Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra - Owners hangout

1…4243454748…110

Comments

  • tsprousetsprouse Member Posts: 10
    Got the same problem, 2000 Sierra Ext Cab, 28K miles. Dealer ordered new "rack and pinion" (TSB)
    and will install next week. Mine also, would only whine/chirp while turning left.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Man this is getting old....now its the air bag sensing diagnostic module?
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    only for trucks made in a certain month period. Luckily mine missed it by 2 months (whew)

    All it is a computer reprogram. I heard the fix takes less than 10 min
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    dealer, waiting in line, could add up to a whole day. Well you know how it is.
  • gator36gator36 Member Posts: 294
    I talked with a GM powertrain engineer the other day.
    and asked about the Aluminum 5.3 and if it will(or will be) put in the full size trucks? He didn't know if there was a plan to put it in the full size. But commented on a swap scenario. The current aluminum 5.3 will not fit in the full size trucks for two reasons. 1. The oil pan would need to be replaced.
    and 2. The front accessory package on the current full size trucks will not mount to the current aluminum 5.3's.

    FYI

    Just a curiosity thing...
  • rayt2rayt2 Member Posts: 1,208
    about that owner, stupid is as stupid does ! what was his point ? how to destroy your new truck in two easy lessons ! Hope he has a big bank account he'll need it.

    Ray T.
  • tomh12tomh12 Member Posts: 240
    I am interested in your impressions of this option. Especially if you trailer with your truck. Any special problems? Please share your experience.
    Thanks,
    Tom
  • carbittencarbitten Member Posts: 9
    I am driving a 95 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 that I absolutely love. This truck has been great to me. Over 7 years, I've never had to take it in for a single unscheduled service visit.

    The days with my faithful friend are coming to a close however; I have two kids with the possibility of a 3rd on the way. We want to get a travel trailer (sold the popup) and do some longer trips while our kids are growing up.

    I'm looking for a full sized truck or SUV. The Silverado Crew Cab 1500/2500 LT looks good although I haven't really started researching them too much.

    I want this to be a truck that will last a good 15 years at 15-20k miles/yr, handle towing up to 6000 pounds (maybe 7500 miles/yr), and be comfortable enough for myself, wife and 2-3 kids. Am I expecting too much from a GM truck? In my 20 yrs of driving I have never owned a GM product!!! Will the 1500HD hold up over the long run, or should I go all out with the 2500/Dmax. My budget could stretch to 40K.

    Thanks
  • carbittencarbitten Member Posts: 9
    I was looking at the Silverado page on chevrolet.com, and the "Whats new" popup caught my eye. I really like the look of the LT dash with all the information displayed.

    My question is it says the Driver Information Center "monitors and provides info on numerous different vehicle functions depending on model and application".

    OK, so with the 2500/DMAX what do you get? A trip computer/gas mileage readout is one of those little things that is important to me.

    Thanks
  • minikinminikin Member Posts: 389
    I'm with you Oby, every one here works and deprogramming from the HPIII and dragging this thing into the dealer takes time. Fortunately lately I've just saved it all up and made a list. Let's see, @ 19K mi just back from 5500 mi summer vacation -- brake pipe recall, air bag program recall, way noisy HVAC fan motor, engine cold knock, left rear door won't close when cold, odd rear suspension clunk on throttle on turns, loose/clunky steering shaft, squeaky steering wheel/shaft when ambient hot, driveline clunk, and last but not least intermittent "service 4-wheel drive" light now. Guess maybe I've just been spoiled by my Honda passenger cars. I basically like this truck, but my first month build '93 V-8 Jeep Grand Cherokee wasn't even close to this annoying.
    -- Don
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Mine is going in on fridayy :( The pass side window is making a very loud rubbing noise. Thought the motor was going out (but it went up and down fast). I was driving home tonight and noticed a rattle (loud) in the pass side door. Something fell off and is rubbing on the window :(
  • tomh12tomh12 Member Posts: 240
    You said you want a truck that will last a good 15 years at 15-20K per year....If you really mean this, you should ONLY consider the DMAX (or other diesel trucks). The 6.0L 1500HD is a good combo to do what you describe for use, but no gas engine (including those built by toyota) is likely to go 300,000 miles. As you know, with many systems, YEARS are as big a wear problem as miles. The more systems (options) the more problems with any brand of vehicle. I believe GM's HD DMAX trucks offer the best combination of interior features/styling with a tough, powerful power train. You asked if you are expecting too much from a GM truck.....You're probably asking too much of ANY truck, but with proper maintenace and repair, the GM will serve as well as any other.
    Tom
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    My dad pulls a 6000# trailer with his 1500 Silverado - 5.3L, Automatic, 3.42 - without difficulty. 20-21mpg empty and 10mpg towing. He just bought an Airstream trailer, and says it pulls so much easier that he expects the towing mileage to go up.

    My 6.0L 2500 4x4 has a popup camper in the bed and averages 14-15mpg. I would expect about 17mpg empty and about 12 towing a trailer like my dad's.

    300,000 miles is a lot, especially when pulling a load, but with regular maintainence (change oil @2500 miles when towing, trans flush and filter, final drive oil changes, etc) it is not unreasonable. Due to driving styles, some driver could not expect to achieve 300K, others will. Don't know how you treat your vehicle.

    Mike L
  • carbittencarbitten Member Posts: 9
    Thanks for you input. I think these days with regular oil changes, use of high quality synthetics, and careful attention to maintenance 300K miles isn't too unreasonable of an expectation. I do understand that the electronic stuff can and will fail and that 15+ years of day to day use is a lot to expect from any kind of machine.

    I am still in a bit of a quandary as to what to get that will be enjoyable to drive day to day while still able tow and travel comfortably with the family. The camping season is drawing to a close so I may put off the pain until late winter or spring.

    Thanks
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Bama would've had a field day with that one. I guess you've planed not to see your truck for awhile? Remember to verify everything before you leave that dealership or be faced with the infamous "could not duplicate".

    Good luck.
  • minikinminikin Member Posts: 389
    Definitely understand "document, document, document". Most of this crap I don't really care about; it's the service 4wd light that concerns me most. Fortuntely I have more cars than drivers so out of sevice isn't a problem.
    -- Don
  • jackson43jackson43 Member Posts: 15
    I have a Silverado 2500HD LT Duramax/Allison on order, and finally got word it has been built. I have't been on this site in some time, but I seem to recall that once I have the Vin #, there is a way to physically track where it is in the delivery process..!

    Can anyone tell me about this..?

    Thanks, John
  • txyank1txyank1 Member Posts: 1,010
    looking at '03's again yesterday. Noticed....It's an "Av-like" front end, not exactly the same like I originally thought. Noticed the headlights are actually 3/4" to 1" taller than the Av's. And not the nice clear lense type like the Av. Also realized the GMC doesn't have the new tailights. AND every sideview mirror I touched, the head was loose and floppy! Something to do with the new power fold option you suppose? Some SLE's had the logo on the cab and some didn't. All of the Siverados (base model)I've seen so far have no logo on the cab. Have to check the sticker to know what you're looking at.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    saves time of having to remove the cheesy plastic.
  • txyank1txyank1 Member Posts: 1,010
    Don't understand why some SLE's have it and some don't. Maybe the same reason you occasionally see a Silverado with GMC markings on it or vice versa.
  • gvoigtgvoigt Member Posts: 63
    Caught the tail end of the program on the History Channel the other nightabout pickups. I am trying to find the name of the company that did the stretched rigs. Something cool about a crew cab with the added space of a ext cab behind the rear seat. I just might be able to get everything I want into the cab...lol. If any one knows the name or can give me the website to look'em up I would appreciate it.
  • noobie1noobie1 Member Posts: 326
    Just read your post of the 12th so this may be useless by now.

    You use to be able to use http://www.bnsf.com but I was just there and they now have the process buried so deep in the site I was unable to find it. It may require a registration. A possible clue: look for 'iTrace'.


    -David


    gvoigt, Have you tried a search on Google?

  • sonjaabsonjaab Member Posts: 1,057
    Was at the local Chevy-GMC dealer today.
    I notice NONE of the 1/2 tons have the
    whaletail anymore. Just the regular
    tailgate cap like the 2500s. Also noticed
    with plow prep pkg, you get a 145 amp.
    alternator instead of the 130. Non plow
    prep. trucks have the 110 amp. Also the
    prices went up some too.............geo
  • rayt2rayt2 Member Posts: 1,208
    Prices went up because their going to stock pile some money for the big hit they'll take on the piston slap fiasco in near future ! LOL

    I like the new AV look grille on the Rado's but alas it will be 7 more years before I choose a new truck. Going to pick up an extended warranty for my Rado before 3/36 runs out, tranny was acting up again other day, hit the gas and it stands still.........sorta like the brain telling the arm to move but the thought process is flawed and delays the movement.

    Ray T.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    I have had the delayed shifiting (hasnt happened in a long while). Fixes i have heard include a new valve body

    New truck in 7 yrs? I dont think i can hold out that long.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    You getting that new tail lights available now? Seen them up close and personal while doing the RECALL. Pretty neat, only problem is JP doesn't have them in stock as of yet.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    I like em but i like the yellow turn signals. I dont know why. I am leaving mine alone for now. Also i dont know if the tail light guards would work since they stick out a bit.

    I however want the mirrors with the turn signals in em. When i find out some info and they will work and i can get em for a decent price i am upgrading (if i dont upgrade trucks before then!!! hehe I really liked the 03 2500HD ext cab 4wd i saw wed. It had every option i would want. Only thing is 35K price tag. I hate the front end but like the truck)
  • txyank1txyank1 Member Posts: 1,010
    I notice NONE of the 1/2 tons have the whaletail anymore." Geo, you must have been looking at all Base Model Silverados, or GMCs. (GMC's only had it on the Sportsides even prior to '03. But they've still got the damned holes for them!) I was looking at Cevy's today and all the LS's had the whaletail cap. Base models the plain cap. I also noticed the side molding is only on the doors. None on the bed ahead of the wheelwells anymore.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    The side moulding is different. It looks kinda nice. Also the whale tail is still there but it is slightly different
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    and saw the '03's. Didn't notice any whaletail or was it all base model rados that I saw. Hmmmm..
  • txyank1txyank1 Member Posts: 1,010
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Must be a hawaii thing ?????
  • sonjaabsonjaab Member Posts: 1,057
    These were All loaded up ones ~! Ls-lts
    x-cabs 1500s.....Most were made in Canada.
    The 2500s they had were made up the street
    from Ryans house too ! They had a Carmine
    2500 LD too......Ryan ya drooling yet ?

    BTW: The 2500s had the black plastic
    flairs on them too ! NONE body colored.
    Sure glad I took mine off !
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    black flares and whaletail in Canada? Or is GM dumping them there?
  • revitupfastrevitupfast Member Posts: 38
    I know the LS models have the "Whaletale". All the ones I have seen do anyway. It is different from the one on my 2000 LS, as it has a "Scalloped" detail on the lower edge which fastens to the tailgate. Looks better than the one on my truck. I finally broke down and have ordered an extended cab model this time. I do like the shortened side moulding. Being shorter, it gives the illusion that the overall truck isn't as long, which in my opinion gives it more of a "chunky" aggressive look, which I think the designers were going for. I saw an 03 4X4 Ext Cab Z71, in Carmine Red & Pewter, with the pewter wheel flares & WOL tires and it was some sharp in my opinion. Since I deal every 3 years, I'm glad they changed something, who wants the same thing. If your going to lay out the coin, I sure want the neighbors to know it's new. Hey Ryan, how have you been. Still working at Lowes? By the way, you better put a cover on that drivers armrest of yours, she's looking kinda shiny in the pictures.

    Revitupfaster
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    "Hey Ryan, how have you been. Still working at Lowes? By the way, you better put a cover on that drivers armrest of yours, she's looking kinda shiny in the pictures."

    I have a cover on the arm rest it came with the seat covers. I work at menards (not lowes but it was close)
  • sonjaabsonjaab Member Posts: 1,057
    The just in time parts delivery most mfrs.
    use... didn't arrive in time.. so they used
    some leftovers? Or security problems at the
    border ?
  • seeligseelig Member Posts: 590
    i see all the familliar faces are still here......LOL
    but i'm curious, what kind of mileage are you folks at with your Rados?
    my '00 is at 70K, and still is tight as a drum (compared to new) but still has the little NiK-a-NoK sound (but slightly louder) and the trannys got it's ever loveable slam-bam 1>2 shift.
    not using any oil though.
    fuel mileage is still around what it was when new too.....
  • dch0300dch0300 Member Posts: 472
    16,600 miles on my 22 month old 2001 Silverado 1500 LS, Ext Cab Z-71, 5.3L, 3.73's and when I drive 75 mph I normally get 18.3 mpg.
    When I drive 70 mph I get 18.8 mpg.
    When I drive 65 mph I get 19.2 mpg.
    For normal all city driving I get 15.5 mpg.

    I had to take my truck into the Chevy dealer for the first time last week. I was having to turn my steering wheel slightly to the left in order to go straight down the road. A front end alignment took care of that. I thought my warranty would cover the cost, but while at the dealer I found out that the warranty for wheel alignment expires after 7,500 miles. :(
  • sonjaabsonjaab Member Posts: 1,057
    01 2500 LD 13K MILES HERE ! 8 mpg plowin' or
    towing...13-15 around town a/c on unloaded,
    best 18 mpg hiway a/c on unloaded !410 gears.
    Cold start knock gone (only because its summer)
    Fuel rail, injector tap makes me crazy ! Rock
    solid inside noo squeeks or rattles, paint
    shiny as new ! Only problem was the front
    wheel fell off when new !....LOL..NO nut
    on upper ball joint ! No regrets here !
    Got a new Caddy too this year...........geo
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    where ya been?

    im almost to 31K. Truck is better than whatit was a wk ago with my steering wheel whine. Now i just need to fix my pass door rattle and ill be 100% happy again

    DCH how much did they charge you for the alignment?
  • dch0300dch0300 Member Posts: 472
    Ryan,
    Front end alignment cost me around $49.95 + tax. Drives straight as an arrow now.

    Let us know what was causing the rattle in the pass door when they fix it.

    Every so often I have a creaking sound in my ext-cab doors when I brake hard, go around a tight corner, or drive on uneven terrain. And even more rare is a slight rattle in my driver's side ext-cab door. I asked the dealer to check it out when I was in for the alignment, and they could not reproduce the problem. I'll definitely have it looked at more thoroughly before my warranty expires.... unless these kind of fixes are not covered under warranty after 7,500 miles like my alignment.
  • gator36gator36 Member Posts: 294
    Rattle in the drivers side door?

    Check out one thing that I had...

    I had the most annoying rattle, Just audible enough for me to hear and no one else. Always while driving , not related to bumps. It was the outside door handle. You kow how it pulls out, mins had about one inch of play before any resistance was felt. This cause it to rattle in and out in the wind as I was driving.
    I was able to verify this by adjusting my mirror to look at the handle, when i heard the rattle, I looked and say the handle moving in and out.

    Good luck.

    I too have the 3rd & 4th door rattle over bumps and corners.
    Back to the dealer I go.

    Walter (Gator)
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    "Let us know what was causing the rattle in the pass door when they fix it."

    Its coming from right where the door panel connects to the door in the very corner closest to the ext cab. I am going to hopefully fix it myself tomorrow morning
  • seeligseelig Member Posts: 590
    i got hooked on Digital photography (still am),
    and most of this new hobby started when trying to do some nice shots of the Rados (mine and the wife's).
    started with a simple Kodak P&S, and have ended up with my spending some 9K on Canon DSLR and Canon glass........and yes, i have been able to make some beautiful prints from my printer of the Rados and everything else that moves.........LOL
    wish i'd had the camera when i first saw the EX Cab that some local Yokel had door handles installed on the back doors (and NO, it wasn't a 4dr).............
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Glad your back it was getting boring here.
  • txyank1txyank1 Member Posts: 1,010
    alignment time-frame seems to be pretty much up to the individual Dealer. Around here depending on where you go they might tell you 7,500 mi. or even as high as 12,000 mi. At least that was my experience a few yrs. ago.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    25 min to fix my door. Added some 3m tape and foam at the very top corner behind the door panel. Quiet as can be now.

    I cant believe how quiet the cab is now :)

    Its like a brand new truck again
  • ninaraininarai Member Posts: 5
    Help! 1989 1500 truck, runs good when cold; after running up to operating temp truck runs fine IF kept above 1500 rpm but stalls if at idle. On advice from a mechanic, changed out trottle positioning sensor, didn't work. Had it scanned with a snap-on diagnostic hand held, came up bad o2 sensor, changed out, didn't help. Also came up thermostat and coolant temp sensor bad, that didn't make sense, but changed out and still the truck stalls out. Any ideas??
  • seeligseelig Member Posts: 590
    and if you'd install a decent sound system like Oby and me, you'd never hear any other mysterious sounds..........ever!
    get that pig updated soon Babs.............or when i come to Tim's next year, we ain't gonna stop by and get ya soused.........LOL

    "good luck on this one now!"
This discussion has been closed.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.