Chevy Silverado - Continued VIII

mgdvhman

Mine does not come on either.

As long as you know it's in auto or 4WD...what's it matter?

The brochure is just for looks I guess.

- Tim

revitupfast

I think instrument panel 4wd indicator light is only used on the floor shifted models.

Bill........Revitupfast

1999lt5point3

Check out the 99 silverado brochure--autotrac 4x4 and this indicator light is on!!?? I have yet to see mine come on--it would be cool if it did!

LT 5.3....

1999lt5point3

My 99 LT looks sweet w/my 285 BFG AT's--absolutely no rub--no decrease in ride--no unusal wear--they look tough, I had them on My 98 x-cab 4x4 for 1K miles before going to my 99.

My father-in-law has 285 BFG AT's on his 00 3/4T 6.0 red x-cab LS w/forged alum rims (6.5) and no probs there either--looks SWEET on these rims!! 6K miles and no unusual wear to date!!

If I knew how to post them I would send pictures for you guys to see these 2 sweet bowties.

rhinnc

My 99 5.3 with 8500 Miles on it has done it about the same amount of times as yours has chevy4me. I have to take my truck in for service (only the 17th time in 8 months) I talked to the service advisor about it and he said there was some new synthetic "blue" transmission fluid that goes in the transfer case he is going to change it. He did not say that he had heard about this problem, but maybe it will help.

Guess they should have put the new blue stuff in when they changed my rear main oil seal at 700 miles, or my rear transmission seal at 1900 miles.

payner

Has anyone tryed raising the front ends of there Silverado 4X4s by cranking up the torsion bars? I would like to raise it up 1" or 2". I raised my chevy 3500 4X4 to accommodate the snow plow better.
Just wondered if anyone has tryed it on the 1500 Silverados yet.

joelis

I was looking into some stats on used trucks and thought this was interesting. I think we all know that Chevy and GMC trucks have always had the best resale value, but I was surprised by how much:

I checked out wholesale prices on 5 year old trucks - I compared a very similarly equiped 95 Silverado 4wd ExtCab and 95 F150 SuperCab Lariat with same mileage and similar 95 msrp's with the following results: Chevy's wholesale is $14,200 today - Ford's wholesale is $11,800 today.

Then I found the 3 year Lease Residuals of a similarly equipped and priced 2000 Silverado LS ExtCab and 2000 F150 XLT SuperCab: Chevy residual after 3 years is 60% - Ford residual after 3 years is only 53%. That is over a $2000 difference.

And even better news: The 2000 Tundra Limited ExtCab has a 3 year residual of only 56%.

1999lt5point3

I cranked my torsion bars up just enough to make it more proportional to the back--I made 5 full turns on each side--Be careful because they will not always be so even for both sides--it may take seven on one side and 5 on the other or so on--be sure to take a short drive after you do it and then measure each side on level ground (from the ground to the top of the wheelwell) the reason you want to take a short ride is because it takes some up and down movement on the suspension to get an accurate measurement--with 5 turns to each torsion bar I noticed no differnce in ride quality or tire wear--be careful because this is one component that the alignment tech would adjust to perform an alignment--don't get too carried away--you will see the difference in the front and back being more level.

LT 5.3...

mgdvhman

Send the pics to me.

I will post them for you.

- Tim

ryanbab

Doesnt that come on when it needs servicing like the engine light?

Ryan

Man work 2 days and i miss everything

rayt2

you wanna see my Chevy pics? Check out my photo album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/rayt2/60054

This was done with the enormous help of my daughter, cause lord knows I sure as hell couldn't have done it without her. Sign my Guestbook too and tell me what you think!

Ray T.

ryanbab

The truck is beautiful great color too

Ryan

Cap looks real good i like the high up one

rayt2

I tried getting a shot of the Nerf Bars for ya but I gotta get use to this digital camera a lot of buttons & gadgets to fiddle with. The sun light plays tricks with the color.



Ray T.

ryanbab

I know what they look like. I seen em this weekend on a silverado they look great. Ill probably have em installed for me Sorry guys

Ryan

tex6

I searched previous posts but could not find anything by posters on this BBS pertaining to the Silverado 5.3. Please advise.

- Recommended driving during break-in. I have heard varied speeds, not to exceed 70?

- How long before lst oil change? 1000 miles?

- What type of oil? 5w-30 Mobil l? I read owners manual to say 10w-30.

Though some of these questions may have previously been discussed, would appreciate advice and experiences of others.

Thanks

mgdvhman

...we knew you would hire it out.

Such as easy task....and you are going to let it get the best of you and let some hacker hack at your truck??

...Maybe the new 16 year old employee can get his hands wet in the biz with your new truck??

LOL

Come on man...give it a try.

Have you ever worked on cars at all in your life?

....(Not dogging...just wondering what your background has been with cars?)

- Tim

mgdvhman

Nice truck.

I'm not a fan of caps or covers...but it looks like a nice one though..

- Tim

vince4

I think your numbers are okay but I'd keep the break in to ~55 max. Varied speeds are good but there is only so much you can vary on the freeway. I did my first oil change at 1500 and did have a little metal sludge around the plug magnet so I'd say 1000 is probably better. For the oil, people here have differing opinions but I would go with regular 10-30 until at least the next change. Old wisdom (outdated?) says to let the rings seat before switching to synthetic. I'm going to wait until about 10k.

vince4

Why did you get the camper mirrors? Do you tow?

Epaminondas

I ordered a 1500 z71 LT. How does the stereo sound? Do I need to put something better in? I know it has a cd and tape deck both.

Thanks

rwagoner

What is the difference between the PF58 and PF59? K-Mart had a sale on filters and their guide says to use a PF58, so I bought 4. Now I noticed that the 5.3 is supposed to use a PF59. Is it the same difference as when GM brought out the PF52 to replace the PF51 (adding an anti-drainback valve) or is there another difference?

By the way, I hate K-Mart.

Richard

obyone

Kanton-
Don't I wish...had a white '99 xcab LS for a period of 2 weeks and 3 days...traded for an Onyx Black xcab LS...had only 350 miles and a "little" vibration. Dealer pasted window sticker prices back on and resold it as new.

Epaminondas-
The stereo is ok...I changed mine to a Kenwood (personal preference)...the major problem when the stereo techies listened to my stock system was the rear cab speakers. They told me at minimum...change the rear speakers to something better.

rayt2-
awesome looking truck. Love the duals behind the rear wheels...then again I'm a bit prejudiced as a Silverado owner.

nyal

The 4x4 light is only for the manual transfer case. If you have Autotrac the indicators are on the buttons.

bob259

The PF 58 has a smaller hole, where the filter screws onto the block, then the PF59. The new 5.3 takes the PF59 and has the larger nipple.

Found out the hard way on the first oil change.

chevy00

Pics show a nice looking vehicle!! Picked up my truck on St. Patty's day...and NO, it WASN'T GREEN! HA Truck is all I expected---spacious, powerful, quiet, etc..etc...etc... Only 160 miles so far, but Great just the same. Found a couple defects: (cloth on one rear head rest coming unraveled--getting it replaced) and slight shudder at 27-35 mph (will get tires and rims looked at), but other than that--ALL ;-)'s...

Will get a friend to take digital Pics later (after Nerf Bars and flat tonneau cover) and will post. Hope I enjoy my truck as much a you do yours. Later.

Fred S.

ryanbab

Yes i have done some work on cars not major stuff, oil change, took out gas tank and changed a sensor i think (me and my dad did that a couple years ago i dont exactly remember what we changed), replaced and instrument cluster, shocks, brakes, and i have changed many flat tires i used to be flat tire prone. Thats about it. And yes i plan on doing my own oil change.

Dont worry Tim i know you are but dont be no 16 yr olds will be working on my truck. Its actually some guy in his 40's that has been working with the dealership for years. I am not worried at all.

I dont know but id rather pick the truck up and have them on already. YOu dont order your truck and put your own engine or tires on do you? Just the way i want it done.


Oh yea about a dozen people with nerf bars came into work this weekend talked to all of em and all of em had them installed for them.

Ryan

mledtje

1 year and 25,000 Miles

581.2 Hours
42.998 Average MPH

1616.6 Gallons of Gas
15.5 Average MPG

I guess the 13,000 miles during the trip to Alaska helped keep the average MPH up. Almost all of these miles are with the camper installed. Mileage without the camper was 18.5 for the first tank and improved to 21 by the time I loaded the camper.

Mike L

werking

stock stereo is decent. you don't have to get the tape deck AND cd if you don't want to. i had them delete the tape deck, saved about $150-200 and got an extra cubby hole in the console. will prob'ly eventually move up to a better quality stereo too. perhaps an alpine 3 disk in-dash changer? not sure. prob'ly amp it up and put some nicer speakers in. if i get really crazy i might even put a bazooka tube in. what can i say, i love that rich bass. but first...gotta get a bed-liner, cd-changer for the wife's car, and then we'll look at my stereo...
kyle

rayt2

Yes I do tow a camper during summer /fall, the pic of drivers side you can see it in the background, 19 foot Shasta which I will eventually upgrade to a 25'.
If I were to do it again I would not get the camp mirrors though, the option looked appealing but the function is not up to par, very hard getting them adjusted because of the way they are designed and the blind spot mirror built into drivers side is to low. When adjusted for optimal viewing w/blindspot I am looking at the rooftops of cars & up at the sky w/regular mirror. Live & learn. The telescoping feature is good idea though.
No other complaints about this truck otherwise so far.

Ray T.

dannyg

What are the specs of your truck? 4.8L 2WD 5sp supercab? 5.3L 4WD automatic regular cab? What is the approx. weight of your camper? This'll help me understand you MPG numbers better. Thanks!

mgdvhman

Ryan,
If you have done all that....Nerf bars should be a cinch!!

Oh well....to each his own I guess. You seem intimidated.

If I don't do it myself.(providing It's something I can)...It's like Mick says...

"I can't get no.....Satisfaction".....

- Tim

scottay

why dont you have an over the rail liner sprayed in? And why would you put on plastic rail caps instead of metal? You could get black chrome.
Here a stereo tip I recieved: i strongly reccomend you leave all
the factory speakers and just add a nice 4 channel amp with built in xovers 2 channels to
all the highs and mono the other two to a small sub! the factory speakers are not bad its
the power of the stock system thats lacking! cutting the bass out of the factory speakers
and adding a small sub will sound 20 times better than any speaker and amp upgrade you.

-scott

scottay

towed for the first time to Lake Castaic this weekend. Awesome power compared to my old ride. Boat seemed to bounce alot tho. Does the height of the ball affect the ride of the trailer? I think my ball is too high.
The new Sanger "Sang Air" with the cage is a good looking boat. Saw a slew of HTM's, some Bajas, coupla big Cats, and musta been a 30 foot Teague. Add the rig to the boat, where do these people get the cash? - scott

ryanbab

Reason for not over the rail is my cousin has the over the rail on his pickup and at the end by the tailgate it peels and i didnt like how it looked. WHy not plastic? It protects as good i like the wade but now dee zee is coming out with some but not for a few months. SO plastic it is

Ryan

bluebeast

Sunvisor - ordered the Suburban w/o light. Came with extension AND the small flip down visor so you don't have to keep swinging the visor back and forth if your on a curving road. I will take pictures as I go along. Might be a couple of weeks before I get it done. Want to talk to a couple more people at the dealer who have had the headliner off.

Oil - put synthetic in after 1K miles (10w-30), never burns/looses a drop between the "change oil" light coming on (about 3-4K miles average). Current mileage = 13K.

mledtje

My truck is a 4x4 reg cab longbed 4.8L 5spd 3.73

With the camper on it weighs 6500lbs. The camper is a pop-up, and it is only about 9" above the cab. Not a big cabover like a Lance.

Mike L.

werking

i'd love to get my hands on a copy of those pics and a list of "how-you-did-it" when you finish it up. also, since you prob'ly know this right now...how much did the new visors cost? thanks

kyle

mledtje

The short visor is one of the biggest complaints I have with my Silverado.

If you have the part numbers you ordered, I would like them. And, I would like to thank you for trying to find a solution to this problem, instead of just complaining about it like the rest of us.

Mike L

swobig

and have a new MAF sensor on the way. Took about a hour to put the air filter system on - let you know tomorrow if it goes any better...

m1685

i need help on finding a real good after market sliding rear window. I am now on my 2nd factory sliding window, and now have to get another. First one leaked around edge, second one has cracked around edge, and now have to get another one put in. The dealership said they have had trouble with them, when the frame and body articulation being one of the reasons. Well, they said they would install a nice aftermarket one for free, and pay to have it tinted again. i just got them tinted a month ago.
I wish i could get an automatic slider, but I doubt they would split the cost, too much paperwork for them. Also if any of you do have the stock sliding window, i would check all around the outside plastic molding to seee if you have any cracks. They did say they have been having trouble with these. i was putting another sticker on my back window and noticed two cracks. One at the top left of the sliding part, the other was lower right.
This is the longest post I have made, and i usually hate it when people write this long, well guess i cant complain to myself anymore.

dbhull

What did the airaid kit put ya out in cash? I am more interested to hear how the MAF does. I have heard results one extreme to the other. Also if you have a cost on the MAF and where you got both, would be very helpful.

Thanks.

Dan

rcoos

I have had my truck for just over a week now! I am most impressed!!! No vibration or any other rattle. I have put 700 miles on the Silverado now & the only little problem I had was a small adjustment on the rear drivers door. The guys at my dealership did a great job, the door works fine now!

Bluebeast-sorry you lost some money in my town! I hope that you at least had fun!!!

I am getting about 17 mpg's per a gallon. Drove down to Laughlin & the rest of the time running around Las Vegas. I haven't taken the truck off road yet. My brother & me are planning to head off road this weekend. Most likely around the Ivanhoe Valley area (close to Jean).

To all the people waiting for their trucks, it's worth the wait!!! This is a most impressive truck!
rcoos

This truck kicks a**! The 5.3 is a great motor!

vince4

The LS or LT stereo is not bad. In fact it's surprisingly good for a factory unit. I don't totally agree with the earlier post about speakers vs. amp though. For moderate volume this unit has adequate power. An amp would probably help a little with the low end but not that much since the factory unit isn't starved for power. If you want it really loud then get the amp.

The speakers in the front are fine but the rears are pretty lame. I don't care how much power you pump into them, they aren't going to sound any better. They are really only used for midrange fill, the door speakers do most of the work.

I've bought new 4x6 speakers for the rear and a 6.5 inch amplified Bazooka tube for mine. I hope to install them this weekend. I'll post the results.

vince4

I did the test you suggested. Go into t/h mode, get up to 45-50 and while still in third gear let off the gas. Mind did not drop to idle like yours does. The rpm just went down like normal and held at 1500 until I was going quite slow. I tried it in and out of lockup and with the shifter in 3. Always the same. Also while decelerating I turned off t/h and it made no difference. I have a 2000 built in Sept. 99. Maybe your firmware needs updating.

vince4

You are the man. I think your visor fix will be a
big hit here. Please give us the details as they
come. Thanks.

mgdvhman

I agree with Vince.

The unit is fine and goes plenty loud. The rear speakers are the weak point here. If I was to change anything...I'd get a bazooka tube and some resistors to block the low frequencys to the rear speakers....as well as replacing the rears.

The fronts are fine for me....and I like it loud.

Why change the head unit for some aftermarket that will not look right...not support SCV...and not have theftlock?

Not sure if I will change anything though...

- Tim

mtrammell

Not even 200 miles on the truck yet and the light comes on this morning on the way to work. At the same time, the tranny started shifting VERY hard into 2nd and 3rd. Luckily, most of the ride in is highway. Will let you know what the dealer finds (or doesn't {:0).

ryanbab

A bazooka tube? I thought u old people get mad at us kids driving around with our loud cars with the bass bumping. Always complaining and making these anti noise laws. haha

Ryan

bluebeast

Went home last night and decided to open the box and take a look at the visor & related parts. And to my surprize was lighted mirrors! Ummm, the parts guy said it was w/o lights. Calling this morning to see if there really is one w/o lights. Went over to my neighbor who bought a Suburban and his had lights on the visor. If this is the only way to get them then I need to figure out if I can connect them into the overhead console, or, just leave the wires hanging behind the headliner not connected. Price was $80.00 each, two different part #'s (drivers & passengers side). I'll keep you guys posted.

rcoos, had lots of fun in Vegas! That's why I go twice a year.

bob259

The part numbers may also be different depending on the interior color of your vehicle. When I ordered a headliner for my 97 I needed the interior color code and the part numbers were one digit off for each code. (The parts guy learned the hard way as he read the wrong line...)