Cindy, I get shocked almost every time I get out. It's much worse when the humidity is low. I think it's caused from rubbing on the seat on the way out. With the contoured seats it's a little hard not to rub. Try lifting and stepping out without sliding a few times and see if it's different.
For you folks with the cold tick, did you notice this right away or did it take thousands of miles to show up? I have 4000 mi and wonder if I should expect a noise later.
Does anyone have experience with Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks? I'm thinking of installing a set to handle a truck camper and am wondering how they compare to stock shocks in loaded and unloaded conditions. Are they as smooth when on a low setting with no load? Do they handle a heavy load without wallowing and floating when on the highest setting?
My tick was from day one....in early warm weather...it souded like a diesel..(kinda mildly) when up against a building..... I just figure it's the way it is....kinds like the 6.0 purr.....just the way it's gonna be.
1.) "WHEEL FLARES" - in the 2k brochure, there looks like the fender moldings are above the flares, is this just a shodow? (i hope!) 2.) LONG BED v.s. SHORT BED, any quick tips on decision? 3.) HEATED SEATS - do these warm up quick enough? (..getting home from work, it was cold out today (NJ) and thought the leather seats looked cold in the Expedition i walked by in the parking lot! -thx!
Flares..get them Bed - Short Heated seats.....they warm up a lot faster than the heater...and give that extra touch of comfort while driving. They also have a heated back as well as the seat....I like the back part more than the seat surface!
I did not notice it when i first got the truck, but it was warm then so i did not let the truck warm up, i just got in it and left. Now that it is cold i start it up and i hear when i come back out to leave, it is gone when i get to work (5 miles) I have 6000 miles on it now. Thanks Cam
Does any one know how to adjust the top speed limiting govenor. On my Silverado 2500 with 3.73 gears, the entire engine shuts at 97.5 MPH. I know you folks from the East say that thats fast eonough, however out here in the West, there are times, like when passing on a 2 lane, that it would be nice if the engine didn't shut down at 97.5 MPH. I read some sportscar posts, that refer to a Hypertech Power Programmer that and alter your computer's programming, is this the way to increase the top speed?
If you are buying this for a play truck get the short bed. If you plan to use it for hauling mulch, firewood, lumber, motorcycles, tractors etc get the longbed. Flares are great. Helps some with flying debris. Still waiting to see good running boards for the 2000 Silverados w/flares. Can't help you on the heated seats. Just my humble opinion.
DO you actually think its a good idea to change your computer in your truck???????????????????????????????? I dont think so all kinds of stuff can go wrong and i think your warrenty is voided if u put a chip in it. this is what ive heard
Rwagoner: I know I am always a day late and a dollar short, but I was catching up on posts and read that you had LoJack installed...
...which made me chuckle because someone once told me a story about a guy who use to go out on his wife all the time. He had the LoJack System and his wife would call them (LoJack) up to locate the vehicle while he was out drinking. One evening, he walked out to his car, and to his surprise, there she was - out there waiting.
I can't say this is a true story, but thought some people would find it funny.
I've heard that several of the different chips can eliminate the 98 mph governor and can enhance performance some. Some are fixed, some adjustable performance wise. You'll find any increase in performance is not great (from the tests I've read), and it will require higher octane gas. Like always, performance is cheaper to buy when the truck was new, and easy add-ons are not that effective on a tuned motor like these. You can get rid of that nagging 98mph limiter with a performance chip and make those west Texas runs a little shorter.
Hogboy, I have hauled all those things and more in a short bed...Long beds are too much of a tank and look stupid in an extended cab.
As for heat...Low if fine...Hi is too hot for me for a long trip. The wife uses high all the time...but she wears a full length thick coat. So i'd imagine if you are sitting on a coat...the extra layer the heat has to go thru would make hi just fine?
As for the need to go over 98 in a pick em up truck....well that sounds like a Jeff Foxworthy story to me.......
If you plan on towing a fifth wheel, depending on which hitch you get, you may need a long bed. Although there are now hitches out that will adjust, many of the "Old Timers" at our campground don't like them, and prefer to stick with the long bed. I agree I don't like the bulky look of the long bed with extended (never mind the parking issue), but most weren't buying the trucks just for looks, but to pull their homes. I talked with Chevy again (trying to be a pain like someone on this board told me to be..to get that truck built- seems to be working), and although she said again it's a three door-she thinks..one thing she said she is positive about, is that my 2WD 2500 will not come with flares. She said that my dealer is correct. So looks like we will be getting them when we buy the cap.
Sorry my post #64 got repeated a couple of times. I found www.Hypertech-inc.com and they have a performance tuning computer that modifies your computer for the following settings: Top Speed Limiter Transmission Shift Firmness Transmission Shift Points Engine Rev Limiter Cooling Fan on/off Temperatures Speedometer/Odometer Corrections for non-Stock Tire Sizes and/or Gear Ratios And Power Tuning
The above unit is currently available for only 1999 Sierra/Silverado 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 liter vehicles. GM changed the computer for 2000, and Hypertech is working on it. When I find out it is available for 2000's I will post that info.
1) Bigger fuel tank. I got 700 miles before the fill the tank light came up on my best ride. Had 4 gallons to go. 2) More room for Toolboxes. My toolbox is 2.5 feet wide and the long bed gives me more room left over. The wider tool box takes away the "retarded tank" look of the long bed as some one said, then again a 2.5ft toolbox looks retarded on a short bed. 3) More traction and better ride. I get better traction with a full and therefore heavier fuel tank. My tires loose grip easier when the tank is empty and tends to bounces more. The truck also handles better just because it is longer.
For me, it was $300.00 more to get the long bed so money is not an issue.
I have seen plenty of extended cab long bed SILVERADOS down here. For starters I see two daily at the University of Houston and they are awesome.
REASON #40 FOR DIFF LOCKER: You wont get stuck at the carwash like I did. Had to back up and get (slow and even) runing start before going over the stop bump in the automated carwash due to wet pavement.
The 8 ft bed makes the wheelbase longer resulting in less weight over rear wheels that results in less traction as compared with a shortbed when both are empty. Been there done that prefer short bed.
I had a chip in my 95 350, which did overide the top end limiter. But at that speed, my truck handled very poorly. About the warranty, my friend that worked at my local dealership told me to take the chip out. They would not cover anything engine or computer wise, simce the chip does alter the programming. Eventually, i took the chip out and my engine ran better. If you do have some type of hypertech or other chip, you must make sure the engine is in almost perfect condition, or the chip wont work right.
I would have to agree with wilmac (#79), a longer wheelbase will not have a much weight on the rear, since all the weight is in the front of the truck. I beleive even in GM literature it states weight distribution front to rear on different wheelbase trucks. I know my 94 ZR2 shortbox reg(no locker). cab was extremely better in the snow than my 2000 LS 3/4 ton ext cab shortbox w/locker. I can not back out of my yard in two wheel with the new truck with out tearing up all the grass, the old truck drove out no problem, no spinning. So far that is the only area that i liked my old truck better than this new one (actually i liked the gas mileage on the old truck to). I like my short box. Just my 2cents. Cam
Regular cabs are ok...although I still went with Short beds with regular cabs. Ext.cab long beds just are too damn ugly...stand back and look....it's like a friggin' tube. As for better traction...the 2500 with 585 more pounds does just fine in a short bed for traction...even without the locker...which is a waste in a 4WD..unless you are Super Joe off roader...(but we have already been down this road before)
Tool boxes look cool in a short bed...I was thinking about getting one. I DO wish a 34 gallon tank was available in a short box though....but you can get a 50+ gallon for a short bed after market....so who cares?
You paid thousands to drive one front wheel. Why not pay $300 more to drive another rear? If it saves a tow once it's worth it. The Eaton can only help and adds 1% to the cost. No brainer.
Tim, I have been watching this topic for some time now and I can't believe what you said about my 2500, ext cab, long bed. A tube Tim? How dare you. If you stand back and look at a ext cab with a short bed, the cab is longer than the bed. Now that just doesn't look right, the bed is almost square. Also, if you put a tool box in the short bed it only leaves about 4 ft. for a load. So the bottom line is to each his own, but you don't have to call my truck ugly. Actually, I do get a kick out of most of your post when they scorn someone else. Keep up the good work.
DMR, I have towed a 5th wheel with a short bed for more than ten years w/o an adjustable hitch and no problems. Only the larger trailers have the hitch pin behind the front of the trailer. Now I can't get the truck and trailer at 90 degrees without hitting the back of the cab, but so what. If you are at 90 degrees and try to move, it puts a lot of stress on the drivetrain and the dual trailer axles/springs/rims/tires. GM does have the greatest distance between the cab and the axle (43 inches) and this is good enough for about 65 to 75 degrees depending on the trailer width. The advantage of a short bed is that I don't need to use an aftermarket tailgate for the 5th wheel.
I just ordered a '00 Silverado LT X/C 4WD. I looked at the sportside box but decided to save the extra money & order other items.
The sportside box is about $700.00. I just couldn't justify paying that kind of money for a box!
How many people have selected the sportside box over the fleetside box???
Thank you for any comments - fgilby
p.s. to RYANBAB! Please don't take this the wrong way but you sure post a lot for someone who doesn't have a truck on order! Are you going to buy before '01? I'm not knocking you, but it seems funny that someone has so much to say about a truck that he doesn't even have on order!
Will i have it before 2001? Hopefully. I am ordering this MARCH!!! I have to wait a little bit cause ill repeat this again i want to pay for the thing in cash yes cash and i wont be able to do it till june and if all the timing is right itll come in that time.
ANd for the i know alot like on the seats and autotrac maybe cause i drive my dads 2000 blazer and it has these options and are exactly like whats on the silverado. From NOW ON I WILL SAY NO MORE!
rdve wrote: I have towed a 5th wheel with a short bed for more than ten years w/o an adjustable hitch -------------------------- That's good to know. We did decide on a Holiday TT, with our shortbed, but it's good to know in case we decide to get a 5th wheel later. We had recently been to a talk at our campground, and most of the full timers said they preferred the long bed (prob becasue our campground has such lousy sites to get into..luckily hubby grew up on a farm with a tractor and can make those angles). It actually ended up in an argument. One of the speakers explained to us about the adjustable hitch, and that seems to work out good with the shortbed (which is what we ordered)if we decide to get a 5th wheel down the road.
Initially paying nearly $300 for a differential that has a more intense maintenance schedule is reason enough not to get it. The open diff requires hardly any maintenance.
I'm not taking a $30,000 truck somewhere I'll need more than a front and a rear wheel driving. It's honestly more than enough traction for most people.
Leavy, ZACTLY!...Almost nobody here has a need for a locker...the simple truth. Most people are just kidding themselves.
Jimbo, Sorry man....the wheelbase,the handling in lots,just the entire look is too much for me. I drive much bigger vehicles for work on a regular basis...but would not want it for a personal vehicle. You said to each his own....well that's my own!!.LOL ..PS...at least you got the 2500....way to go..
Ryan, I doubt from now on you will say no more. Who cares what people think? If you let things like that effect you so much...Life is going to be very rough man.. LOL
I agree with you. The short bed on the xcabs look stubby now that the xtended part has been extended even more on the new models. Like you said, the cab is now longer than the bed. The long bed has a much better ratio of cab to bed.
EBOE, Right now the short bed is the only option available if you plan on ordering a new vehicle. GM Stopped accepting orders for 2000 year model LB Xcabs on 1/28/00.
Dealer installed the update spring rubbers on my truck yesterday. To soon to tell if it eliminated all the noise and clunks from the rear springs, but I'll report back after it has a few weeks o work in.
The fix looks like rubber caps (condoms) that go over the spring ends of the second leaf. The are 1/4 - 3/8 inch thick. I sure hope it works.
If it does I'll put the part number in my next note.
What is the increased maintenance schedule for a locker? Is that before they started using synthetic fluid? My manual just says to check the level, doesn't say anything about replacing it. Although I probably will every 20,000 or so, unless I hear otherwise.
I have found the locker useful on wet roads, starting with a little bit of an incline. Nice to not have to bother with 4wd in cases like that.
Being a Texan has nothing to do with having 4wd or not. I just don't happen to have 4wd. And if you had to bet you probably loose 75% of the time since most trucks over here are 4x4. Remember mud is mud and some of our hills are consider mountains in other states (Texas tall tales). Now if you said being a Texan I bet you don't have a standard transmission then you would be 99% right since most trucks are automatic. The last time my dealer sold a standard transmission before me was 2 years. I felt pretty alone until I hit this site. When I took my truck in for a check up their best mechanics had to crack the books open because they had not seen a standard transmission in a long time, much less the 99 SILVERADO'S.
Long bed = more weight due to heavier fuel tank and more steel(to make the truck longer). A certain percentage of the weight splits between the front and rear axle, but with a higher percentage to rear since tank is closer to the rear axle. So why is there less traction?
True the long wheel base weights more due to the extra steel and larger fuel tank there will still be less weight over the rear wheels than a short bed due to being longer. Think of a long lever with most of the weight in the front and middle ; making the lever longer just reduces the weight in the rear.
somebody is feeling inferior for not having a locker Just kidding, Tim - don't get your panties in a bind. My last truck had an open one, and I much prefer the locker. Combine the locker with 4wd, and you can't get much better traction. No, of course I don't need one, but when it comes down to it, all anyone really needs is a little economy car to get around. Many people don't even really need a car, depending on where they live. Maybe people say they need it to tow their boat, etc., but they don't really NEED that boat now do they? It is not a matter of personal survival. It is a matter of what a person feels they need and what they want. As far as I'm concerned, I need my truck, but many people I know don't agree with me. Yes I could survive without one, but I don't want the miserable existence of a non-Silverado owner!
Yup, I agree on the oil change, I did my first one at just under 600. As far as rear diff changes, I've heard 20,000 somewhere, but not sure where. And that was a while ago, seemed to work OK on my old S-10 with the open diff.
I made the assumption you had 2wd because you live south of the Mason/Dixon line, and don't see too much frozen precip. I'm pretty sure most of the 2wd truck market is in that half of the country. Also, most people don't buy a brand new full size pickup truck to go "muddin'", hence, my assumption.
I'm sure the locker is useful, just not with Autotrac.
Anyone know of any places to get a lift professionally put on in Pennsylvania or New York? I live in north central Pa and it takes about 3 to 4 hours to get anywhere, so i am not to picky about where i would need to go.
Comments
I just figure it's the way it is....kinds like the 6.0 purr.....just the way it's gonna be.
- Tim
2.) LONG BED v.s. SHORT BED, any quick tips on decision?
3.) HEATED SEATS - do these warm up quick enough?
(..getting home from work, it was cold out today (NJ) and thought the leather seats looked cold in the Expedition i walked by in the parking lot! -thx!
Bed - Short
Heated seats.....they warm up a lot faster than the heater...and give that extra touch of comfort while driving. They also have a heated back as well as the seat....I like the back part more than the seat surface!
- Tim
Ryan
It still also sounds like a diesel (or big engine)sometimes.
Still LOVE <</A>><</A>><</A>><</A>><</A>><</A>><</A>><</A>> it - quirks and all.
Cindy
Thanks
Cam
gears, the entire engine shuts at 97.5 MPH. I know you folks from the East say that thats fast eonough, however out here in the West, there are times, like when passing on a 2 lane, that it would be nice if the engine didn't shut down at 97.5 MPH. I read some sportscar posts, that refer to a Hypertech Power Programmer that and alter your computer's programming, is this the way to increase the top speed?
http://www.huskyliners.com/
Hope this helps.
Blue it gets cold here below zero at times and that Hi setting is still to hot. Low is perfect.
Ryan
Ryan
I know I am always a day late and a dollar short, but I was catching up on posts and read that you had LoJack installed...
...which made me chuckle because someone once told me a story about a guy who use to go out on his wife all the time. He had the LoJack System and his wife would call them (LoJack) up to locate the vehicle while he was out drinking. One evening, he walked out to his car, and to his surprise, there she was - out there waiting.
I can't say this is a true story, but thought some people would find it funny.
Cindy
(I know, I know, kzsabo, because you can).
:P
I have hauled all those things and more in a short bed...Long beds are too much of a tank and look stupid in an extended cab.
As for heat...Low if fine...Hi is too hot for me for a long trip. The wife uses high all the time...but she wears a full length thick coat. So i'd imagine if you are sitting on a coat...the extra layer the heat has to go thru would make hi just fine?
As for the need to go over 98 in a pick em up truck....well that sounds like a Jeff Foxworthy story to me.......
- Tim
Ryan
I talked with Chevy again (trying to be a pain like someone on this board told me to be..to get that truck built- seems to be working), and although she said again it's a three door-she thinks..one thing she said she is positive about, is that my 2WD 2500 will not come with flares. She said that my dealer is correct. So looks like we will be getting them when we buy the cap.
I found www.Hypertech-inc.com and they have a performance tuning computer that modifies your computer for the following settings:
Top Speed Limiter
Transmission Shift Firmness
Transmission Shift Points
Engine Rev Limiter
Cooling Fan on/off Temperatures
Speedometer/Odometer Corrections for
non-Stock Tire Sizes and/or Gear Ratios
And Power Tuning
The above unit is currently available for only 1999 Sierra/Silverado 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 liter vehicles.
GM changed the computer for 2000, and Hypertech is working on it. When I find out it is available for 2000's I will post that info.
2) More room for Toolboxes. My toolbox is 2.5 feet wide and the long bed gives me more room left over. The wider tool box takes away the "retarded tank" look of the long bed as some one said, then again a 2.5ft toolbox looks retarded on a short bed.
3) More traction and better ride. I get better traction with a full and therefore heavier fuel tank. My tires loose grip easier when the tank is empty and tends to bounces more. The truck also handles better just because it is longer.
For me, it was $300.00 more to get the long bed so money is not an issue.
I have seen plenty of extended cab long bed SILVERADOS down here. For starters I see two daily at the University of Houston and they are awesome.
REASON #40 FOR DIFF LOCKER: You wont get stuck at the carwash like I did. Had to back up and get (slow and even) runing start before going over the stop bump in the automated carwash due to wet pavement.
Being a Texan, I'll bet you don't have 4wd. I could see getting an Eaton locking diff if you had 2wd, or maybe even manually engaged 4wd.
But with Autotrac, you're just playing with yourself getting a rear locker.
I know my 94 ZR2 shortbox reg(no locker). cab was extremely better in the snow than my 2000 LS 3/4 ton ext cab shortbox w/locker. I can not back out of my yard in two wheel with the new truck with out tearing up all the grass, the old truck drove out no problem, no spinning. So far that is the only area that i liked my old truck better than this new one (actually i liked the gas mileage on the old truck to).
I like my short box.
Just my 2cents.
Cam
As for better traction...the 2500 with 585 more pounds does just fine in a short bed for traction...even without the locker...which is a waste in a 4WD..unless you are Super Joe off roader...(but we have already been down this road before)
Tool boxes look cool in a short bed...I was thinking about getting one.
I DO wish a 34 gallon tank was available in a short box though....but you can get a 50+ gallon for a short bed after market....so who cares?
- Tim E. Coyote - Super Genius
I have been watching this topic for some time now and I can't believe what you said about my 2500, ext cab, long bed. A tube Tim? How dare you. If you stand back and look at a ext cab with a short bed, the cab is longer than the bed. Now that just doesn't look right, the bed is almost square. Also, if you put a tool box in the short bed it only leaves about 4 ft. for a load. So the bottom line is to each his own, but you don't have to call my truck ugly.
Actually, I do get a kick out of most of your post when they scorn someone else. Keep up the good work.
Jimbo
I have towed a 5th wheel with a short bed for more than ten years w/o an adjustable hitch and no problems. Only the larger trailers have the hitch pin behind the front of the trailer. Now I can't get the truck and trailer at 90 degrees without hitting the back of the cab, but so what. If you are at 90 degrees and try to move, it puts a lot of stress on the drivetrain and the dual trailer axles/springs/rims/tires. GM does have the greatest distance between the cab and the axle (43 inches) and this is good enough for about 65 to 75 degrees depending on the trailer width. The advantage of a short bed is that I don't need to use an aftermarket tailgate for the 5th wheel.
The sportside box is about $700.00. I just couldn't justify paying that kind of money for a box!
How many people have selected the sportside box over the fleetside box???
Thank you for any comments - fgilby
p.s. to RYANBAB! Please don't take this the wrong way but you sure post a lot for someone who doesn't have a truck on order! Are you going to buy before '01? I'm not knocking you, but it seems funny that someone has so much to say about a truck that he doesn't even have on order!
ANd for the i know alot like on the seats and autotrac maybe cause i drive my dads 2000 blazer and it has these options and are exactly like whats on the silverado. From NOW ON I WILL SAY NO MORE!
RYan
I have towed a 5th wheel with a short bed for
more than ten years w/o an adjustable hitch
--------------------------
That's good to know. We did decide on a Holiday TT, with our shortbed, but it's good to know in case we decide to get a 5th wheel later. We had recently been to a talk at our campground, and most of the full timers said they preferred the long bed (prob becasue our campground has such lousy sites to get into..luckily hubby grew up on a farm with a tractor and can make those angles). It actually ended up in an argument. One of the speakers explained to us about the adjustable hitch, and that seems to work out good with the shortbed (which is what we ordered)if we decide to get a 5th wheel down the road.
Initially paying nearly $300 for a differential that has a more intense maintenance schedule is reason enough not to get it. The open diff requires hardly any maintenance.
I'm not taking a $30,000 truck somewhere I'll need more than a front and a rear wheel driving. It's honestly more than enough traction for most people.
ZACTLY!...Almost nobody here has a need for a locker...the simple truth. Most people are just kidding themselves.
Jimbo,
Sorry man....the wheelbase,the handling in lots,just the entire look is too much for me. I drive much bigger vehicles for work on a regular basis...but would not want it for a personal vehicle. You said to each his own....well that's my own!!.LOL
..PS...at least you got the 2500....way to go..
Ryan,
I doubt from now on you will say no more. Who cares what people think? If you let things like that effect you so much...Life is going to be very rough man..
LOL
- Tim
EBOE,
Right now the short bed is the only option available if you plan on ordering a new vehicle. GM Stopped accepting orders for 2000 year model LB Xcabs on 1/28/00.
The fix looks like rubber caps (condoms) that go over the spring ends of the second leaf. The are 1/4 - 3/8 inch thick. I sure hope it works.
If it does I'll put the part number in my next note.
I use the bed 2 to 3 times a week. Mine is a long bed.
Heck I think most of yawl would be better off in a car.
Ray T.
Seriously, there is no good reason, especially on a 4x4, but what the heck, its more fun to do burnouts.
I have found the locker useful on wet roads, starting with a little bit of an incline. Nice to not have to bother with 4wd in cases like that.
Yup, I agree on the oil change, I did my first one at just under 600. As far as rear diff changes, I've heard 20,000 somewhere, but not sure where. And that was a while ago, seemed to work OK on my old S-10 with the open diff.
I'm sure the locker is useful, just not with Autotrac.