I am looking into purchasing one. have a deal worked out. etx cab short box with the 5.3 6 speed auto. z71 package. Should i be wary of anything. I know i do not want the 6.2 due to the piston slap issues that they have. only thing i don't like about the truck is a the 3.08 rear end, but the family already has a 2009 3500 dual for towing purposes so it really doesn't make it a deal breaker.

Z71 package usually has the 3.73 gears.  I did not think GM has a 3.08 for a truck anymore.

A guy at work has one and the only bitch I have about it is it sits low but you can crank the torsion bars and lift the front end up a bit.

Other than that I like the truck. It drives smooth and looks good.

The GMT900's don't have torsion bars.  I have an '09 Silverado Z71 extended cab and have been very happy with it.  It creaks every once in a while when going over bumps but that is due to the weatherstripping around the doors.  If you apply some silicone on the weatherstripping, it minimized the noise.

Get it!! I have an '08 Ext. cab All Terrain and absolutely love the truck. ZERO problems. 5.3 is a great engine. I'm on my second one (first one was in a '99 Silverado that was totaled). I have the 4 speed w/ the 3.73 rearend. My understanding is that with the 6 speed they can put gears like the 3.08 in and still have decent accelleration/ towing and still get decent fuel economy.

Go over to gm-trucks.com and search around. Members over there are really helpful answering questions. GMfullsize.com is decent too, but a younger crowd that thinks all trucks should be lifted with mud tires. Both are good places to get info.

Good luck and post pics when you get it.