Chevy Silverado - Continued XVIII

mgdvhman

ya see....my truck only goes to Home Depot and I never have to make 2 trips!....They get it right!

LOL

- Tim

Good Luck on this one now!

ryanbab

my dad called right. First guy said no they do not have 30 gallon electric water heaters we figured he was lazy and didnt want to check. He got mad called another store oh yea we have em. So i go didnt notice it was gas go back they dont carry electric. Guess the first guy was right.

But get this i paid $124 at menards and home depot wanted $186 for the same size heater.

hmmm which would you choose?

Ryan

mgdvhman

- Tim

ryanbab

Whens your bday? I have a great present for ya

txyank1

If that's suppose to funny it isn't. It's a kit not just a filter, and it being a waste was precisely my point. And I'm not your Pal!

mgdvhman

..so what's the problem?

....Buddy..

- Tim

sky33

I'm new to this board and have been glad to read the interesting posts about the Sliverado. The 2500 HD has a great looking front end. I'm considering a silverado for my first pick up truck. I don't do a lot of hauling so I am more interested in having a truck with a fairly smooth ride. I hear they have a 1500 crew cab (GMC) availabe. Does anybody have any thoughts they could share on their 1500 CC? The extra full size door is really great thing to have on a pick up truck except you don't have as much room in the pick-up bed.

mgdvhman

still offers the 6.5 foot bed with their crew cabs....unlike for with a 5 footer (Supercrew)

- Tim

obyone

If you want a smooth ride...forget the 1500CC. It is based on the 2500LD frame and suspension.

mgdvhman

it has a whole lot of extra weight. Should ride like a loaded down 8600 GVW 2500?

- Tim

obyone

but 3-400#'s shouldn't make that much of a difference on a 2500? should it?

vince4

I carry a camper and had the same question regarding the firm ride option for my 2500. Since I drive mostly with the camper off I wanted as smooth of a ride as possible empty so I chose the regular suspension. I figured I could always change the shocks later if necessary.

It turned out that the shocks were a little overwhelmed by the camper but not grossly. I think the std version would be just fine with your boat. It's not going to be worse than the Tahoe anyway.

vince4

Thanks for the driveline information. That kind of post is why I stick with this forum.

grnsilverado

Hey Guys,
I went to Zaino bros website and checked out there wax products. I was wondering if anyone uses this product, and what products should I get for my new truck, I think we have a clear coat protectant on it. I need to no which Zs to buy, I really don't think I need all the website says I need, I think all I need is the Z-1 polish Lok, Z-2 polish, and the spray, but that is just a guess, any info on this matter is appreciated.

mpalombo

Richard,

I just started using Zaino recently. I bought the Z1, Z2, and Z5. I did not buy the spray. I started with the Z1 then put the Z5 on top of it like it says to do. I have put on about 5 coats of Z5, I think at first I wasn't using enough because it seems to be working better now. I am trying to get ALL the spidering out, I'm not sure I ever will but I'm trying. One thing that I can say is that it looks awesome. The other thing that is great is that Sal will take the time to answer any questions that you might have, I have emailed him a couple of times and I have gotten a response within a couple of hours.

Good luck with it.

-Mark

BTW, yes we do have clear coat paint.

grnsilverado

Does the wax make it easier to clean the truck, I mean when it is dirty can you just wash it with high pressure water. I don't have time to hand wash it every time it rains.

grayls

I use the Zaino products on my charcoal gray finish. Excellent results without a whole lot of effort. The Zaino product that I am most impressed with is the Car Wash. It cleans the truck well and keeps all of the black plastic pieces like the bumper covers, window trim, and mirror trim looking like new. Seemed a little expensive at the time of purchase, but a little goes a long way.....well worth it.

mpalombo

What I have noticed is that the truck looks cleaner for a longer period of time. Even when its dirty there is still the shine. I'm not saying this is a miracle product that makes you never have to wash your truck again, this is just what I have noticed. BTW, my truck is Carmine so it gets dirty pretty easily.

Richard,

I'm not sure about the answer to your question since I wash mine all the time. But I would think the high pressure water would do a good job.

-Mark

ryanbab

haha you just left yourself wideopen

i wont comment however hehe

mrurl

My truck is Fire Red (GMC-speak for Victory Red) and I use Zaino Z-1, Z-2, Z-6. It works better the darker your truck is. I would not go to the trouble on a white truck, but it really works well on a dark one like Ryan's. The sheen is moderate on mine, but it looks great on my daughter's black Accord.

A heavy rain is all that is needed to wash my truck.

Peter

ryanbab

My truck took 4 coats and it looked great.

dch0300

Hi everyone, I'm back from my summer vacation trip to Montana. 1300 miles round trip. My 2001 truck was absolutely flawless. With the A/C on the whole trip, 10 total mountain passes to go over (ranging from 3000' to 6400') and doing between 75 and 80 mph the whole time, I averaged 18.5 mpg. Oh, and I did have a 30 mph head wind for 200 miles on the return trip. That 5.3L did great on the passes. I did find that I could keep up my speed better over the passes if I used the Tow/Haul button.

My Adrian Steel Single Lid Crossover Tool Box was wonderful. I was able to put 3 suitcases, 2 dufflebags, a cooler, plus all the other stuff (fire extinguisher, binoculars, tow rope, jumper cables, first aid kit) I normally keep in there.

Did some 4x4'ing up to my cousin's cabin. Talk about out being out in the sticks. 20 miles of a maintained dirt road, 5 miles of an unmaintained dirt road, and then a 1/2 mile hike. No electricity, no plumbing, just a 20' by 20' one room log cabin with a loft. All next to a 10' wide creek. Now that's getting away from it all. And no scratches on my truck from tree branches either...thank God!

Like MRURL said, I didn't go to the bother of Zaino'ing my white truck. Instead I used the Mother's 3 Phase wax system. Worked really well, I'm very pleased with the results, and I could buy the stuff at a local auto parts store. Total cost was about $17 I think.

Good to be back...
-David

txyank1

Is this all by hand or are you able to use a power buffer?

mpalombo

Ryan, My birthday is in 3 weeks, I'll be 36! I figured I'd get a comment on that one.

lol.

-Mark

BTW, how much is left in your bottle after 4 coats? I really think I was using way to little on the first few coats.

mpalombo

Zaino is all by hand, thats part of what makes it such a great product in my mind. Its wicked easy to put on and to take off.

-Mark

ryanbab

i used about half a bottle of the pink stuff (Z2 or Z5 i get em confused) and about half a bottle of the white clearcoat stuff (Z2 or Z5)

Took me a whole weekend to do the job.

mgdvhman

I liked Malms. (Still do)

malms.com

Still use it on the car...(black also)....but been a while for the truck...

Timmy just don't care any more I guess? maybe I'll let the dealer wax it? for the free detail they give ya a year and a half later (back in may)

..come to think of it...I hate washing the pig too!

- Tim

ryanbab

your one lazy son of a gun

mgdvhman

....have a whole bunch of other things going on that consume more time that seems more important than a truck.

While it's still the best truck I owned yet....last several months I really could give a rats rear about it...and explains why I really could care less when I order a 2002 HD. Being older, the excitement of a new truck/car just don't last like it used to. Other things in life seem more important.....even to where Edmunds may be visited less...!..(yikes..LOL)

Great truck....rides great...very comfy....been great. I hate to wash it and could care less if every car wash is a drive thru from this day forward and all wax is whatever is laying around...

now the Hurst/olds.....don't you even think about a drive thru wash...much less even soap!.( a constant hose flow to wash away dirt and a soft rag with water only)....and nothing but Malms.....

I'm not totally crazy yet!

LOL

- Tim

ryanbab

$54.95 a shock a good price on bilsteins plus $4 each shipping?

Anyone want to buy some slightly used tennecos?

maringa

I am interested in buying a GMC Sierra or Chevy Silverado. I plan to use the truck for city driving and occasional light loads (furniture, etc). I was looking at some of the pickups at the lots and noticed that there were two common gear ratios: 3.42 and 3.73 (I may be off a digit or two), however they both posted the same mileage. For those who own or have test driven both, can anyone tell me the difference and preference? Shouldn't the lower gear ratio theorically get better gas mileage? Also for those who have test driven a 4.8 and 5.3 liter engines, is the 5.3 extra 15hp and fuel economy sacrifice worth it especially since I don't plan to do a lot heavy hauling? Thanks in advance....

quadrunner500

I guess you are looking at 2WD trucks? Anyway, difference between 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 is only about 10% between each set. So agreed, theoretically, that should be the worst case difference in fuel economy. In actual practice, the difference is less, perhaps negligible. I prefer the higher (numerically) ratios. Not much difference between 4.8L and 5.3L. Well...15hp so you decide. Both peppy.

ryanbab

today after work not the one where i get my truck worked on probably a mistake cause i know the parts guy at my place. Well i was looking to buy some rear end fluid and gasket to change the fluid this weekend. Guy goes and checks and tells me its not synthetic. He swore up and down its regular he said all 2000 trucks have regular 75W-90. So they find it in the book (the synthetic stuff) only comes in a gallon? Me and the other guy exchanged words and i left went found my owners manual said SYNTHETIC i thought yea im going back in to show him. But i got side tracked by an avalanche. Very nice pewter Z71 didnt like the rear bumper to much plastic.

Moral of my story make sure you know what you need. Its amazing how people have no clue (parts people) what is the right stuff.

Ryan

obyone

First mistake you made was going to the dealer. Second mistake was asking a question at the dealer. These things run in threes so be careful.

GM rearend has been around for awhile. I would check your local parts store....and for the synthetic gear oil...

bigbassman

Thanks I did order the standard suspension I am think the same thing about going to different shocks later if I need to but don't think it will be!

vince4

From what I've heard about the 4.8, it would meet your needs just fine. If you're concerned, you could get it with the 3.73 to compensate (if offered). I haven't read a single post complaining about the 4.8 power (unlike the V6) but have read some impressive mileage numbers, like 20.

ryanbab

down this morning?

Also anyone know of a good place to buy shocks.

Already checked out PP,eshocks,shockwarehouse,central4wd

Best price eshocks.com around $240 including shipping

dch0300

What was the final outcome of your tailgate cable problem? Just curious.
-David

ryanbab

i havent changed it. Its still in one piece so ill leave it for the time being

txyank1

I had the '99 4.8 with 3.42 gears and even it's 255 hp was plenty. I didn't haul or carry anything heavy. Everyday mileage was about the same as my '01 5.3, (16.5 - 17) also with 3.42's. However a on trip the 4.8 got 21-22 mpg and the 5.3 barely 20. But I've only been on one trip with the '01. I do a lot of driving in 3rd in the city. Don't need the OD there.

txyank1

That's 2wd x-cab.

obyone

that means it wasn't broken to begin with? Doh!!

mgdvhman

I thought about 3 mods or so ago you were done?

- Tim

ryanbab

RUBBER SHELL IS HOLDING IT TOGETHER

obyone

Either it's in one piece or it's not...so which is it? Kids nowadays....doh!!

ryanbab

well yea its in one piece but its "limp". There is alot of slack in it. Kinked in the middle. Seems like the cable inside is snapped.

Ryan

mgdvhman

Jess don't like that.....LOL

remember....

Wimp ryhmes with Limp..

haha

- Tim

sdpierson

Had my truck to the dealer this week to repair a seeping pinon seal.
Got it home and smelled burning oil.
Took it back and they changed the seal again (said it was the wrong one). I happen to notice the "mechanic" putting oil in the diff. from the overhead spools. I asked him what it was and he said "gear oil". I then told him about the synthetic gear lub the manual calls for. He said, "HUH"?
So I got the "500 miles after towing" rear diff oil change for free. But then he put a ding in the door when he went to clean the oil off the diff. First dent.
It just confirms why I do things myself.

obyone

did they at least offer to call the Dent Doctor for you and have the ding repaired at no charge?

ryanbab

Guess who was sitting next to me when i read that post?

Ryan