Chevy Silverado - Continued XVIII

99crewcab1

It's an sle, same as a ls. Your tuck looks pretty sweet. The zaino really makes a difference on darker colors. I zainoed mine back in oct, but I didn't notice any difference.

Ryan,
How do you wash your truck when it's sooo cold outside? How does it start in the morning after a night out in the snow?

Nick

blackmax200

Dean,
with no snow and temps like that, the sleigh won't be able to get through; the sand will tear up the runners-he might have to go rent a Ford or Dodge cause ya got all the Chevy rentals tied up waiting for your truck to get fixed; and he will probably get heat prostration cause he don't have fair weather gear under that red suit....besides Tim and BCO will have him tied up giving him beers till the 26th...LOL
matthew

vince4

I bought an air powered gun from Harbor Freight and am very happy with it. The quality is fine and it only cost around $15. The best part is only needing two hands to do the job now. If you don't have air available then I agree with the previous posts, buy battery powered or at least trigger type. Having to use your third hand to push the lever type can be a bit of a problem.

On the grease topic, I bought some right angle zerk fittings as recommended by some of you. I of course bought metric because this truck is almost all metric. BUT wouldn't you know it, I put one in and it wouldn't tighten. Apparently my truck uses English threaded zerks. Did anyone else find this to be true?

rhinnc

Been noticing a klunkins sound and feel in my
steering wheel in my 18,000 mile Silverado. Do not
notice it at all at 20+ miles an hour, but anything
less and it is audible and you can feel it in the
steering wheel. Does it only when turning , and it
is especially bad on a rough road. I have had this
truck in the shop so many times, and this is
absolutly the truth, the service advisor and I have
become very good friends! If it was not for the
dealer and the service advisor I would get rid of
this thing ASAP. Here is what problems I have had:

-Rear main seal at 750 miles.
-Rear main transmission seal at 1200 miles.
-New leaf springs/mounts at 2000 miles.
-2 new seats and 1 rebuild at a good trim shop.
(the trim shop tore the 2nd new seat apart and
found the squeak and fixed it).
-Replaced defective coolant tank lid at 2200
miles. (smelled like anti-freeze in the cab)
-New wheels and tires (twice) at 3000 miles.
Finally wound up with new front rotors.

And believe it or not, even with these problems, I
like this truck. Now, will I buy another first
model year truck? I doubt it. But then again I
bought a new 97 F150 in early 96 and had no
problems at all with it.

mgdvhman

yes Kyle..mine has keyless entry as well...but you see my friend...I betcha I have had more beers than you and I wasn't thinking about that either!

LOL

- Tim

quadrunner500

33,000 ft...yes, but isn't 2/3 under water?

obyone

You are correct. All I said was measured from the bottom....LOL!!

jkania

I did a test stop today to check out my anti-lock brakes. I drove down a side street where the center of the road was dry, and near the curb was snow/ice covered. So the right wheels were on snow, the left side on dry pavement. I hit the brakes hard, and held the pedal down until I stopped. It seemed to me that I could have stopped faster without the ABS system. It's hard to tell, but it seemed like the wheels on the dry pavement were not stopping like they should. Like the ABS was releasing them too. The ABS should be 4 wheel independant, but I wonder... Any comments?

ryanbab

Well usually i hook up the hose to hot water from my house wash it pull it in the garage and turn on the torpedo heater (truck wont compeletely fit in the garage i cant shut the door). Then dry it. This past time i took it to one of those automatic places then took it home and washed it. It really sucked but oh well.

My truck starts up great after sitting in the cold and snow. No hesitation. It warms up very quick too.

Ryan

bco

re: #82

thanks dude...i needed that. actually laughed out loud and then cringed (hangover). last night was rough with a capital 'r'. that was good though...i'm at least smiling now...

bco

bco

i'll give you more beers, but only cuz at about 8 o'clock last night...i changed to bourbon. right now i'm thinking...


OUCH


bco

bsiler

Z85 Firm Ride Suspension Package !
I just can't get it off my mind. Things bother you that way when you get my age (still young at heart) I guess.
Had my truck serviced Friday (every 3000 miles) and while it was on the lift I was just looking around and got to thinking about the shocks. I had the mechanic to write down the part numbers for me (didn't have my glasses on, another age thing). I plan to go by the service dept. at my dealership but thought some of you might know. You fellows know your stuff (about trucks- Don't want you to get big heads HEHE).
Front-#22186175
Rear-#22172079
I know before you told me (Tim) that the shocks were the only thing the package was.

We just missed snow here in central NC last weekend. Thank goodness! Last year we had a monster snow storm (2 feet over night). Had just gotten my new truck and didn't drive it because I was afraid some fool would run into me. Had my old truck cleaned up to sell so I just stayed home. My wife didn't like that at all. Our power was off for about week, but she didn't divorce me.

I don't post much but read when I can. I enjoy reading your post. Keep it up!

Don't want to sound like a fool but what about Mobil 1?

Billy

bsiler

Really didn't mean to do that!

bsiler

Z85 Firm Ride Suspension Package !
I just can't get it off my mind. Things bother you that way when you get my age (still young at heart) I guess.
Had my truck serviced Friday (every 3000 miles) and while it was on the lift I was just looking around and got to thinking about the shocks. I had the mechanic to write down the part numbers for me (didn't have my glasses on, another age thing). I plan to go by the service dept. at my dealership but thought some of you might know. You fellows know your stuff (about trucks- Don't want you to get big heads HEHE).
Front-#22186175
Rear-#22172079
I know before you told me (Tim) that the shocks were the only thing the package was.

We just missed snow here in central NC last weekend. Thank goodness! Last year we had a monster snow storm (2 feet over night). Had just gotten my new truck and didn't drive it because I was afraid some fool would run into me. Had my old truck cleaned up to sell so I just stayed home. My wife didn't like that at all. Our power was off for about week, but she didn't divorce me.

I don't post much but read when I can. I enjoy reading your post. Keep it up!

Don't want to sound like a fool but what about Mobil 1?

Billy

ryanbab

2 ft aint nothing hehe

I wish we got more than 7 inches this time guess ill have to wait till february for a blizzard.

Billy if you dont mind spending $30 on oil for the change go for it. Seems my truck runs quieter from it.

Ryan

blackmax200

You are right about the fact that you may have been able to stop in shorter distance without the ABS working...nobody said that you will. But, you retain some measure of control to steer around something you might hit otherwise. Plus it provides control to stop straight. Now try it with the truck's wheels on snow or ice all the way around. Without ABS the truck is likely to swap ends. Had it happen a time or two in my '75 GMC 4X4 with a blade on the front, many years ago! I thought at the time, "and people pay money at Six Flags for a ride like that". But with the crazies out on the roads getting bread and milk either before or during a storm, it provides a margin of ability to get out of their way. Just like you did, people have to practice with it to see how it reacts to understand the dynamics of braking with it. Good job!
matthew

erikheiker

Any of you guys get that 2-3 inch pedal sink after the ABS feedback stopped? You need to keep your foot mashed on the brake the whole time. Didn't seem normal to me. As for the design, I agree that ABS should be four channel instead of three. My 91 Subaru even had four channel.

erikheiker

response to my post #75 about blue goo. Anybody?

obyone

You should have it. Always safe to check cause if you don't, you can have it changed to the blue under warranty.

99crewcab1

Any body have katzkin leather interior istalled? How much was it for an extended cab w/ buckets? www.katzkin.com

Nick

ryanbab

A blizzard is coming this should be a real fun week

Ryan

mgdvhman

take Ryans hand........he is farr too geeked about the snow and 4WD

LOL

- Tim

roger350

OK, anyone installed Westin Step Bars, or any other brand I guess, on their 2001 HD? I was about to on Saturday. As I was reviewing the instructions and looking under the truck I noticed my rear body mount didn't have any small holes to attach the rear brace to. Instead, it had a big 1" hole, right where the small holes needed to be. Of course I tried to call Westin and see what the deal was, but they aren't available on weekends! I'll bet a lot of people install these during normal business hours! What a crappy customer service number! Anyway, about the only thing I could do would be to not use the rear braces, and just use those bathtub fittings without the braces, but I didn't want to do that, so I boxed them up and drank some Shiner instead. Thanks for the help.

mgdvhman

only way to make them true solid...

I drilled at least 12 holes or more....as long as you use a good protectant:

http://www.holeprotect.com/

you have nothing to worry about

- Tim

bco

aren't you oh-so (NOT) impressed with westin's directions? the ones they sent me sucked. didn't bother with their customer service. product and price are good...everything else just sucks...oh well.

bco

ryanbab

We are supposed to have around a foot of snow by 4pm. Its not stopping anytime soon.

Dean ill take some pics for you of real snow not on no mountain top.

Hey BCO i didnt know silverados had exploding rear ends. Is it like the spontaneous combustion?

Ryan

ryanbab

its finals wk right guess what i just heard they are closing school at 10 and finals start next wk

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR studied all damn night for calc and im gonna forget it now

Ryan

bco

i suppose. that topic makes me laugh so hard anymore. ole rube firin' up the tundrats by posting a couple things that make 'em sad. boo hoo. the best is that rwell can't standt the fact that i haven't had any problems with my truck. i really think that bothers him. notice...bama's kinda meltin' away lately. i think he's more or less figured out that he's fighting a losing battle. i'm keeping my eye out for the consumer reports edition that rates the tundra after the first year. i'm very interested to see what it has to say...

bco

ryanbab

Damn we are getting an inch of snow an hour. Its supposed to be 20 to 40 below zero tonight. AHHHHHHHHHH everything is closed and i have to shovel snow. Boy do i need a plow.

Tim are you getting any of this snow?

Ryan

mgdvhman

what it says?

- Tim

Getting same storm Ryan.....although you seem to be as pumped as the news people about it!

We are all gonna die!!....stay inside!...don't move!

LOL

No biggee....4HI it all the way home and shake my heads at all of the people in the ditch...

(Yes Ryan....4HI...not Autotrac...)

mgdvhman

when your in the snow....put it in Auto and punch it....then 4HI and punch it....see which one grabs better and gets you going faster...

- Tim

mgdvhman

punch it....I don't mean WOT

- Tim

roger350

The big hole is right where it would need to be. Otherwise I would have drilled and been done with it.

mgdvhman

...OK..

Plug it!

LOL

- Tim

ryanbab

I love this snow

Tim auto is working fine

Ryan

bco

got a camera? can you post pics?

bco

dch0300

I've got a VIN # for my new 2001 Silverado now.

Does anyone know what information can be found in the VIN #, like assembly plant, engine size, etc?

Scheduled delivery to dealer is Dec 21st.

-David

dch0300

Do the new trucks come with floor mats?

-David

roger350

I'm still living in the stone age.

Called Westin and they have documented the problem, so at least I'm not crazy. They said to go ahead and put them on without the brace, and they would send a new brace once they get it redesigned in a couple of months. I don't know if I'll do that, or just ship them back to the retailer, and get a different brand. I like the GoRhino bars that go from wheel to wheel, but I went with the Westins because the GoRhino aren't available yet. But then again, neither are properly designed Westins! What a fiasco.

jkania

Yes, they come with floor mats. But they are worthless for water retention. I brought in just a bit of snow yesterday. When it melted, it ran right off the mats into the carpeting. 5 min after I got home, I ordered Huskieliner mats. I got them at wrenchead.com. Total price for the fronts were $65.07. I should have them in a few days.

bco

gotta throw my ten cents in. if you stay with the westins i think you'll be as happy as with anything else. i've had mine for almost a year and with a sponge and some soapy water, they look like new. no pits, discoloration, major scratches or anything like that. great function too. if i was you i'd wait for the retro-fit brace. if it's the rear brace, especially...

bco

erikf2

The ABS on my Volvo saved my butt last winter. On my street there's a shaded hill which is steep enough to have poor sight lines as you approach from the top. Last winter it was totally glazed from frost melting and re-freezing. I came over the brow of the hill, and OOPS! There were literally cars in the ditch left and right. I just "stomped and steered" through the slalom-course of automotive back-ends. However, if I wasn't already familiar with the feel of ABS, that pulsing pedal would definitely have caused me to take my foot off the brake, which probably would have resulted in a spin-out at best.

ryanbab

Check out my pics of the floor liners

$49.99 a set

http://www.picturetrail.com/ryanbab

They are greta with all this snow we are getting

Tim auto 4 wheel and 4 wheel high are like night and day. 4 wheel high is much better thanks for the suggestion

Ryan

pjb0422

If I understand autotrac correctly, the truck shifts into 4-hi automatically when it detects rear wheel slippage. To me, that sounds like when the truck is under throttle. Makes sense. So does the autotrac go out of 4-hi when you are coasting around a curve or making a turn and you take your foot off the throttle? Can anyone verify this? I guess if someone can find an empty snow covered parking lot they can test this.

I use my autotrac when road conditions are variable and I can encounter some slick areas. I keep my truck in 4-hi when there is snow on the roads and the roads are hazardous.

Phil

mgdvhman

autotrac is OK for variable road condition...not quite full blown snow...but slick.....
4-HI works better for me...and I feel you can steer better when it's full blown snow...like tonight..

2 hours , 10 minutes for a 45 minute ride...

6mph city....almost 20 on the highway!

Autotrac is going to get you there...4HI just feels better to me in lots of snow..

it still "binds" when you are in autotrac and turning...just not as much....

when there is snow galore...it doesn't matter as the tires slip instead of growl~

Good luck...Drive safe

- Tim

dch0300

Thanks for the info. Looks like you could spill up to a 6-pack of Rootbeer on your floor before any leaked over the side. Oh that's right, your 21 now, better make that Bud Lite. Just kidding.

Do you have any liners for the rear seat floor, or are the stock ones still there?

Do you have any info with respect to the VIN #.

10 days until I get my truck!

-David

mgdvhman

these are good as well....and they have rears:

http://www.mycatchalls.com/
http://www.ustruckaccessorieswhse.com/nifty1.html

several places have them.....do a search for catch all floor mats

BTW...autotrac does not fully disengage and engage 4WD..it's kinda on all the time in auto...

- Tim

obyone

http://www.oddball.co.jp/vin/vin.html

ryanbab

I didnt buy the rear ones yet. The rear is $49.99 also its a 2 piece i think. I have the floor mats with black towels over them and then on top of that i put the original front floor mats over that. You could spill alot in the front and itll hold it.

Tim how much snow you up to? MY lowest spot in my backyard is 10" and the average in front is about a foot

David one of the letters in the VIN designates where it was built. There was a website (dean do you have it?) that had what all the letters and numbers mean.

Ryan

ryanbab

Damn your good posted the link a second before i asked if you knew it

Ryan