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Comments
"Dear Tom and Ray
I am writing in response to a recent letter from the owner of a Dodge Dakota who wanted to add some performance parts to his vehicle: a K&N air filter, Flowmaster exhaust, performance chip, high performance plugs, wires, cap and rotor.
Your response was that if he added any of those parts it would void his warranty. Not only is that untrue, but it is illegal for a warranty to be voided just because an aftermarket part was added to the vehicle.
I have enclosed sections of the federal Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act for your edification. Cathy
Reply: We have to stand by our advice, Cathy. The Magnusson-Moss Act says a manufacturer may not deny warranty coverage solely because a customer has used an aftermarket part. But if the manufacturer determines the aftermarket part is in some way responsible for the mechanical problem, it absolutely CAN void the warranty. And many of the performance parts this guy wanted installed certainly could be blamed for future mechanical problems.
The Magnusson Moss Act is meant to protect a guy who goes to the Poky Lube down the street and gets a Fram filter instead of a "genuine Dodge filter." In that case, the Dodge dealer can't refuse to fix the engine because the guy used another brand of filter that meets the exact same specifications.
But if a guy puts on a free flow exhaust that lowers the exhaust system's back pressure, and then asks the dealer to fix his burnt valves under warranty, the dealer could certainly point to the modified exhaust system and refuse to cover it. The same is true if a guy puts on a set of humongous wheels and then tries to make a warranty claim for worn out wheel bearings. In cases like those, the manufacturer would have every justification for denying warranty coverage on those affected parts.
Sure you can always argue with the dealer, but you will probably have to take it to court to get satisfaction. And believe me, neither Mr Magnusson or Mr Moss is going to show up in small claims court to help you plead your case. And the dealer may very well win.
So we think avoiding "high performance" parts on new vehicles is generally good advice, Cathy. And we're sticking with it." end quote
As I mentioned, these guys are syndicated auto writers whose column appears in many newspapers.
Just thought their advice may be considered.
So we think avoiding "high performance" parts on a new car is generally good advice, Cathy. Andy we're sticking with it.
kyle
dave1257
follow the link to Zaino...a lot of people have switched and are pleased with the results... ESPECIALLY those with dark colors...they have a full rundown on the product line and how each product works. I'll not try to explain as the owner does a much better job on his website...
www.zainobros.com
Ryan
Paid $430 installed for the 10" refunded $120 when installed the 8". Price isn't that great you may be able to do better...but hey, can't expect much from Circuit City. I used to do my own stereos but lack the patience for it. Would rather install a pair of headers anyday...
All shiny stuff is actually Stainless Steel. has a better luster and will not rust. The prices here are retail and can be had for cheaper at Auto Zone and places like that.
http://www.putco.com/
Indigo also looks very good with pewter bottoms and flares....very sharp. And personally I think Carmine is THE color to have....but 2 tone was not available for LT's and the only interior that would suit my taste would be Oak....and it was a puke fest in leather.....ICKK!
Click pics below for a bigger size....
Ryan,
what's this about you couldn't even dance the night your truck got scratched?....
MEN DON'T DANCE EVER!!.....UNLESS??.....HMMMMMM
..something you wanna tell us ace?
LOL
Actually the first 2500 I drove was a carmine LS with silver bottom and flares...looked damn good.
- Tim
If you have leather seats..(and maybe for cloth)...chances are without them you get in on the edge and slide over to the center of the seat...this will wear a seat out in no time at all.
In winter when the rocker is covered in crud..and you are dressed nice...you have less chance when you can step out...instead of jump out..to get crud on your clothes.
A woman will appreciate it when she has a dress or short skirt on.....My parents who are 60+ appreciate it...and with G-Ma..it's a must!
Up to you....but they don't hurt...
Look around....some people offer some really different alternatives than the tradtional boards and nerf bars...
- Tim
Of course the folks here will have first crack at it...(like anyone wants it)
a 6 year period aka 3 trucks..will cost me about 10K....so i can live with that..
(here goes this debate again...)
- Tim
- Tim
I like the truck overall. Mileage is 16 combined, and 13 towing the boat/trailer. Was lucky to get 12 with the old F150 anytime. (still have it). I do have wind noise "around" me when I am driving. Do not notice it when the wife drives and I am in the passenger seat. The drivers door sits out a fraction (1/8") from the rest of the sheetmetal when it is closed; I will try to move the striker in a tad to pull the door tighter. Mine has the 6 way bucket seats, which I like. Comfortable. It is Carmine Red with the Gray bottom. I do not like the thickness of the steering wheel, and I am big handed. Not thick in diameter (it is not round), but the distance between me and the dash.
On the subject of oil, I do not use synthetics for one reason: It gets dropped every 2,000 miles. We live in a dust bowl here, and synthetics offer little advantage if you are changing it regularly. Expensive synthetic oil still gets dirty in short intervals. A small 60watt 120 volt pad heater siliconed to the oil pan combined with 5/30 oil during winter months (minus 40F) creates quick starts and immediate oil pressure. Have been doing this for years on 3 prior trucks with excellent results. At the same time, a same pad is glued to the transmission pan. Works great. These two pad heaters are paralleled to the existing block heater and you end up with one plug-in.
More reports as the miles and time piles up...
Nate
With a nice truck like that, do you have an alarm?
If so what kind?
Thanks!
I think the velvet rides would be your best investment for gravel roads, since they are designed for that kind of surface. Edelbrocks will improve the ride some, but it will still ride like a truck - but they have a dramatic improvement in handling (turns, quick stops, etc.) Your Z71 should see a more significant improvement in ride with Edelbrocks than my stock smooth ride suspension because of your stiffer springs/shocks. GM advertises their super stiff frame, and I think this limits improvements you can make to the ride (possibly contributes to vibration problems experienced by others?)
I also prefer the smoother, more solid ride of the old trucks - but I think those kind of trucks aren't being built anymore.
I just had a single in dual out (p/n 12278) pipes out the back installed and love it. It is a very quiet rumble. Not loud backing out of the garage and trough the neighborhood taking it easy. But if you get on it you can hear it. Very quiet in the cab at cruising speeds as well.
For those other people that keep pushing the "cat back" systems over custom muffler installs help me understand why. The only reason I'm aware of it maybe for the mandrel bent pipes. I wasn't worried about it because on the dual out they needed to be a little smaller anyway to maintain back pressure. Price is about the same as my custom job and mine are all welded and lifetime guarantee as well. Not sure the benefits of ordering a system that is nothing more than a muffler, pipes already bent and clamps.
As well go for the Zaino - it'll make your truck look the best it can!!
Greg
Thanks,
Greg
If you go the custom route, price, quality of materials, welds, fit and finish of the final product varies from location to location, while buying a catback system doesn't necessarily guaranty consistent quality, usually the fit will be a little better since the design was for a specific application. Pipe size and mandrel bends have an influence on flow and I would rather have the mandrel bend with the correct pipe size. Of course the muffler shop could also fabricate the mandrel bends if they have the equipment. Then of course comes the install...some people rather do it themselves which is not possible with the custom system while I did my install in 45 minutes using the stock hangers... to each his own...I have never pushed prefab catback over custom. I did say do not change only the muffler and get the whole system to maximize performance.
Have a great 4th of july weekend everyone.
Be safe
Ryan
Hasn't rained for going on two weeks. Zaino'd truck last night...raining this morning... It seems that washing it is ok, it's the Zaino that gets me everytime...
Sorry I didn't take measurements.
white6 - are you measuring before/after your installation?
10K (maybe 12K) 6 year means...
Buy 3 new trucks...in 6 years and sell after 2 years....buy..drive 2..sell..buy..drive 2..sell..buy ..drive two..sell
A friend of mine does this with Z71's..(they are mint when he is done driving them...a KEY to this working)...and every 3 trucks...costs him about 10-12 K...(his loss so to speak.)
For me..the 2500 used market HERE..is very high in demand..but not much top pick from....
Sure I am shelling out $600 Mo. now...Balance in 2 years with a zero down loan will be about 18K...sell for (hoping 26K)...dump 8K on new truck..payment goes to $450......etc etc etc...
There are skeptics here...but hey...all I have to do is convince myself right!
LOL
We both get GMO discount..so that helps for about 1600-$1800 less than average Joe can buy for...
Good Luck
- Tim
http://home-news.excite.com/news/ap/000701/09/ent-obit-matthau
That man cracked me up....one of my favorites..life sux man..
Some of his work...
www.teleweb.net/mgdvhman/Menace.wav
www.teleweb.net/mgdvhman/10$.wav
www.teleweb.net/mgdvhman/Favor.wav
A sad day for me...
- Tim
Here's another thought. Has anyone mounted, or had mounted, a visor. I've been seeing a bunch lately and checked out a Lund "Lunar" model w/ amber lights. I guess they must be popular because I've heard they are severely back ordered. Any thoughts?
Also, has anyone put tint over the privacy glass on the extended cab back windows? Thoughts on this would be appreciated. I'm going to tint but don't know if it is necessary to do the privacy glass also.
-Jarvus
Satisfaction? I drove around for an hour or so with just the velvets before I had the Edelbrocks installed. Instead of a lot of small, jerky vibrations on broken pavement and "washboard" type bumpy roads I sensed longer, deeper bounces -not as jittery. There is a definite difference but it is hard to describe. BFG indicates 20% reduction in empty loaded vibration - I think that's probably right. Since I have the stock suspension, I think the improvement would be more noticeable on a Z71 or stiffer suspension. I'm curious to see how this setup works for white6, since I think he has a stiffer suspension than my truck. My cheap stock tires don't help at all either.
One odd thing I noticed is that even with just the velvets I could corner or take off from a stop quicker - not that I am into this kind of driving, just that the truck seems more responsive in all types of handling/acceleration situations. I even inadvertently laid rubber a few times when stopped at a red light, then taking off to make a right turn - a little embarrassing, but the same accelerator effort produced a quicker response - still getting used to it. I think the velvets are mostly responsible for this phenomenon, since I noticed it before the Edelbrocks were installed. (Or maybe I just can't hold down that powerful vortec V6 with 3.42 rear.)
I look at the velvets and Edelbrocks as "experiments." At about $200 for Edelbrocks and $175 for velvets + labor, I'd rather spend the money on ride improvement attempts, as opposed to trim items on this base truck. Since this was the first new vehicle I have ever owned, I'm taking it slow on modifications. I might take them out and use them on my next 2001 model, if I buy another 2WD Silverado, instead of a Tahoe/Yukon - depends on how much I get for this truck and my 2K Monte Carlo on trade or outright sale (on GMO the dealers don't give you much on trade ins.) Until I get another 63 split window Corvette like I had when I was 17, I'll keep trying this new vehicle route until I get it right.
(click for bigger pics)
Interior with Hurst Lightning Rods and after market steering wheel..(I hate the huge Grandpa wheel it came with)
Enjoy
- Tim
Awesome car dude!!!
tucsonjwt
thanks for all the info on the velvets
Never seen Zaino...and $6000 took out the orange peel!
LOL
I gotta use this thing more this year...or it's gonna be adios amigos!....hello LS6 70 Chevelle!
- Tim
Good luck with the mustang
Ryan
I'm thinking I will be calling every Ford dealer around tomorrow....
GRRRRRR
Don't rush....don't rush...I kept telling myself last night!
GRRRRRRR
- Tim
Since we both have standard smooth ride suspensions, I think the improvement for Edelbrocks is not as pronounced as it would be with a Z71. However,you should see improved handling with just the Edelbrocks.
Edelbrock states that you should keep your tire inflation at the recommended level or their warranty will be voided. Some folks are running with lower air pressure in their tires to improve ride, but I don't think this helps with the Edelbrocks, since they are supposed to be reacting quickly to road bumps and softer tires would somewhat defeat this response.
Thanks for the information.
Do you have the short bed or long bed? What size engine?
Run the numbers man! I'm not sure I would even waste my time on an LS6, 'Cuda, Stingray, etc., without a Build Sheet. You can still get an original car without one by carefully running all the numbers and GM always stamped build dates on the Blocks, Trans, Manifolds, Heads and Rear End. They all should be within a few weeks or a month of each other (usually).
I know for a fact that there are, right now, three times more Fuel Injected '57 Corvettes on the road than GM made in 1957!
Cleaning Products: I've used Zano products before and they did a real nice job. I like Meguiar products only because I've used them for so many years and they are readily available. I've said it before...it's not what you use so much than the fact that you find a product that you like and USE IT!!! Leaving dirt on a nice paint job will leave you with scratches every time.
My $.02
clay
Combine that with an M22 tranny....4:56 rear...ohhh baby..I can hear the cam right now thru the open headers on cruise night...
ahhhhhhhhh
Something no import will ever provide...
- Tim
Nice H/O BTW, 305?
Leavy
rcoos
Tim, is that about right?
RCOOS: What was the model number of those Edelbrock shocks you put on? Price?
TIM: That Muncie tranny was something alright.
I agree with you on the import thing. Same is true for Bikes...a Honda will scream around a Harley but it just doesn't seem to matter.
clay
- Tim
Thanks for the responses,
Ron
is the ZX3 available in 4WD now?....it was only 2WD.
- Tim
Nick
I love this truck, but it is "kinda" like getting married. I may have married the wrong one.
Talk me out of it!