/Rancho RS5000series/ProComp 17" Alloys/285 70 17 Goodyear Duratracs/5000k HID lows and fogs/LED DRLs,tails,reverse lights/Super 2nd apply servo/tanny cooler/PCM tuned by Justin @ Black Bear Performance/Off road club #3/Lifted Club #440

07-10-2012, 09:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
zeuce Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Prince George, B.C. Posts: 3,366	nice truck welcome to the club! __________________ CALLING ALL CANADIANS: ----http://www.canada355.ca/index.php ---- <----- CLICK IT Canyon & Colorado club of CANADA #11 Lifted Club Member #306 Offroad Club #2 4" suspension 3" BL lift on 33X12.50's and seriously way too many mods to list! My Album: http://s675.photobucket.com/albums/vv11 ... do%20Crew/ My Vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/zeuce01

07-12-2012, 11:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Racer X Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: On your mom Posts: 2,493	__________________ Lifted member #270 Canada355.ca Forums 2004 GMC CANYON SLE Crew cab 4x4(BIG Red) A "little" lift...... 1988 Mazda B2200(Project Repu)http://photos3.hi5.com/0060/335/782/tm.xyx335782-02.jpg

07-10-2012, 06:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigMikey Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 5	Well, it's official. I had my mechanic give the truck a thorough looking-over, and he gave it a clean bill of health, other than the brake fluid being very dark. I bought it, and it's going in tomorrow to have all the fluids (tranny, diff, brake, coolant, and oil) flushed/changed. So far, I'm loving this little truck, although I have decided that I need a truck box- the extended cab is a lot smaller than on my F150, and I carry a fair amount of tools with me. Greg, thanks a lot for the tips.

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