Chevrolet Silverado

jeep10

How much gas does the Chevy 454 SS 1990 model burn to the gallon?

scott41

Question - Am near ready to place an order for a
Silverado 1500 4WD. For this truck, Chevy offers four suspension choices - Standard, Firm Ride, and
Z71-Off road. My dealer only has Z71s on the lot and they ride well. However, I have heard that the Z71 package is a stiffer ride on open road.

Most of my miles will be highway, except for an occasional trip to some backwoods getaways. I need the 4x4 mostly for mountainous snowy winter driving. I prefer the smooth ride for the improved roads, but need to know from experienced Chevy owners how they feel with regard to this issue.
The question 4x4 vs Z71. I also understand the 99
Silverados Z71 package is firmer than previous model years. Thanks in Advance.

jxyoung

Advice to you guys thinking about ordering. Take your time and look at as many trucks as you can to figure out exactly what you want. I almost ordered a truck the 2nd time I saw 1 and would have regretted it. I thought I wanted some things and colors that when I saw later, I knew I would have been unhappy with. Try to see the interior, color,( not pictures in the book), exterior color, etc. I would have made do with my decisions but I know I will be happier with the truck I am "supposed to be" getting than I would have if I had jumped the gun. I know this is common sense but it is easy to get caught up in the frenzy and make snap decisions. I know I almost made some.

mwinter1

I couldn't agree more with what jxyoung said. Luckily for me, the GM system was down for a while, because I significantly changed my order. I too would have made do with what I ordered, but I'm going to be a lot happier now. A little more poorer, but a lot happier. For me, I was a car driver. So, when it came to purchasing a truck, there are so many more options and configurations that you just don't have in a car purchase.

Scott41: I drove a 99 LS ext cab, 4wd silverado with the Z71 package. I couldn't believe how smooth it was. I drive a Honda Accord. Accords may be a little more stiff for handling purposes than most cars, but this truck drove like a luxury car in my opinion. But then again, that's just my opinion.

Davydd

I have the z71 package and find the ride acceptably smooth. It is stiff but not jarring.

mwinter1

I called the 800# with my dealer code and order number, but the person that I spoke to said that they no longer have that capability. When I asked if they will have that capability in the near future, he was kind of unsure and didn't know if the new system would allow that access. He kept repeating to keep in touch with the dealer. Anyone else get the same line?

markbuck

jeep10 - the chevy burns one gallon of gas per gallon. Was that the question?

scott41 - Z71 is probably best for hi speed off- roading, Z85 is chevy's middle dampening, and the standard is Z83. If you pull a heavy trailer, chevy says go at least Z85. But, its just shocks, which wear out every couple of years anyway.... BTW, I went Z85 on my 4x4 Silverado after driving all three suspensions in the 1/2 ton.

chevy2

mwinter1, I have called the 800# and they tell me the same thing. Order numbers from the dealer, they can no longer access. My dealer told me today that my truck is in transient. If this is correct, then he should be able to give me a vin#? Any thoughts from others about this.

dave40

Dealer should have VIN# if truck is in transit. Something Fishy call the manager at your DEALER

quadrunner500

mwinter1, you said you had your order number and dealer code. When did you place your order, and when did GM assign an order number? I ordered mine DEC 22, and as of today, I am in "prospec" system only, GM has not issued an order number.

quadrunner500

If the 800 number is not going to give out the information anymore, the point is moot. On another front, those 1500 short bed regular cabs are cute! One dealer, not where I bought had a 2500 LS extended cab, on the lot. My dealer, told me today word is 2500's are still on hold. Nevertheless, the 2500 I say today had the two-tone paint option, but what was really cool, was that those fender flares, instead of being unpainted black plastic, were instead painted the lower color.

fasteddie1

An update; Have spent several months comparing the 3/4 ton Chevy's, GMCs,Ford's and Dodge's, gas vs. diesel, etc. and reading all the posts here (thanks to all of you and Edmunds). I tow an 8,000 TT which is the primary use for the truck. It is not an everyday driver. My conclusions (having no prior biases...): Gasoline and a big engine would be best for me (also 4WD, ExCab and LWB). That eliminated the Dodge because the only anyone should want one is for the Cummins IMHO. Between the Chevy and the Ford, my conclusion is that, despite a lack of four doors, the Chevy is the technically superior truck at this point. However...after visiting several Chevy dealers here in Phoenix...NONE of them want to deal at all. The GMC guys here don't even have any pricing. It is simply a thing of supply and demand I think... lowest I could get'em was $800(!) over invoice... so I am off to drive Fords again tomorrow... stay tuned....

pharmasea

I saw a Silverado at the dealer that had everything I wanted (and more) so I bought it. The only difference in what I wanted was this truck has a 4.1 rear axle rather than a 3.73.

What differences will I see (gas mileage, more pulling power etc.

Thanks

Jim

mwinter1

Quadrunner: My dealer received an order number the same day that he placed the order. It was an alphabetical code, no numbers. He also told me that my truck will be manufactured sometime during the week of March 1st.

zonk1

I saw an add in the paper this morning for the dealership where I bought my truck. It says $2800 off all silverados in stock. Looks like they're starting to deal down here. Lynn Smith Chevrolet in Burleson Tx.

fasteddie1

Zonk1:

There are alot of 1500s around, but the 2500s are few and far between and I have not EVER seen a 99 4WD, LB, ExtCab, 6.0L on any dealer lot or on the street nor have any of the dealers I spoke with...when you ask for that combination they just roll their eyes and try to sell you the ONE Gold, 2WD, SB, 2WD, 6.0L they DO have or try to talk you down into a 1500... IMHO, Chevy has really missed the market by building so many 1500s first when us serious tow guys want the larger truck...as a result they will miss a lot of guys like me who are frustrated with the wait, and will maybe buy a Ford cause the Ford guys are more willing to deal and the SD's appear more available...

stanford

Nah. Most people who want a heavier truck do research, order the vehicle, et cetera. The impulse buyers who want a 'K3WL' truck generally go for the half-tons -- and pay more, thus creating more profit.

Of course, there are exceptions...

lildiesel

I own a 86 GMC diesel 2wd with a 4spd muncie tranny. I was looking for info on putting a 5.9 cummins diesel engine into my truck. can it be done, if so what modifications need to be made?

p.s. are there any cat diesel engines that would fit into my 86 gmc truck?

Davydd

On my first fill-up with my 1999 1500LT Silverado z71 running in Autotrac mode I got 16.7 mpg. The driving was mostly surburban driving, commuting 21 miles half 35 mph and 55 mph and creeping 5 minutes at a timed on-ramp stoplight. Most of the time the roads were wet with snow and the gas was 87 octane 10% oxygenated. The truck sticker says 15 city/18 highway so this seems about right.

Spang

There has been a post or two about problems with the frame design and no one has replied. Is this an unfounded rumor or are our heads in the sand? How could a frame problem be identified on such a new truck? I would like to buy one, but I can't bring myself to buy a first production year of any vehicle.

peterm1

Spang:

Take a look at http://boards.excite.com/boards/topic?id=1:7332&msgIndex=0&parent=1:4605

Don't know if its true, but this is all I've seen about it. Here is a sample:

Very serious problems but he didn't know what they were? LOL. Sounds like a bunch of nonsense. Only the front section of the GMT800 frame is hydroformed. The mid section is rolled and the back section is stamped. If there was a problem with that technique it likely would have surfaced on the new Corvette.

I have a '99 Silverado 2500 (3/4 ton). Couldn't be happier with the truck.


________________
I'll tell you exactly what's happening to the frames on the new Silverado.


When car-hauler drivers put vehicles on the trucks, they hold them down (usually) with chains; they have a hook on the end and put the hook through a loop on the body that looks like a tow/recovery hook on a 4x4.

Because of the way the frame was designed, with the hydroforming in front, there is a new process which includes straps.

Well, drivers have been torquing the trucks down with the chains, and putting the hooks through holes in the frame that are not designed for this!!!

It was an early problem, but the correct process is now being used across the board.



________________
Interesting you bring that up. Our dealership had 2 brand new Z71 4x4's with As-Is No-Warranty stickers. They didn't look like Demos. They didn't have a scratch on them. Hmmmm ...

I recently had a car moved on a piggy back (it's a low sitting 3rd Gen Camaro that can't be towed with a hook). The driver said the untrained or careless drivers often bend frames/unibodies of certain vehicles like this one by cranking them down too tight. He was real careful not only when he tighened the chains but also not to scrape the nose putting it on the truck. It's guys like that I don't mind giving a nice tip to. It never occured to me the hydraulics on those rigs were that strong.

RichinKs

www.wheels.com has been updated for January. They are still showing all Silverado 2500's on hold till February. Sierra xtened cabs and wide bodies (E63) both TBD. LT option restricted. I believe that limits LT's to no more than 10% of production. ....... Rich

dave40

Dealer got stock sheet on My 2500 Sierra today!
Shipped 1/19/99 should be here by weeks end!

jxyoung

Good luck!

dave40

Did you get yours yet ?

shooz

Here's a heads up, everyone: The dealer invoice on a 'LT' has gone up $219.65 sometime since December 1st. 'LS' may have gone up also. I have had a 'LT' on order since 10/16 (allocated 10/24) at $500 over invoice. I placed a $500 deposit at the time and agreed to the dollar amount quoted by the dealer and shown on their print-out.
The dealer would not draw a sales contract or accept payment for the vehicle because they need a VIN number, not known until the vehicle is released to the transport company. The truck was built and shipped on 1/22 and I received a Fax with the VIN number and the (surprise!) 'price increase'. I've been in touch with the dealer on a regular basis while waiting and this is the first I hear of this price increase!
What do do think? Is the dealer obligated to the original dollar amount quoted or to the current invoice+$500?
Because Chevrolet Motors has changed the order system the dealers get dinged 3 allocations for every customer special order not picked up. For that reason the Chevy dealers are ordering all special orders as 'for stock orders' which supposedly have no price protection.
Since a bunch of us have been waiting a long time for our orders to be built and delivered I'm sure some are likely to get the 'while you were waiting we raised the price' news. It just doesn't seem right, does it?

commers

I got the same story from my dealer on the invoice increase. On my loaded LS it went up $156. The dealer tried to slide it by real quick. I caught it and told him I waited long enough for this truck (5 months) and there was no way I was going to pay the increase. Mine was ordered as a "sold" unit so the dealer was able to get the price protection from chevrolet. The dealer would have got if from both had I not questioned it. Tough spot for you. Some dealers might tell you to walk and then sell it for more? A lot of the dealers in the twin cities (MN) have a real good selection of 1/2 tons and are starting to make invoice type deals. The big push appears to be over on 1/2 tons. If your dealer doesn't have many he could hold you on it. I like my truck and probably would have paid the $156 if it would have broke the deal.

stanford

> The dealer would not draw a sales contract
> or accept payment for the vehicle

This is a little odd. I haven't ordered a Chevy, but when I got my Ford I made sure that I had the price, et cetera, in writing before leaving the dealership. If you don't have a signed contract (even if its not the official Purchase Order), you're out of luck. Personally, I'd pay the increase and you may be lucky its not a lot more. If its not in writing, it might as well not have been agreed on.

mtebben

The arrival date for my 4x4 LS ext cab was Jan. 21 according to the dealer sheet. Well, its passed that date and no truck yet.

But, I expect it will be here this week and when I go to pick it up I certainly keep my eye on the price. I paid a deposit and I have paper work that shows my price. If they ask me for more money I will walk.

So Cal.

quadrunner500

On Dec. 22nd, I put my deposit down on a special order Silverado. When I got home, I realized all I had was a receipt for the deposit amount, but no purchase and sales agreement, just a computer print-out of the vehicle listing the options and prices, with hand-written notes on top of various offers that were made as we went back and forth, including the price we agreed on. That was it. Nothing signed by them accepting anything, just a price with an "x" beside it signed by me where I made my offer. I believe they will probably try to accept the price when it comes in, but there is always the dis-incentive with a large non-refundable deposit for the dealer to sell you a car, i.e. money for nothing if you don't buy. It occurred to me later that I might have to haggle again after the vehicle arrives. Your experience justifies my concern. I posted a message topic under the "Smart Shopper" section called "Must I haggle again when the vehicle arrives?"
http://wellengaged.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?c=Smart_Shopper&f=0&t=1080
My dealer told me verbally my deposit was non-refundable. I have subsequently received some advice from others that it is still re-fundable under several circumstances, absent something in writing to the contrary. Which brings up my final point that if you did not get a signed purchase and sales agreement when you ordered your vehicle, consider yourself lucky because the wording of the contract would not be to protect your best interests, but instead the dealers.

stanford

A good contract should protect both parties. If you're concerned about price, figure out what 'invoice + 500' (or whatever you agree on) would come to and get that in writing as a set number. That way, if invoice price goes up (or down) your price doesn't vary.

zonk1

I saw an interesting article on the car and driver site yesterday. It said that a judge in Louisiana had approved a class action settlement against GM for the safety of their side gas tanks. everyone who owned a C/K pickup on July 1 1996 is eligible for a $1000 voucher towards the purchase of a new GM vehicle. I just went to the site to try and link it here but couldn't find the article. Just my luck.

davek3

zonk..
I think there was a time limit on this offer and it is now expired... and if you had more than one voucher all the other vouchers were worth $500.00 I remember seeing this some where but not sure where...

tkabbes

I jumped from the Edmunds review of the 1999 Silverado to this page hoping to find a posting about this particular review. The MSRP listed for the 1500 LS Extended Cab 2WD was close to what I read from my Credit Union. The MSRP listed for the 1500 LS Extended Cab 4WD Z71 was about $1000 more according to the review. My Credit Union information places the MSRP at approximately $3500 above the 2WD.
Did I miss something ?

jxyoung

Dave40
No truck yet????????????????????????????????????

Went to the dealer today and talked the GM rep's for a second. USELESS! GM has really got their head somewhere it does not belong!

Last month Chevy said my truck was released to transport Dec 18 (built Dec. 17). Now transport says it was released to them Jan 11 and was shipped out of Canada Jan 20 and will take between 10 to 20 days!

Called the 800 # again to b$#*h and got the biggest broken record I have ever heard! I am having very serious thoughts of cancelling this order! If it is this hard to just get an answer to where the hell my truck is I would hate to see how hard it would be to get a dispute taken care of by going to GM! The way they talk the dealer is the final word! The girl did say that when the computer system is up to speed they will be able to give the build info like they used to.

Saw a guy I know that got his a few weeks ago and his truck had disappeared for about a month. They finally found that the Rail Co. had disconnected a railcar it was on somewhere and forgotten about it????? Kind of interesting that Chevy told me once they release to the rail co. that they do not track the vehicle. They say the dealer is the only one that tracks the vehicle after that?? I guess Chevy could care less if their customers are satisfied! What ever happened to customer satisfaction?

Sorry for the pop-off but this is bulls$!t!

dave40

Bummer ! Tell me what you ordered again? Was it the sportside? What color ect,ect,ect

cdean

sorry to hear jxyoung, but what power does Chevy really have at this point, even if they were tracking it? You really are at the mercy of the rail company.

jxyoung

Cdean
You are right but it would be nice to know where the truck was for that 3 week discrepancy???

Dave40
I ordered a Black LS, extended cab, Z71, sportside, with 5.3, 4 speed auto, 3.73 loaded.

dave40

I Saw a GMC Sierra just like that. Great looking beast, I'am sure it'll be worth the wait. Are you considering any aftermarket Goodies for it ? That could pass some time. Thats what I've been doing for 6 months

jxyoung

I plan on adding side bars, Rhino or similar sprayed in bed liner and maybe slightly larger tires.

I am better now! I think I just sit back and wait.
It is a good thing I am convinced that this is the best truck on the market! I know it will be worth it in the end!

jxyoung

Yes that is strange that the 2500 has narrower rims?? Good luck with the Rims and tires.

quadrunner500

Probably has more to do with the availability of light duty truck tires than rim widths in general. The P265's on the 1500 are passenger car tires, although I can't think of a passenger car that would use them. But they have lower load ratings than the light truck tires used on the 2500.

shooz

jxyoung,
Say, go back to post #69. Hope that helps you track your truck. I feel bad you're going through that bull but hang in there: You've got a hell of a truck on the way!

jerryb2

Is there any information out there on the reliability of the current transmissions being put in the Silverado 1500 with 4.8L and 5.3L? Is this a new, unproven design or can I expect it to last 150,000 miles +. I keep my vehicles a long long time.

hubbap1

My 2500 is here! My dealer in north central Wisconsin got in 3 ordered 2500's on 1/22. Mine is an LS, ext. cab, 4WD, sb, with many other options. Won't be able to pick it up until Thurs or Sat. due to work issues and the fact that I ordered from a dealer 1 1/4 hour away to get a $100 over invoice price. My price is same as we agreed on - no additional cost as noted in earlier posts. Actually been a very good dealer to work with: Domine Chevy out of Loyal, WI.

I ordered on 9/18. Not sure of build date. It was shipped on 1/9 and to dealer on 1/22. Sure has been a long wait - about 18 weeks. But that is about what dealer said it would be.

I'm nervious now. Hope all options are there as ordered and it is top build quality. Built in Mich. I will post after I get it around the block a few times and let you know how it's running. My first truck!

cdean

jerryb2

the transmissions in the silverados are the same ones that were in the C/K's for the last few years. they've been bulletproof. with proper maintenance and care, you shouldn't have any problems well up to 150K.

mtebben

So, my delivery date for my Silverado truck is past due by almost a week. Jan 21st.

The only thing the dealer can saw is "any day now".

Seeing some of the other posts about trucks being lost in delivery make me think I'm about to run into the same problem.

Opinions. Any suggestions?

dave40

When was it shipped?
Where was it shipped?

commers

My truck was delivery past due also. The dealer found it had been sitting in the railway lot for about a week. He called and put a "HOT" notice on it. It was on the hauler and at the dealer the next morning. I guess it can sit in these railway lots for about two weeks before any penalty is assessed to the delivery company?

tungle

Hi,
I worked out an order for a GMC Sierra SLE 4WD; ext cab with some other options on the day after
last Thanksgiving. Today, I just learned from the
dealer that my truck order was actually processed
by GM and had an order number. The build day is
March 01. They said I might have it around April 01 (I don't like this delivery day at all; it's
April fool day!). Anyway, I still have a long time
to wait.
I wonder if GM has an 800 number to call and check
on the build progress. So far, you guys only mentioned things related to Chevy.
Thanks,
Tung