Love my 99 Sierra ;)
Nice truck, sticks are rare in that body style

So far, I'm really liking it a lot. An automatic would be easier to plow with, but I wanted a want to start teaching the kid how to drive a standard.

The only real issue with the truck is rust eating out the rocker panels. I think it is a common problem on these trucks in the North East. I ordered outer rocker panels on Amazon for $50. You can see them here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But the inside of the rocker panels are rusted out too so I'm not really sure about how to fix them. I guess I'll figure it out in the spring.

Look into Fluid Film for that rust. I bought a 2002 GMC recently and it was sprayed with this stuff every year. The truck is rust free with the exception of a few surface areas. I bought a gallon for like $50, did my whole truck, wife's Subaru, another car, and still have some left.

Great idea. Thanks!!!

I was looking to see if there is complete rocker molding/cover, but I couldn't find anything. I would like to just cut the rust parts out, seal it, and then cover the mess.

Some companies have what they call a stainless "rocker" molding, but it looks like it only covers the bottom of the door.

There is a cheap aluminum cover on EBay that might work. Both the inner and outer rockers are both rusted, so this solution might not work out that great but it would hide the outer rocker.

EBay Seller ID: rustrepairpanel
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SILVERADO-SI...16614a&vxp=mtr

Buddies truck a while back had rocker rust... Easiest was to cut a line and just weld in new rocker - then paint it right up to the weld line with POR15 - keeps the rust at bay and looked good to with a bottom stripe.....

Did he weld in slip on rockers? What did he do for the inner rocker panel?

On Youtube, this odd guy (in the comments section) wrote "on the back side i usually weld tabs from solid metal to the new rocker skin to keep it rigid.."

I think he did the slip on type and as suggested added some stiffening to it from behind - I don't think he did the inside - I don't think there that much rust.

I'll probably end up doing exactly the same thing.

Another issue with the truck is the fuel gauge. It keeps going between empty and full. It can be reading empty and then I'll close the driver side door and it will jump to full. I'm guessing it's the sending unit and I'll have to replace it in the spring. The truck might be near empty.

The other issue that might be related is 1/2 way through plowing today, the "Service Engine Soon" light came on. The code is P0300 multiple misfire detected.

I reset the code. I'll have to put more gas in and see if the error comes back.

those have bad grounds under the drivers door. well closer to the bed. its a small bolt on top of the frame rail with a black wire coming from it. usually the problem with the bad gauges. or you are right and its the sender. if you are doing pump yourself pull the bed. easier then dropping tank and dealing with evap hoses that are brittle and 15 years old.

OK, great! I'll check in the morning, and hopefully it's a ground problem.

Good idea on pulling the bed. I can hit the frame with rust prevention/encapsulation paint at the same time.

Thanks!!!