I've always run a bed mat in my trucks and am quite pleased. Got my new mat 'a penda' from Cabela's for the silverado. Think it was 60 to 70 bucks with shipping. Cabela's is on the web.
Hello all...have enjoyed reading your comments and responses. I'm planning to order a Short bed regular cab with the 5.3L. Haven't decided whether to "build up" a base model or spring the extra money for the LS. It seems to be a lot more money for not many more features. Does anyone know whether it's true that power windows are not available for the base truck? I can't find them listed as options. Thanks
Power Windows are not available on the base model. Power Locks are not included but are an option. As soon as my wife heard about this, we were buying an SLE (GMC version of the LS).
Yes, peterm1 is right about power windows not being an option on base model. Seats are not as nice either. It's intended for commercial service, fleet use, farm use etc.
But I would look hard before deciding to order a short bed regular cab. I have seen an abundance of that configuration on lots. You might find one now without the wait hassles.
Quadrunner I have a slight whine coming from the trans or rearend. Happens at the same speeds as yours but only when I decelerate. pinion bearings will make that noise when they go out. I guess I'll find out as the miles go by. I have 2500 6l with 3.73 gears. I can't remeber whether the other trucks I drove had the same noises or not.
mts On my order I was told that the 5.3l engine was pretty much unavailable. I Changed my order to the 4.8l in case they couldn't get an allocation for a 5.3l.
concerning the clunking noise in the rear end or shock, etc. The chevy dealer had my truck for a whole day trying to figure that problem out. They told me they ordered a part or something. Today they called and said the "spring insulators or isolators" were in. Hope this gives you some insight into your trucks noises.
Thanks for the tip. I am going to take my 99 truck in shortly and mention this to them about the noisy rear-end/shock area noise. I called my dealer up yesterday concerning the clunk in the power drivers seat when coming to a stop and over bumps in the road. He told me a month ago a rubber bushing is in the works that secures the metal back part of the seat reclining bracket mechanism in place. As of yesterday, they have no idea when this part will be produced. I told them to call them back and find out because I'm not waiting much longer for Chevy to get their so-called 'Motor Trend Truck of the Year' up and running to customers expectations. I also found out that this dealer has about 30 miscellaneous complaints which they are unable to fix at the moment because this truck is so new and they have no idea how to fix any of them because of the total re-design of the truck. When I found this out, it makes me wonder if GM did their homework before they produce such a poor quality truck! Oh yah, one more thing, my drivers side plastic pillar between the front door and the front windshield is loose. I tried snapping it in place last night. It cannot be done. I pulled it off and all that is holding this long plastic piece on is a top grommet that snaps into the metal framework. The bottom plastic part has two notched which does not fit into and stay in place in the grooves on the left side of the front dash. What poor quality - it's terrible to have plastic pieces coming off the truck and rattling all over!
Gregg, Thanks for the information. My dealer didn't mention that there were any problems getting the 5.3L engine. Did you recently try to order the 5.3? Has anyone else heard of restrictions on that engine?
I have an order number, but I don't know if that means all the options I chose are on schedule. Thanks, Mike
cookie1, about the plastic piece: It's a catch 22. My wife's Cadillac required me to remove about a dozen various fasteners to get the headlamp frame loose. You could argue that it's really screwed together well, but I was cursing the fact it took a Craftsman tool chest to have everything you needed. (Yes, I read the owners manual first.)
True, little plastic pieces are cheap, but heck. The Wall Street Journal said Chevrolet division reports there is more profit in the new truck. We are buying them, so what's good for them must be good for us too. I appreciate the ease with which the owner can service and work on the new truck. By finding cheap ways to make things, the manufacturer has also made it easier on us to service them at a reasonable cost. If you look behind the dashboard, you see one box steel frame that the entire dashboard assembly is bolted to. You might quibble about things falling off from time to time, but at least you don't need millwrights to get into it when you need to. It cuts both ways.
The Feb. Post on Industy news in the www.wheels.com says the LM7 option is in limited supply. Which is the 5.3L Engine. I would guess it could be the last part od March before we get a new update. I have an order in since 1/25 and know absolutly nothing yet. Talked to the dealer last week. He says, delays in getting an order confirmation is because of the limited option on the engine. I am giving him till April 1 to get me a delivery date or I'll cancel the order.
Kent 123 You can get a locking tailgate. It replaces the handle that is currently there only with a lock on it. Check in GM catalog at you local dealer.
Was stacking some stuff, a plastic tool box with sockets and wrenches was on top. It fell onto the top of the side rail, and...and...(sobbing), left a dingle-berry. I thought, paintless hail-dent repair clinic, $100 ka-chink. Then the other voice in my head said, if you fix it, you'll be cursed with 100 more." Looking on the brighter side, at least all those 208 pieces in the tool box did not scatter like the last time.
I don't think you all want me to keep reporting my fuel consumption in perpetuity. So for the record, my LS 1500 4x4 regular cab 5.3L long-bed 4.10 axle went 501 miles and topped up with 28.5 gallons on the last tank, for an mpg of 17.6 mostly highway miles. My truck, after one month has 2457 miles, and 97.0 operating hours, for an average speed of 25.3 miles per hour. I guess that explains why there hasn't been much traffic in front, lately. What is your average speed?
that sounds like great mileage, quadrunner. i can't believe you're getting that with a 4.10 rear. a friend of mine just bought a new x-cab with the 5.3 and said the EPA sticker said 20 highway on it. ford and dodge need a v-6 to get 20 mpg. and its still a pushrod engine. with all these high mileage reports, i think the chevy engineers were on to something when they designed the torque curve on these things like they did.
Earlier I posted a message stating that my new LS 4x4 ext cab had a bad bounce and shimmy. Well, after having it at the dealer 5 days and them fighting with Goodyear I got my truck back. They replace all the goodyear tires with new ones and replaced 2 of the rims. These were the stock steal rim and goodyear tire. They stated the rims and tires had defects.
Well, the shimmy is definetly gone and it isn't as bouncy. I think it will smooth out even more after I put a Shell ( get some weight in the back ) and maybe better shocks. I have stock setup. Didn't get the z71 package.
The sticker price and the expected mileage! You can configure a truck then bring in a printout to your dealer and negotiate from there. Make sure you know the dealer cost by going to Edmunds or carprices.com. I like carprices cause you can select the options and it adds everything up for you at the end! Most buyers can get THE TRUCK for $500 or less over the dealers cost. The numbers on carprices and Edmunds used to be right on until GM made some minor changes to a few of the prices on a few options. Go in get a printout of what you want from the dealer and take the printouts home and compare, most will be right on and you can figure the others out from there to come up with dealer cost. Take your time and get what you want!
Good to hear they got most of your problem clear mtebben!
I've had my truck 10 days shy of 4 months, ext cab, 5.3, 3.73, Z71. Have 4099 miles and 136 hours which comes to 30.14 miles per hour. Still no problems. I read earlier where some were complaining about the cloth bucket seats being small. When I first got my truck the difference in size between the inner arm rest and the door arm rest was noticeable for about two weeks. Now I don't think about it. I'm 6'2 235. The Feb 26 issue of www.northdallastrucks.com/ had an interview with a GM exec named Grimaldi, I think, and he said that a 4th door truck will be available during the 2000 model year. This is the first I've heard from a reliable source. If anyone is interested.
ycare- I graduated in 96 just North of you in God's Country (OU) and waited two years to buy a new truck. I was dead set on a Ford, but changed my mind after doing a lot of research (the test drive was the clincher). The Silverado is faster, quieter and generally "nicer" than the Ford. My 5.3 LS XCab does everything I want and got rave reviews at a recent camping trip with guys who drive Ford & Dodge. Remember as a recent grad you get $400 rebate. Get the information and follow the links to get your certificate at the GM site. Note that you have to go through GMAC to get it so weigh your options... would you save that $400 by getting a lower rate through an outside lender? I pushed my F&I guy to give me the same rate my bank quoted me. Then I sprang the Grad rebate on him. All in all was great deal. Good luck!
I had 7% set up with a local bank. Went into the dealer and he set me up with 6.95% through GMAC. He got $25 or $50 dollars more from GMAC than the bank. I signed on my truck last month!
Maybe this is the wrong topic, but here goes. Does anyone know what kind of tires the 265 blackwalls are? I ordered the bigger tires, but I didn't want to pay over $100+ just for white lettering. I hope I made the right choice. Can anyone help. 1999 Silverado, LS, ext cab, Z71, 4wd.
Not sure if this is the last word on tires, but I remember seeing a set of P265 blackwalls on a truck, and they were Firestone Wilderness AT's just like the raised white lettered tires.
mwinter1 I just took delivery of my LS w/Z71, alloys, blackwalls, 4.10, 5 spd and received Firestone Wilderness ATs. they look like rental fleet tires...very bland without sipes and the like. Interestingly enough, when I complained to the dealer that they looked wimpy (my trade-in had BFG AT's)he commented that the WOL have a more aggressive tread and sidewall appearance since Firestone felt that WOL would be purchased by younger drivers. Go figure...
markbuck-thanks. hope that holds true for mine. when i bought my bedliner, the liner for the tailgate and it is held down only by a couple of plastic blocks and 3m taping. how cheezy for a $220 bed liner. i had to by sheetmetal screws and drill my own holes. i put 10 screws in there. has anyone else done this. it is a duraliner under rail liner.
I got he 265 blackwalls also. They're Firestone Wilderness AT's like woj1 stated. There basically big street tires. I saw a friends GMC today that had the same tires but with white lettering. They're the same tire except for the white letters
Gimme the whipple, forget the gibson...sneak up on awesome Dave40 night maneuver formation, open fire. Negotiate terms of surrender. You better get one too!
My sales manager says this is the last week to order your '99, cutoff is friday. To me that means that chevy has at least a 4 to 5 month backlog of orders. He also says the 4800 motor is limited avail. in addition to the 5300. No VIN number for my Silverado even though it was supposed to be built last week. Told my sales guy that I might cancel my order for the 1500 regular cab, and order a year 2000 ext cab long bed 2500 hopeing to get the 4 doors. He said think about it, and we will talk next week.
My local dealership is really frustrated with the whole truck situation and new order system.
I was told by my salesman that my truck was ordered today. I placed my deposit 12-26-98. Two weeks ago I was told that the 5.3L engine was in limited production, but today they had an allocation for one today. I'm told that my truck will be here by mid April. I'll have my fingers crossed. This has been a long road. I doubt I will ever try to order a vehicle again. I know that If I ever get this truck that the wait will be worth it, but what a bunch of ----! GM has a long way to go for customer service. Also their new ordering system is in need of improvements. I suspect that the salesmen tell you only what you can drag out of them. We as buyers should be fully informed of the progress of the order form the get go. All I have been told since placing my deposit is, "we are doing all we can". Maybe I have selected a small dealer and the have few allocations. My deal is $500.00 over invoice which is great, so is free, but you never get the vehicle, what good is it. As far as I am concerned, when we place a deposit we become customers. If You want repeat business, you treat us like customers.
Sorry to vent my frustrations out on everyone. I'm really looking forward to my truck.
Before I ordered (Rec'd last week) my Silverado I was looking at the Ford SD F250 crewcab SB and the availabilty of a V-10 5 spd was even worse than with the Silverado...the dealers that I had visited laughed when asked about delivery dates.
You went to the wrong dealers. If you find one that either does a high volume (and has allocations to spare) or a very low one (and doesn't have orders backed up) its really not a problem. The dealers with small allocations and a lot of orders will love blaming the factory for your delays of course. I got my SD last year after shopping dealerships both on price and allocations. I found one that didn't have a backlog, ordered, and got my truck 31 days later. You just have to ask the right questions.
I own a '99 Sierra 2500 6L 2WD extended cab. I have towed my boat twice with the Sierra for a total of about 200 miles. Since I had a very light load of fuel (~60 gallons, boat carries 240) on the boat at the time, I would guess it weighed around 8400-8500 lbs. The only problem I have had is that the truck did not have enough traction on the ramp to pull the boat out of the water until we got 3 large dudes to sit in the bed of the truck. The truck has the limited slip rear-end.
I have not attempted any full throttle starts, but so far the engine seems to have plenty of power to get the rig going. When towing the boat, I normally cruise at around 60 MPH, but the engine seemed "happier" moving along at 66-68 (~2800 RPM). I have not performed an exact MPG test while towing, but I would guess it's getting around 7.5-8 MPG while towing the boat.
The transmission temperature gauge indicates that it runs between 160 and 180 degrees while towing BoatZilla.
If you're interested, check the pictures in "Photos", "Boat/Fish" at:
has anyone found an add-on (of figured out a solution) for the short sun visor? It is just a tad too short and the sun hits me right in the left eye on my way home from work.
GM's new auto buying service is online today. I just browsed all the dealerships in AZ for Silverados. You can pull up VIN numbers and window stikers at each dealership.
We may be longing for the day when we had someone that had a vested interest in the customers happiness! I like having someone to complain to if I have a problem! GM did not seem too concerned when my truck was missing for 2 months!
Just got a '99 Silverado, and very impressed with it's towing power and great 4x4 action.. Just returned from a camping trip, where we were everywhere, and really dirty.. Had to tow my friend in his '98 ford out of the mud a few times..
Very impressed, and always believe in chevy, I have for the last 10+ years!!
If you have any questions or comments, just ask me about my chevy in low range!!!!! Just e-mail me at Scott_norman@hotmail.com
Has anyone been able to order a truck with the ZX3 selectable suspension? wheels.com indicates that option has limited availability, but the dealers I've spoken to all say that it's still on constraint.
Anyone care to comment on the differences I could expect in towing between the Z83 smooth ride suspension and the Z85? I think I'll just go ahead and get the smooth ride, but I don't want to totally handicap myself when it comes to towing.
Does anyone know where I can get a k&n filter for my siverado? Also, Did anybody notice that the oil filter number they give you in the book is the wrong one? They say it's a pf-52 ,when in fact it's a pf-59!!!
Comments
Just wish I had my Silverado.....
But I would look hard before deciding to order a short bed regular cab. I have seen an abundance of that configuration on lots. You might find one now without the wait hassles.
On my order I was told that the 5.3l engine was pretty much unavailable. I Changed my order to the 4.8l in case they couldn't get an allocation for a 5.3l.
Gregg
concerning the clunking noise in the rear end or shock, etc. The chevy dealer had my truck for a whole day trying to figure that problem out. They told me they ordered a part or something. Today they called and said the "spring insulators or isolators" were in. Hope this gives you some insight into your trucks noises.
http://www.pacific-audio.com/performance/discussion.html
Thanks for the tip. I am going to take my 99 truck
in shortly and mention this to them about the noisy rear-end/shock area noise. I called my dealer up yesterday concerning the clunk in the power drivers seat when coming to a stop and over bumps in the road. He told me a month ago a rubber bushing is in the works that secures the metal back part of the seat reclining bracket mechanism in place. As of yesterday, they have no idea when this part will be produced. I told them to call them back and find out because I'm not waiting much longer for Chevy to get their so-called 'Motor Trend Truck of the Year' up and running to customers expectations. I also found out that this dealer has about 30 miscellaneous complaints which they are unable to fix at the moment because this truck is so new and they have no idea how to fix any of them because of the total re-design of the truck. When I found this out, it makes me wonder if GM did their homework before they produce such a poor quality truck! Oh yah, one more thing, my drivers side plastic pillar between the front door and the front windshield is loose. I tried snapping it in place last night. It cannot be done. I pulled it off and all that is holding this long plastic piece on is a top grommet that snaps into the metal framework. The bottom plastic part has two notched which does not fit into and stay in place in the grooves on the left side of the front dash. What poor quality - it's terrible to have plastic pieces coming off the truck and rattling all over!
Thanks for the information. My dealer didn't mention that there were any problems getting the 5.3L engine. Did you recently try to order the 5.3? Has anyone else heard of restrictions on that engine?
I have an order number, but I don't know if that means all the options I chose are on schedule.
Thanks,
Mike
It's a catch 22. My wife's Cadillac required me to remove about a dozen various fasteners to get the headlamp frame loose. You could argue that it's really screwed together well, but I was cursing the fact it took a Craftsman tool chest to have everything you needed. (Yes, I read the owners manual first.)
True, little plastic pieces are cheap, but heck. The Wall Street Journal said Chevrolet division reports there is more profit in the new truck. We are buying them, so what's good for them must be good for us too. I appreciate the ease with which the owner can service and work on the new truck. By finding cheap ways to make things, the manufacturer has also made it easier on us to service them at a reasonable cost. If you look behind the dashboard, you see one box steel frame that the entire dashboard assembly is bolted to. You might quibble about things falling off from time to time, but at least you don't need millwrights to get into it when you need to. It cuts both ways.
I have been lucky and have had no problems to speak of!
You can get a locking tailgate. It replaces the handle that is currently there only with a lock on it. Check in GM catalog at you local dealer.
Earlier I posted a message stating that my new LS 4x4 ext cab had a bad bounce and shimmy. Well, after having it at the dealer 5 days and them fighting with Goodyear I got my truck back. They replace all the goodyear tires with new ones and replaced 2 of the rims. These were the stock steal rim and goodyear tire. They stated the rims and tires had defects.
Well, the shimmy is definetly gone and it isn't as bouncy. I think it will smooth out even more after I put a Shell ( get some weight in the back ) and maybe better shocks. I have stock setup. Didn't get the z71 package.
Thought I would share this.
You can go to this link and configure a truck and actually see the sticker. Click on build your own at the bottom of the list on the left.
http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/index_del.htm
The sticker price and the expected mileage! You can configure a truck then bring in a printout to your dealer and negotiate from there. Make sure you know the dealer cost by going to Edmunds or carprices.com. I like carprices cause you can select the options and it adds everything up for you at the end! Most buyers can get THE TRUCK for $500 or less over the dealers cost. The numbers on carprices and Edmunds used to be right on until GM made some minor changes to a few of the prices on a few options. Go in get a printout of what you want from the dealer and take the printouts home and compare, most will be right on and you can figure the others out from there to come up with dealer cost. Take your time and get what you want!
Good to hear they got most of your problem clear mtebben!
The Feb 26 issue of www.northdallastrucks.com/ had an interview with a GM exec named Grimaldi, I think, and he said that a 4th door truck will be available during the 2000 model year. This is the first I've heard from a reliable source. If anyone is interested.
I graduated in 96 just North of you in God's Country (OU) and waited two years to buy a new truck. I was dead set on a Ford, but changed my mind after doing a lot of research (the test drive was the clincher). The Silverado is faster, quieter and generally "nicer" than the Ford. My 5.3 LS XCab does everything I want and got rave reviews at a recent camping trip with guys who drive Ford & Dodge. Remember as a recent grad you get $400 rebate. Get the information and follow the links to get your certificate at the GM site. Note that you have to go through GMAC to get it so weigh your options... would you save that $400 by getting a lower rate through an outside lender? I pushed my F&I guy to give me the same rate my bank quoted me. Then I sprang the Grad rebate on him. All in all was great deal. Good luck!
I signed on my truck last month!
I just took delivery of my LS w/Z71, alloys, blackwalls, 4.10, 5 spd and received Firestone Wilderness ATs. they look like rental fleet tires...very bland without sipes and the like. Interestingly enough, when I complained to the dealer that they looked wimpy (my trade-in had BFG AT's)he commented that the WOL have a more aggressive tread and sidewall appearance since Firestone felt that WOL would be purchased by younger drivers. Go figure...
http://www.z71.dynip.com
My local dealership is really frustrated with the whole truck situation and new order system.
Two weeks ago I was told that the 5.3L engine was
in limited production, but today they had an allocation for one today. I'm told that my truck
will be here by mid April. I'll have my fingers
crossed. This has been a long road. I doubt I will ever try to order a vehicle again. I know that If I ever get this truck that the wait will be worth it, but what a bunch of ----! GM has a long way to go for customer service. Also their new ordering system is in need of improvements. I suspect that the salesmen tell you only what you can drag out of them. We as buyers should be fully informed of the progress of the order form the get go. All I have been told since placing my deposit is, "we are doing all we can". Maybe I have selected a small dealer and the have few allocations. My deal is $500.00 over invoice which is great, so is free, but you never get the vehicle, what good is it. As far as I am concerned, when we place a deposit we become customers. If You want repeat business, you treat us like customers.
Sorry to vent my frustrations out on everyone. I'm really looking forward to my truck.
Gregg
post your CHEVY truck pictures here free
I own a '99 Sierra 2500 6L 2WD extended cab. I have towed my boat twice with the Sierra for a total of about 200 miles. Since I had a very light load of fuel (~60 gallons, boat carries 240) on the boat at the time, I would guess it weighed around 8400-8500 lbs. The only problem I have had is that the truck did not have enough traction on the ramp to pull the boat out of the water until we got 3 large dudes to sit in the bed of the truck. The truck has the limited slip rear-end.
I have not attempted any full throttle starts, but so far the engine seems to have plenty of power to get the rig going. When towing the boat, I normally cruise at around 60 MPH, but the engine seemed "happier" moving along at 66-68 (~2800 RPM). I have not performed an exact MPG test while towing, but I would guess it's getting around 7.5-8 MPG while towing the boat.
The transmission temperature gauge indicates that it runs between 160 and 180 degrees while towing BoatZilla.
If you're interested, check the pictures in "Photos", "Boat/Fish" at:
http://www.magicnet.net/~dfletche/
www.gmbuypower.com
The end of the New Car salesman is in sight.....
I think your mileage is better than that.
markbuck,
I don't think it's the end of the new car salesman. I want to spend more time at the link though. (Work on my swing. Thanks)
Gregg
MT
www.gmbuypower.com
to work with IE 3.02? I get script errors.
Just returned from a camping trip, where we were everywhere, and really dirty.. Had to tow my friend in his '98 ford out of the mud a few times..
Very impressed, and always believe in chevy, I have for the last 10+ years!!
If you have any questions or comments, just ask me about my chevy in low range!!!!!
Just e-mail me at Scott_norman@hotmail.com
Anyone care to comment on the differences I could expect in towing between the Z83 smooth ride suspension and the Z85? I think I'll just go ahead and get the smooth ride, but I don't want to totally handicap myself when it comes to towing.