Chevy Silverado - Continued XVIII

seelig

remember the first time painting?
he he, learned alot about the recommended drying times.......as in they are FOS......at least the lad knows how to pull em off for when they crack..

ryanbab

its not like it was hard to paint them

if i have to do it again (which im sure i will with chips and such) itll be a breeze.

you guys are just mad cause my mirrors are blue and you have the tacky chrome looking ones thats it

mgdvhman

post above I was waiting to post that I think Chrome looks farr better..

sorry boss....matched mirrors is too "pretty"

- Tim

seelig

tassles hangin off the handle bars of a girls tricycle eh?

mledtje

You have it right, the speedo reads slow.

But, that means your actual speed is faster, right?

If your speedo is 5mph slow at 65, then your actual speed (on the police radar?) is 70. You get the idea.

Mike L

ryanbab

Tim chrome is so 80's

let me guess you still have your thriller outfit dont you haha

obyone

best have some extra paint on hand. Cause there is a difference between dry and dried. Those labels on the can that tell of drying times....and the dry on contact clearcoat...uh huh. Every wonder why the autobody shop mixes the clearcoat into the paint?

obyone

you could also paint the chrome on the sidemolding blue too. Then it will be black and blue moldings instead of black and el cheapo plastic chrome.

dch0300

Ryan,
Are you going to paint that chrome on those bumpers next so they match the blue mirrors?

-David

ryanbab

nah to much work dont have the time

mgdvhman

hmmm....might have to park it out front the blue oyster bar too?

Chrome is 80's?.....must have been "80's" in the 60's then too?...the 50's too?...what about them 70's?

...remember your favorite car in the Fuel video?...the Camaro SS with Chrome?.....and James tellin' ya..."Burn your face upon the chrome"??

a place near me sells truck accessories and the workers trucks sit out front with all the crap on them.....which is good for advertising......but to me they kinda look whored up.....

your truck is getting too busy pal...

Nice ride.....just don't smother it

lose the blue mirrors....or ya might as well add some handle bar tassles!?....LOL

- Tim

mdw1000

Everybody still picks on Ryan! Good to see some things stay the same...

Thanks for the advice on the tires, guys. I'm going to go ahead and take them, especially since they are free.

What do you guys know about the hypertechs? I've been thinking about getting one to adjust for the tire size. They also claim to increase hp, torque, and mileage. Any truth to that? By doing so are you having any affect on the longevity of engine/drivetrain components?

mgdvhman

Ryan is our project!....we are molding him to be an agressive , fast with come back kid to handle the real world!

haha

- Tim

dch0300

I remember when the color of accessories had to match the main color of the product.
For example, my very first bicycle was green, it also had green handle bar grips, green tires, and a white and green "banana" seat. Oh, and that was in 1972 when I was 6 years old.

Looks like Ryan is trying to re-live the 1970's......groovy man.

-David

obyone

mdw1000

Haven't dyno'd the truck before and after installing the hypertech programming. The increase in hp, torque, and mileage would be hard to verify without a dyno. Seat of the pants meter says yes, but not sure by how much. What I did like and can confirm does work is the shift firmness, removal of the 98 mph governor, reprogram for change in tire size, and change in rev limiter.

eric2001

I had the "sporty" Schwinn w/ the 5-speed suicide shift, also in green w/ green banana seat. Also had a Schwinn 3-speed in green with white & green banana seat. Ahhh the olden days...
-Eric

ryanbab

hmm what the 3 months i was alive during the 70's?

quick comeback? Sorry not today. I am exhaust was at school all day had a few tests.

My day started off wonderful. I ended up getting pulled over at 7am while taking my dads tire in to get a nail taken out of it.

lstrong

I'm looking for help selecting options for a new Silverado. I currently own a 1995 s-10, 4x4 long bed. It's great but it has 160,000 miles. I would replace it with same, but Chevy no longer sells 4x4 with long bed.

Let me explain my uses/criteria. I don't intend to haul much weight or tow anything. This will be my only vehicle. I drive lots of miles, so quality of ride is important. I am a whitewater kayaker, which means I spend many weekends driving up muddy mountain roads. I camp in the back of my truck on these weekends. Therefore, I know I want a long bed and 4WD. Height is an issue. I am a 5'2" female. Lifting a kayak up on top of a roof rack is a problem. Seems to me that a 1500 is my best option. What do you think? What about suspension options? Any other suggestions?

And more into details, can anyone explain 1) autotrac and 2) pros and cons of different axle ratios?

gator36

Autotrac: Shift on the fly 4wd with the one button that engages the front axles and only engages the transfer case when wheel slippage occurs.

Rear Diff: Sounds like you can handle the 3.73 if you are going with the 5.3L motor
and maybe 265/75/16 tires. 3.73 rear ratio is good for all around town, some off roading
and light to medium towing and hauling. I don't think there is an option for the 3.42 rear axle
ratio in a 4wd. 3.42 will get better gas mileage but hurt you on the hauling and towing.

As far as height... Remember that the 4wd Z71 is a couple of inches taller than the Standard
model. Unless you order your truck you will be hard pressed to find a 4wd without the Z71
Off Road Suspension package.

Hope this helps...

hillhound

Sounds like he needs a Z71 but does anyone know if the Z71 package is available on a long-bed 1500? I have never seen one.

I agree with gator on the 3.73s-if you don't need to tow anything and don't plan to put on larger tires then you'll be happy with the 3.73s.

morin2

If you're camping in the truck bed, I assume you have & will want a cap & roof racks on top of the cap. At 5'2", you can't reach, right ? I'm guessing standing on a 5 gallon bucket might not be enough ? Will you have room in the truck bed for a stepladder ?
Hullyrollers probably won't help if you can't reach 'em. WW boats are so much shorter than touring boats, can you carry the boat(s) in the truck bed with tailgate down? That would be my first choice! I'm trying to decide on racks on my 6 1/2' bed to carry longer (16 1/2') sea kayaks, without a cap. Its a lot easier to wrestle a kayak without a cap back there, standing in the bed. Know anything about "Mirage" racks or "Rail n Rack" ?
Rick

dch0300

Eric,
Sounds like you had a pretty groovy bike too.
I do not remember what brand mine was, but I do remember that it had an emblem with a picture of an Indian in full head dress on the front of it right below where the handle bars attached to the frame. Any ideas what brand it was? Oh and I do remember that my dad payed $15 for it used.

Ryan,
Ever since the beginning of the automobile revolution, chrome has been cool and has been there for us. Through the roaring '20's, depression of the '30's, World War II in the '40's, rock-n-roll '50's, peace march '60's, groovy '70's, yuppie 80's, chrome has been the common thread that has made this country great and has held this country of ours together during times of crisis.
So go back to chrome, quit tinkering with your truck, and go drive and enjoy your truck.

-David

ryanbab

This isnt real chrome its plastic. Also your telling me to go drive my truck? I drive the heck out of it im at 20,600 miles already (16 months old) how many do you have? haha

Tinkering is the fun part

Hopefully this wk or next ill finally get my new shocks.

Then whats next?

mgdvhman

...and quit smothering it with crap......that's what's next...

....house about a house of yer own pal?....haha

....41,000 miles and still lovin' my chrome truck....

- Tim

ryanbab

"41,000 miles and still lovin' my PLASTIC chrome truck"

About the house why? I dont plan on living in this area after college so why buy a house here. Im putting money aside dont worry

Ryan

mgdvhman

...come on pal...if you don't know me by now.......

Chrome is a plating.....be it on metal, glass, or plastic......

..so 41K and lovin' my chrome truck it is....

- Tim

ryanbab

SO your not thinking about a new truck?

Did i tell you this past friday (on my bday) i went looking at new trucks. I left the dealership not wanting a new one. Only thing that did catch my eye was the 30th anniversary camaro.

Also got to really check out the avalanche and all i can say is OVERPRICED.

Ryan

cowboyjohn1

Well, thanks guys. Now I have another reason to make me feel good about when I was an underground miner in a chrome mine at Nye, Montana. I didn't realize I was helping so many folks to be happy. Up until now, I always thought the reason I worked there was just the money. cowboyjohn

obyone

but do you still have to register for the draft? Anyone still remembers that term? Ahhh curious minds want to know. In fact, if my memory serves me correctly, we even had a card burning, draft dodging person for President. Hmmmm....what was his name?

Back to topic, anyone have a snapping noise coming from the front end? Sounds like a spring binding and becoming unbound after too much tension buildup? And yes I am talkin about a truck and not a person.

ryanbab

well when i turned 18 i had to fill out some info and send it in. I have the card somewhere ill look for it tonight and let you know what it says. I did this 4 years ago when i turned 18.

I heard they did away with the draft and this "other thing" was more to see how many abled bodies we have in the us. Kinda keep track of all the people 18+ just in case.

mgdvhman

actually went to the dealer yesterday and looked at 2500 HDs....2500 Burbs.....and 2500 Ave's...(for the heck of it)

...might take advantage of this 0% financing......save like $6000 Per $30K....

Stang is up for sale and the Ado will have signs in it very soon..............

- Tim

ryanbab

I couldnt get excited looking at new vehicles.

I dont know why but nothing jumped out at me.

I honestly wouldnt get rid of my truck for a new one at this moment. I thought about how much of a hassle it would be for new tires/nerf bars etc.

Ryan

mdw1000

I've also seen steps that fit in the trailer hitches, if that helps any. I think I saw them in a stylinconcepts.com catalog.

mdw1000

last night and I really like em! Now I just gotta figure out if I want to spring for the hypertech...

wight1

I'm looking at a Magnaflow dual exhaust for my 2000 Silverado 2500. Anybody have one of these systems on their truck? If so, any noticeable difference in power or MPG? Much louder than stock system?

obyone

with the pv system. It is way louder than stock. Not sure on the hp and torque gains, but when passing a car with their windows down at WOT, you are assured of getting a finger when looking in your rear view mirror.

erikf2

I found this site on the Web: http://www.rackwarehouse.com. They carry pretty much any Yakima or Thule system you can think of. REI also carries a full range of Yakima and Thule products. Either one of these places should be able to help out. One product in particular I noticed is the Yakima "Boat Loader", which is described as being an accessory specifically designed for "tall vehicles, long boats, and tired arms".

ryanbab

on the draft issue

What i have is called

Registration Acknowledgement Card

It lists a selective service number (draft number?)

Ryan

mikeb31

First time poster, been reading these very informative postings for a few months though. When I turned 18 1975 they did away with registering, and when they brought it back I was too old so I didn't have to register. Just went to the dealer yesterday, looking for a 1500 extended, 5.3, heavy duty suspension pkg, trailering equip. LS. MSRP $29,276. Offered dealer $25,700 which I figured was a little over invoice, he came back to $26,961 + doc tax and lisc. and wouldn't budge. I told him I'm not in that big of a hurry and with the state of the economy and interest rates I could hold out a little longer. I'll wait a couple of days to see if he'll reply. Don't really have a lot of time to shop, working almost everyday. Anyone out there priced one of these lately. Went with a friend of mine Sunday he picked up a 2500 4 wheel dr 8100 allison 5 speed, but by the time he traded in two other trucks the price he paid for it was all muddled.

87lion

I had an orange Huffy single speed with black and orange banana seat and a slick on the back. STP stickers on it too.

I think Ryan has the right idea on the mirrors. (Did I just agree with Ryan - shoot me!) I've often thought of painting the chrome on the mirrors blue or black. Of course I like the egg crate grill too.

All males must register with Selective Service when they turn eighteen and keep a current address on file until they are 28. No draft, just got to know where you are in case they change their mind.

hillhound

Ryan your painted mirrors look great. Personally I'm also partial to chrome, though (plastic or otherwise!). I saw the colored mirror backs on some Tahoes/Suburbans on the lot a while back and they do make the truck look sportier.

By the way if anyone cares-I threw out the Bushwacker bed rail caps due to they kept peeling up and the corner holes were not cut to match the truck's. Now I have a set of GM flexible caps which are 100% better so far. After re-taping the Bushwackers 3 times I got great satisfaction in cutting those things up with tin snips and thowing them out!

The GM set cost twice as much ($130) but I think you get what you pay for.

mledtje

Ryan, paint your whole truck if you like.

1. If it looks bad, it makes my truck look better!

2. I never liked chrome on trucks. On cars, OK. But trucks are for work.

3. Make your truck the way you like it and don't listen to anyone else.

Mike L

ryanbab

thanks for the kind words.

I am making it the way i want

mikeb31

E mailed another dealer and he was $400 less, will try again today for $26,000 when I call him after work. Don't know if it has chrome mirrors or not, might have to send them over to "Ryans Mirror Painting Service" ha ha Your truck looks good Ryan, been looking at all the pictures you've been posting. I like the blue, but in So. Cal with the temps I'm going to go with the Lt Pewter. My wife has a dark green car and it just gets too darn hot.

ryanbab

the summers here are 90's+ and winters are -20

Big extreme never have had a problem with the blue truck other than i cant keep it clean

Just for your FYI i got my fully loaded Z71 LS (everything but leather,heated mirrors) for $27K plus some change back in april 00.

Ryan

mikeb31

You seem mechanically inclined enough to do anything you put your mind to. I've been doing all the work on my vehicles since I was 16. I've never taken one to a mechanic to work on, but my dod always worked on his own cars so I learned a lot from him. I've rebuilt my own motors, transmissions, done body work and painting etc. Just the other day though I took my wifes Honda Accord to the dealer and let them do the rear brakes. Just working too much and didn't have the time to do them and they needed to be done, already scrapping the sensor. I did the last brake job on the car, front and rear, but like I said I've been working 7 days a week. Hurt my wallet when I had to pay the dealer since I knew I could do it for a lot less. Like any vehicle you can always think of something to add, anyway it will probably keep you out of trouble, maybe hehe

mdw1000

Any of you guys know of any cheaper alternatives to the hypertechs? I've seen a couple different web sites - one which says you need to run 93 octane once you reprogram, and another says that they make them now for 87 octane. Don't particularly want to run 93, and if there is a cheaper alternative to reprogramming the speedometer/odometer, I would be interested.

Of course, if they do work with the 87 octane the tinkering factor would be hard to pass up...

gary107

Does anybody know how to turn off these automatic headlights. We'll be elk hunting next week & I'd like to do it without all the lights on. Also, how about being able to start it up & run the heater without the lights coming on.

ryanbab

if you just reprogram for the tires using the hypertech you do not need to run 93 octane.

Gary if you have a 2000+ truck you can disable the lights by hitting the dome override button 3 times consecutively.

ryanbab

just curious when you guys are changing or have changed yours

Im at almost 21K

Ryan