Chevy Silverado - Continued X

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Comments

  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    I'd get stainless regardless of where you live. Blacks rust the fastest...and chrome will even rust...regardless of what you do...

    Chome plated stainless is new....and I would imagine it would be better?....but the outside still rusts?....most rust is an inside out thing though..

    Solid Stainless is expensive...I know first hand...but I feel worth every penny. When I sell this truck...hell...I'm taking them with me for what I paid!

    LOL


    image


    (Click for bigger pic)

    Good Luck

    - Tim
  • krc32krc32 Member Posts: 25
    I have also been feeling what seems like a drag at idle and acceleration. Thought it might be just me, coming out of a '71 Chevy truck with a 350 and a 4 speed manual.
    At idle...500 rpm's...the truck pushes 3-4 mph top speed in drive, on a smooth level road. It feels like I'm pulling a trailer. Releasing the brake just doesn't get the push, I believe it should, from a stop. 19K on my 99 1500 ext. But once I reach mid range rpm's it seems to hit the power band.

    Rear leafs just replaced, seems to have disguised the launch shutter. Not quite as detectable. But it is still there. I told them my 2 pc. drive shaft cocked side ways, so they made adjustments. Still slightly cocked...still slightly vibrating...enough to know something is not right.

    Anyone else know what there idle speed averages in drive?
    Aftershocks gone with new rear leafs and new front shocks.

    Keith
  • jumboballsjumboballs Member Posts: 1
    i've ordered a '00 ext. cab LS/5.3L loaded with
    all the goodies except leather seats.
    ordered on 3/16 and got tpw of 4/24.
    was at dealership today and saw 2 new 4 drs. and
    both had door handles on outside of rear doors,
    sorta looks like the Tundra.
    they look totally absurd. will mine come like
    this or is there a way to get the factory to
    exclude these from my order. my sales guy said it

    was a new change in response to customer
    requests.
    he does'nt know if they'll be on mine or that if
    we can get the truck without them.
    any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    jumbo
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    99.9% probability you will have the exterior door handles.
  • jamesk4jamesk4 Member Posts: 55
    Just filled up for the first time today, ran 321 miles on 20.4 gallons, equates to 15.7 MPG. 5.3 engine, 3.42 rear, with 50/50 city/highway driving, nothing over 60 MPH. Should improve as motor loosens up. I realize that I will get some Cowpoke comments about the top speed so far, but it's my truck.....
  • dbhulldbhull Member Posts: 150
    My truck had the computer update from the factory.
    It has the latest update for the detonation. I also put a 180 degree thermostat from Hypertech in my truck.

    I installed the TR6 plugs tonight (one range colder firing and copper core). Just from about 25 miles of driving, it seems to have rectified about 95% of the detonation. Two things still to consider to rectify fully.

    1. I talked to the NGK tech today to get a recommended gap. He apparently has had tons of people contacting him of the exact situation and has also worked with numerous GM techs to rectify the detonation issue that almost all the new model 5.3l are having. He said the colder firing TR6's are pre-gapped at .039 and should not be gapped any wider than .049. He said that if it is only detontating under a load or in the Summer heat, go with the copper core replacement plug of the same temp range (TR55's), only decrease the gap to .050 instead of the stock .060.
    I told this guy that my truck detonates all the time, even when not under a load. He recommended trying the TR6's with a gap of .049 and then decrease to .045 if it still was pinging.

    Even with the TR6's gapped at .049, my truck idles much much much smoother, has an "INCREASE" in power and acceleration, and almost entirely rid the ping. It even "sounds" smoother, no more uneven acceleration (almost like it is missing not firing evenly).

    2. I think I will drive it a few hundred miles and if it still is pinging (after the computer has time to re-learn), I will decrease the gap to .045 and try that.

    Even as it is, it was definately worth the $16 for plugs and an hour of my time.

    I also found that the 5.3l has a compression of 9.5:1. The high output and heavy duty 350 that GM puts in the previous model 2500's has a compression of 9.4:1. The 5.3l has a smaller displacement, yet a higher compression. No wonder it is more prone to detonate on regular octane gas.
  • gnippergnipper Member Posts: 120
    I know I'm just setting myself up for attacks - and typically I don't do this - just be quiet and they will eventually go away - but jumboballs has none - he is RED in disguise. He is being the same jerk in the Zaino forum and using the same lousy names. He even had the balls to tell them there that he was liked and appreciated in this channel. Have fun RED. And fire away - shame you have nothing useful to contribute.

    By the way - so this post isn't totally wasted - my HPP III is at home, had a friend pick it up off my porch where UPS left it. Will work on the speedo settings this weekend.
  • dbhulldbhull Member Posts: 150
    Who is RED? New here and never seen his posts.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    That's really interesting. I hope putting them in wasn't too much of a struggle. Guess not if it only took an hour.

    I believe I have a milder case, but Colorado thin atmosphere lowers combustion pressures, and our normal cooler/seasonal temperatures are a plus.

    Still, I'll get a crackle at 1500 rpm when it's hot, under light load. Step into it hard, I think it reads the TPS and retards spark to prevent something truly harmful, detonation under a heavy load.

    I think if possible, I would like to investigate using one colder heat range on a platinum plug. Of course, copper has superior heat dissipation, is a better conductor of heat, but the platinum has better resistance to corrosion, since it is higher up the galvanic scale. But that just reflects my desire to maintain the longevity of the advertised 100,000 mile life, whether true or not for me...I don't want to change plugs as often as you might...Kudos to you!
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    great name you have there. i'll never go away. i
    enjoy reading what you guys talk about. i know
    that i have nothing of interest to post so i am
    keeping quiet. as i said awhile back i'm not
    going to get involved in ribbin' anyone 'cause it
    only looks childish and it's boring to the ones
    that aren't involved. no, i'll just sit back and
    watch. i think i suggested something once that i
    thought was OK only to be called anal. yep, i've
    got to keep my mouth shut here. i'm not as smart
    as some of you guys. you guys know way more about
    these trucks than i ever will, maybe even GM as
    well. just look at the last few posts. Spark
    plugs and HPP111, now why can't GM see that these
    problems need to be addressed. oh, i know 'cause
    they probably don't have time to come here and
    learn from guys like you. their too busy building
    trucks that you aftermarket techs will repair
    anyway. alterntors and maybe power steering
    pumps, i'm sure these need more power too don't
    they? oh well i guess i'll have to wait until you
    guys get to those problems.

    no, i'm keeping my mouth shut, unless i want to
    know something, and then i can ask Obyone or
    Blue.they do seem to know what their talking
    about, plus they have class.

    Mr. Balls, unless you have something real
    important to talk about, watch yourself. some of
    these guys will cut you like an animal if they
    don't like your response. as far as zaino topic
    is concerned, i'm the one who put my foot in my
    mouth (as usual) so don't be to hard on 'em.

    ...RED
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Don't you remember our old buddy Red??

    This guy!! (Click for bigger pic)


    image


    All you have to do is remember that...and everything else he says makes sense!

    He even got a line about him in Grumpy Old Men!

    http://www.teleweb.net/mgdvhman/Menace.wav

    Good old Mikee..(Red)
    Out there in California...Surrounded by Fruits!

    Just ignore him....he has no life and nothing better to do with himself..

    (You can see the well thought out post above of his....I rest my case..)


    - Tim
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    that pitcture is still the funniest i've seen
    yet. go back and read my last response in v-6 or
    v-8.

    ...RED
  • anonymousanonymous Member Posts: 314
    make that engine 2000. silver reg cab sb
  • bluebeastbluebeast Member Posts: 258
    One piece of advise that you will thank me for later. Whatever header you decide to go with make sure that you get it with a ceramic coating and/or Jet-Hot coat on it. The primary purpose being to keep the heat from disapating into the engine area.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Forgot about Ryan. :(

    Ryan

    hahaha
  • dumanduman Member Posts: 53
    sorry for the typo's .....35%-40% is correct though! i know this is hard to believe and ofcourse its the maximum gains....... but never the less its possible. 15% from the headers, 10% from k&n, 15% from catback(depending on how its set up).
    more realistic would most likely be @30%(-). this is because the maximum gains were produced on finely-tuned test vehicles and under optimum conditions. not to say that you dont do the best you can to keep your vehicles in the best running condition that you can..... im just saying that everyday driving and other variables preclude your truck from performing the same way that the testing was performed
  • scottayscottay Member Posts: 91
    Its all about you, isnt it? Like a little puppy, smack its nose and comes back for more!
    Okay, hows this....you better check your truck, I thought I saw bird droppings in that pic, you know that can ruin your paint, right? LOL -scott
  • wtkingwtking Member Posts: 43
    Someone in an earlier post mentioned their 2-piece driveshaft was cocked? My 2000 Ext. Cab has a one-piece aluminum driveshaft, thats about 9 inches in diameter. No launch shudder at all.

    Did the 99's have a 2-piece driveshaft?

    -Todd
  • mt21713mt21713 Member Posts: 21
    Picked up my truck last night. It's sooo great!

    2000 Silveradp 1500 LS extended cab 4x2 short bed in Pewter (cloth graphite interior) with bucket seats, tape player, cast aluminum wheels.. love it!

    I would definitely recommend my dealer.. Bobby Bramlett @ Covert Country in Taylor (near Austin, Texas). www.covertcountry.com He'll search the state to find what you want if they don't have it on the lot. And he's a real person! No slimy pushy car salesman attitude here! You can tell him I sent you if you like.

    Meredith Thompson
    (mcthomp@fnfi.com)
  • rdve80rdve80 Member Posts: 139
    WT,
    Tell me more about this single piece 9 inch diameter drive shaft on your truck. I'm sure that my ext. cab is a 2-piece shaft of maybe 4 inch diameter max. There is a crossmember support between the front shaft and the rear shaft.

    Larry
  • 87lion87lion Member Posts: 166
    So far I've put about 500 miles an my Silverado and I've had no trouble with it. It's everything I wanted and expected. Here are some of the little things that I like and dislike about it.

    Likes
    -Chime to notify you if you've been driving with your blinker on. I found out about this one day when I was going down a long exit ramp.
    -Message center(so far only Low Fuel and Security)
    -Engine hour meter
    -Spare tire hoist lock
    -Wiper fluid nozzles mounted on wipers
    Dislikes
    -Cup holders-worst I've seen
    -Cheap plastic latches on flip-out windows. Still the windows stay latched even with considerable pressure applied
    -Audio is anemic in bass range

    Overall I love my new truck.
  • storchstorch Member Posts: 72
    The 4x4's have a one piece larger diameter driveshaft. The 2wd have a 2 piece smaller diameter driveshaft.

    On another note. My truck is scheduled to be delivered today. Ordered it through my hometown dealer. Am going home tomorrow for the holiday so may as well pick up the truck too right? Or is it the other way around now?

    Was built in Pontiac, MI on Monday. Can't wait!!!

    Kevin
  • rwagonerrwagoner Member Posts: 338
    Funny. I like mine. Mine has the console.

    Richard
  • 87lion87lion Member Posts: 166
    I don't have the console, just the flip down holder on the dash. Not very good for containers the size of a beverage can, especially when full
  • crossfire1crossfire1 Member Posts: 33
    Hey guys, I'm starting to count the weeks before I order my 01 Silverado. I love the pictures and the comments. I have settled on a 2 tone black / with pewter bottom Z71 short (composite) box, reg cab LS.
    I can't seem to make up my mind about the flares though. I love them in the solid colors and I want them, but the two tone colors seem a little awkward. Anybody with pics or comments on that?
  • roger350roger350 Member Posts: 157
    OK, I'm not trying to be a jerk here, so don't take this wrong, but I think you are being a bit too optimistic about the power gains from those accessories. Just because K&N says 10%, headers say 15%, and cat back say 15%, doesn't mean you would get a net 40%, or even 30% power increase. Do you realize that 30% would be 85 HP at the flywheel? That is not likely to happen. If it worked that way we could all be driving 4000 HP Silverados if we had the cash. The more you modify the engine, the harder it is to reach the next gain. For example, lets say the muffler is the worst part of the exhaust system, (might actually be the stock manifolds, I don't know) you change the muffler, to a good performance one. Do you still think the headers are going to add another 15%? Not likely, diminishing returns starts to creep in. You already got rid of the terrible muffler, so the headers aren't going to make near as much of a difference as they would have with the stock muffler. It doesn't just add up like that. You have to watch the claims of these products too. Usually when they claim 15% increase in power, what it actually means is that somewhere along the RPM curve they gained 15%. That would rarely translate into a 15% peak power increase. Again, I'm not trying to attack you. I just want to point out that those claims are made to sell products. And while I am not saying they are lying, I am saying that it isn't always obvious from the ads what you should really expect to see in real world driving.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Todd,
    2WD ext cabs have no transfer case..obviously...so they use a 2 piece driver shaft to take up the extra room..
    ..9"???...My 3/4 ton drive shaft is huge...but I'd say about 6" in diameter?....better check again boss..

    Crossfire,

    2-tone with flares is awesome. Black with pewter flares/bottom looks real good....as does blue with pewter bottom/flares.
    Juts about all 2-tones with flares are cool..

    Personal favorite is Burgandy with Gold bottom and flares. I went with all Black/black falres as an LT does not come in 2 tone. If they don't offer it by 2002...I will have it done custom...as I want the above combo bad next time..

    Only problem is what leather do you get with Burgandy/brown?....has to be Oak...and the oak leather...is well.....horrible!
    An orange-make-ya-wanna-puke crime scene!

    Good Luck

    Black/Pewter with pewter flares looks real good.

    - Tim
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Burgandy/Gold...

    - Tim
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    I thought the one piece drive shaft was on Reg Cab trucks and the extended cabs got a two piece because of the longer wheelbase.

    I'll check the 2500 vs 1500 driveshaft diameter next month when my 2500 shows up.

    Mike L
    99 Silverado 1500 4x4 Reg Cab 4.8L 5spd
    00 Silverado 2500 4x4 Reg Cab 6.0L 5spd (TPW 4-24)
    Deadhorse, Alaska 6-6-99
  • dumanduman Member Posts: 53
    i agree on the diminishing returns bit..... however i didnt get my info from adds in the magazines!! as a matter of fact, i havent seen one in quite awhile. my info comes from a couple of buddies in San Antonio. they have a private speed shop and work with some of the drivers that come through there. i have access to a dyno thru them as well as a plethera of misc knowledge and facts.
    your probably right on the fact that im being optimistic, personally i wouldnt expect gains greater than 30%. and thats if i had them installed in SA. one other point, hp measured at the flywheel will be significantly different than hp measured on a dynamo ie:30% at the flywheel translates to @18%-20% at the rear. i realize that this helps validate your points(some of which i agree with), im just clarifying.
  • smikessmikes Member Posts: 130
    My Silverado/Sierra literature shows only the grays as the two two tone colors available from the factory. I've seen that color combo on the Tahoes/Yukons. Is it a dealer (bodyshop) request on the pickups? Or are people in other parts of the country being offered this two-tone option from the factory on the pickups?
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Can you compare a tundra to a SILVERADO? Thats like comparing night and day. I dont get it. I was at a stop light by a toyota dealer and they are sooooo small. I dont know BUT HEY it had FLARES on it. hmmm maybe i should go test drive it.

    Ryan
  • scottayscottay Member Posts: 91
    as to the tranny also. I think? -scott
  • kantonkanton Member Posts: 142
    My 1500 4x ex-cab has a one piece 6" diameter shaft.
  • kantonkanton Member Posts: 142
    Yesterday I saw a silver Silverado. This was not pewter, I know what pewter looks like. I see them everyday and my next door neighbor has a pewter sierra. This truck was brand new also, no plates on it yet. Are they now offering the silver of the past, or was this a custom aftermarket paint job on a new truck? If so, that bums me out because that is the color I really wanted.

    Also, I have seen a 2500 4x4 4 door two tone. white with pewter. I did not believe it so I stopped and looked. 2500 emblem and 8 bolt aluminum wheels. Are two tone 3/4 tons being offered now or did this guy have it custom painted?
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    My salesman told me a new silver color like that of the past was going to be available for the 2001 model yr trucks maybe they are out a lil early like the door handles. Hope this helps you out

    Ryan
  • tucsonjwttucsonjwt Member Posts: 265
    new outside rear door handles on the new 4DR Silverados? I might have to buy a 2000 4DR if this is a feature of the 2001 and they look too clunky. I wonder if you will still have to open the front door first before you can open the rear door.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Ex.cab 4wd's have 1 piece....ex cab 2WD's have 2 piece.....I think?...LOL

    Two tone 2500's have always been around...in LS format..

    LT is what you can't get 2 tone in....1500 or 2500.
    GRRRRRRR

    - Tim
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    I have seen:
    Black/Pewter
    Blue/Pewter
    Black/Gold
    Black/Grey
    Blue/Grey
    White/Grey
    Pewter/Grey
    White/Gold
    ....er...just about every combo..

    Pewter is not the only bottom color

    I know I have seen Gold/grey..if not others as well..

    Good Luck

    - Tim
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    If i was gonna get another truck id get black on top with grey on bottom i really think thats a good looking truck. Couldnt get the grey flares though. WOuld have to get black

    Ryan
  • gotribe1gotribe1 Member Posts: 81
    Here in the Cleveland area it seemed that the dealers knew how to order only two colors. When I started my search I could only find pewter or black, almost no tutone were around unless it was black/pewter. Ryan your truck looks great! I went with the dark carmine red over pewter with the grey interior. No flares; I liked them when I first saw them but many of them didn't seem to fit right and I kind of like the cleaner look you get without them. I also got the trailering mirrors which are black instead of chrome and went with 265's blackwalls. I think the truck looks great! I swear that the dealer I wanted to get my truck from thinks everyone wants a split bench seat! I think he would order Corvettes with split bench and sliding rear window if he could! No variety! only buckets were in LTs.! I ordered mine elsewhere! Sorry it took so long to get back to you about your pictures but I've been out driving!
  • leavyleavy Member Posts: 34
    Now I need everyone to put on their thinking caps please....

    It doesn't seem too likely that GM would offer 4 door handles if you still had to open the front doors to get the rear doors open, maybe I'm wrong, but it kind of defeats the purpose of having 4 exterior door handles.
    In order to open the doors simultaneously, that would mean that the doors couldn't overlap. GM would have to re-engineer the truck to have a B pillar, in order to have a place for the doors to seal against when they're closed. That would mean months of engineering, as well as strength/vibration/flexability and crash testing, re-tooling the factory to accomodate these design changes, re-training some employeees, etc. Millions of dollars.

    Now, don't get me wrong, I know this is the same company that introduced the truck with 3 doors in 1999 just to re-engineer it 18 months later with 4 doors, but to make massive design changes AGAIN in a 2 year period, here's the kicker...to compete with the Tundra, a truck they're already outselling by far, doesn't seem too likely. I think GM would leave well enough alone in this case.

    Someone is pulling our leg on this 4 door handle BS
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
  • crossfire1crossfire1 Member Posts: 33
    For the vote of confidence. I might change my mind back and forth 30 more time before I order it though. I like the boldness of the flares, but Gotribe 1 has a point too about the "cleaner" look without them.
  • tucsonjwttucsonjwt Member Posts: 265
    Can they chop the top?
  • rwagonerrwagoner Member Posts: 338
    My LT is two tone: black on black.

    Once you've had black ...

    The only rear doors that I have seen with handles are the crew cabs.

    10,000 miles on my '99 now. Time to change to Mobil One! (actually I only waited so I could use up my old oil).

    Richard
  • plecotusplecotus Member Posts: 3
    Hey everyone, I have found a 98 c1500 extended cab 5.0 v-8, 2 wheel drive. w/ 5000 miles. In what seems to be great shape. I have been reading the posts for some time about chevys as well as reviews. My question is- will this truck last me for 10 years, averaging 7000k per year? Some light hauling and a road trip from time to time. I take care of my vehicles, but never have had a chevy. What problems should I be on the lookout for other than the vibrations people have been talking about and fighting with Chevrolet if I do have problems?
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    98's do not have vibration problems -

    The main problem with 1998 chevy trucks is the brakes. Drive a 2000 and test the brakes - then test a 1998. You will see a big difference in stopping power. I have both trucks and know first hand.

    The 98 with the 5.7 (350) engine has good power, but the 5.3 (326) is faster.
  • jamesk4jamesk4 Member Posts: 55
    When making your decision on a two tone truck, first ask yourself how long do you plan to keep it. If less than 5 years, go for it. If 10+, go with a solid color. Although two tone trucks look great the model year they are introduced, the two tone is also the tattletell of how old it is, kinda like a 50's hairdo. It can make a new truck look old, sooner than you think.
  • krc32krc32 Member Posts: 25
    I see a few posts regarding the 2 pc. drive shaft in the 1500 ext. cabs. Has anyone noticed if their 2 pc. shaft appears crooked (side to side) at the carrier bearing? The dealer claims to have straightened it, but it is still obvious.

    Are there different transmissions in the 4wd and 2wd? I am still feeling the launch shutter after rear leafs changed, but not as much. It is obviously not the fix and just a bandaid. Has anyone had a tranny replaced to fix the launch shutter?

    I live in Florida and my 4.8 pings all the time. What about a colder plug. The dealer claims it to be normal noises. Almost sounds like an exhaust leak, actually it does stop when the truck body lifts up from the frame, like from a hump in the road. Could that be somehow closing a gap? I have also read of heat shield noise. More noticable on drivers side.

    Keith

    Thanx rwagoner, I needed a laugh
This discussion has been closed.