Last good z71

[truckguy82]

6 hours ago, aseibel said:

I came from a 1998 K1500 WT long box non Z71. That thing rode like a truck. It felt very sure footed and had good traction in wet conditions, but I attributed that to the Cooper Discoverer A/T tires.

 

My current 2015 Z71 rides more like a car. Its very comfortable, but it is a far cry from how my old one felt. Still on factory crap tires. While I can break the rear end loose when I want to, I can also drive just fine without spinning around corners. You just need to drive like your mom or child is riding with you.

My issue was resolved the second I put on new tires.

 

I used to drive around in auto4 everytime it rained. Now I never use it. It is a normal rwd vehicle now.

 

Can confirm it’s not the truck

[15 Z71]

Its great reading everyone's opinion and their thoughts on what year or years they like and did not like.

[rudyb]

11 hours ago, amxguy1970 said:

Then you have guys down south who use it in "wet weather" so they have a reason to justify using/buying it

 

Guys that think the older trucks were better quality or overall better trucks are smoking something. I promise an old truck isn't nearly as strong as the new trucks from the beefier axles to more powerful drivetrains/transmissions. Then you have things like the rattling interiors, wind noise, creaks, groans from everything from the body to the suspension. Sure the steel bumpers might be thicker as are the body panels but those aren't the meat and potatoes of a truck...

 

All the old trucks included was a different brand of shock from today's trucks which regardless of what sentimental value the name has the new ones are superior and a metal skid plate. The skid plate isn't even used anymore except by a few people. Back then trucks were still bought to be used as trucks and the Z71 was for those who left the pavement and needed some added protection which a good amount did who bought it. Today it is an image purchase by people who never leave the pavement, what is the point of including $200 in wasted cost to the commuters? People that use it will add it as I did, and I certainly appear to be in the minority.

 

The last good Z71 was this version which was better than the one before than and then the one before that and so on.

 

Tyler

False. You know what I never had to do to my 2000 Z71? I never had to put bike tire rubber tubing on my rear leaf springs so it would quit making noise. It's a real thing on my 2016. See here 

 

I also never had to replace any injectors on my 2000. It's everywhere like a Toy Story meme with the newest gen Silverados. I also never had to pack the dash with weather stripping so it would quit rattling (write-up coming soon). I did pull trailers with it. I pulled friends out of mud holes. I pulled strangers out of snow banks. It just worked as long as I kept it fueled and lubed. Sure it didn't come standard with Apple CarPlay, but I could put 10% air on my dash vents and the other 90% on my feet if I felt the need. I could also see all gauges at once from where I was sitting without adjusting my seat or steering wheel. It quit me once at 150K when the fuel pump finally let go, but that was about it.

 

Are the latest gen Silverados nice? Sure. Achieve better fuel economy? No doubt. But, when you consider the staggering amount of bullshit that you get along with these trucks, are they considered good? I say no. I echo that the late 99 to 2006 was the last good Z71 and I don't have much hope for 2019.

[ram1067]

20 hours ago, 15 Z71 said:

The 3 things I miss on my 06...Thick paint,no traction control,and no AFM. Oh yeah,and I liked the push button 4wd better then the knob.

Amen brother!

[ram1067]

7 hours ago, rudyb said:

False. You know what I never had to do to my 2000 Z71? I never had to put bike tire rubber tubing on my rear leaf springs so it would quit making noise. It's a real thing on my 2016. See here 

 

I also never had to replace any injectors on my 2000. It's everywhere like a Toy Story meme with the newest gen Silverados. I also never had to pack the dash with weather stripping so it would quit rattling (write-up coming soon). I did pull trailers with it. I pulled friends out of mud holes. I pulled strangers out of snow banks. It just worked as long as I kept it fueled and lubed. Sure it didn't come standard with Apple CarPlay, but I could put 10% air on my dash vents and the other 90% on my feet if I felt the need. I could also see all gauges at once from where I was sitting without adjusting my seat or steering wheel. It quit me once at 150K when the fuel pump finally let go, but that was about it.

 

Are the latest gen Silverados nice? Sure. Achieve better fuel economy? No doubt. But, when you consider the staggering amount of bullshit that you get along with these trucks, are they considered good? I say no. I echo that the late 99 to 2006 was the last good Z71 and I don't have much hope for 2019.

Agree! I've owned 99,02,04,06 & now 17 and probably more to come. And now GM comes out w/10 speed trany..... good god still haven't figured out the 8 speed.....

abomination! 

[Sierra Dan]

Not sure about the injectors on the early 2000's GMT 800 trucks, but my 2001 Silverado Extended Cab Z71 5.3 developed very audible " Piston Slap " at 38,000 miles.

I traded it in for my '06 Avalanche. No regrets there.

Piston slap was a common on the GMT 800.

[MaverickZ71]

deleted

[tnchevy]

I have owned an 82, 92, 02, and now my 14 silverado's and hands down the best out of all of them was my 2002 model.  My 14 is a good truck but my 02 was a great truck!  After 4 years of owning my 14 I still regret letting my 02 go.  It was a black, extended cab Z71 that came with thick skidplates, 4x4 shifter on the floor, 4.8 V8 mated up to 4 speed trans with 4.10 gears.  No it didn't have the power my 14 does nor the quiet cab but the 4 speed trans shifted much better and never gave me any problems the whole 12 years 130k miles I owned it.  Never had to replace or repair any major parts, averaged 19 mpg, and was a joy to drive.  Got rid of it because she started rusting out.  Wish I would've just fixed the rust and got another 12 years out of it!  I really like my 14 but didn't realize how good of a truck I had in my 2002 till I bought my new one.  

[rudyb]

23 minutes ago, tnchevy said:

I have owned an 82, 92, 02, and now my 14 silverado's and hands down the best out of all of them was my 2002 model.  My 14 is a good truck but my 02 was a great truck!  After 4 years of owning my 14 I still regret letting my 02 go.  It was a black, extended cab Z71 that came with thick skidplates, 4x4 shifter on the floor, 4.8 V8 mated up to 4 speed trans with 4.10 gears.  No it didn't have the power my 14 does nor the quiet cab but the 4 speed trans shifted much better and never gave me any problems the whole 12 years 130k miles I owned it.  Never had to replace or repair any major parts, averaged 19 mpg, and was a joy to drive.  Got rid of it because she started rusting out.  Wish I would've just fixed the rust and got another 12 years out of it!  I really like my 14 but didn't realize how good of a truck I had in my 2002 till I bought my new one.  

Man, I know those feels. I think about trying to buy mine back almost everyday. Mine was still in good shape. I have a feeling that regret will get worse as these trucks become more thrashed out and left to rust in a pasture.

[Mileguru]

15 hours ago, rudyb said:

but I could put 10% air on my dash vents and the other 90% on my feet if I felt the need.

And remember how you could use the AC for all of the years that you owned it instead of worrying if this will be the day that your condenser fails?

[Bubbles]

I rather like my 2018.

[rudyb]

2 hours ago, Bubbles said:

I rather like my 2018.

I've heard the 18's address a lot of the issues. I visited a small dealer with the intention of test driving a 2018 double cab, but they had a company place a fleet order so they didn't have any available. I can only imagine the 18s use the same injectors that the rest of these gens use.

[15 Z71]

I will say my friend bought an 18 crew cab z71,and I can say it rides so much nicer then my 15 Sierra double cab z71. The Ranchos on mine are so stiff and ridged. They had to have changed them on the 18's to ride a lot better. I was amazed how good it road compared to mine.

[Jchoi]

I read these threads, and I get a little apprehensive. This is my first GM truck after buying multiple Honda’s, and I love it so far.  Gosh, I just hope I don’t have all the issues people report having. I really do enjoy my 18 cc. 

[SierraHD17]

I own a multitude of GMT800 trucks (4 currently) then a 15 half ton that I sold out of disgust and a current 17 HD 6 liter.  I like the 17.. it's nice and I have no desire to get rid of it which for me says something.  That said is it a better truck than say my 05 1500HD... not a chance in hell.  Beyond some amenities I can easily add to the 05 there is nothing I can say is actually better with the 2017. My 200000 mile original, never rebuilt and tuned 4L80e in the 05 still has more positive firm shifts than my tuned 20000 mile 6L90e in the 17.... and that trucks freak of an LQ4 will skull drag that L96 hands down.  I still daily the 05 for my business versus the 17.  Even if the 05 rusts  away, well, at least it's not built out of tin foil lol.