Chevy Silverado - Continued VII

2000ryan · February 2000

thanks for linking us up to your pictures. you have a great looking truck.

leathal02 · February 2000

nice pic on your rear window..

I'll have to put my truck on here pretty soon, as soon as i can get a digital camera and wash my truck all nice and stuff

Really good lookin truck

I have a huge A&M sticker on my back windshield..well at least in my eyes, sometimes i wish it would be higher so i could see out of it, haha

I have a '99 victory red Z-71

as soon as i get some pics i'll post it

aTm class of '02....WHOOP!

al2 · February 2000

Thanks again for 5th wheel info -- just what I wanted. RDVE, you have saved me a lot of work chopping out a few inches of trailer gate and welding it back together. I have saved your e-mail address, thanks, and will certainly take you up on your offer to pick your brain some more if need be.
I noticed that Roger is in the Spokane area. We often camp throughout Washington/Oregon from Vancouver, B.C. It would be just like the strangeness of coincidence that we may meet one day in a Western camp site.
Again, thanks to both of you for your help!
Cheers, Al

nuwo · February 2000

My wife backed into a tree the other day. I thought that it didn't do much damage besides tweeking the bumper. Anyway, I went to work the next morning and it was shaking all over the place. I crawled inder the truck and noticed that the the frame was bent. Can I take the bend out with some come-alongs?

2000ryan · February 2000

if you suspect frame damage, i would strongly suggest having your truck inspected and repaired by a professional shop with frame repair equipment. kind of hard to believe frame damage with something that minor but anything is possible. have it checked out

mgdvhman · February 2000

Didn't someone mention something about a frame bending issue with small amounts of stress in the right spot??

Musta been a rumor...

That guy is never right...

- Tim

rwagoner · February 2000

There is no extra maintenance required for the locker. There is no disadvantage to having it. Go ahead ... be jealous.

I was in Chicago to be part of the auto show (I was one of four -- including the new CEO of GM -- Rick Wagoners) to be part of a press conference launch of a new Buick mini-SUV. Along with the new Buick, they showed a 2500 Chevy and GMC "Club Cab" (or whatever they call the giant cabs with four real doors) Silverado/Sierra pair. I guess those are coming soon.

As an asside, Chicago is a great town with extremely friendly people. I had a blast in the few days I was there (along with my wife and son). Fantastic auto show, too ... runs circles around Los Angeles.

Richard

swobig · February 2000

you were talking about? Never saw it - was just kinda curious...

jimtnc · February 2000

will the smooth ride changeif I were to change-out my 235/70 to 265/70 on my 2000 1500LS? It was something that never entered my mind for some reason before I bought the truck (has 300 miles now), but now the front rides so much lower than the rear. I'm thinking the bigger tires might even out the looks, but don't know about the ride. Any comments?

davidb72 · February 2000

I would think they would smooth it out even more because of the increased sidewall. Are you sure they will fit? That would be my only concern.

markbuck · February 2000

Yup scottay, just flip the ball mount over.

Been using a Tekonsha Sentinal brake controller for a year. Works great via inertia, my buddy liked it so much put one on his F350SD ford.

Pulled my 5000lb trailer over multiple 10,000' passes last summer, no problems. Easy to change trailer brake force when I get on ice and snow. Sentinal works on 1 to 4 axles. Plus an american company (tekonsha, Wisc). They also have the wiring harness to tie into the silverado customer convience panel.

http://www.tekonsha.com/

z71bill · February 2000

I think you mean 235 75 VS 265 70. The 265 70 will be about .6 inch taller and about 1.1 inch wider. You should have no problem making this change - use your standard rims. The Silverado 4x4 has 265 75 tires as an option.

2000ryan · February 2000

has anyone used a Drawtite digital brake controller before? i know tekonsha is a great brand, just shopping around while waiting for my truck!

rshornsby · February 2000

Yes, I have a DrawTite 5500 at present. It is the best by far. I used Tekonsha for awhile, too hard to adjust. Have to have trailer and pickup both level in order to adjust. I pull a 8500# 5th Wheel/slide out. And where I live is very mountainous. As Tekonsha states "if the grade is long, it might take adjusting of unit.". Can't find a level spot going up or down hill. And BTW I still have the Tekonsha on a shelf if you want to buy it..I just couldn't ever get it synchronized with the pickup. The trailer brakes always came on late, I didn't like that. But everyone has their own idea, and brands that they like, that is what competition is all about.
Have a nice day..

..

Roger

odenmeyer · February 2000

Has anyone experienced a slight "rattle" or "vibration" in the steering column on a new Silvarado. Just got my new 4th door Z71 (250 miles so far) and seem to notice the rattle occasionally going over centerline reflectors on the road. I'm posting the question here to reduce the amount of parts replaced by the service department. Thanks

Mark

jimtnc · February 2000

z71bill ... you're right, had a brain slip there. It is 235/75 I have, but I was more concerned about driveablility, i.e., turning, menuveraliblity, glide, etc. And what about make. I've got some GY on there now, but hearing good things about Firestone.

Davidb72 ... thanks for responding. I think they will fit. Will investigate further regarding price, fit, etc. Thanks.

jimtnc · February 2000

the spare tire size. Probably not a problem for a short distance, I think. What do you think?

bud_light_dude · February 2000

Your story sure sounds suspicous to me. You aren't one of them sabatoging Tundra owners, are you?

nyal · February 2000

I have had 2wd and 4wd trucks both with and without lockers and to be honest with you I can't say that not having one hurt in any way. When I set up what I wanted in my new Silverado I originally ordered it with a locker. Kind of figured if your dropping 30k as it is might as well spend the extra $300 for it. After finding out that my truck would be on a many month wait for the locker it didn't seem so important.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if you have the extra cash and it is available it certainly isn't going to hurt. For me, I wanted it but I am happier that I got a truck in a few days with everything I want (besides the locker)instead of waiting for three to four months for one with it.

2000ryan · February 2000

Thanks for posting about your brake contoller. i just breifly looked at one of those and seemed like a good idea. how do you adjust the digital type? and also, what can i expect to pay for the Drawtite? thanks again

Ryan

rshornsby · February 2000

the ActivatorII, is made by a thumb wheel on the front of the unit. An LED readout shows what is going on. I really like it better than any other type that I have had. You can read up on the thing at:www.drawtite.com/brake-control.htm. It has a lot of info, including prices there. I got mine from this place, best price around that I found.

Roger.

rshornsby · February 2000

It should have been:
http://www.drawtite.com/brake-controls.htm.

Sorry 'bout that.

Roger

rshornsby · February 2000

My wine glass keeps running empty. Can't hit the right keys. The hyphen between brake & controls should have been an underline_ not -.

Have a nice day

Roger.

rshornsby · February 2000

My wine glass keeps running empty. Can't hit the right keys. The hyphen between brake & controls should have been an underline_ not -.

Have a nice day

Roger.

nuwo · February 2000

Too much scotch last night..I made up the frame bending thing. I'll try to make up something more plausible next time.

rwagoner · February 2000

Nyal:

The Eaton locker on the '99- '00 Silverado/Sierra is not a regular "limited slip" or Pos-A-Traction rear end, and as far as I know has not been available as a factory option from any company prior to the '99 Silverado. It literally locks the two shafts together when it senses slip, unlike previous designs that used clutches to try to divert power to the other side upon slipping.

So unless I am wrong in my info regarding the availability (which is possible but I doubt it), unless all your 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive trucks were '99 and after, you don't actually have experience with a locking rear axle at all.

That's not meant as a slight against you or anyone else, but there seems to be confusion in that people are thinking that limited slip and Pos-A-Traction are the same as the Eaton locker on the Silverado. They are not the same; the Eaton is vastly superior. It is WELL worth the $300.

Go to http://automotive.eaton.com/virtual/index.html and select DIFFERENTIALS for quicktime and avi movies that demonstrate the locker.

Richard

rwagoner · February 2000

Here's another link to the Eaton demos videos

http://torquecontrol.eaton.com/prodinfo/video/index.html

quadrunner500 · February 2000

But I agree with Rwagoner about the Eaton locker being different.

It is not like the posi's I've driven. You can feel it lock, and the effect on an icy patch is great.

Would gladly pay for it again on next truck.

bob259 · February 2000

odenmeyer, There was a steering wheel 'rattle / clunk' problem with the 1999's. Maybe they got a bad batch of shafts again, or used some of the questionable ones to meet production. The new shaft number, they have installed in dozens of vehicles around here alone to fix this problem, is part number 26083324.

abdo1 · February 2000

I just picked up my new 4 door 2WD Sierra with a locking rear differential. It was raining on the way home, and I felt the limited slip kick in when the standing water on the road caused slipping. The salesperson told me that when the rear wheel slips a quarter of a turn it will cause the rear axle to "lock" and turn with both. I love this new truck!

markbuck · February 2000

Which version of the Tekonsha brake controller do you have.

Mine is the new Sentinal, a microprosser controlled brake controller. Very easy to adjust....

jimtnc · February 2000

can someone tell me why the front-end is so low in appearance? I know the rear-end is adjusted up for loading, but my front seems lower than usual. Could the reason be because I've got standard P235 tires all around? Didn't know if that made a differance, but when I put bigger tires on my S-10 Blazer, it just looked better. Comments appreciated.

kanton · February 2000

The unit that comes from the factory is an Eaton Gov-lock. When it senses slip, a small latch/govenor flips and locks the axles together. There are many small parts in the unit and are subject to a quick failure. When I put my Eaton Posi in my Silverado I wanted what came from the factory; the Gov-lock. Several differential companies suggested the Posi over the Gov-lock because the the failures they have. They said the Posi is a much better unit. However, it does not give the same type or amount of traction the Gov-lock gives. I kind of wish I got one of the new Detroit Gearless lockers instead of the Posi. Oh well, the next truck will have the factory locker.

Shaft Clunk,
Well the new steering shaft that was on back order for so long now is finally in at the dealer. I took the truck in this morning, and just got a call saying it was ready. I am now going to pick it up and hope to gosh that the rattle/clunk is fixed. It has been so annoying. I let you guys know.
Kyle

rayt2 · February 2000

the truck sits as equipped, and yes the [non-permissible content removed] end is higher for the reason you stated.

Ray T.

rayt2 · February 2000

I also have the Sentinel, the only drawback I found with it when I initially set it up to factory recommendations was that I could not get the right feel for the trailer braking. I contacted the factory and they just advised to crank up the gain until I did. I can now feel the drag from the trailer when I activate just the trailer brake but cannot get the setting to lock up trailer wheels no matter what I do.
Just my findings.

Ray T.

markbuck · February 2000

Boy mine will lock up all four trailer brakes at any settings over about 2.2 bars....

joelis · February 2000

has the new gov-lock on the Silverado's been used on any other factory vehicle, or is the 99 Silverado the first one?

What kind of warning signs would be given if one of these "failures" occur? (other than the obvious sign - one wheel spin).

I have 18k on mine and still going strong...

swobig · February 2000

have you heard anything else regarding this? Anyone know what the 2001 6.0L engine is rated at? Heard 325...

leathal02 · February 2000

325 HP 370ft/lbs torque

dropper · February 2000

It is amazing what Chevy is getting out of their engines. I wonder if the 5.3L is going to break 300 HP? Dodge is only getting 245 HP out of their 5.9, the only thing it does better than the 5.3 is 10 more torque (335 vs. 325).

Keith

quadrunner500 · February 2000

The horsepower Chevy is getting is found in the ad writer's keyboard.

Nothing personal, I have the 5.3L, but it, and probably the 6.0 and 4.8 are similarly over-rated. If they really had just 270 horsepower, they should be running 15 second quarter miles given their weight.

The new Vortecs are nice engines with a lot going for them, as long as you aren't depending on them to produce the horsepower stated by the advertising.

The other manufacturers play the same games, more or less. Right now, Chevy is exaggerating the most.

quadrunner500 · February 2000

You made the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. They featured the "Snowbowl," and with the drought, it looks more like the DirtBowl.

Better put those street skins back on your Chevy, dry-lander.

sched · February 2000

can anybody tell me why they can not fix the vibrations in my 1999 silverado

sched · February 2000

I AM BACK!THOUGHT I WOULD ADD THAT I WENT INTO THE GOODYEAR DEALER AND THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WRANGLER ST.HE SAID THAT MIGHT CAUSE VIBRATION AND IS GOING TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES WITH COOPERS AT NO COST TO ME AND I HAVE 10000 MILES ON THEM.HOPE THIS SOLVES PROBLEM.HAS ANYBODY ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM?

rshornsby · February 2000

I have the Voyager brake controller. And as Ray put it, I couldn't get the trailer to put brakes on until I really slammed my pickup pedal down fast. Just a slow steady stop, and my pickup bore the entire load. The one that I have now comes on just right. I can adjust the brakes on my trailer just sitting where ever I am. It works off the brake light solenoid under the dash.

Have a nice day...

Roger

kernick · February 2000

I just wanted to comment on the addition of a K+N air filter to my 2000 5.3L this weekend.
First I got it from Performance Products; I forget the website. $41 + $6 shipping. 1 week delivery.
When I went to install it Sat. morning it was about 20F out. It says to install a black rubber gasket on the filterbox. There's an adhesive on 1 side to hold it in place upside down, but that didn't hold so well - probably due to the cold. So down the cellar to get a tube of "lifetime caulk". That held it in place. Popped in the filter.I've been running it for the last few days - no problem. The engine has a little more growl to it now I'd say.
You folks ought to look into getting one. Whether the power or mileage is better I don't really know. But take a look at how much an AC Delco replacement paper filter is. Pep Boys had it on the shelf for $24 !! Ouch. I'll sell my slightly used paper one (4K miles) for $10 or a couple of sixes!

ksr318i · February 2000

I have not owned a GM product (1976 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 cid and 4-speed)since 1978, and I kick myself for selling it now. I know that Mopar color is orange, Ford is blue, but what color is Chevy?

I have ordered (23 Dec 99) a 2000 Silverado 2500 Extended Cab, Short Bed 4 x 4 LT. I have a VIN and just waiting on delivery to the dealer. I want to have a colored spray in bed liner done with Chevy colors. Think it will stand out well on a Summit White truck!!

Help me out so that I can have it done right.

Michael

rwagoner · February 2000

The Pep Boys near me carries nothing but crappy Fram or Fram knock-offs.

mgdvhman · February 2000

I heard frame problems from 3 sources at one time....but I think they are all related to the carrier incident....in one way or another..

Been so long...I can't remember what we all said?

Oh well....sounds like a rumor for the jack up thing...but the tie down was real....

- Tim

murphyd · February 2000

I also find the front end of the new 2WD GM trucks a bit saggy. A larger tire (255/70 - Z85 package)will lift the truck slightly, but really fills up the wheel opening and adds to the saggy look. A stiffer coil spring will give more lift (2" would be nice) but will affect ride quality. I know that some lift kits are available that provide new upper control arms and springs, or just new spindles with repositioned wheel mounts. This approach keeps the same ride quality with a slight lift.

Chevy Silverado - Continued VII

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