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Chevrolet Silverado
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What was the date your truck was built? Do you know if they shipped yours by rail? Mine was built Dec 17 and as far as I know it is still in Canada.
My dealer called the rail yard in Louisiana and it has not made it in yet???? Getting very hard to stay patient.
I subscribe to the same idea that too much is better than too little. I got the 5.3.
I don't have any details and can't find anything on the sticker that would tell me other than it was assembled in Oshawa. I do know that I was surprised when the dealer called Monday afternoon and said it was there. I was told around Christmas that it was to be built the week of January 11. Maybe it has more to do with the way dealers allocate now. My order allocation may have been placed by the dealer before I ordered and they found the closest match and slotted me in. I think I made it easy in ordering a loaded LT that is identical to those ads and commercials.
Now I just wish it would get warm so I can clean out more room in my garage.
17 hwy.
apowel - EPA says 16 city for both motors with an extra mpg on highway for the 4.8. I would not make a decision on one motor vs the other based on fuel economy. BTW, both motors have the same cylinder bore, but the 5.3 is 'stroked'. Kinda like the difference between the old 327 and 350.
Plus he said the ordering system is currently down for 2 weeks (changing the system)
Anyone else heard about this stuff?
When do the Y2K models come out? Maybe I should just wait until then. Is it any easier to order a GMC? This can be frustrating.
This one had a 3.73. The dealer was comparing the 6.0 to a 5.3 with a 3.73 and said the 5.3 would run just as good with the same rear end...just not as much torque. The floor console on the bucket seat version is different. It doesn't have the CD player in the console like the 1500's do.
I think the truck looks pretty sharp. This one was blue with grey on the bottom and the fender flairs were painted the same as the bottom.
I own a 2WD 1500 LS Extended Cab short bed, automatic with 4.8L Vortec engine, 3.42 rear end, 235R7516 Wrangler Tires, cloth bench seats (60/40). I have no plan to tow but do occasional hauling. I don't feel I gave up any performance not getting the 4.3L. On my first long trip before Christmas I got 18 mpg city and 27 highway. With 1600 miles logged in so far and moving around in the snow I'm averaging 13 to 16 city. The engine has performed well for me. The 4.8L engine responds quickly, backs off smoothly; engine definitely has the power to move. Felt no strain going up hills (steep or otherwise). Transmission shifts smoothly. Usually not aware of shift unless a very long hill.
Oh, the truck was built October 1998 in Canada. The only thing I've noticed is after the first rain, I started getting a slight squeal when the brakes were applied. Will be getting that checked if its normal. But brake performance is very good with the full-size disc brakes and ABS.
I'm in Akron, Ohio with over 12 inches of snow (have about 350 lbs weight in the back), and no problems with the 4.8L V8. I'm driving for the road conditions and me and my black 2WD truck are getting around just fine.
The Sportsides are being built, mine finally left Canada Monday and the dealer said it should be here next week????
Also got some bad news on the Firestone Wilderness AT's. A friend of mine has them on a Ford Explorer and had a blowout the other day. The whole sidewall of the tire was gone, the other side wall looked brand new? I went to a Firestone dealer and Talked to the guy and asked him point blank if he has any problems with Firestone tires? Didn't mention the info above. He hesitated and said that he does with the Wilderness AT's. He said that the sidewalls are thin on those tires and he see's blowouts.
I saw an AT and similar tire next to each other and pressed on the sidewalls and he is right they are easy to push in on the AT! I then told him the story and he said he steers customers to other tires. He said the Wilderness AT is the only Firestone tire he has problems with. He said he keeps AT's because some customers request them?? Guess I will be changing the tires out when it gets here!
http://www.yokohamatire.com/html/catalog_truck.cfm?category_id=LT_T
http://www.auto.com/topstories/p4.htm
P.S. Temperature is a high of 64 degrees and visibility is 60 miles here in Albuquerque. Sorry Buffalo, the devil made me say it.
I guess the merits of that are debatable. I drove both the standard smooth ride (Z83) and the stiffer Z85. I definitely preferred the smoother ride of the Z83. But I really wanted the Z85 for towing. So I decided to wait and get "both".
I don't have anything official in the way of a build date. Given the way things have gone for some folks in this topic, I'll honestly be surprised if it's here before April.
Can someone remind me of the GM number to call and confirm a build date? Also, the info I need is the dealer number and my order number, which I assume that I can get from my dealer. Do I need anything else to check on a build date? I wonder if they will even give me a build date since the ZX3 is still on hold?
SPORT TRUCK and TRUCKIN
Great new pictures of tricked
out 99 Silverados and Sierras
and Highlights from the SEMA
show in Vegas
Plenty of new after market
products .And the new 99
Silverado SS 395 hp 420-torque
HOT !!!
I found a dealer in Wyoming that will sell GMC's for $250 over invoice. Found it from the SUV conference:
www.bettervaluegmc.com
Also I heard some complaints about the guard on the top of the tailgate, gmc has another version that DOES NOT flare out. It just covers the top of the gate. So toppers an things will fit right.
The # is CA06079801
shorter version #CA06069801
These are all gmc extra's.
Gregg
Maybe because of the design of the Sportside the mud would get way up and be hard to remove without??
On the invoice price, $500 over is plenty. In fact, it sounds like there are some folks here who have done even better than that. I think the dealer kickback is more along the lines of 3%. Generally though, I believe 100% of that goes to the dealer and none comes to the salesman. That could factor in to the price you might get from a salesman. If you know you're going to order and can work with the fleet dealer, you tend to avoid that hassle, at least that's been my experience.
On the tires, I'd like to put some Michelin 31x10.50's on, but I haven't given that too much thought yet. My Dad has some on his '96 Silverado and they look pretty good.
Anyone hook up the trailer wiring on a manual transmission Silverado? The brochure advertises that the all Silverados come with a trailer towing plug. Since I couldn't order the towing package, I have procured a Reese hitch and trying to get a wiring package set up for when my truck arrives in a month.
BTY, the 4.8L motor uses an AC PF59 filter, which must be new for this year. I was finally able to 'special order' several from Checker at $5 a piece. What are you all doing for oil changes?
1. I am really afraid of having an underpowered vehicle and am wondering if it would be best to go ahead and get the 5.3 instead of the 4.8. I do not want the truck to lug down when empty while going up a normal paved highway hill. I would not mind it lugging on those ocassions when it is loaded or towing that light load mentioned above. So, 5.3 or 4.8.
2. Also, since I do not mind the truck lugging if loaded, but do not want it underpowered, could I demand a lower rear end than the 3.42 in order to get better gas mileage since 95% of my driving is unloaded and not towing.
3. Also, how dificult is it to move the drivers seat up to access the back.
It is not important to me who wins the motor trend 0-60 trials, who wins at the track, or who can haul the heaviest load. I want a comfortable, reliable, and long lasting truck. I intend to drive this vehicle for at least 8 years and probably put 200,000 miles on it. Is the Chevy the ticket in my case??
and, thanks for any advise anyone could give
I bought the Chevy because I wanted the reg. cab manual transmission and the chevy was rated to tow more. In your situation, the 4 doors offered with the ford supercab, would have sent me in that direction.
Fuel economy would probably be slightly better in the Chevy, though......
I was very impressed with the engine. The truck was a 4.8 with automatic and 3.73 rear end. window sticker posted 16/21 mpg. at 70 mph it turn exactly 2000 rpms. from a stop, the engine feels about the same as all trucks, but when you put your foot into it--WOW. that thing really winds up fast. that 4.8 would easily outrun my current 350. it seemed to me whatever speed you were doing, slow or fast, if you punched it, the transmission would put you in the 2500-4000 rpm range, and the truck just comes alive, revs up to ~5000 and downshifts to ~2700 and keeps on going. let your foot off the gas, and it drops down to low rpms and effortlessly does 70-80 mph. if anyone just does occaisional moderate towing, this engine and gear would be great. felt like more power than my 350. i can only imagine what the 5.3 would do. truck only had 11 miles on it, and my friend smoked down the tires from a dead stop up to about 40 mph (when traction finally gripped).
to anyone worried about the 4.8 be underpowered---Don't worry. i was impressed. the 5.3 should really get up and go and pull nicely, but for the extra money, and little worse mileage-- most weekend warriors don't need anything more than the 4.8. i really think that motor can tow the trucks limit no problem.
Oh--the tow/haul mode was pretty neat. switched it on at 40 mph and punched it, truck ran up about 300-400 rpms higher in each gear than normal, very nice.
talking to service people and looking at engine pictures and such, i've come to the conclusion. These new engines do rev higher, you really feel the power in the upper rpm range, and the tranny seems to shift you right into the sweet spot everytime. but the engines are designed to handle it. the cast iron blocks are thicker and deeper, the valve train is built heavier, as well other major components. plus these things have been in testing for 3 years. I think longevity on this product is not going to be a problem.
Is this the only alarm system a person would need? On my current truck I have a clifford and I'm trying to understand if I will need anything else once I get my new Silverado.
I'm not certain exactly certain what this standard alarm system does for you. The salesperson wasn't very clear about this feature.