Chevy Silverado - Continued XVIII

ryanbab

figured out why it didnt work. The map sensor was for a V-8 big block. Darn thing fit but thats why it didnt work. Guy didnt have any for V6's cause the mills only use the big V-8s in their trucks. So he bit the bullet and spent $48 on one

Going to change it now

Ryan

obyone

You pay for what you get.....who said that?

jaguar0027

Im not really saying that there are anything "wrong" with FS tires, I just dont like them personally. Never did.

My main concern is that if there is something wrong, I dont want to be driving around on recalled tires.... If they are good, I will keep them either until...

I have extra $$$ to replace or until they wear out. To be determined at this point.

Jim

ryanbab

They wont recall them. They never did recall them ay back in december. I wouldnt get your hopes up gm says they are "specially" designed for our trucks. Put on something other than Firestone and you will realize the difference

obyone

Firstones replaced under warranty on my '00 Denali. Course, I dumped the Generals that came on my '00 rado too....and it is TOO.

mgdvhman

...my buddy up north just got his new Ado...2001 HD CC SB Duramax/Allison.....darn nice...

wife won't give it up!

LOL

..seen a nice 97 or so 3500 Chevy....maybe 4" lift with 33's....had a nice height to it...

wouldn't mind 33-35's....6" lift.....problem is being a main vehicle......gonna have problems in parking garages and other places!

..reminds me of a story.....a group of guys...(won't say who)...rented a 15 passenger van to go to a sporting event....now imagine 15 big lugs in a van...talk about a load!
..anyway.....went into parking garage....darn that sucker was close to the ceiling!.....were going super slow so not to bounce too much...(which was hard with that many people in it)...had a line of people behind us.....errrr....Them.....honking to speed up...
get into the spot....everyone gets out......guess what happens?

...let's say that that van wasn't going anywhere....and thank goodness they don't check roofs at rental places!

LOL

- Tim

jaguar0027

I thought you might say that. You said you have BF Goodrich right? What model? Also.. what do you think about Goodyear's or Michelin's?

Jim

minikin

I agree with Tim, even though he hollered at me last winter when I dumped my Steeltex's at 2700 mi for Mich AT's 'cause the Steeltex's sucked in the snow. The Firestones haven't been and won't be recalled. The Wilderness series are P-Metrics (passenger car). They'll work fine, on road, normal conditions. If you have the money to throw at it the Micheln LTX series are a hell of a lot better. If you're seriously going to thrash your truck and/or tires, go to BFG A/Ts or M/Ts for the tread pattern and indestructable sidewalls.
-- Don
BTW-Firestone used to be great when they made Wide Oval Polyglas tires that you could fill with sawdust when you ran out of air!

jaguar0027

Thanks for your opinion. I have had Michelin tires in the past and have always had good luck/performance with them.. If only I had the money... sighhhhhhhhhhh

My only hope is that GM will jump on Ford's bandwagon... LOL

Thanks,

Jim

mgdvhman

...did you have the all season or on/off road?

I have been very happy with snow/mud performance of the Steeltex On/off road tread..

like I said....I wouldn't choose Firestone....but there is nothing wrong with them.

Keep them inflated right and be worry free

- Tim

minikin

we had this discussion back around December or January or sorta like that. 245 Steeltex AT's, like yours. I was happy as a clam with them until we had the first of those about just under a foot snowfalls,9 degrees F, sun shining in the morning so it was wet on top of real snow on top of slushy ice; like Denver does. Got to the end of the street, turned left, truck really, really wanted to go straight. Well, I had just gotten out of a Jeep Grand Cherokee with full time 4WD and Wrangler ATs that I'd been driving around here for years, so I knew that wasn't right. And, yeah, I had Autotrac on; all the time back then because I wasn't smart enough yet to realize it chewed up your gas mileage if you left it on unnecessarily. Scratched my butt over all this for about a month. Read posts about tires. Went to Tire Rack web site (I've bought a lot of tires from them over the years) for info/customer feedback. Almost bought BFG A/Ts, in spite of the fact that Tire Rack is boycotting them, because that's all I used to use back when I was a hardcore off-roader. But, finally settled on 265 Mich LTX A/T's. Couldn't ask for anything better as a street/snow/mild off-road tire. About a week after I put them on (Discount Tire @ about $600+ for four) we had almost the same, exact storm. This time worked better than my old Jeep. As far as I can figure, there are two things wrong with the Steeltex's for what I have to deal with; tread compound, which is temperature dependent and not obvious, and tread design, which is if you look at it close. The Steeltex lugs are formed off what's essentially a solid rib, sticking out at a 90 degree angle. The Mich A/T has individual blocks with multi-level outboard biting edges. Promised my 5 "old" tires to my brother-in-law in PA for his Ford Ranger in exchange for a half worn out 265X16 spare. He appears to have more forgiving snow.
-- Don

minikin

Just to add to your truck lust misery, the Edelbrock IAS shocks, at about $70/ea, are about an order or two magnitude of improvement over the cheap Tenneco's GM started substituting for the Bilstein's in the Z-71 package starting in '99.
-- Don

ryanbab

I have BFG all terrain TA Ko's ($156 a tire BFG set this price and no one can sell it lower than this) They are very strong tires. Also ONLY tire to have a warrenty if you get stuck (mud sand whatever) they will pay for towing (up to 3 times a yr for the life of the tire)

Only downside to the BFGS is road noise has increased slightly. Doesnt bother me much but thats the only negative i can find with them.



Yes thats snow

ryanbab

new map sensor didnt work

grrrr

time for him to buy a new truck (base 1500 reg cab work truck. Only needs it for 2-3 yrs)

obyone

start thinking man.

Get Dad to buy your Z71 and go out and buy a 2500HD. Course you're gonna have to give up the stickers....then again...the first 2500HD Z71...hehe

quadrunner500

My buddy had the same experience as Don with his FS Steeltex on his '97 Powerstroke Diesel x-cab longbox. Said they were terrible on snow and ice in Denver. He took one look at the oem tires on my 2500HD Dmax, said "uh-oh.."

But the other side of that coin is that a solid-ribbed tire wears longer, quieter, and has a better highway ride than individual blocks on aggressive A/T or M/T designs. Also have higher load ranges usually, E as opposed to the typical C of an off-road tire.

But I don't want to get stuck, and I do need year round traction, off road too. Feedback from customers on Tire Rack website indicates high satisfaction with Dunlops. I may try those. I've had lots of Michelins, always been good car tires, but they had a big problem with truck tires a few years back on LT235/85R16 for motorhome applications.

eric2001

Ryan had that chance a week ago, with a nicer model, the GMC HD, but he chose not too. Same set-up as I ordered...

Ryan: get an electrical schematics book for his S-10 and find the specs for the MAP sensor, then take a few different readings from the two you have (verify one or both aren't bad). I had to do this a few years back when 2 different Honda dealers couldn't find a bad temp sensor. I found it with my fluke & then verified the sensor was bad in hot & cold water.

I made a temporary one with a pot. & resistor for the range of the sensor, just dialed up the pot. on cold mornings, then worked it back over a few minutes as the motor got warm. Worked like a charm until dealer got new part in.

ryanbab

He has all the electrical diagrams. We checked the old map sensor. i forget the readings but the old one was bad. He has one other thing to change that could be possibly bad (something to do with a coolant sensor).

Tim - He wont get an ext or CC truck because it wont fit in the garage. Bad enough mine has to sit outside. Reg cab would be perfect for him. 2wd with traction control or a locker would be fine for him.

obyone

just extend the garage. Got the truck...i'm sure you can haul a little wood and paint....lol

eric2001

Before he actually changes the sensor, take a resistance reading across the unit still in place. If the readings stay consistent for a minute or so test another sensor. Its tedious, but if you are persistent you will find it.

ryanbab

oh yea obyone. Extend the garage. Actually we cant. City law prohibits it. We thought about adding on the side but NOPE cant do that either. Darn government cant even add to your own house.

Eric

The readins for that other sensor we way off. I forget the name of the sensor but the one in the truck read .531. The one he got from work read 2.31. Thats the next course of action. Change this one out. Stupid electronics nothing mechanically (even though it sounds like it) is wrong with the truck. Gotta love EE's

Ryan

sf0383

Added the center dash cup holder to my 2001 2500HD LS with the 40/20/40 bench. Fits perfect. Dealer wanted like $52 for it. Had a buddy that runs a gas station order it for me for $23. Also put in K&N air filter. Curious to see if the mileage improves at all.

michgndr

I'll be real surprised if the new cup holder affects your gas mileage.

;-)

ryanbab

I think he was talking about the K&N

michgndr

I know. I just trying (unsuccessfully) to be funny.

redsilverado

like two mules arguing over a turnip.....Doh
since when do mules talk..;)

sf0383

the new cupholder will probably help as much as the filter. Since it sits up higher I don't have to look down as far to get my drink and therefore I'm not swerving all over the road as much. Also, it has been my experience (twice) that mules start talking about the time their daughters get married.

obyone

Can't believe that out of 5 GM dealers, not one stocks it nor sells any. Guess no one around my parts reads the manual on changing out those filters.

obyone

...black....shiny....and really ugly. Couple of stalls away, there was a new style Z71 with 6" lifts dual shocks, mudders, but....no mud no where. Not to mention that the tires stick out a good 6-8" past the fenderwell....just asking smokey for a ticket...especially if smokey's following him on the freeway when it's raining and he's throwing all that water up and back...

ryanbab

you dont like the new escalades?

I kinda do like em. If i had 50K to plunk down and i was a "yuppie" id probably buy one

luvde

rather than dropping on an Exalade, given that Cadillac brand has apparantly has the least resale value of typical luxury brands. But rather invest that money wisely. but thats me

ryanbab

luvde

so what kinda toyota you drive?

quadrunner500

What would you invest it in? Mutual funds? Stocks? Bonds? Treasuries? Serious question. (I wouldn't buy an Escalade either)

obyone

bet it all on options

quadrunner500

Think I'll mix on options, and shorts.

ricsch

What's with that huge emblem on the tailgate? Front end of truck is ugly too! Who designs this garbage? Must help in getting better fuel mileage, yeah right. I'd spend the money on a new 'Vette ragtop before this thing.

luvde

or could invest in hedge funds, or currency markets. Hey they trade in excess of one trillion dollars in currency markets, per day. How about 1/1000 % in return to our investment ?

Luvde

quadrunner500

Sooo....then you really DO like the escalade?

mgdvhman

..that cab filter...

now what did I do with mine??

hmmmmmmmm

- Tim

obyone

PERGO.

minikin

Noticeable, but not too much increase in tire noise; better ride; good handling; same C rating as the Steeltex's; reputation for good wear. Like you, I've had good experience with Michelin on my cars. Dunlops are also on my "good brand" list from my car experience and usually a good bit cheaper. If you buy them please post how they work and hold up over the next year; good info for the data base. Also, my favorite Mini-Stop gas station dropped regular to 167.9 today. Pleasant surprise when I stopped to fill up the car.
-- Don

jaguar0027

I hear ya on the tires..... I dont have the Steeltex's however, I have the Wilderness AT's... you know the ones that Ford is now recalling... I am thinking about calling my dealer to see if they will do anything but I doubt it... If I have my way, I would go with Michelin or Dunlop's. Both are good tires and better than FStones.. IMO..

That is a bummer about the shocks... Did you happen to replace yours?? I dont think I will rush into replacing them right away unless there is a HUGE difference in the ride...

Ryan regarding weatherstripping.. I have to ask a dumb question.. but what is a TSB??? Can you tell I am still new to this site??? LOL

Jim

ryanbab

TSB = technical service bulletin

Heres a good site: http://www.geocities.com/crackeregg/CKtruck/2000/index.html

also try http://www.alldata.com

or http://www.nhtsa.com

My suggestion is just to take it to the dealer they will be able to do something

Ryan

minikin

oh yeah! Hate cheap shocks and it really ticked me off that GM did that on a performance package. Ride is better; especially low speed in the unloaded rear. High speed handling and stability is an improvement you have to experience to fully appreciate. If you want a cheaper speed sensitive shock, both Bilstein and Rancho sell their own versions for about $50/ea street price.

Quad -- The BFGs are E rated and, as Ryan says, are tougher than nails. Just didn't need an E-rating and tougher than nails on my street driven 1500. My aging back also appreciates a more comfortable ride; long as it's responsive and not mushy.
-- Don

ryanbab

BFG's are D rated not E

sidewalls are industructible

minikin

for the links, Ryan. & you're obviously right about the BFG sidewall ratings. I remember now; guess it's more than my back that's aging.
-- Don

jaguar0027

Thanks for the information and the sites. I plan to hit my dealer up about weatherstripping. I may wait till the first oil change unless I get some time between now and then to get down there.

I also want them to check on tires (not expecting much). And want to get mudflaps installed while I am there..

Jim

ryanbab

Ill try and dig up the firestone letter

BCO had it darnit whyd he have to go on vacation?

Basically says they will take your tires and replace with bridgstone (good tire) and prorate them (pay for what you used)

Ryan

jaguar0027

That would be cool! Ive had Bridgestones in the past... not too bad... Think I could talk them into Dunlop's???? LOL

Jim

P.S. Thanks man!

jaguar0027

Forgot to ask... do you use 87 octane gas in your Rado???

Jim