Buying new Avalanche ned option advice

89vette · May 21, 2003

I plan on buying a new Avalanche 1500 Z71 without body hardware in a month or two to replace the 01 Silverado. I like the Avalanche because I need the extra rear seat area and I need the pick up function from time to time.

My main question is the gears. I'm going with the Z71 option which has the bigger tires. Since this truck weighs more than my Z71 which has the 3.73's would I be better off going with the 4:10's? Will there be a big difference in fuel mileage? Most of my driving is back roads to and from work up and down hills. My Escalade gets 13.6 MPG over the same terrain and has 60 more horses.

Also, any problems with leaking with these things?

Thanks

k1500chevy97 · May 21, 2003

I would go with the 4.10 gears.

woyster_00z71 · May 21, 2003

It's not really an apples to apples comparison but, I have a '00 Silverado Z71 with 4.10's and a '01 Tahoe Z71 with 3.73's. They both get about the same mileage...14 MPG city/16-18 MPG highway. I do like the 4.10's better though for the off the line get up and go! They do run about 500-1000 RPM's higher on the highway even though it doesn't seem to get any worse gas mileage than the 3.73's in the Tahoe.

My thoughts...go with the 4.10's.

B.J.

chevy4x4trucks · May 21, 2003

I have an '02 and there are no leakage issues as of yet *knock on wood* and I really haven't heard of all that many complaints about leaking so it's not a super common problem.

I would get the 4.10's if you do some towing, but in the long run it won't make a huge dent in your wallet if you get them. I'd get them anyways becuase eventually you're going to wish that you had.

I had a 00 silverado w/ the 4.8 V8 and the mpgs are withing 1 or 2 mpgs.

You'll love the avalanche, all the comforts of your silverado, but much more versatile.

89vette · May 21, 2003

Thanks guys. I'll look for the 4:10's. I don't tow but I hate all this shifting all the time. The Avalanche fits the bill for what I need. I do have a complaint about them though. I think they could have done a better job with the interior quality. JMO. Seems to be a common problem with all GM vehicles.

Greg · May 22, 2003

On mine, the rear stays mostly dry. Sometimes there are a few drips along the front or back edges in bad rains.

2k3TahoeZ · May 22, 2003

I got the 4.10's in my 03 Hoe.....what a big difference over the 3.73's. I get great gas mileage too. We live in a pretty hilly area and traffic tends to be crappy, but I can still average above 16mpg for overall driving. On open highway, it gets around 20mpg.

My advice for if you want to save fuel is to use the DIC and leave it set at the Instant Fuel Econ setting. That helps a ton, but definitely go with the 4.10s.