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Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Anyone here have one yet?
I have a couple questions. Hopefully I can get a few answers without having to scroll back through in excess of 6000 previous posts.
1. Many people refer to the build date of their TB/Envoy/Bravada. How can this date be determined? Is it on the sticker?
2. What common problems / issues should I be looking for? My EXT is 2WD and has a Sunroof, Limited Slip, and White Letter Tires as it's only options.
3. The Chevrolet TrailBlazer brochure lists "Custom Molded Splash Guards" as an available accessory. My dealer doesn't have a clue. Has anyone purchased these? Do we have a price and part number?
That's all for now. Thanks for the help.
Happy 4th
P.S. to anyone traveling through Indiana and Ohio, keep the speed under 75 at least until you get to the top of the entrance ramps.
Frank
I also routed my DVD audio through the head unit using a FM modulator, the SF100 Sound Feeder from Best Buy, per John's Bravada Site. I love the headsets but on long trips the headsets begin to hurt... With the Boise system in spacious, its like watching at home on surround sound, great.
I have only had my truck a month, 2 1/2 of that it was in the shop being repainted. It seamed to not have enough paint applied to it and you could see through the black paint in direct sun light, they painted the whole left side first, a week later, they had to paint the other side because the paint did not match.
I turned in my 2000 Yukon, I miss the room, but for the lower payments and tons of toys the Envoy is great.
To let you know off the bat, I am biased. I hate the damn things. I just do. I hate spinach as well. So sue me.
Here's the "rational" portion of my arguement:
They give a false sense of security to "soccer-mom-type" drivers during driving conditions with poor visibility (like heavy rain, snow, fog, etc).
In driving conditions such as these, any good driver would turn on his lights. But many poor saps don't because they don't think they need to with the DRL's.
Then some idiot going 20 MPH too fast for the conditions rear-ends you because you don't have any taillights on! That's right, the DRL's DON'T turn on your taillights, which I think are every bit as important in such conditions as headlights.
So please, DRL's or not, turn on your friggen lights while driving in such conditions! The "Dumbing of America" is not yet complete. You still have to think every now and then. Don't worry though, we're still working on a "thought-free environment" for those of you that can't chew gum and drive at the same time.
Second part of rant on DRL's/Auto Headlights:
In most daily driving I have no problem with them at all. They are just fine. But I'm a control freak. I would rather do the job myself. What I really hate is not being allowed to do the job. I don't mind them as long as I can turn them off when I want. The TB is halfway there, allowing you to disable the system for that drive but you need to do it every time you drive the thing which gets old.
What really ticked me off was my '98 GMC Jimmy....there was no way to turn them off, even for a second. I finally solved the problem by grounding the parking brake switch. That shut off the lights but I had to stare at the BRAKE! idiot light all the time.
Maybe I'm the only one that uses these things for something other than hauling the kids to and from soccer practice, but sometimes you DON'T want your lights on!
Imagine how infuriating it is when you're trying to crawl into your favorite hunting ground before dawn and the damn lights are on full blast even thought the switch is off! So you need to drag the parking brake to shut off the lights you never turned on!
Thanks, but if I want the lights on, I'll turn them on my damn self!
I wanted to let you guys know there is an easy solution. Bilsteins are completely rebuildable/revalvable. Bilstein will revalve your shocks for $50-75 each. They can do it to your specs (if you know enought to give them specs) or you can tell them what you want and they can recommend valving.
I'm running Bilsteins in my Camaro and I love them. I had them custom valved because even the "heavy duty" Bilsteins were way too soft for the spring rates I'm running (about double the stock rates).
From the seat of my pants, I'd say the Triplets could use about a 30-40% increase in damping. To get the best handling increase while keeping the best ride quality possible for the wife and kids, I'd keep the damping curve nice and digressive which, of course, is Bilstein's specialty.
Handling on and off pavement would be improved dramatically. It would also be very beneficial to those that tow heavy trailers. These things have the frame and HP to tow HUGE amounts of weight. What they don't have is the stiff 1-ton suspension. A set of stiffer shocks and some airbags in the rear coils would do wonders for their ability to handle a trailer....
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer- New Northface Edition option package for EXT. V8 available in EXT.
http://media.gm.com/moframes/division/2003_prodinfo/03_chevrolet/03_trailblazer/index.html
2003 GMC Envoy- Slight pricing change with more "individual" options rather than packages. V8 available in XL. New 4-way headlight switch. Bigger, 22-gallon fuel tank for Envoy.
http://media.gm.com/division/2003_prodinfo/03_gmc/03_envoy_envoyxl/index.html
2003 Oldsmobile Bravada- New color, Light Silver Green. Coil spring rear suspension available on AWD models.
http://media.gm.com/division/2003_prodinfo/03_oldsmobile/03_bravada/index.html
2004 Buick Rainier- New model.
http://media.gm.com/division/2003_prodinfo/images/files/04/index.htm
Hopefully, too, GM will have straightened out a lot of the endless 2002's bugs. Well, new buyers can only hope!
I got 20.9 MPG on a short trip I took. 65-80 mph speed range. (Just goin' with the flow!) I filled up before leaving, and filled up when I got back at the same pump. No DIC here so I figured it the old way dividing the gallons into total miles. City MPG definitely leaves something to be desired though. About 13 to 13.5. Had I known this I would not have driven 210 miles (one-way!) to an out-of-state dealer to find a TB-LS with the 3.42 gears/locking dif combo. There were plenty of TBs locally with the 3.73 gears. I really thought the lower ratio would help MPG but the opposite seems true from all the posts I have read. However, I do not have any problem with the trans shifting in and out of OD maintaining highway speed. Stays in OD unless I give it gas to accelerate.
Also you said " like others here, I have experienced momentary dimming." I have never experienced this momentary dimming with my TB.
And as a comment on the automatic headlights, mine DO come on as soon as I turn the key from off to acc-on before I start the engine when the TB is in the garage or the ambient light level is low enough unless I pull the parking brake handle up one notch which I do not need to do on a level garage floor. However, when out in brighter light, the DRLs stay "off" until I put the trans in gear after starting. GM could have programmed the CPU to keep the headlights off until it sees a start-run condition.
However, when I look at the photos of the new 2004 Buick Rainier, the crossbars are installed with the loop facing the back of the vehicle, which is how they were on my Envoy when I purchased it last month.
http://media.gm.com/division/2003_prodinfo/images/files/04/pages/X04BU_RN004.htm
Anyone have any additional insight to offer? Why would GM consistently install these crossbars the wrong way, if this is indeed the wrong way?
Anthony
YES, you are right.. I am quite sure that your 67 probably had a couple of milk crates for you to sit in and probably no seatbelts either BUT GET OVER IT. Unfortunately you have to learn to advance with the times or just break out your plaid/polyester suit and get laughed at my friend.
These new vehicles have a multitude of electronic gizmos in them that should operate according to how the manual specifies. Also, putting someone down for owning non-GM vehicles lets us all get a better understanding of just "who you are?" This is a free country.. people can say/think/act how they feel and this is a forum that helps people to collaborate on various ideas! IF you can live with your HVAC system trying to sautee your face when initially turning on the ignition then HAPPY MOTORING, but there are plenty of individuals on this board that feel there is a genuine concern here and want to utilize this tool as a means for getting this issue resolve. Please don't hamper them in doing this!
Additionally, I have had several GM vehicles within the past two years (all 2001's and 2002's) and those with the automatic climate controls DID function as mentioned in the manual. For example, my 2001 Buick Regal GSE would immediately switch the light to recirculate and blast the fan at full speed WHENEVER i would lower the temp to 60 degrees (in AUTO MODE). My 2000 Ford Explorer Limited was the exact same way. My 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited was the exact same way. My mom's older Pontiac Bonneville SSE was the same way. You see.. I say all of this to prove a point my friend. Our system does not operate as specified in the manual. I find it quite interesting that my Regal would illuminate the recirculation light whenever it was engaged and my Envoy does not? Does that make any sense to you my friend?
Secondly, I don't think that we need to have a "HVAC 101" lesson from you stating "In most cases your inside temp is hotter than the outside," DUH.. If you carefully read through these posting, plenty of people (myself included) have stated the OBVIOUS.. We are aware of how the recirculate option may NOT be as beneficial if the air inside your vehicle is hotter than the outside. I think that for most of us that can AFFORD to own a triplet may have some idea as to how the laws of PHYSICS should work my friend.
Thanks for listing.. END OF MESSAGE
IExplore2000@aol.com
Do you think that we can retrofit the new tank to work on the 2002's? If so, I will be at the GMC dealership as soon as the 2003's arrive because not being able to achieve 300 miles off of a full tank annoys me a little. Also, I wonder why GM did not debut the HID lights for 2003 like the ones used on the late model version of the Envoy. Any ideas??
So what does everyone think of the new Buick? Do you all think that it's going to be a BIG hit or a BIG flop? Personally, I though that Cadillac should have received the Bravada. They could have spruced up the leather seating with the nuance (sp?) leather that they use in their other models, added the night-vision module, fluorescent-type lexus gauges (used in the STS), V-8 powered, HID lights, rear fog lamps, in-dash navigational system setup, Stabili-Trak system, etc! I swear.. I should have been a design engineer!
What are everyone's thoughts?
Thanks!
IExplore2000@aol.com
I appreciate the feedback. I put info like this into a database and periodically take relevant tidbits to my service person to turn the crank one more time on the gas mileage issue.
The info on the tire sizes is good because when I look at the two types side by side, my eye wants to see the 17" tire as much larger.
Your story, tblazed, about driving 210 miles to get the 3.42's made me smile. I had to order mine to get that gear ratio because the 3.73's abounded at dealers in the region. Oh well, my thinking's still back in the manual transmission era, not in the electronically controlled transmission era.
All in all, I'm less "sick so far" all the time. Everything else on the vehicle is serving me well and I'm just getting used to: 1) paying more for gas than I wanted to, and 2) hitting my friendly service department every now and then with more data.
Ed
I was lucky to find a local dealer running a below invoice sale. Invoice - holdback - advertising - incentives - rebate - gm card earnings + $49... You get the picture... About 22% off the dealer's sticker price. The price was more than $2000 less than the supplier discount price! Only limitation was I had to buy off the lot..
I got everything I wanted but the Bose Stereo. Of course it cannot be added by the dealer. I'm looking for suggetions on what to add speaker / amp wise?
This is a great board. Glad I found it.
S
We're glad too - welcome aboard!
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
the stock one on the 02's is horrible. suffocates the filter. I started by running a straight open filter and have since installed my own shielded intake made from the stock box.
tim
Frank
Thanks.
Thanks,
IExplore2000@aol.com
Do you have the TSB numbers or a copy of the TSB for the transmission reprogram?
I would like to get it done as well since my TB doesn't always whift wehen expected, especially downshifting at a stop sign or rolling stop(yield).
My old semi-retired '88 S-10 w/ 4.3 V-6 and TH700-R4 auto- it shifts down fast and is always ready to go, in gear, when called upon. Upshifts are much quicker too.
I'd rather get a nice car and a used SUV than one Rainier.
However, that V-8 will make that thing haul. The gas mileage better be significantly worse than my Trailblazer.
Say what you want, but I knew right away there was no way someone could design a climate control system that would always be right for me. I never use the auto mode. Just give me something to control the fan and something that goes from hot to cold and I'm happy.
Sure there are problems with the HVAC. It's one thing to complain about it, but it almost seems like people come here more for sympathy than for solutions. The whole thing about the '67 'Velle was to say "hey, it ain't so bad" so I guess I was being sympathetic.
FYI- I ahve a 15000 miles, a K&N that has been installed since 5000 miles, and it is a LTZ with the 17" wheels and 3.73 gears.
I have averaged over 19 for the last 2000 miles, with a major portion being city driving. Even better than I had anticipated when buying the TB!
Minn_TB
Doesn't the TB have steering wheel cruise buttons?
dindak: No, the TB doesn't have steering wheel controls for cruise, but I wish it did.
The KN filter makes that much difference?? I'll buy one this weekend. How about a throttle body spacer?? Any other suggested modifications? Thanks in advance, Les Akins
The light sensor that controls my Envoy's DRLs and headlights seems ultra-sensitive to me. It switches on the headlights way before I would do it manually at dusk/dawn, and during light sprinkles I find my headlamp indicator light on even though it's still quite light out.
Finally got the license plate gasket installed. It looks good, except for the greasy paw prints left behind by the shop. The dealer overbooked and couldn't get the work done on Wednesday, so they sent me to Enterprise to rent a Saturn SL1 for 2 days. UGGGHH! What a piece of #@*! Manual door locks, manual windows, manual mirrors, no acceleration, no brakes, cramped, noisy, vibrations galore, terrible sound system, knobs falling off, door handles loose. The only thing that made it bearable was a really good, cold air conditioner (but not automatic!). My Envoy is light years ahead of that Saturn, and wow it felt good to drive it home again.
9000 miles and so far I would do it again. No major problems. 17 mpg with the 4.10 axle in mostly city driving. On second thoughts, I would probably wait for the bigger gas tank.
GPS Navigation system, HID lights, 5 speed auto trans,DVD entertainment(using the bose stereo) & sunroof combo. Any one know if any of these will make it into 03 production?
The rear bumper piece (that wraps around to both wheel wells) cracked.
Any idea how much that piece will cost to replace?
Unrelated, I noticed that my front fascia is starting to sag. What were the fixes for that?
Thanks.
Not much consolation, but the estimates look much lower than most other midsize SUVs tested.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Any recomendations on other front deflectors. I prefer one without tape if possible on this car. I recall some people having problems with the GM deflector being warped. Any one try the Bug Deflecor II by autoventshade?
p.s. I was treated very well by the Weathertech folks. Will definitely keep recommending them to others, just not for the front bug deflector.
From the estimate:
Rear Bumper Cover: 349.00
Labor - Install: .75 hours
Labor - Paint: 1.75 hours
Good luck
I've had mine from day one. Honestly, they really only prevent the hood from chips and bugs, which is what I wanted. I personally like the look too.
Best thing for total protection of the vehicle is the Clear-Bra's by various companies. I had StonGard installed last year and love it. My black LTZ is as clean as it was on day one.
Enjoy!
http://www.timlauro.com/cars/trailblazer/trailblazer-pics/stongard-photos/stongard-details.html
Congrats on the buy. The K&N will yield overall better breathing, but IMO, you need to consider removing the entire airbox. Just mounting the K&N inside our suffocating box is pretty much useless performance wise. In the end, you'll notice better throttle response, but as with the throttle body spacer, mods like K&N are cumlative. They don't yield much alone, but are rather a start and benefit the vehicle and performance more as more mods are added.
ie...on my GTP, bone stock 192hp @ Wheels on a Dyno. Add K&N, went to 198hp. Added the smaller pulley, up to 230hp. Remove the K&N dropped to 218. So in the end it added about 6hp stock, but with another good mod it added 12hp. Again, mods are cumlative.
If you're not going to do anything else other than those two, forget the Throttle Spacer as there's not much to do about the heat and it won't yeild any noticable HP on the 4.2.
Hope that helps.
"The KN filter makes that much difference?? I'll buy one this weekend. How about a throttle body spacer?? Any other suggested modifications? Thanks in advance, Les Akins "
Vehicles originating in Canada DO HAVE WARRANTY here in the USA. So you can either just purchase up there an drive it back or move your residence. Either way, your warranty is still valid.
Many folks don't realize this, but in the Midwest, a large majority of the used cars purchased from rental fleets originate in Canada. I used to buy them up there for my dealerships for cost and conversion reasons. This still occurs today.
I'll date myself a bit but ever see a 94-97 model year Buick Regal or Cutlass Supreme with DRL's? Key sign they came from Canada as they didn't have them in the USA. They were very popular ones for me to buy during that time. Well worth a few hour drive to make such a large difference in profit.
As per your warranty booklet regarding coverage:
"The General Motors of Canada General Motors Total Warranty, is for General Motors vehicles registered in or normally operated in Canada or the United States. This warranty is provided to the original and any subsequent owners of the vehicle during the warranty period. If you are touring or have changed your residence, visit any General Motors dealer handling your vehicle line in Canada or the United States for warranty service".
tim
former Ohio Dealer
However, if you can, enjoy the text and notice a couple things that are different.
The tail-lights are of international style with orange turn signals. The tailpipes and exhause are different. Some dual tips some single.
This fellow has also done several mods to his. Enjoy and P-Suke if you're here, thank you! I've posted your pics and links. Click on Page 3 of Your Triplet Pics.
http://www.timlauro.com/cars/trailblazer/1-main-page.html
tim
http://homepage2.nifty.com/PsFactory/index.html
Gray Area: What You Need to Know About Canadian Cars in the U.S.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards