FINALLY TEST DROVE - But I need help with options !
Ok boys! and girls! I finally test drove the GMC
Sierra I've been talking about for what seems like
FOREVER! I'm IN LOVE!
The one I drove was a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD 4
door 5.3 Liter Z71 package. SWEET SWEET SWEET!
Best ride ever. Test drove on a really rough road
which a car doesn't even handle well. This was
sooo smooth. My decision is made!
This one had a few extras on it which I don't
want: ex:
HD Trailing package (don't need, won't use);
convenience package (pwr seats, heated mirrors,
etc.) - not necessary for me
bucket seats - my opinion.....not sweet. I'm
going with the 40-20-40 bench. The bucket seat was
seated too far to the left and the steering wheel
was soo off center to the right just wasn't
comfortable (for me). I think it's because the arm
rest is built into the seat and they needed to
account for it. That's ok, save some more $$.
My help that I need: Limited Slip Differential?
What exactly is this? Do I really need that?
Remember I live in IL - snow, heat, rain.....
Bed Liner....better to get separate? can you get
a better deal without getting this thru dealer?
Running board (is that what it's called or is this
the nerf thing?) I'm only 5'2 so I want a step to
go up into the truck to help myself and passengers.
Can I get this cheaper from an outside person
than the dealer? this way, I can save up for it.
My Last ? (I hope and you do to I bet) TIRES?
What's the main difference with the tires? This is
how the option sheet reads, I'm not sure what the
heck it means....
Standard is P245/75R16 All Season SBR BSW Tires
$125 MSRP is All Season SBR OWL Tires - OWL?
$105 MSRP is All Terrain SBR BSW Tires
$230 MSRP All Terrain SBR OWL Tires
$161 MSRP LT245/75R16 On-Off Road SBR BSW Tires
$286 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" OWL Tires
Ok, I'm not going off roading! Just around town
and want to get thru the snow and slips a little
nicer. Advise? My first thought was going with
the standard tires- at least thru the dealer and
then getting an upgrade later if needed?
ADVISE!!!! (man, I just realized, I need you guys
to come to the dealer with me!) Ok, anyone up for
driving to IL ? Beer on me!
Thanks
Sierra I've been talking about for what seems like
FOREVER! I'm IN LOVE!
The one I drove was a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD 4
door 5.3 Liter Z71 package. SWEET SWEET SWEET!
Best ride ever. Test drove on a really rough road
which a car doesn't even handle well. This was
sooo smooth. My decision is made!
This one had a few extras on it which I don't
want: ex:
HD Trailing package (don't need, won't use);
convenience package (pwr seats, heated mirrors,
etc.) - not necessary for me
bucket seats - my opinion.....not sweet. I'm
going with the 40-20-40 bench. The bucket seat was
seated too far to the left and the steering wheel
was soo off center to the right just wasn't
comfortable (for me). I think it's because the arm
rest is built into the seat and they needed to
account for it. That's ok, save some more $$.
My help that I need: Limited Slip Differential?
What exactly is this? Do I really need that?
Remember I live in IL - snow, heat, rain.....
Bed Liner....better to get separate? can you get
a better deal without getting this thru dealer?
Running board (is that what it's called or is this
the nerf thing?) I'm only 5'2 so I want a step to
go up into the truck to help myself and passengers.
Can I get this cheaper from an outside person
than the dealer? this way, I can save up for it.
My Last ? (I hope and you do to I bet) TIRES?
What's the main difference with the tires? This is
how the option sheet reads, I'm not sure what the
heck it means....
Standard is P245/75R16 All Season SBR BSW Tires
$125 MSRP is All Season SBR OWL Tires - OWL?
$105 MSRP is All Terrain SBR BSW Tires
$230 MSRP All Terrain SBR OWL Tires
$161 MSRP LT245/75R16 On-Off Road SBR BSW Tires
$286 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" OWL Tires
Ok, I'm not going off roading! Just around town
and want to get thru the snow and slips a little
nicer. Advise? My first thought was going with
the standard tires- at least thru the dealer and
then getting an upgrade later if needed?
ADVISE!!!! (man, I just realized, I need you guys
to come to the dealer with me!) Ok, anyone up for
driving to IL ? Beer on me!
Thanks
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Comments
often...some say 10K...which for me is every 5 months/ it wasn't worth it to me" mean?
Ok....Road Trip.....Beer in coolers in bed......Well, truck bed that is! hehehe
You helped me ALOT! Thanks. I have a better understanding now. Also, didn't realize limited slip had to be changed. Didn't really know what that was.....thanks again.
And HEY! Can I see the whole truck now, now that you teased me with just the tire....LOL
the manual doesn't mention it...but loacl experts say to change every 10K....
there is myth weather it is the old style "clutch type"....meaning brake pad like parts that leave dust in the fluid....or a mechanical locker that does not.
I actually thought about getting it...but nobody could confirm the change intervals at the time...so I skipped it.
whole truck>....I've posted it a billion times in other posts....lemme see what I can do...
I'm about 1 hour north of Detroit....and have a place 20 minutes east of Macinac as well..
click for bigger picture
sometimes I feel I should have left it alone....i like this picture when I first got it...
http://www.teleweb.net/mgdvhman/lt1.jpg
- Tim
I think it looks good with the extras you put on it.....dresses it up nicer.
Otherwise, its kinda plain.
official name are Putco Pipeline
Running boards are like...well....boards to step on..
Nerf bars are tubes to step on..
These look like nerf bars..but are running boards.
Powder coated black are nice..but rust easily
chrome rust just as quick
stainless steel is great...no rust...but softer metal and scratches very easy
chrome plated stainless is harder..and best overall
These are solid Stainless..I have to polish them with compound to remove the haze marks from getting in and out.
Average nerf bars are about 200-400...
these were $1000 for all 4.
pricey...but hey..I have never seen anyone with them in my area yet
- Tim
trying to make it simple.
- Tim
265/60s are taller than 245/60s, but not as tall as 245/70s.
I know that this may be complicating the issue a little, but you have to take the two together.
I think I'll go with standard tires and then upgrade later on. Thanks again!
There is an advantage to getting the upgraded tires from the factory. USUALLY, when larger size tires are installed as a factory option, the speedometer and odometer are calibrated for the increased tire size. The recalibration may not be required due to the size increase being within tolerances.
Rich
It will of course cost more too.
I'm getting the feeling I would be wise going with the LT245 on/off road SBR ($131 inv. $160 msrp). Am I getting the gist?
I'm unsure about the white writing on the sides. No a HUGH difference to me, it wears off after a while around here.
(By the way, I'm out of town all next week - VACATION! WooHoo - so you won't have to see me posting messages - lol)
But, feel free to still give advise, I'm doing some heavy shopping,prices when I return and getting my truck!
Thanks again
Maybe it's the actual make of the tire; who knows, but that has been my experience.
Get Black sidewalls.
- Tim
First off, I find the 5.3 Vortec engine to be more than enough, but wouldn't get anything but.
My truck (purchased off lot) came with the 40/20/40 bench, which I wanted. The whole family can ride in it comfortable (Me, wife, 4 kids).
I wanted one with the trailering package only for the reason that it came with a tranny cooler. As it was, mine came with the tranny cooler, no hitch.
I work in construction and drive a lot of off road so Z71 was for me. Seems to me that if you aren't planning any off road and just need something for occassional bad weather driving, 2 wheel drive with locking rear oughta do you, otherwise go with 4x4 with locking rear.
Don't have the powered seats. The way I look at it, once you adjust the seats, that's usally where they stay.
Just looking thru the owners manual on rear diff real quick, bout the only thing I saw was to check fluid level and add if needed at every oil change, nothing about changing. Probably due to it having synthetic gear oil. Need to spend more time going thru the book.
I am happy with the tires that the manufacturers upgraded to due to the off-road package; LT245/75R16. Probably stick with same size when it comes time to replace.
Had a Rhino spray-in not too long after getting truck and really like it.
So far (2900+ miles), I average out to 15.25 mpg. Best 15.8, worst 14.8.
Overall, I am glad that I purchased this truck and not one from the other guys (was also considering the Tundra). Buy it again? SURE!!!
Mitch
Seats?I recommend the buckets.It felt right to me,when I got into the Sierra the first time with the buckets,I hated the bench seats.As far as the wheel being too far to the right,on the Jeep Grand Cherokee I just got rid of,I always felt like the wheel was about an inch too far left.I guess whatever you like better.But unless they are buying them different than in the Toledo/Ann Arbor and surrounding areas,you won't have many bench seated Z71's to pick from.I think there was about 4,out of maybe 100 trucks I looked at(Chevy and GMC).
Power seats,I don't really like them,the truck I bought was only the SECOND one out of maybe 100 I looked at that didn't have power seats.I've had two cars in the past with problems with power seats,so I'll pass every time.But,since you are pretty short,maybe you will want them.My sister always gets power seats,she's a "close driver",and I think that's part of it.
I'd get the locking rear diff too,it's not that much money,and could be handy in the snow.
Good luck even trying to find a 4x4 4dr WITHOUT the trailer hitch!I saw one,and it wasn't one I would buy,wrong color(brown!Sorry if you like it,but brown and gold are 1 and 2 on my AKKK! list!),engine(4.8),plus a bunch of really bad looking dealer add ons including red rail protectors screwed onto the tops of the rails!This dealer LOVES gold and brown trucks,my friend got one from him about 5 yrs ago,and it was gold.All the 2WD base type ones he was looking at were white,red or gold,and he got the gold,it was $500 less than the others.Now,he wants anything but gold!he's very tired of it.
Most of the Z71's I saw had the 265 Firestone Wilderness tires,and so far,I'm happy with them.These are the most expensive tires on the option list.A few had 245's,but just a couple.
And the bed liner,Rhino or Line-x,I wouldn't even think about a drop in.Just look at some of their work before picking the place.My dealer had a couple of trucks done at the Line-x dealer near me,so that's where I'm going to go.
All the add on stuff is cheaper,and a lot of the time,better than the stuff the dealer sells and installs.
I have the Westin Platinum chrome stainless step bars on my truck,the chrome looks nice with the balck paint and the other chrome on it.They are very solid and the only real complaint was how long it took for the guys to put them on.I had hurt my back,so I had it done where I got them from.The instructions confused them,it was the first 4 step Westins they had put on a new GM truck.
In the rain tonight,I actually had the Autotrac kick in,and it seems to work fine,almost all of them had it,and since the truck I had had manual seats,it wasn't anything out of my pocket to get it,versus the ones without it,they all had power seats.
And so far,no problems,just turned over 1100 miles.I like this vehicle better than ANY other one I have ever had!A little more power wouldn't hurt,it never does,I want it as quick as my 77 Dodge Pwer Wagon was,after I hopped it up,and a better stereo.I do have a few complaints in GM's choice of the way the keyless entry works.Just open BOTH doors when you push the "unlock" button,ONCE!!The dash is made out of too stiff of a plastic,so it's easy to get stuff buzzing if you have ,say,a cellphone on the dash.
But this is nitpicking,it's a great truck with a great engine!
Damn she got to you before me now her truck is going to have a drop in liner and those steps u have.
I would have to suggest the spray in bedliner especially if your not keeping it in the garage.
Tires pay the extra $$$ and get the bigger P265's you wont be sorry they are great. The OWL are the way to go not the black walls. I see many trucks (light colored) and they dont look good at all. When i change my tires ill probably even go a little bigger.
Get the autotrac too.
Keep us updated
Tim does she sound more excited than i did???
Ryan
Ryan bought a Tundra!
..even got his free Ginsu Knives!
- Tim
ROC i got a silverado
You didnt know???
Ryan
Tundra man is Ryan now!
...(He has pictures of a friends Blue Silverado...don't let him fool ya!)
LOL
..BTW....Ryan is in love...so that is what made him switch!
- Tim
As soon as I get it, I will let you know and possibly get a picture scanned in and posted.
Thanks again! So far, I'm going with 2000 GMC Sierra SLE 4x4 4-door autotrac, locking rear diff., 40/20/40 seats (the buckets were off center for me) manual seats, indigo blue (or the maroon color - still not 100% sure).
After the truck, I'll get the spray in liner (see this a year or so ago and liked it then), need to get steps so my little legs can get in the truck - especially if I'm in a skirt (ok, easy guys!)
so, I'll definately need some advise later on my 'add-ons'
Thanks again
Truckchic!
Ryan
Anyway, Things for me are finally going my way, I'm getting my new truck, I got a great promotion at work (I'm actually supposed to be packing my desk today), I won a little $$ in vegas, My new bedroom furniture came in and is going to be delivered, I'm taking a motorcycle class this or next weekend! Wow! Finally things are going my way!
Now, if I can find my exact truck for a great price, I'll be set....then If that happens, I'm going to buy a lottery ticket!
Write down everything you want. Get a quote from a dealer, the first dealer wont give you a great price but if you have an offer on paper the next dealer will beat it, the next dealer will beat it and throw in extras. And so on until you get the best deal.
Thanks
Ryan
Much better!
TC
Ryan
To each their own. Besides, now I know you, I can ride the bike to your boat and won't have to buy a boat! hehehe
Go see that movie if u havent alreasdy its good.
Ryan
I'm taking a riding course this weekend or next weekend. I've always been a passenger and never took the initiative to learn to ride, but this year I decided to just do it! I'll probably get a honda for my first bike. But, I'm waiting on that until I get my license and actually learn to ride.
gone in 60 seconds, I want to see that one. I take it, it was good.
Ok, welcome to Movie Reviews Forum....heheheh
Wish there were more trucks though
Ryan
Ryan
How's your truck doing? I'm still selling my 95 Ranger ------know anyone in Chicagoland looking for a good small size pick up? I think I'll go put it by Jewel for more visibility. On my street there isn't much traffic, so I need to get it seen.
Thanks for asking!
Salesmen suck. Im so glad i found one that was great. It helped too that i got the gm supplier deal so i didnt have to worry about bargining for a price mine was set i just had to find a dealership to accept it.
Did you put an add in the newspaper for your truck? If not try that.
Good luck hope you get it soon
Ryan
NEVER deal with Sewell
SEWELL SUCKS
Ryan
Thanks agaan
Truck chic
Ryan
Just teasing! You know I love ya!
truckchic
Indigo blue w/ black flares.
None around
Trust me once you get your truck will see alot of blue ones. The day i got mine i seen about a dozen but none had flares. So mine is unique too side steps help make it look unique too. My truck really needs a bath bad. Its starting to look black haha. maybe ill go offroading first get a lil mud on it.
Hey email me all the options and stuff you want this guy at a gmc dealership keeps sending me stuff ill find out if they have any trucks like you want if you want. Let me know
Ryan
Ryan
As far as Indiana, well they have nice license plates but all those states (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, etc.) if you didn't know where you were you couldn't tell one of those states from another!
Ryan
We have a bunch of plates (colleges,organizations). I dont know exactly which one that is sounds like the environment one.
Ryan