I didn't have any trouble at all installing the VelvetRide shackles. Took about an hour to install; fit just fine. I was a little quicker installing them on my brother's 99 Silverado (I guess since I had already done it once). As far as ride quality improvement, I would have to say that the shackles made the biggest difference. I installed the Edelbrock shocks first, and the improvement was pretty subtle, but there was an improvement. My wife seemed to think, riding in the passenger seat, the difference was worth the money. BTW, Edelbrock lists different part numbers for the 2500 trucks. I think the shackles are a "one-size-fits-all" type of thing. The lady at BFGoodrich didn't even ask if it was a 2- or 4-wheel drive, or even the model year of the truck! Now if I can only wait another couple of weeks, the dealer will install my "shaker kit." WooHoo.
I use, believe it or not, cotton diapers. The material they make these things out of are soft cotton that is low on lint and is highly absorbant. They also work much better than a terry towel for drying. The Zaino boys recommend a good cotton cloth for cleaning the vehicle and for the price and convience these things work great.
Oh i didnt get my tail light guards yesterday. First they jack me around and tell me they will have them in 2 days then i pay for em and they check and say 10 days now they are saying early next wk. i could have gotten em last wk but would have paid $35 more seems like that would have been better
I use a cotton wash cloth(so it can be washed after each washing) and two pails, 1 with car wash soap, the other with clear water to rinse the wash cloth out frequently. Seems to work well. Be sure to not use any type of cloth containing polyester since that is said to scratch the surface. Those baby diapers work well for polishing/waxing too!
read that while the texture and properties of diapers are very good for polishing, you must watch for the polyester thread used to stitch the diapers. I noticed every couple of inches there is a poly thread running through the diaper, just a pain to remove them. Some people use cheesecloth also...
Ryan
you're going to "tweak the diagonal torsion bar"...just make sure you tweak it the right way or your truck will be even more lopsided....LOL
on this last link on the top right of the page, there is a search function...enter "powervault" and should turn up some opinions and additional info...
Ok i parked my truck in the street when i got home i got far back and look and now the other side looks higher so i dont think one side is higher than the other i just think i am on a little bit of uneven ground.
I've got a question for the braintrust here. I am going to be putting bigger tires(265s) on my truck(from 245s). I know I will need to have the PCM reprogrammed but my question is do I have to go to a dealer for this or buy a hypertech programmer? I am looking for something different then those 2 options if possible. Thanks.
...Ryan..you won't install nerf bars?..but you will adjust a torsion bar?.....for a non-auto person..I'd say nerf bars would be easier...not that torsion bars are hard......anyone remember drag link sockets?
gentle with babs....I know..I know...
I noticed when I had 3000 lbs in the bed...the rear was lower than normal.....what's happening guys??
Does the driver's side of your truck look lower when you have a full tank of gas? With a full tank (26 gal @ about 7 lbs per gal) that would add another 182 lbs to the driver's side of the truck.
Monday I'm going into the local Chevrolet dealer and see how close to invoice they can get if I order a 2001 Silverado LS ext-cab Z71 thru them. It better not be more than $300 over invoice after all the possible extra costs (prep, fees). If they agree to that, I'm ordering it the same day.
I think the only option will be the hypertech. When I upgraded from 255 to 275, I had asked the dealer if he could recalibrate for me. He stated that he could only recalibrate for stock GM sizes which 275 are not. In your case, the 265 sized tires are an optional size offered by GM so the dealer may do it for you. However, my service manager said "the difference is so minor, why even bother". As I left I told him thanks for the extended warranty...bigger tires=less revolutions and more mileage for warranty...
Yes, I was afraid those might be the only options. Reason I want to recalibrate is that shift points on the transmission need to be changed and the anti-locks don't seem to work quite correctly. I was warned about the brakes by the guy I bought the tires from. Guess I'll have to take the plunge and probably spend 90 bucks and have the dealer reprogram it unless I can find someone around with a hypertech.
In #438 you asked about replacing shocks with Edelbrock and shackles with Velevetride to improve empty ride on 2500. In #457 vince4 said he didn't get much improvement in empty ride from the Edelbrock IAS on his 2500 4x4 LB RegCab.
I've posted about this before, but ....
I put Bilsteins on my 2500 4x4 LB RegCab and I find the unloaded ride to be a night & day difference from the standard shocks. The truck now rides much both much smoother and less floaty than the original shocks.
I have no basis to compare Bilstein to Edelbrock, but the Bilsteins did make a significant improvement for me. Since I didn't change the shackles, I can't say change what difference the Velvetride would make.
It must be a matter of expectations and individual tastes. The Edelbrock shocks did clean up the handling in general but I couldn't say it was night & day. I never found the unloaded truck to be floaty before though, and I don't understand how a stiffer shock could make it ride smoother.
I carry a camper and would love the Bilsteins with it on. The truck is definitely floaty then, even with the new shocks.
has been quiet...as it should be in the days like these.
Totally off subject...I was at a freinds house on the lake..and a cat had kittens under his house/porch...they had found a dead cat in the lake and assumed it was the mom?....well....being no wife can say no to kittens..and our cat needed a buddy..well.....let me introduce you to Jack..
is full of hell...that's for sure. The wife has Aesma..(how ya spell that?)...and sometimes one cat kills her....so we will have to see what happens?....anyone wanna be in line for a possible kitten?
LOL
- Tim
OK....no more cat talk....we had to talk about something!
Sorry to talk about trucks, but sombody's got to do it.
Which 3/4 ton trucks have full floating axles and which have the semi floating rear ends? I can't find anything in the Chevy literature or the service manual that addresses this subject.
My truck (00 4x4 6.0L 5spd 3.73 Locker Reg Cab Longbed) appears to have the full floater (Hub sticks through the wheel 3-4" and has a cap with 8 bolts).
Do 4x4s have full floaters, or is it the locker that makes a difference?
Tim: Great pic..really like the kitten, we have a new one in the house now too, he's driving our big cat nuts. How did you post that pic to this site?? Did you give a URL to an independant imaging hosting service? Thanks,
Everyone that ever answered my questions on the full/semi floater issue always said they had a semi floater. Their hubs were always flush, or maybe stuck out 1/2 an inch, but never 3-4. I really thought they all had the semi because of this. Perhaps you got the one odd ball with a full floater. Be happy about it! And, the locker didn't matter either way, as people with and without it answered they had the semi.
On to my problem. I have a 1990 C1500, (Hey it has the Silverado package, for all the topic police,) with a 350 running on 7 cylinders and a severe intake gasket leak. I am starting the intake work tonight, and am hoping I'll find a bent push rod or bad lifter on the bad cylinder while I'm in there. I was reading a Chilton's manual to make sure I had all the bases covered on all this work and it said that you should never replace a lifter without replacing the whole set and the cam? What gives? I understand keeping all the lifters in their original places because of the wear patterns, etc. But this seems a little overboard. A lifter can go at any time. You can't tell me a dealer would replace all the lifters and the cam if one lifter went under warranty? Won't the one new lifter just wear into the cam lobe shape just fine and not screw anything up? Your help is appreciate everyone.
if you're just trying to keep your silverado on the road then just replace the one lifter. i've never been a fan of Chilton's and unless you are rebuilding the whole engine to within like new specs. then i wouldn't spend the money on all the parts. hope this helps.
Tim, you big softy, it appears that you have a big heart after all don't you?
triggered yesterday. Had accumulated 3,150 miles since last oil change.
Range of oil light triggering min 2900, max 4300.
Guess for guys living in cold climates, small towns short trip driving, 3000 is a good oil change interval. Oil definately looks dark at change, WalMart Tech 2000 semi-synthetic.
Oh ya, rear differential was down at least a quart (added some M1 had on the shelf). Guess I'm due for yet another stop at the service dept. Dealer has already replaced pinion seal at 100 miles and 2,000 miles. Diff looks oily but not wet on bottom and no spray on the tailgate but noticed a rear end whine at 80mph on highway which led me to check oil.
Yawl aught to check yours. 3/8" square socket. Takes a minute at most. Oil level should be 15 to 40 mm below filler hole. Use a piece of coathanger bent 90 as a dipstick.
I'm big at heart?...must be why the wiffee took me?..ehheeheehehe
While I don't really care to have those....uhh..those things that run around the house and be pests..what are they called again?...I do care for animals. Dogs are great..but I don't have a yard of poop and don't need to let it out with a cat...much more self contained for an on the go guy like me...
Speaking of animals...got my 8 point back..looks great.....(there is my love of them once again...put it on the wall for all to see!)
Comments
Ryan
I do the wheels and rockers/door jambs last...cuz they are the most dirty.
- Tim
Thanks
Ryan
Ryan
Ryan
Over on the cabover camper chat we are trying work out a trip to an off road park to do some 4 wheeling.
And then, we have to get the work done so we can go and play.
I know Edmunds was down earlier, maybe it is still down for some folks?
Mike L
They work very well.
Ryan....for you...it must be taken to the dealer to raise it up..
heheh
- Tim
Ryan
Ryan
you're going to "tweak the diagonal torsion bar"...just make sure you tweak it the right way or your truck will be even more lopsided....LOL
Dean
I've use diapers for the final wipedown for years, didn't realize they used polyester in them. Could of sworn they were advertisied as 100% cotton.
Thanks for the reply.
clay
http://jwfcs.webprovider.com/index.htm
and
http://www.zummoauto.com/catback.htm
and
http://www.pacific-audio.com/performance/discussion.html
on this last link on the top right of the page, there is a search function...enter "powervault" and should turn up some opinions and additional info...
Dean
Ryan
Scott
gentle with babs....I know..I know...
I noticed when I had 3000 lbs in the bed...the rear was lower than normal.....what's happening guys??
LOL
- Tim
With a full tank (26 gal @ about 7 lbs per gal) that would add another 182 lbs to the driver's side of the truck.
Monday I'm going into the local Chevrolet dealer and see how close to invoice they can get if I order a 2001 Silverado LS ext-cab Z71 thru them. It better not be more than $300 over invoice after all the possible extra costs (prep, fees). If they agree to that, I'm ordering it the same day.
-David
You can adjust the preload on the torsion bars with a socket wrench, somewhere between 14mm and 17mm if I remember right.
Dean
Scott
Dean
I've posted about this before, but ....
I put Bilsteins on my 2500 4x4 LB RegCab and I find the unloaded ride to be a night & day difference from the standard shocks. The truck now rides much both much smoother and less floaty than the original shocks.
I have no basis to compare Bilstein to Edelbrock, but the Bilsteins did make a significant improvement for me. Since I didn't change the shackles, I can't say change what difference the Velvetride would make.
Ryan
Let us know how goes the install and your Zanio efforts.
Jerry
Ryan
Have a nice weekend everyone
I carry a camper and would love the Bilsteins with it on. The truck is definitely floaty then, even with the new shocks.
clay
Totally off subject...I was at a freinds house on the lake..and a cat had kittens under his house/porch...they had found a dead cat in the lake and assumed it was the mom?....well....being no wife can say no to kittens..and our cat needed a buddy..well.....let me introduce you to Jack..
- Tim
Keith
Dean
LOL
- Tim
OK....no more cat talk....we had to talk about something!
Ryan
LOL
- Tim
LOL
- Tim
Which 3/4 ton trucks have full floating axles and which have the semi floating rear ends? I can't find anything in the Chevy literature or the service manual that addresses this subject.
My truck (00 4x4 6.0L 5spd 3.73 Locker Reg Cab Longbed) appears to have the full floater (Hub sticks through the wheel 3-4" and has a cap with 8 bolts).
Do 4x4s have full floaters, or is it the locker that makes a difference?
What do other 2500 owners have?
Thanks,
Mike L
I can see i keep this posting running. I didnt post hardly at all this weekend and there was No excitment.
Update: Truck is running fine. No problems as of late.
Tim hows the kitty? Dont eat the KAT. Be nice to it
Ryan
clay
Everyone that ever answered my questions on the full/semi floater issue always said they had a semi floater. Their hubs were always flush, or maybe stuck out 1/2 an inch, but never 3-4. I really thought they all had the semi because of this. Perhaps you got the one odd ball with a full floater. Be happy about it! And, the locker didn't matter either way, as people with and without it answered they had the semi.
On to my problem. I have a 1990 C1500, (Hey it has the Silverado package, for all the topic police,) with a 350 running on 7 cylinders and a severe intake gasket leak. I am starting the intake work tonight, and am hoping I'll find a bent push rod or bad lifter on the bad cylinder while I'm in there. I was reading a Chilton's manual to make sure I had all the bases covered on all this work and it said that you should never replace a lifter without replacing the whole set and the cam? What gives? I understand keeping all the lifters in their original places because of the wear patterns, etc. But this seems a little overboard. A lifter can go at any time. You can't tell me a dealer would replace all the lifters and the cam if one lifter went under warranty? Won't the one new lifter just wear into the cam lobe shape just fine and not screw anything up? Your help is appreciate everyone.
Roger
Our older cat is going nuts as well....dunno if it's gonna work out?
- Tim
the road then just replace the one lifter. i've
never been a fan of Chilton's and unless you are
rebuilding the whole engine to within like new
specs. then i wouldn't spend the money on all the
parts. hope this helps.
Tim, you big softy, it appears that you have a
big heart after all don't you?
...red
Range of oil light triggering min 2900, max 4300.
Guess for guys living in cold climates, small towns short trip driving, 3000 is a good oil change interval. Oil definately looks dark at change, WalMart Tech 2000 semi-synthetic.
Oh ya, rear differential was down at least a quart (added some M1 had on the shelf). Guess I'm due for yet another stop at the service dept. Dealer has already replaced pinion seal at 100 miles and 2,000 miles. Diff looks oily but not wet on bottom and no spray on the tailgate but noticed a rear end whine at 80mph on highway which led me to check oil.
Yawl aught to check yours. 3/8" square socket. Takes a minute at most. Oil level should be 15 to 40 mm below filler hole. Use a piece of coathanger bent 90 as a dipstick.
While I don't really care to have those....uhh..those things that run around the house and be pests..what are they called again?...I do care for animals. Dogs are great..but I don't have a yard of poop and don't need to let it out with a cat...much more self contained for an on the go guy like me...
Speaking of animals...got my 8 point back..looks great.....(there is my love of them once again...put it on the wall for all to see!)
hehe
- Tim