Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra's w 8100/Allison

1i2cu

The ONLY way to go. White 8 FT. box sprayed dark gray, looks great. Installer claims it won't fade, like the black.
Took out the big block and went north, up the coast. Put about 600 miles on it. Got about 10 mpg cruising at 65.
If you get a chance to visit Solvang, a little town north of Santa Barbara, GO. About 50 wineries in the area. Visit Firestone and Fess Parker Winery. Beautiful areas, nice wine too.

quadrunner500

Almost any window tint shop sells the 3M invisible bra product. It is packaged in bulk, on rolls 12 inch wide, 6 inch, 3 inch etc. It's not cheap, but they can cut it to any size, put it ANY place you want to protect. It's held permanently by an adhesive process, applied professionaly. It CAN be removed (with a little heat), to expose the protected finish underneath. A friend of mine even had it applied to his headlamp fixtures to keep the glass from getting dinged up by stones. On mine, the front end only, (as pictured) was about $160. I also had it applied on the rocker panels of my doors, and the rocker panels on the fender behind the rear wheels. Total for all was about $309.

quadrunner500

I had John's Sunroof on Broadway, a little bit north of Bellview put the 3M product on. No chipping yet, on the fender flare in front, but it's inevitable. I'm going back to get some protection for that area. Remember, it's held on by adhesive, so it can go on anywhere. You can think of contact paper, but it's thicker, and disappears, almost. You'll be impressed with it.

quadrunner500

Thank you for the Z71 sticker. How much do you think they'll give me for it at the flea market? (LOL!)
Need some advice. Do I get another one and put on the A pillar behind the window like on the Tahoe? Or just use one and put it on the tailgate? I think I want to peel the 4x4 stickers off if I can get some Z71 off road stickers to go there too. Or I can do something zany, like put the Z71 (you sent) above the Duramax label???? Advice appreciated.
Tom

eric2001

My purty little truck arrived at the dealer at 4:45 pm EST. Checked it out, everything I ordered. I am not too keen on the factory tonneau, looks like one of those flush with bed, doesn't cover bed rails, whats up with that??? Hope it can handle snow.

As for the bug guard, I saw one on a new chevy HD the other day, flares up with the hood, real sharp. Since I got a GMC, no issues since the hoods are the same as the 1500's.

I guess I will have to get a digital camera so I can post some pictures.

And if all goes well, I can take her home tomorrow.

eric2001

Are the spray in versions strong?? Ryan, you throw alot in yours, does the bed still dent? A friend of mine works at a body shop (does line-X) and he told me not to do it. He said that if I threw in a cement block, the bed still dents, where as a plastic bedliner won't cause the bed to dent. Any truth to this? I need to get something for my new truck & all I have ever owned are the drop in under-rail plastic style.
Thanks for the replies
-Eric

mgdvhman

....drop ins are the only ones that take abuse and won't dent your bed.

- Tim

4x4man

Thanks for the info, I'll give them a call this morning.

Eric--
Congrats man, these trucks are awesome...just made it up to 130 miles on mine and lovin' every minute of it!!! On the bedliner, I am afraid I cannot offer suggestions as I am still weighing the possibilities myself, sorry.

Bob

4x4man

Just sent you guys pics of the new rig. One of my co-workers had a digital camera and brought it in to work so I could play!!!
Enjoy,

Bob

4x4man

See pics of my truck at:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=281048&uid=150071

mgdvhman

..I'll have to wait until tonight to see them though

- Tim

quadrunner500

Hope you didn't get the same shakedown at Ed Bozarth they tried on me.

4x4man

Thanks that pewter looks mean on the HD!!

Not sure what happened to you, but I was a "friend of the family" of someone who worked there so I was treated very well, not sure if it was because they were afraid if they treated me bad that person would come back on them or what.

Bob

ryanbab

Nice pics!!!

I havent dented my liner yet

Havent thrown or had any block in mine yet.

minikin

Also use the 3M Bra material on my door sills & part way down onto the rocker panels; on all my vehicles. Works great.
-- Don

ryanbab

can you put that stuff on a yr old truck?

hdrider

A few years ago, Petersen's 4x4 magazine customized a Chevy Suburban for off-road, painting it M&M orange. One of the things they did was have black Rhino lining sprayed down the side of the truck on the rocker panels, from bumper to bumper. Actually looked pretty sharp and provided outstanding rock-ding protection! With all the new colors out there, adds a new dimension to two-tone.
Dave

mgdvhman

But I think bedliners should be like Henry Ford's old saying:

"You can have it in any color you want.....as long as it's black"

- Tim

dangerous2

I have a o1 2500 HD with the 6.0. Have had nothing but problems! from valves rattling
to major suspension and driveline problems
Dealer has had 7 attempts to fix-replaced drive shaft-tightened torsion bars-reprogrammed computer twice. GM now wants to lower truck. Dealer wants to put me in a 01 3500 reg. cab dually with the 8100 and allison but wants my truck and $1800. Filed the lemon law on june 15 The dealer will not put me back into a 2500 even with the duramax because of suspension problems. I think all the 2500s have 1500 rear ends. Ipull a fifth wheel horse trailer. Gm tried to say my trailer was to heavy had cert. weights done and I am well under GVW and trailer weight. tommorrow will contact an attorney. This truck in 6 months has cost me 11,000 dollars to operate if I take the dealers offer of the 3500. This includes money lost while truck was in shop and what I will lose on my 2500. Bought it for 30,000but dealer will only give me 24000 on trade. Any advice? Anyone interested in filing class action lawsuit? I think the entire HD series is a mistake. When pulling my trailer loaded this truck is unstable even 850lbs. squats the rear end.

quadrunner500

>I think all the 2500s have 1500 rear ends.<

You don't know what you are talking about.

mgdvhman

- Tim

redsilverado

explain it......Dohh!

ryanbab

just sitting here shaking my head

dangerous2

I have been to the dealership and looked at the springs put on all the GM trucks compared to Dodge. All of the 2500 HDs have the same # of Springs, yet the three in the series are not rated the same for GVW/Axle Weight ratings and towing weights. Look at the tire size and why do they put free floating axles on the 3500's which are rated to pull as much as the 8100 and the Duramax. Dodge has two extra springs in the rear end of their 2500's. I replaced a 93 GMC 2500 with this new 2500HD previous truck was rated for 7600 GVW new HD 9200 GVW my old truck had 2more springs than HD. Old Truck had no problems pulling horse trailer. Explain that one!!!!!!

ryanbab

why you think that all the 2500s have 1500 rear ends?

Have you seen a 1500 rear end? I forget what the bolt difference is (10 vs 14?) but they are different. Both trucks are very different from each other.

Also a 1993 truck is a little different from a 2001. Thats 8 yrs of change, innovation, and a complete redesign. Things have changed just because it has 2 less springs doesnt mean much.

Ryan

redsilverado

don't give it away. LOL

mgdvhman

go look at the size of a 2500 Pumpkin vs a 1500 and tell me it's the same rear end...

- Tim

quadrunner500

With your class action suit! And your Dodge!

dangerous2

Tell me why then these trucks are having so many suspension, Drive train and stability problems? I have had this truck to 5 different GMC dealerships between Fl. and PA. All have different ideas of what will work to fix it. Are they all not talking to the same tech. assistance? Also tell me why the dealership is afraid to put me into another 2500hd even the Duramax to pull a 5th wheel that only weighs about7000 lbs loaded? They say I have to go to a 1 ton yet the Duramax 2500HD is rated to pull 15500 lbs. This is misrepresentation and that is ilegal. The dealership sold me this truck to pull this trailer and it can barely handle 5000lbs. WHY!!!!!!!

ryanbab

how many other cases of this problem have you noted?

dangerous2

I have just begun looking for others with similar problems. My dealership must have others or they know something we don't. They say the HDs are not right.

stewball1

Anyone know what changes are proposed for the 2002 v/s the 2001. Should I jump on the 2001 Chev. 2500HD or wait now to 2002. Looking at 2wd, 8.1, allison.

quadrunner500

New Features for 2002 (GMC)

1.New trim level content (1SA-Standard, 1SB-SL, 1SC-SLE, and 1SD-SLT
2.Bigger, bolder Sierra tailgate badge
3.Automatic door locks, lock when out of park, unlock in park(with automatic transmission only)
4.Sunshade extender, LH sunshade has pocket instead of storage clip
5.7-way to 4-way trailer adapter incl. with Z82 Trailering Pkg.
6.T96 Fog lamps now incl. with SLT
7. PY0 Aluminum Wheels available on SL
8.UN0 sound system now incl. with SLM
9.AJ1 deep tinted glass now incl. with SLE and SLT
10.DF5 inside rearview electrochromic mirror now incl. with SLE
11.C60 Air conditioning now incl. with SL
12.PCM Cold weather group: incl. DL8 heated power exterior mirror and C49 rear window defogger

new for 2002 Chevrolet

Deletions

1.PDC Driver Convenience Package
2.Exterior color (60) Sunset Gold Metallic
3.Exterior color (71) Sunset Orange Metallic
4.UM6 AM/FM Cassette
5.UL0 AM/FM Cassette
6.E95 Tonneau Cover
7.R9D Exterior Appearance Package (Chrome Grille and Chrome Rear Bumper are now standard; Bodyside moldings and chrome styled wheels no longer available on Base models)

new features

1.PCM Electrical Convenience Package (avail. on LS models) incls.Fog lamps Inside, rearview, self-dimming mirror w/8-point compass and outside temperature display
2.Sunshade extender, LH sunshade has pocket instead of storage clip
3.Air conditioning std. on all trim levels
4.UN0 AM/FM CD now available on Base models
5.PDD replaces R9E floor covering package
6.Base radio now has 4 speakers on Regular Cab models

4x4man

Well just got back from my trip to the mountains late last night here's the skinny.....

First tank of gas with a lot of idle time compliments of onstar....10.5 mi/gal

Second tank of gas 50-55mph up to Gunnison...13.3mi/gal
Time to change the oil and take the boat to the lake!!!

Dangerous2,
Well if the 1500 and 2500 have the same suspension, then maybe GM should stop their "false advertising" as when the GM truck show in motion came to town a few weeks ago they had ALL the suspension systems on display and they ALL looked different. Not to mention they had to build a new pumpkin for the DMAX and 8.1, but hey just seeing it on display must not mean they actually put it in their trucks right?? Shhezzz....

Bob

eric2001

What rear-end did you get? I've been watching my guage drop with every mile. Yea, on-star took about 15 minutes of idling, but it is all done now. Will have to fill up tomorrow & start tracking mileage. Nerf bars & window visors today.
-Eric

4x4man

I got the 4.10 rear end with mine.
Of course the reason I got the good mileage was probably because I had to go soooo slow!! :-)

Got the bedliner and 3m clear bra installed on Friday morning before the Gunnison trip, man did those turn out nice!!!

Bob

4x4man

Have 750 miles on the truck after the mountain excursion, now time to change the oil. Anybody able to find the AC Delco PF454 oil filter for the 8.1L outside of the dealer?? Dealer wants like $12 for the filter, local Checker Autoparts and Autozone only have Fram. The guy at the parts counter tried to tell me how good Fram was...I told him I'd rather stuff toilet paper in a plastic cup and stick it up to the motor than put a Fram on my engine....some people just don't get it.....

Bob

orgsxj

I don't understand what you are talking about not towing good. I tow a 33' toy box 5th wheel which hauls a Jeep Cherokee inside. This toy box also has a full blown rv setup in the front half. Weight of trailer and Jeep plus extras is well over 12000 lbs. This HD hauls this trailer much better than my 95 2500hd dodge. In fact with the combo of the motor and the allison I think it the best hauler out there for a pick-up. My be you need to check out how the rig is setup before blamming it on the HD. Don't forget there is a big difference between the "DIFF" and the rear "SUSPENSION".

stewball1

Quadrunner..If all that info was in response to my inquiry.... thanks much.. doesn't sound like anything major in mechanical, steering, etc... Do you work for manufacturer?

sjyokel

Anyone know where I can get a billet grill and brush guard for a 2002 Chevy 2500 hd (don't acutally have the truck yet-ordered in Feb. supposed to be here mid or late August.)

quadrunner500

Yes, info was for you. No. I don't work for mfr. Just a 2500HD customer. Doesn't sound like too many changes for 2002. Got the info from someone else. Don't shoot me if it's not accurate. You know the saying, "specifications subject to change without notice"

quadrunner500

Did you get the 3M bra on Broadway at John's, or someplace else?

minikin

If you're looking for a 3m bra, try Maddox Tinting on Parker Road just south of Quincy. Scott does requests; i.e., he'll put it not only on hoods and rocker panels, but anywhere else you want without looking at you like you've just eaten a giant bug, and it at a really reasonable price.
-- Don

quadrunner500

I've had my 3M bra since day 1. On the hood, and rocker panels for doors and rocker panels behind rear fender opening.

mgdvhman

these look cool...

http://www.putco.com/virtualgrilles/

Putco is a good brand as well

 - Tim

quadrunner500

I don't like the Putco grill. The stock honeycomb is what sets HD apart from 1500. Put the Putco billet grill on, it's nice, but looks just like a 1500.

ryanbab

Tim is trying to go for that look

quadrunner500

You're right. He should just put the Z71 stickers on and call it done.

ryanbab

he probably already has

mgdvhman

billet looks nuttin' like a 1500

come to the dark side Ryan...

- Tim