Z71 Rant

[OUMike]

I was thinking about this today. I always thought it was funny when people bought Z71s and then raised them up and put big tires and wheels. Isn't the wheels, tires and nurf bars the Z71? Why not just get 4x4? Doesn't this kind of take off the Z package?

[MCourson]

Z71 package also has jounce bumpers and Bilstein shocks.

[willfxp]

Z71 package also has jounce bumpers and Bilstein shocks.

How can I verify that I have Bilstein shocks? I thought those were yellow. Mine are red.

 

Couple posts around here saying they're a different brand. I was thinking about replacing with Bilstein shocks.

 

 

The reason why I got the Z71 was so I didn't have to spend another two grand to lift it. Mine looks 'lifted' enough and has the hardware to go off-road (which is the main reason I got my truck). I'd like to lift it some day, when I have some money. Rather spend the $2k for a down payment on a Waverunner.

 

Oh, the Z71 Off-Road sticker is worth it!!!

[MountaineerTom]

* Skid Plate Package

* 46mm shock absorbers

* Off-road jounce bumpers and stabilizer bars

* High-capacity air cleaner

* Z71 decals

* Heavy-duty locking rear differential

* Wheel flares

 

That is what GM lists as the "key features" of the Z71 package. There really isn't a big difference from it over a non-Z71 4x4. I think a lot of people don't realize that though. Most of those items can be ordered on a regular 4x4. The fender flares are a new one to me though, I didn't know they part of the Z71 package now. They didn't used to be. It would be nice if that package was like the difference between a 4x4 S-10 and a ZR2.

 

As for the reason I got mine, it only cost me $24,000 brand new. It was a '99 that had not sold as of Jan 2000. I didn't really want to pay that much. I looked at a 2000 2wd configured the same, and it was going to cost me the same, so I opted for the one I got.

[seadoons]

On my 2002 Z, the wheel flares and the locking differential were not part of the Z71 package, but were other options that cost extra money outside of the Z package. The Z package is a package that is added to a 1/2 ton 4WD truck and adds the following:

 

Different Shocks

Skid Plates

Z71 sticker

Off road jounce bumpers and stabilzer bars

 

Thats all the Z package adds. The larger tires, air cleaner,etc., are all options not included with the Z package. This is how it was for '02.

[k1500chevy97]

Overall not that much difference between a z71 and regular 4x4 IMO

[99-2door]

I was thinking about this today. I always thought it was funny when people bought Z71s and then raised them up and put big tires and wheels. Isn't the wheels, tires and nurf bars the Z71? Why not just get 4x4? Doesn't this kind of take off the Z package?

I think you may be referring to the Tahoe/Suburban Z-71 package since you mentioned wheels, tires and nerfs. TheZ-71 on these also adds the monochrome paint scheme, front valance with round fogs, roller roof rack, lower body protective plates, fender flares, and suspension package. IMO the Z-71s look 100x better than the chrome bumpered Tahoes (except maybe the white Z-71s, just too much white there for my taste).

[99-2door]

Overall not that much difference between a z71 and regular 4x4 IMO

To me it's not the Z-71 package itself that makes a Z-71 desirable. It's the options that must be equipped to make the Z-71 option available (I'm talking OBS here) i.e. Silverado/SLE, V8 engine, aluminum wheels, etc. etc..

Now somebody will post and tell me about their Cheyenne V6 Z-71 with the work truck grille and steel wheels with 245s and an am/fm stereo. Well, I'm calling BS right now so don't bother.

[Elwood 2000]

It is funny how the "Z-71" logo has caught on over the years and become an icon of sorts. Now everyone has something like it. The S-10's have a ZR2 and ford now has an FX-4 off road package with "decals".

 

Nice bit of marketing!!

[silverado man]

The Z71's also come with aluminium wheels and the shock I think are teneaka(sp?) or something like that

[GDN]

Z71 - is nothing more than marketing - and good money for GM. They put the bigger shock on, but not worth it. All the pieces of the Z71 package are small incremental costs - turns into good profit. To really make it a good off road - it should have a real shock as part of the package - a 285 minimum tire, and sit another couple of inches higher. But then what would all the aftermarket people sell?

 

Its all a game for marketing and money in the pocket. My last 2 have been Z71's - but that is because it seems 95% of the 1/2 ton 4*4's get the package added - you almost have to order one if you don't want the Z71 package.

[k1500chevy97]

a guy here on the fd has a 98 "silverado" z71 with the 4.3 and 5spd (even says z71 in the rpos in the glovebox)

[markmoure]

I agree with most trucks now are Z71's. I traded in my '99 Silverado 4x4 for an '03 Z71 about 2 months ago. The dealer only had Z71 in the 1500s, and said they dont ever get regular 4x4s unless you order them. In my case it wasn't worth spending the money for the Z71 package, but they got my money anyways.

 

Mark -

[AZ1500]

a guy here on the fd has a 98 "silverado" z71 with the 4.3 and 5spd (even says z71 in the rpos in the glovebox)

There has never been a factory Z71 option for a six cylinder truck. There is a Z85 suspension option, but no Z71.

[BlackSilver]

The Z package is a package that is added to a 1/2 ton 4WD truck and adds the following:

 

Different Shocks

Skid Plates

Z71 sticker

Off road jounce bumpers and stabilzer bars

The worst part is having to steam those d**n ugly decals off the side of the truck!