Avalanches

cowboy02 · April 25, 2003

I'm Seriously thinking about selling my 02 GMC sierra and buying a avalanche. When they first came out I thought they looked bad but they are starting to grow on me. So I have some usage questions.

How long is the bed with the back window out?

How long is the bed with the back window in?

Is there a equal amount of room in the back seat compared to a 4 door truck?

What are the advantages of it over a 4 door truck?

Thanks for the info.......

seadoons · April 25, 2003

The avalanche is actually built on a Suburban frame, so as far as space goes in the interior, the cab cuts off right behind where the 2nd seat in a suburban is. (A lot of room, equal to 4 door trucks) With the back window in (normal setup) I would say the bed is 4.5 feet. With the window gone and the back seat folded down, you probably have as much room as a long bed truck. There are only a few advantages to it over a 4 door truck. One being that it will fit in a standard garage. Also, it is like a nice SUV on the inside with the optional truck bed on the outside. It is an awesome concept, but at first I didn't like the way all the plastic covered half the body. The '03's look good without it. Hope this helps.

seadoons · April 25, 2003

So I was wrong...here are the actually bed sizes:

Regular: 5.3 feet

Window Down: 8.1 feet

Lots of space!!!

chevy4x4trucks · April 25, 2003

the beds 4' wide, 5.3' long w/o changing and 8.1' w/ the back part out.

The backseat is as roomy as a crew cab, much more spacious than an extended cab. I'm 6'4" and I can comfortably sit back there.

As far as advantages you get the beauty of having a crew cab pickup w/ a short bed and a reg cab pickup with a long bed. Trust me, there is no end to the versatility of the avalanche. You should definetly get it.

When I bought mine I was debating another ext cab pickup or the avy and you can see what one won out

I've been very very happy with the purchase.

If you have any more ???'s lemme know.

Larry · April 25, 2003

Avalanches are really starting to grow on me since the Without Body Hardware models are hitting the street.

The dealer I always buy my trucks at had a Yellow 2003 Regency Conversion Ave WBH with a 4-inch lift, 33’s,tastfull wheels, Flowmaster exhaust and tons of other goodies. I was actually very tempted by this beast but the $51K price tag is a bit steep. Even with GMS discount this Ave would still have been $45 K out the door. I am just about sick of my ZF 6 speed in my HD.

Besides the price, I have two issues with the WBH Avalanche though. First, I would rather have a 2500 with an 8.1L but the WBH Aves are only avail in 1500 series. Second, I really don’t want the push button Autocrap 4wd that is standard in all Avalanches and SUV’s.

The fact my HD is nearly paid off helps me like the clumsy ZF 6 speed a little more.

cowboy02 · April 25, 2003

hey chevy..... Keep in mind I haven't test drove one of these or been on the inside I got some more ??? for ya.

Can you put the back seats down with the window up so that dogs could ride back there and not smuck out the seats?

Could you also turn it into a long bed single cab pickup and not put up the back window?

Thanks for the clarification good answers keep them rolling.

chevy4x4trucks · April 25, 2003

I'll go snap some pics for you tonight of the different ways to "change" it. Email me at [email protected] and I'll send them to you shortly.

You can fold the seats up, drop the part behind the seats for a full bed while the back is still enclosed, or take out the window and have it completely open.

Greg · April 26, 2003

hey chevy..... Keep in mind I haven't test drove one of these or been on the inside I got some more ??? for ya.

Can you put the back seats down with the window up so that dogs could ride back there and not smuck out the seats?

Could you also turn it into a long bed single cab pickup and not put up the back window?

Thanks for the clarification good answers keep them rolling.

Yes, you can put the back seats down and leave the window & midgate up for dogs. We do that with our lab. The platform is rather high for her to get in/out and there is a space open to the floor between the rear of the folded seat and the midgate. I bought two kitchen carpet runners from wally world to lay against the folded seat bottom and back. The carpets came with two short pieces that fit nicely in the above mentioned space in the back. Also, Chevy has a cover for the folded seats.

Yes, you can fold the seats, open the midgate, and leave the window in & covers on the back. I brought home an 8' step ladder and other stuff from Lowe's and everything stayed dry in the pouring rain.

I used to have a '99 extended cab Sierra short bed and the Av drives less truck-like since it's based on the Suburban. It does tend to catch crosswinds more, though. Also, this 5.3 has a bit more cold start knock than the last one.

When my teenage son moved in, I needed a full-sized rear seat, so I had to make the same decision you face. My first choice was a Duramax/Allison crewcab, but the roughly $8K price difference and more garageable size of the Av convinced me. Another Av advantage over a pickup is that you don't have to buy a bed cover and bedliner.

chevy4x4trucks · April 26, 2003

I uploaded the pics because they might come in handy for someone else as well. You can check them out here:

http://www.chevy4x4trucks.com/avalanche/install/midgate/

If you need some more info or pics of anything else let me know.

timk49 · April 26, 2003

Chevy those are great pics Thanks for taking the time.

What a Avalanche tow? how often do you avalanche guys actually change the configuration?

cowboy02 · April 26, 2003

Thanks for the smoking pictures man...

As they say in westerns that could be the smoking gun. Might have to go test drive one on monday :thumb:

Thanks for the great help.

Is the piece that you can buy to cover the seats expensive? Is it a aftermarket part of direct from GM? Also the Avalanche comes with a Toneau cover by default? I bet that really helps out with the gas mileage.

Thanks again.

TROYROBO · April 27, 2003

smooth :thumb: :thumb:

chevy4x4trucks · April 27, 2003

Chevy those are great pics Thanks for taking the time.
What a Avalanche tow? how often do you avalanche guys actually change the configuration?

I'm not sure about the tow ratings, I don't tow anything...

However, I do either a full or partial change at least once a week. If it's nice out I take out the back window and I've been doing a lot of construction/moving stuff with our new offices so I've been changing for a dollar quite often.

chevy4x4trucks · April 27, 2003

Is the piece that you can buy to cover the seats expensive? Is it a aftermarket part of direct from GM? Also the Avalanche comes with a Toneau cover by default? I bet that really helps out with the gas mileage.
Thanks again.

It's an aftermarket piece that costs about 100 bucks or so. I'd have to look for a link. Honestly I think you could take a circular sawn and a piece of plywood and make a pretty decent one.

I believe it automatically comes w/ a hard toneau cover. It was an option in 2002 to get a soft one for $600.00 less or so, but it's not worth it. The toneau cover is made up of three panels and each can hold 250 pounds. I weigh about 210-215 and I've walked on mine on several occasions w/o any bending. It's a really nice system.

And no problem on the pics. I figured I should upload them since they'll probably help out quite a few people.

MarkD · April 27, 2003

Chevy4x4,

I am not in the market right now, but your pics raised some questions about drawbacks. (Kool pics btw)

1.) How bad is the "blind spot"? The rear view looks kinda limited. Is it that bad?

2.) Can you drop the rear seats/mid gate w/ the front seats all of the way back? Or do you have to have them moved forward some?

3.) Can you remove the rear seats altogether (like the 3rd row in an SUV or Minivan) if you will need the space for an extended period? (like helping someone move or something, leave the rear seats at home) Tool-less?

Thanks!