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Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra - Owners hangout
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The only time I've driven in the snow in the last 30 years is when I go camping in the mountains in the winter. And then we only needed the 4wd when we had 6" of fresh unplowed snow in the campgrounds.
PS: Camping in Kings Canyon Nat'l Park is free in the winter months, and they heat the toilets!!
Mike L
Here's mine:
Bought a C3500 crew cab back in September 2000. Currently have close to 12,000 miles on it.
Mods include: Gibson cat-back dual exhaust, Granatelli air sensor, k&n air filter kit. Also installed a Hypertech programmer.
This big boy runs beautifully. Broke it in on a 2000 mile journey out to 4 corners. Currently getting 11/12 mpg street, 16/17 mpg highway on 92 octane Chevron gas. Out of California, add about 3 mpg to each of the above figures. Currently running 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolanders on all 4's.
Changed the oil religiously at 500, 1000, then every 2000 miles since new (close to 12000 miles on odometer), and currently running Mobil 1 Tri-synthetic 10w-40 in the big 7.4 bruiser. Bumping up the oil change interval to at least 7000m with a filter change at every 3500m.
This baby is quite roomy (crew cab with 4 full doors helps), has more power/torque than I will ever need (hopefully) and makes those 14 hour out of state runs a joy! Hauling people/cargo is a breeze with the crew cab/long bed configuration.
The only gripes I have concerns the brakes and the valve configuration on the 7.4. Since my 2000 was a chassis carry-over from previous year, it has drum brakes in the rear(4.10 gearing, 14 bolt) which makes for less than ideal braking experience. I also run a 1999 z71 which has disk brakes all around, and that baby stops on a dime! With the drum brakes, it's such a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] to change the shoes. After setting them up, you literally have to sit there and fine tune them so that they pull at the same time. On the fronts, they are no problem since they are disks. Just unbolt the assembly, unhook the old pads, set the new ones on, then bolt the assy. back together. Entire front end shouldn't take more than an hour tops. But the drum brakes, forget about it! Set aside a whole Saturday afternoon to dial them in. I guess I have to live with the drums--or do a rear-disk brake conversion.
The valve configuration on the big 7.4 is outdated. One intake, one exhaust valve/cylinder. Can't GM get a clue and slap another intake and exhaust valve setup in their motors??? Wouldn't their motors run more efficiently that way??
Well, that's my impression of the Chevy 3500. I have owned a 1997 c2500 Silverado, and currently own a 1999 z71 besides the big c3500.
Anybody with any driving impressions of their c3500????
Full size trucks are more comfortable for 6'2" 200# drivers(ok - 225#).
I actually enjoy my life better without speeding tickets. If I want speed - I'll drive a sporty car.
For me a truck is a utility/commuter vehicle.
I did not say don't use the A/C or heat. I said don't use it if you don't have to. Read: If it is 70 degress outside do you need to roll up the windows and put the A/C on 5? I used to do that. Like I said above, when there is ice on the windows I pansy out and let the truck heat up for 5-10 minutes.
Cracking the windows with WeatherFlectors has no discernible effect on "drag" when you are going 40 mph or less for short intervals in town. (Now taking off all of the stinking badges and decals will really reduce drag and make you the envy of your fellow commuters.
I don't drive slow - I drive the speed limit - I know it is a radical concept, but after many years of driving and seeing traffic accidents more than once every week - I think there may be a reason for speed limits. I no longer see any benefit in racing from traffic light to traffic light.
I started driving like this the last time I was pulled over for speeding. (When the friendly officer pulls you over and asks "What's the hurry?", do you have to think of a good answer?) Gas mileage is a side benefit that developed from this driving style.
I wonder how we got this speed bug? Did guys riding horses pound them and their buggys 100 years ago? My guess is that you actually got less long term performance out of a horse driven/ridden hard. (Everybody I know who has a horse has gotten thrown by it at least once - maybe they are unhappy with their rider?)
No matter how fast we go we all end up the same place - DEAD. I'm taking the long way there.:)
Oh no - I'm off topic - out of here.
your tips are greatly appreciated and it reminds me to try a little harder as well.
Rick
Guess I can't [non-permissible content removed] too loud-my old Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 with 5.2l got about 12/15 and somehow managed to put out 55 less hp than the Silverado!
Mike L
Now wondering if something was wrong with my 1500 4.8L 4x4 5speed regcab LB 4.10 as it mostly only got 16mpg over about 37,000 miles of use.
Much softer rear suspension than my buddy's F350SD...
Rick
I just got my copy of CR in the mail today. They recommend what? - The Toyota Tundra, of course. Looking at the detail data in the back of the magazine, the 2000 Silverado is still above average in every category except body integrity. However, the 2000 Toyota Tundra has the very best relability ratings in every category, except electrical, where it is only one notch below having the fewest repairs.
So, the undeniable conclusion is that the Toyota Tundra is the perfect vehicle.:)
BTW - all of the CU recommended vehicles for reliability are foreign (except they also recommend the Geo/Chevrolet Prism - which are well known as hallmarks of reliability:). All of the "reliability risks" are domestic models (except they also call the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Volvo S70/V70 AWD unreliable, which are known to be crummy auto companies:).
I going over to the Tundra site to get more information on my next new truck:)
....I guess I better sell my 3/4 Ado and buy a 1/6 ton Tundra!
CR says so!
- Tim
(Hold breath now)
1. Lock the doors
2. buy a boot and put on on the front tire
3. hire an armed guard to watch over it
The new 2500HD with 6.0L might beat it, haven't really run it hard, yet.
CR back a couple of years ago picked Ol' Milwalkee beer as the best domestic beer for the money..... So, we should all be driving Tundra's, and drinking Ol'Milw.....
PS. I do drink the Ol Mil, occasionally, but I definately wouldn't call it the "best"....
Gimme a 3/4 Ton Chevy and Guinness.
- Tim
My 4.8L when loaded to the Max GVWR of 6400Lbs averaged 15.5mpg on varied roads to and from Alaska. And it never felt underpowered. It actually feels quicker than my 2500 6.0 truck. Probably just throttle tip-in characteristics. But, not having driven one you wouldn't know that would you?
Mike L
- Tim
To me the the 6.0L doesn't have the throttle response of the 4.8L. The 6.0 certainly has more torque and isn't as affected by hills, but it feels more trucklike in throttle response. I kind of like it in that truck.
Mike L.
I'm picking up a Hypertech for my GMC in the next few days. Does anyone have any negative comments on them? Their website seems to promise the world.
Anyway, I've got a Sierra 2500hd ext. cab 4wd with a 6.0/4.10 and 4spd. auto. I didn't buy it for milage. I do some serious hauling at least two days a week so I wanted to get the most power I could afford. The 8.1 was a little out of my range. When it's empty, I have no problem getting on it (I learned all about the speed limiter...@#$%). I'm getting about 12 mpg tops. I don't have a problem with that. With all respect to the guy who posted about getting 20/27 milage, some people buy trucks to have fun with them. If I wanted milage I would have bought an Escort.
I've owned trucks all my life and nothing even comes close to the one I have now. This truck is awesome. My Sierra is making my memories of my Ram very distant memories. Why did I ever buy a Dodge anyway? Perhaps I should count my blessings because some of the problems I've read about with the Rados and the Sierras are scary.
Keep posting people, this board is a great read!
As you leave our topic, please don't forget to put the toilet seat back up for those of use who still perfer to pee standing up, not sit down to pee like 70% of the Tindra owners.
2001 Silverado 1500, LS, ext-cab, Z-71, (born on 12/6/00) 1819 miles and still absolutely flawless!!
-David
GO EASY, Tusconjwt was just joking....
...automatics are 3.06 and 2.48 for 1st gears..maing the 3.06 5.3 seem very peppy....but as said....load it down and see how much better the 6.0 really is..
- Tim
Tim-
Manual transmissions are important for those who want to remember how to change a clutch, and maybe those control freaks....oops...'scuse Andy Jordan.
;o)
So far our new host BOB has been great. No deleted posts, no annoying dialog, no interruptions telling us to get back on topic, etc.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK BOB!!
Maybe with Bob as our new host Ryan may come back and post with us again.
-David
I personally use Royal Purple which is dino oil with the same additives as synthetic. So far so good with the cycle between changes being 5000 miles using a K&N oil filter.
hehe
- Tim
I think dch0300 missed the sarcasm in my previous post. Sorry for the miscommunication.
BTW, what I think is really funny is how spun up people can be about their brand of truck. Lighten up - you'll live longer. Oh, and don't forget to drive slower - makes life SEEM longer.:)
- Tim
Then again, if you'll sleep better changing out your Mobil-1 every 500 miles who am I to tell you different? {8^)
Spoke to service manager, mechanic friends, and the likes and all agreed that 3000 unless abusing the truck is far too soon for these new oils and trucks. Maybe you could strech it to 4000? Unless, it's going to be abused.
drive about 50 miles a day to work....50/50 highway/city....75 highway...55 city....I take off fast...stop fast.....and like to pass....Gte about 12.5 MPG average.
The newer 6.0 may be even better?
Good Luck
- Tim
although some consider the 8600 GVW LD now.
The 9200 HD is just a 1 ton labeled a 2500HD.
good old marketing
- Tim
I'm still in the process of trying to catch up with all the great stuff going on here.
My basic job description...Keeping things relatively civil, and avoiding the "magic words". Oh yea... and I DON'T want to shoot anybody with this bazooka if I don't have to. The cleanup is no fun...LOL
Keep truckin'
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