New to GMT900s! Question about the Z49 RPO code?

ascaloniannights · January 5, 2019

So last week I picked up my first GMT900, a 2009 Silverado extended cab Z71 LTZ with 88k. Today I purused my RPO sheet to see some of the options I have, and my sheet has the Z49 code, which after some research appears to be a Canadian export and emissions code? However, my speedometer is in MPH (with smaller kph), my mileage is in gallons, and I don’t have the block heater that apparently Canadian models are supposed to have.

Additionally, I searched the VIN online to see if my truck was indeed sold in Canada. However, the report (as well as the dealer ad I bought it from) lists my truck as a work truck model, with a 4.8 engine instead of a 5.3, and without the Z71 package... If anyone could shed some light both on what the Z49 package is and why my VIN shows a base model instead of an LTZ that would be appreciated!!

dsr611 · January 7, 2019

People "upgrade" their vehicles all the time, to make them look like something they aren't (buddy of mine had a Monte Carlo LS back in the early 90s but wanted an SS...he found a wrecked SS and bought the front clip, truck lid, etc and put them on his LS. Had it painted, SS decals put on, and no one ever knew). Previous owner could have purchased it, slapped some Z71 stickers on it, replaced the engine and interior, etc.

redsled2007 · January 8, 2019

I agree with dsr611. It has a LOT to do with resale $$$. $6500 for a 2009 "work truck" vs $14000 for a fully loaded Silverado Z71. Most people don't get a build sheet. Now I'd have to question the mileage.

ascaloniannights · January 8, 2019

The mileage checks out on both the dealer end and the history report I saw... RPO sheet matches up as well - for example, the Z71 code is listed. I was wondering if the ‘Canadian Export’ RPO code I’m seeing is affecting the VIN?

Not saying I don’t believe y’all, but I’m hard pressed to believe somebody bought a 2009 work truck and swapped the 4.8 to a 5.3, the cloth bench seat to heated leather captains seats, added factory remote start, added the Bose package... you get my drift.

I will see if I can’t get a picture of the RPO sheet tonight, as I’m driving my ‘88 today.

ascaloniannights · January 9, 2019

Here is my RPO sheet that matches my VIN... so I don’t believe it was a work truck was somebody upgraded...

hollywoodsle · January 9, 2019

Definitely a Canadian truck. They could have swapped the cluster. When they put the ad up they probably just used base info, not really that big of a big deal.

ascaloniannights · January 9, 2019

2 hours ago, hollywoodsle said:

Definitely a Canadian truck. They could have swapped the cluster. When they put the ad up they probably just used base info, not really that big of a big deal.

Interesting, looks like I have the block heater too - never even thought to look in the engine bay for one. Do you happen to know how ‘Canadian base equipment’ differs from an American truck?

Guessing my speedo is altered since MPH is highlighted and KPH is in smaller lettering... wonder if anything else is different.

intheburbs · January 9, 2019

Canadian and US trucks have the same cluster.

Your speedo has not been altered, nor has your cluster been swapped. The truck was simply reprogrammed by someone from metric to English.

My Denali was a Canadian truck. I have the French owners manual, and my door weight sticker has a maple leaf on it. The red wasn't an available color on Denalis in the US in 2009, so that was the tipoff for me.

The truck was clearly reprogrammed, because when I bought it (with 60k miles), the hours meter showed something like 35 hours, and everything is in Us units. I guess that means they could have reprogrammed the mileage, too, but that gets into criminal fraud territory.

Here's my door sticker:

ascaloniannights · January 9, 2019

Here’s my sticker, also has the maple leaf... looks like it’s definitely a Canadian truck. Personally I find that cool, adds to the story for me.

My hours meter, if I recall, seems to be at 3500 or so, no clue if thats reasonable at 88k miles. If I can get a VIN history check and run it as a Canadian VIN, I’m curious to see where it was sold and when it came back to the US.

75z28 · January 11, 2019

You should be able to reset the engine hours meter anyway I think. I remember my dad's 05 you could because we would reset it to see how much time the engine was on when we went off roading/hunting as more of a novelty.

My 2002 doesn't have any of those features, I sometimes wish it did because I like to gather data like that for whatever reason.

ascaloniannights · January 13, 2019

On 1/11/2019 at 12:25 PM, 75z28 said:

You should be able to reset the engine hours meter anyway I think. I remember my dad's 05 you could because we would reset it to see how much time the engine was on when we went off roading/hunting as more of a novelty.

My 2002 doesn't have any of those features, I sometimes wish it did because I like to gather data like that for whatever reason.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a tracker for the trans temp on my truck - I’ve been meaning to put a guage in my ‘88 to see how hot the trans gets while offroading, so it’s a cool little feature to come stock!

75z28 · January 14, 2019

That would be nice. I sometimes miss my 2017 tacoma and it's little features, but it drove like ass.
Sad that a 16 year old truck drives better than a new one.
Toyota really dropped the ball on it.