chevy Silverado - Continued

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  • cmfloydcmfloyd Member Posts: 3
    F ast
    O nly
    R olling
    D ownhill
  • happiehappie Member Posts: 1
    Does anybody have any vibration problems with
    their Siverado ext. cab 1500..it only does it
    on occassion, feels like you've had a blow out
    and can't control the steering wheel...you can
    control the steering , but it goes 1-2 inches
    each way while coming down the road esp. 50-70mph.
    They have balanced and rotated tires, eventually
    put a new set on, then they replaced the drive
    shaft...they have been unable to "duplicate the
    problem"...it stops when you stop and may not
    do it for another mile or 200 miles..Bought the
    truck on Sat and it was vibrating on Mon when I
    took it in to get it cleaned up...they will not
    replace my truck(under the Lemon Law)stating they
    can not duplicate the problem...theywon't even
    give me the District Managers name and number...
    anybody else had any problems like this...this
    has been going on since Jan and I am tired of it..
    I watched them take a drive shaft out of another
    new truck and put mine in it,,,is that legal...
    that truck is now for sale on the lot?
    Someone with any ideas please contact me at
    sbowles@bellsouth.net,,,Thanks,,, I have already
    contacted a lawyer and he's the one that got them
    to put in the new drive shaft..someone said the
    rack and pinion steering was under investigation..
    Thanks for the help....
  • rhinncrhinnc Member Posts: 66
    Just bought a new Loaded LT Z71 SB. I had a 97F150 Lariat and quite honestly can't find anything bad to say about the Ford just wanted something different. On the Ford 3 years ago I bought a soft tonnau cover made by Custom-Form mfd. in Elkhart, IN. Tried to call them to get another for my Chevy and but they are out of business. This cover had no snaps or velcro, there is sort of a "O" ring type piece that fits in the frame. Works great and I would like to find something very similar. Anyone know if another manufacturer makes a similar cover?

    BTW, I drove a Toyota Tundra 4WD. I don't know if it's just me but they have a long way to go to catch up with Ford and Chevy. I am mainly referring to the interior ameneties. I drove the Toyota for one day. The ride is phenominal, best driving,riding 4WD truck I have ever driven. But I have been spoiled by the little things that are not available. Like backlit window/mirror/radio controls (well the radio did have some of the stuff lit up, and no there was not any burnt out bulbs)The interior is just not there either, at least for me. The tundra is supposed to be a full size truck. I don't think so, maybe 7/8 full size but not full size. Well enough about the Toyota. I am very pleased with the Chevy so far and look forward to reading comments on this forum.
  • aseuffertaseuffert Member Posts: 1
    I am having the exact same shaking problem with my 1500 LT ext. cab. which I purchased in April.

    I can even recreate the problem by driving down certain freeways at high speeds between 50 - 70. The truck begins to shake sometimes quite violently to the point I have to pull over and stop.

    I took it into the shop and they told me to go replace the tires which I recently did. The tire shop balanced the tires saying they had never been balanced. Then I took it back again when the problem still occurred and they replaced them. When I replaced the tires the tire dealer told me that a service bulletin has been issued regarding this problem with some 99 Silverado pickups, something to do with the driveshaft and that a kit is coming out in late August, early September to fix the problem. I called my Dealer and they verified this.

    I called the Chevrolet Customer Assistance 800 line to get information about the bulletin and spoke with a Michael. This guy was an idiot who appeared to only be able to ramble out a standard response to my complaints. All I wanted was a copy of the bulletin and he had no knowledge of it. He told me that vibration was a common feature of the truck.

    I am impatiently waiting for the kit which I hope will resolve this.
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    Still no shakes.

    Been hauling lots of gravel. Seems like the rear springs are a little low on spring rate. Rear axle ends up on the bump stop with more than 1/2 of a yard of material. Might haveta go to air bags like the quad guy.

    Oil change light came on after another 3,600 miles. I think I will just follow it's schedule from now on.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
  • dave40dave40 Member Posts: 582
    Where's the Beef ?
  • f220swiftf220swift Member Posts: 103
    Looks like a good time!
  • shoozshooz Member Posts: 27
    579 of 584: Soft Tonnau Cover (rhinnc) Wed 21 Jul '99 (08:35 PM)

    Just bought a new Loaded LT Z71 SB. I had a 97F150
    Lariat and quite honestly can't find anything bad
    to say about the Ford just wanted something
    different. On the Ford 3 years ago I bought a soft
    tonnau cover made by Custom-Form mfd. in Elkhart,
    IN. Tried to call them to get another for my Chevy
    and but they are out of business. This cover had no
    snaps or velcro, there is sort of a "O" ring type
    piece that fits in the frame. Works great and I
    would like to find something very similar. Anyone
    know if another manufacturer makes a similar cover?

    BTW, I drove a Toyota Tundra 4WD. I don't know if
    it's just me but they have a long way to go to
    catch up with Ford and Chevy. I am mainly referring
    to the interior ameneties. I drove the Toyota for
    one day. The ride is phenominal, best
    driving,riding 4WD truck I have ever driven. But I
    have been spoiled by the little things that are not
    available. Like backlit window/mirror/radio
    controls (well the radio did have some of the stuff
    lit up, and no there was not any burnt out
    bulbs)The interior is just not there either, at
    least for me. The tundra is supposed to be a full
    size truck. I don't think so, maybe 7/8 full size
    but not full size. Well enough about the Toyota. I
    am very pleased with the Chevy so far and look
    forward to reading comments on this forum.
  • knobbyknobby Member Posts: 60
    Looks like you guy's were drinking Pepsi. Am I right or wrong? Or, is that barley water?
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Bud Ice looks like a Pepsi can. For me though, it's the Silver bullet.
  • hobby3hobby3 Member Posts: 1
    Curious if anyone has information on the reliability of the auto-track system. Perhaps it is one electronic system too many?
  • pkeithpkeith Member Posts: 4
    Does anyone there have an Indigo Blue Silverado? If so, how do you like it? Is it a [non-permissible content removed] to keep clean? I need to know!

    Thanks.
  • FETZFETZ Member Posts: 51
    It's time to put the first coat of wax on the new truck. Wife's car could use it too.

    Anybody have comments on Zaino Brothers car wax? How about you DAVE40??? I see on your web page that you use it. Is it really that special?

    Let me know!

    Thanks,
    -Fetz
  • dave40dave40 Member Posts: 582


    image
  • dave40dave40 Member Posts: 582
    Zaino is really good for dark paint-- black,blue,ect

    www.zainobros.com
  • dave40dave40 Member Posts: 582


    image
  • stevostevo Member Posts: 37
    Hello,
    Looking to buy a Z71 ext. cab. Would like 3.73 and limited slip rear end.
    Does anyone think that waiting for the 2000 model would be beneficial?
    Do you think that some minor problems may have been corrected and also maybe an extra feature or two?
    Local dealer has quite a few 99's.
    Thanks for any advice.
  • zonk1zonk1 Member Posts: 37
    rhinnc(#579) Extang makes a snapless cover.
    http://www.75sunny.com/extang.htm

    Y2K prices out on Kelly Blue Book
    http://www.kbb.com/
  • farmermikefarmermike Member Posts: 7
    Can anybody tell me about the frames on the 99 chevy because a friend at work wants to by a 99 chevy to plow snow with but somebody told him that chevy was having problems with the frames breaking and is there any truth to this because thats a new one to me.
  • knobbyknobby Member Posts: 60
    No!!!!
  • bigtyebigtye Member Posts: 1
    that off the sticker price sounds good but what was the INVOICE on the truck? Should be easy to figure right here on Edmund.com. So what did you pay over invoice, not what did you pay off sticker!!!
  • RichinKsRichinKs Member Posts: 412
    Drove an extended cab shortbed chevy 2500 this evening with the 6.0 liter engine. Saturday I had driven a regular cab long bed 2500. Both were 4x4's. I could not tell any difference in the diferent wheel base in quality of ride. Both were better than my 97 Z71 and very satisfactory. The One I drove tonight had a 5 speed manual. I have not driven a stick in a while (since my 85 CJ7). But I didn't stall. But the shifter seemed stiff. Clutch seemed fine. First is a granny low I did not use. The one I drove Saturday had 3.73 rear and was not impressive. Tonight I had the gearing but the wrong transmission to see how the 6.0 performs. I will be getting the 4.10 rear end. Rear brakes shuttered on a normal stop. It was hot this evening (6pm) , high 90's. But the airconditioner seemed to cool off this closed up truck nicely. Dealer is trying to find out when orders for the 4th door can be placed. The salesman said 3/4 tons are built in the US with most 1/2 tons in Canada. He feels production of 3/4 tons is picking up. As you all know there was quite a delay last fall. But 3/4 ton production is pretty well independant of the more popular 1/2 tons now. Rich
  • sd99sd99 Member Posts: 65
    Gentleman, there is not a $5400. mark up on a $28,000 truck. I suspect that the dealer has added options, such as rustproofing, and included that price in the sticker, and that is how the price got so low. Either that or Chevy has too many trucks and is selling them at a loss.
  • hillrwhillrw Member Posts: 11
    That sounds like a great deal! Can you provide more specifics on the various features/options for the truck that you bought through gmbuypower? I have been looking into that route for purchasing a truck myself and have been wondering just how low in price the buypower managers might be willing to go.
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    Some of the first Silverados to hit the dealers had some spotty frame problems, but that was because the haulers were chaining the trucks down to tight, some sort of mis-specification. anyway, no frame related problems from the factory.
  • rhinncrhinnc Member Posts: 66
    About the only thing that I did not get were the leather seats. I had them in my last truck and I will not own another truck with them. One of the biggest reasons I got such a deal on my truck is the dealer I bought it from had a lot of them on the lot. My truck hit their inventory around the first of April, I bought it about 4 months later. They really needed to move it and I happened upon it at a optimal time, end of model year, amount of time in dealer posession, etc. Also it helps to have several large dealers located within 50 miles of my home.
  • pkb1pkb1 Member Posts: 1
    I HAVE PURCHASED TWO TRUCKS IN THE LAST THREE DAYS. THE FIRST ONE I DROVE 23MILES FROM THE DEALER AND THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON THEN THE ENTIRE TRUCK SHUT DOWN. NEXT TODAY I WENT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER TO PICK UP MY 2ND BRAND NEW CK1500 2WD SB THAT THEY BROUGHT OVER FROM ANOTHER DEALER AND AS WE TEST DROVE IT THE A/C DID NOT WORK. I AM A LONG TIME CHEVY FAN HOWEVER, MY PATIENCE ARE VERY SLIM. SHOULD I BE A FORD FAN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 2000 MODELS. FRUSTRATED PKB1
  • bummerbummer Member Posts: 2
    I got my 2000 reg cab lb 4.8 3.73 on july 8th to date no problems 950 miles best truck I have owned
    had fords in the past but this chev is much better.
  • scrawscraw Member Posts: 28
    well here we go again guys,,, for the problem of front end wobble,,, IT IS NOT THE TIRES,, IT IS NOT THE DRIVE SHAFT, It is however the preload on the rack and pinion,,, I talked to the supervisor of tech asst, and was told the repair of the rack and pinion that I have reported is not a valid repair due to the fact that the root problem has not yet been identified..........DUH I have identified the problem and made the repair unfortunately this info has not been passed on.... Why do I waist my time.....get some front end specialist to adjust the preload on the rack and the problem will go away you heard it here first, A very disappointed tech Steve
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Steve, I recall vividly, though years back, how on my '73 Datsun 240Z, adjusting the preload adjuster on the rack and pinion steering gear could indeed induce a shimmy in the steering wheel.

    The reason I touched it in the first place, was to try and tighten up the slack in the steering, and get a crisper on-center feel. I put shims underneath the clamps holding the steering gear to the frame, to add compression to the rubber bushings, and reduce the amount of movement within the clamps. And I tightened up the preload adjuster on the rack and pinion.

    I got the crisp steering I wanted, but also got a shimmy I didn't have before. So there is a balance, difficult to achieve.

    But I reiterate, as you have, not to over-tighten the preload adjuster....the steering wheel should return to center freely, not bound.
  • ovacovac Member Posts: 1
    I've had to replace the starter already along with the driver side seat bracket. I also have to frequently reprogram the keyless entry (gets to be annoying). But the major problem is the squeeking noise that happens whenever you takeoff or stop. It's caused by the rear leaf springs (which I've had replaced already) and the noise is back again. Just took it back to the dealership and said the GM knows about the problem and is working on a solution but there is nothing they can do about it now.
  • powerisfunpowerisfun Member Posts: 358
    Has anyone had their truck weighed? I went to the
    county dump and they weighed my truck ('98
    GMC Sierra, ext-cab, three-door, K1500, Z71, short-fleetside bed with 5.7L engine and auto trans.) with empty bed and the total was 5620 lbs with a full tank of gas (25 gal tank = ~175 lbs gas), my wife (150 lbs) and myself (270 lbs, and it's all muscle!...yeah, right!). I also added a hard tonneau cover that weighs about 30 lbs. That means my truck's weight is real close to 5000 lbs even. I'm just curious how that compares to the other trucks particularly the new
    body style GM's. They probably list curb weights somewhere, but I'm not sure if that includes things like trailer hitch, big tires (265-75R16), tow hooks, Z71 suspension (all present on my truck). I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.
    -Tim

    P.S. I'm going to post this message on other boards as well so sorry if you're reading this many times.
  • grizzly1grizzly1 Member Posts: 111
    Hi to all- This is my first time on Town Hall & have been doing a lot of reading on the new Silverado. I've ordered a 2K, 3/4, extended cab, long bed, 6L, 410, 4x4, LS, & a few goodies. I've read a lot of negative comments on this truck so far, & was wondering if someone might have something good to say. Any comments, GOOD or bad would be appreciated. This Town Hall is great!!!! Thanks Edmund's
    E-mail---- Grizzly@jps.net
  • planejaneplanejane Member Posts: 167
    I ordered mine on July 12, just about the same truck as yours, '00, 3/4, ext.cab, short bed, 4x4 LS (also with a few other goodies) and at first dealer told me 6-10 weeks. Now its 10-12 (more like 12) - a nice dude, Tim, told me about www.wheels.com, which posts any holdups at the factory for our particular truck, I guess, that there is limited availability on ext cabs, locking diff, 3.73 gr, etc. Check that site out.

    Also, there have been a few people who posted that ordered 99 trucks which never made production, so they had to reorder a '00 truck, those orders are definitely before ours. I have been pretty patient (NOT!), its been over 2 weeks since my order request and GM still hasn't picked up my order for the assembly line yet (no order number) - try and get an order # from your dealer so you could at lease check progress at the factory, check www.chevrolet.com for the customer service phone #.

    I am hoping that for the most part all of the problems in the 99 new body style trucks have been ironed out by our model year. It just seems to me that as much as I wouldn't go with Dodge or Ford, they aren't having as much trouble filling orders, and they seemed to be pretty timely about it. What's Chevy's problem? They might still be catching up on the strike from last year, they also just got back from 2-week shut down this month, and well, when they are under pressure, the bowtie guys, probably are just slapping them trucks together as fast as they can.

    Anyone else have info/an opinion on the delay??? All in all - I still believe that we are buying America's BEST TRUCK. Can't wait to get into my Vortec 6000!
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    Planejane,

    I ordered my 99 in Dec and it showed up 14 weeks later. Some guys have gotten orders in as little as 5 weeks.

    I think the factory is busy pushing out ext cab Z-71 1500's in the $27-30K range to sit on dealer lots and can't be concerned about sold orders. I don't understand why they can't turn around an order that has money down on it.

    Mike
  • planejaneplanejane Member Posts: 167
    My dealer has 3 - 2K half tons on their lot, they ordered them and it only took 7 weeks. I wish GM would get busy on 3/4 ton production and take my order. I think I am realistically looking at 3 good months before I get to take my truck home.

    By the way, how do you enjoy your truck? Any problems? What options do you have? Color?

    Thanks, Cindy
  • planejaneplanejane Member Posts: 167
    Has anyone out there (just for grins) bought a Silverado and test drove the same class Ford and Dodge? I have - Chevy (silverado) rules. Oh, and this is my personal opinion :)
  • rscarrrscarr Member Posts: 2
    I just took delivery of my '99 Silverado Extended
    Cab 4x4 LS a couple of weeks ago, and so far the
    only complaint that I have with it is the AC. The
    weather here has been in the mid to upper 90's
    since I received the truck, and it seems that the
    truck never quite gets comfortable?

    I go through the whole routine with the AC, open
    the windows for the first mile or so, start out
    with High/Recirculate, but if I then change to
    fresh air, the truck just never seems to get cool.
    If the sun is beating down on my side, it's just
    plain uncomfortable. If I leave it in recirculate,
    and set the fan to about 3, it seems all right, (at least I can hear myself think!), but it never
    reaches the point where I can simply turn it down.
    Granted, most of my trips are short, but the drive
    from work/home is about 25 minutes, and this should be plenty of time for things to cool off!

    Is this just the nature of the beast (the "new"
    freon), or should I have the dealer check it? I
    have owned two other K1500's, an '86 and a '93,
    neither of which suffered this problem. Chevy also
    advertises in their literature that the Silverado
    has the "quickest cool down" of any half ton!

    Thanks for any info.

    By the way, what's up with the drive shaft! Is
    this thing going to hold up?
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    My '99 air conditioner is a cryogenic chamber for frozen embryos. Better have it checked out.
  • g8trg8tr Member Posts: 77
    A friend of mine ordered a '99 but it got delayed so he got a '00 instead. An LT, Z-71, ext. cab, leather, and all of the other trimmings--total cost around 34K. He had 400 miles on it and was coming home down the interstate when the tranny croaked. He was able to limp home. The dealer here in town said they would REBUILD it! I'm sorry, but if you spend your hard earned $ on a product (of any kind) and it falls apart, the company better give you a new one and apologize a great deal for all of the inconvenience.
    I don't know if that was the dealer's idea or GM's but that kind of behavior is what made people buy foreign cars and trucks to begin with.
    GM has a potential hot truck on their hands but the attitude still hasn't changed.

    I'm sorry--I'll get of my box now.
  • g8trg8tr Member Posts: 77
    A friend of mine ordered a '99 but it got delayed so he got a '00 instead. An LT, Z-71, ext. cab, leather, and all of the other trimmings--total cost around 34K. He had 400 miles on it and was coming home down the interstate when the tranny croaked. He was able to limp home. The dealer here in town said they would REBUILD it! I'm sorry, but if you spend your hard earned $ on a product (of any kind) and it falls apart, the company better give you a new one and apologize a great deal for all of the inconvenience.
    I don't know if that was the dealer's idea or GM's but that kind of behavior is what made people buy foreign cars and trucks to begin with.
    GM has a potential hot truck on their hands but the attitude still hasn't changed.

    I'm sorry--I'll get off my box now.
  • rwagonerrwagoner Member Posts: 338
    Rebuliding is not necessarily a bad idea, since it can give an idea of why it failed. Interestingly, though, genral policy in GM is to replace with a new one (or it was in the past). It usually costs more to rebuild than to replace.

    Don't start with the "what made people buy foreign cars" crap, though. I know too many people that own Toyota trucks that had head gasket problems (like EVERY V6 in the past few years ... there's even a topic on this board). But the Toyota owners just call it a "fluke." (nothing EVER goes wrong with a Toyota, right?) Yet there is ONE trans failure in all the time I've been reading this board and the Silverado must be junk. I don't get it.

    Granted, I haven't had my Silverado more than a month yet but the 1600 miles I've already driven prove it's a great truck. One of the best. And my old '91 S-10 with 120,000 miles when sold never once let me down. If you want a Toy, buy one. If you want a truck, buy a Chevy/GMC, Ford or Dodge.

    Richard
  • rumblerrumbler Member Posts: 3
    I live down a narrow winding lane which does not allow vehicles to pass one another in the opposite directions at every point. One or the other vehicle, by long tradtion, pulls over and douses the headlamps (leaving the parking lights on) until the other vehicle squeezes by. Now I am considered rude by neighbors because GM (and the gov't) does not trust me to decide when my headlamps should be on or off??? Of course, I can shut off the vehicle, but could someone say how to override the automatic headlamp system?
    Also, there is a squeak from the steering column when the wheel is turned full left, and then turned to the right when starting forward from a start. Dealer looked at it and has an S.I.R. on order. Something to do with the airbag system, and they have seen two other Silverados with this squeak. They downloaded the latest codes for the engine, but the 4.8l still idles a bit rough. It is a rythmic vibration on a ~3 second cycle. Any other 4.8 owners with this?
  • powerisfunpowerisfun Member Posts: 358
    Hello rumbler,
    To turn off the daytime running lights, just push in your parking break a little ways. The break doesn't even have to engage but the lights will go out. I do this every time I start up to avoid that headlight flash at startup. Good luck!
    -Tim
  • powerisfunpowerisfun Member Posts: 358
    sorry I misspelled B-R-A-K-E.
  • planejaneplanejane Member Posts: 167
    Every day and especially after hearing stories like yours, I keep telling myself this truck will be worth the wait.

    I also got the Med. charcoal grey metallic, I have seen only 3 of those on the road (that color), it is an awesome looking truck in that color.

    Cindy
  • wesley1wesley1 Member Posts: 17
    '99 Silverado Air Conditioning (rscarr)
    Mine is as cool as a cucumber like quadrunner500. But I like a quick cool down also. After you have had the dealer look at it (and when you don't have passengers) you can close all the other vent with the lower roll knob and dedicate all the air to your side. I have the center storage between the front seat and can reach 3 of the 4 vents without unbuckling. There is a lot of air coming out of them that you divert. It really helps.
  • jeffthrojeffthro Member Posts: 35
    I need some info. I ordered a 2000 Silverado 1500 base model on July 15th. The dealer said that the base model 40/20/40 seats do not fold down at the middle to allow for an arm rest. He stated that the LT does fold with storage. My question: Does anyone know if Chevy has a modification hinge kit to allow center section to act a an arm rest?

    Jeff
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Rumbler,
    I totally agree with you about the headlamps. It's not that I don't like the automatic features, but I'm irritated or worse that you can't turn the headlamps off with an override. The DRL's, on the other hand, can be disabled by pulling a fuse, but I feel safer with them on.
This discussion has been closed.