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http://waag.com/images/rearbumper/chevyblazerrearguard.jpg
That's a Blazer, but I do believe they make one for the Triplets as well.
http://waag.com/rearbumper.php
It took about a month and a half to get my shocks done this year. They were pretty backed up at the beginning of racing season.
Anyway, I just wanted to let people know that it could be done. Of course it would be much simpler if Bilstein came out with a HD aftermarket shock with stiffer valving for these things. Last time I checked they haven't yet, but these things are still pretty new. Hopefully they will soon.
It depends upon where you live. When I lived in Montana, two lane roads were the norm. Here in Yuppys'Ville (Seattle) it's hard to find one.
Since I've been here I've gone over the mountain passes quite a few times in blinding stowstorms on the 6 or 8 (or however many lanes there are) freeway. This is where taillights are really important. I've noticed that the vast majority of cars with their taillights off have the headlights on--DRL's.
Most drivers of older vehicles simply turn on the lights and are safer. Unfortunately, the average driver probably doesn't realize the difference between the two. Those that do, of course can turn on the lights luckily.
Although it isn't the same (because you can turn on the lights with DRL's) it reminds me of when they mandated the horrible automatic seatbelts in the 80's. Those things, due to their design were less effective even when used properly than a manual seatbelt.
So, the manufacturers had to give you a seatbelt that made you less safe than a manual seatbelt...because they (well, not they but the government) assumed you were to stupid to use a manual seatbelt.
In the hopes of saving the people so careless that they don't wear their seatbelts, they endangered those that do. Pure idiocy....
http://waag.com/showroom/103.php
Flawed logic but from what motivation?
1)AC doesn't blow cool until you start driving. When you stop at lights etc. it goes back to blowing just slightly cool.
2)Driver's seat squeaks a lot when you move your body back and forth and when you take off from a light. (dealer has tightened things, worked for awhile, but now very noisy again.
3)Squeaks in the front suspension at slow speeds on rough roads. They lubed some things, but noise keeps coming back. It's a quick sharp squeek on each and every small bump or crack in the road. Can be quite noisy.
Any help would be great. Thank you!
Chris
cburrous@yahoo.com
About 3 weeks ago I purchased an Envoy XL SLT (4/02 build) Monterey Maroon Metallic color with sunroof, heated seats, in dash 6 disk CD radio, 3.73 Rear axle ratio, and 17 inch polished wheels. Got the 6/60 extended warranty. Final (pre-tax) price was $33,800 + $1500 for warranty.
I too was a little concerned to see the various problems that the original Envoy had - but it seems like most of those issues were ironed out by about 2/02 builds. I'm assuming that they put most of those fixes into the Envoy XL - there are no recalls/TSBs for the XL. It's almost like the XL is the second year of production in the Envoy line.
So far 750 miles and no problems. Absolutely loving the SUV - I think that it looks great. I'm constantly getting compliments on it. I'm pleased with the power, interior/exterior looks, size and the many, many features. The size has been wonderful. Took a trip with 6 people (all seats up) - and still had enough room to put plenty of stuff in the back. I figure with all 3 seats up (7 passengers), it's still got about a much storage as a standard car trunk.
Stretching to find some negatives:
a) It barely fits into my garage - kind of a negative (but kind of desired too). Had to put up one of those strings with a weight to make sure I park it in the correct distance. About 6 inches left over behind and 1.5 feet left in front (standard sized garage).
b) Fog lights seem like they point too far down to me - I'd prefer them to beam outwards a little more.
c) Gas mileage. 16 MPG with mostly city driving and constant AC on. Better than most SUVs of this size, but still not great.
d) AC works limitely until you get moving - but once you're rolling it is good (dual HVAC is nice).
Palmduck - If I had just won the lottery, I think that I'd still end up with an Envoy XL (those Hummers stand out too much). I would strongly endorse/suggest buying an Envoy XL.
I am with you on the getting the larger tank if a retrofit would work. The only thing I can think of as a potential issue is range on the DIC. My guess is the computer has the fuel tank capacity stored as a constant to determine range. Granted, this would be very easy to update with a flash of the computer, but would a service department be willing to do this?
I wish I didn't have to fill-up as often with my Envoy as I did with my old Civic. It is a little frustrating.
As far as Xenons/HIDs, I also have wondered why they only made an appearance for a short time on the old style Envoy. If I had to guess, it is that the Escalade/Denali owners may have felt slighted. I have thought about, and friends of mine have suggested, seeking a salvage Envoy to see if the Xenon system could be retrofitted. If I am not mistaken, the shapes of the relectors are very similar between the old and new body style. If you did this, you would have to constantly disable the DRL's, though.
I will let you know if I get past the talking stage with this.
JAW
Check out the GM link below for details.
http://media.gm.com/division/powertrain/news/4200_Overview.pdf
The Rainier is getting an aluminum block V-8, so it would be sleeved as well.
GAM
Does anyone know how to access the steering wheel wire harness, without removing the wheel? I'll try anything just to keep it out of the dealer's hands!
Thanks!
The Honda Pilot is going to be a good SUV, no doubt. The Envoy XL is a good SUV with rare, mostly annoying glitches that have largely been resolved. Both SUVs are quite similar when you glance at their specs. For me, the Envoy has a larger engine, can tow more, and IMHO looks better. The fact that it was a (fully) Americian SUV also made me feel good, especially after 9/11.
You've got to find your own reasons for buying a car (it's your cash) - but if you can get out of your order (which I suspect you can), I'd suggest leaving your options open.
"if you made a order you need to stand by it."
I'm sorry, but you don't have to stand by the order. My wife's the lawyer, but you may have signed a buyers order costing you any good faith money you put down, but there wasn't a VIN# generated thus no firm contract or deal so you're fine. Chances are you will be able to get your money down back too.
missouri2 Wrote:
"i must be too old. a persons word and hand shake should mean something."
perhaps you're just too kind. believe me...it's strictly business and coming from someone who has many years in the car business....there's no need to put good faith in such a handshake. pure fact, the dealer could care less about your integrity. I was one and must say, it's honestly...all about the deal. To cover those that disagree...I'll revise my statement to 99% of the dealers out there.
tim
former dealer in the 99 percentile
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
http://www.crcarpriceservice.org/upcoming.asp
Tbcreative - That Consumer Reports link is a listing of dates when the manufacturer will be releasing final information on the 2003 models (Final pricing, Options/pricing, etc.) and CR will be able to issue their reports. That in no way relates to the dates that the actual vehicles will be arriving in dealerships. It doesn't even say anything like that on the page. Usually (Ok, I know someone will try to pin me down on a date so I'll be purposely vague) U.S. manufacturers begin production of the next years models around the end of August (Earlier for some, later for others) and the vehicles begin arriving in dealerships a few weeks later.
Mis-information is worse than no information at all.
Unfortunately for us, the Honda products weren't quite right. We replaced a 92 Ford E150 Conversion Van so we were looking for space, towing capacity and comfort. The Pilot and MDX rear seat is nice the way it folds into the floor, but is virtually useless as a seat. There was no way either of our children could have sat back there for any trip other than in town. The TB was also all set for towing with a greater potential towing capacity, which fit our need. While the fuel economy is less, I am willing to trade off a few mpg's for comfort and convenience. Really it all comes down to what vehicle fits your needs best.
We just had an Audiovox 6.8" roof mount flipdown video monitor/TV installed in our TrailBlazer EXT with sunroof. We purchased the system at Circuit City and they installed it without a hitch. Our total installed cost was about $1500 which included the flatscreen video monitor, a TV tuner and antenna, an automotive quality VCR, 2 wireless headphones, RF modulator so you can here it through the FM tuner on the truck, and a 5 year replacement warranty on everything. It works great and looks like the factory installed it. They mounted the VCR vertically on the back of the middle seat so it can be accessed by those watching tapes, and still be easily removed when not traveling so as not to be an inviting target for would-be thieves. Audiovox also makes a roof mount unit that has the DVD player built in as part of the unit. We needed the VCR, as we have a vast video cassette library and haven't made the jump to DVD at home yet. We check with Best Buy, but the said it couldn't be done.
If you're like me and really like the sunroof but have kids that really appreciate watching a movie on long trips, this is a terrific solution. We also considered the "piggyback" systems but felt they were to bulky and didn't have same viewing quality. Another option was headrest mount monitors, but that eliminated TV, not to mention they are so enticing to thieves. When the screen is in the fold up (stored) position it is impossibly to tell if the unit is there while looking from the outside of the locked vehicle. All in all this is a good solution.
Thannks.
Frank
Be patient! (I know it's hard - I am having a problem downloading pages.) The problem we've been having for the past few days was supposed to have been resolved already. I just passed a note up the chain.
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
As far as the axles go, anyone changed out the gear oil yet? I'm thinking of changing the rear axle lube with 75w90 Mobil1 gear oil and wanted to see if anyone else had done it themselves? I don't think I'm going to touch the front yet since it's an open diff and the Bravada's AWD system is rear biased, but I'd like to do the rear.
Also, did anyone ever verify the correct torque for the wheel lugs. I want to rotate wheels. Manual calls for 100lbs, but I remember back a few months, there was discussion that it might be 120lbs... Anyone recall?
Lastly, I'm swapping the stock air filter for the K&N. This question is directed at tlauro. Have you had any problems with dust accumulation with your open air setup? I was thinking of chopping the top of the breather box and louvering it to direct air in.
Cover, rear bumper 88937016
Pad, rear bumper step 15720781
Pad, rear bumper step 15046524
I know that the bumper is cheaper through gmpartsdirect.com than the dealer, but the cost of shipping was outrageous if I remember correctly.
As far as the axles go, anyone changed out the gear oil yet? I'm thinking of changing the rear axle lube with 75w90 Mobil1 gear oil and wanted to see if anyone else had done it themselves?
I'm not sure about the Bravada, but the Envoys already come with the GM-brand 75W-90 synthetic axle lube. So it may be that all the triplets do, but it should state so in your manual. I'm not sure how many miles you have, but unless you just want the Mobil 1 brand, you may not need to do anything yet. I'll probably go with Mobil 1 as well, when it's time for me to eventually change, but that's a ways off for me.
1. Rear Bumper Cover = 395.49 ($217.98 @ gmpartsdirect)
2. 2.2 hours of body labor = $88
3. 4.0 hours of PAINTING! = $160
4. Paint = $72
With other small charges and tax, the total comes to $796!
Forgetting the near 100% markup for the part, is there any way to justify 4 hours of paint time and $72 worth of paint?
IMO, the stock set up of the Triplets I-6 air intake is poor and unless the box is removed, the K&N Filter will do very little for air intake gains and will basically just be a long life filter.
As you noted doing, I've modified the stock box to create my own baffle to assist in the engine heat issue much like the K&N FIPK setups are.
Good luck and let me know if there are any q's.
tim
"Lastly, I'm swapping the stock air filter for the K&N. This question is directed at tlauro. Have you had any problems with dust accumulation with your open air setup? I was thinking of chopping the top of the breather box and louvering it to direct air in. "
I had an aftermarket stereo system installed in my 2002 Trailblazer. At the time, the installing company told me that the vehicle would not "operate properly" with the factory stereo removed, so they charged me $85 for a wire harness so they could re-locate the factory stereo in the back cargo area, then installed the aftermarket stereo in the dash. I did loose things like door chimes and Onstar capability, since these things come through the factory sound system.
Everything was fine, until somebody broke in and yanked the aftermarket unit out of the dash. In the process, they unhooked all of the wiring, so the factory unit was no longer "in the circuit". The vehicle appears to be working totally fine. I am driving it around with no stereo and so far I can't find anything that is not working. When I went back for an estimate, I showed the aftermarket installer that everything still worked, and he said that "the information they had said it shouldn't". I asked if they had some document so I could understand, but they didn't have anything. They quoted a new $85 harness for the repair install, but I don't really feel like paying it again if it is not needed. Anybody know the truth? The dealer doesn't know anything and didn't seem very interested in researching it for me. If anyone has info, please let me know!
On another note, I do hope that the aftermarket system wasn't one of those meant to "force" the entire population within 100 feet of your vehicle to listen to the music you want to hear.
http://www.finishlinewest.com/trailblazer_pics.htm
I took mine in to the dealer (wife was backing in parking lot and collided with someone else doing the same, sob!) and they claimed the XL was too new to be in their system.
Also, what are the pads for, are they required when replacing the bumper cover?
Also, the part number 88937016 shows up in gmpartsdirect as front/rear bumper...
Also irritates me that gmpartsdirect doesn't even seem to acknowledge the existence of the triplets!
Re:
#6564 of 6573 Part Number - TBLT Rear Bumper Cover by blrmkr Jul 10, 2002 (05:18 pm)
icojones, I hope the following helps:
Cover, rear bumper 88937016
Pad, rear bumper step 15720781
Pad, rear bumper step 15046524