New truck for me!

troutmustard · January 28, 2004

I just bought the second Chevy truck of my (young) life... I traded in the "old" 02' for an 04'. Call me stupid, but what the hell- ya' only live once! Right? (Someone, please, tell me I'm not crazy for doin' what I just did. Please? ????)

It's a 2004 Silverado Metallic Sandstone LT Z71 and it's SWEEEEET! Every option there is, I think- 17 inch rims, nice tan leather... WOW!

The dealership is having my old Leer topper painted to match and transferring it over, along with my Bedslide, bed mats, etc., next week. All said and done, it'll look much the same as my old rig, but I get the new interior and a 100k extended warranty. I should be driving this thing fer' a while! (I'd better!)

I thought I'd pass on my excitement!

~the happy mustardman

dogzapper · January 28, 2004

trout,

I bought a 2003 Z-71 EC/SB LT 5.3 Pewter about nine months ago. It is a total joy to drive and is an animal in the snow and mud. What a great truck.

When the 2004s came out, I was unhappy that the pewter had been discontinued. Then, I realized that GM had split the difference; guys who liked the silver part of pewter got the Silver Birch and those of us who like the goldish tone (that would be you and me) would have the Sandstone Metallic.

WOW. The Sandstone is gorgeous. I would change my Pewter to Sandstone in a minute, if I could.

I had a Bedslide in my 2002 - 2500 Avalanche and it is a very handy thing. By the way, I put a ½" plywood 10" wall around the back and two sides. Made it much handier.

Friend, enjoy your new truck. It's a beauty.

What configuration? EC/SB 5.3?

Best, Steve

troutmustard · January 28, 2004

zapper,

Yep, it's an ext. cab/short bed w/ the 5.3. (I didn't think there was anything else but the 5.3 in the LT... Maybe not- I dunno.) My old rig's pewter w/ grey leather. I like the silver birch as well but I wanted the tan interior...

Bedslide- that thing is awesome. During hunting season, since I don't have contractor windows on the topper, it comes in very handy. I leave the two pooch kennels up near the tailgate and put all my she-it behind them and I still have access to it all... I plan on either building a storage system on top of it or, as you did, screw on some ½" X 10" plywood around the three sides. Awesome little deal!

PS- What does 'dogzapper' mean?

~trout

dogzapper · January 29, 2004

zapper,

Yep, it's an ext. cab/short bed w/ the 5.3. (I didn't think there was anything else but the 5.3 in the LT..

What does 'dogzapper' mean?

~trout

I know the 4.8 came in the Z-71 in 2003. Dunno if LT is available in only the 5.3. You want the 5.3 anyway; lots of power and the same mileage as the 4.8. I'm getting 18-20 on the highway and 14-15 around town.

"Dogzapper" is part of my e-mail address. I write for hunting/firearms magazines and the "dog" part is for coyotes or prairie dogs.

A couple of weeks ago, I killed an Asian water buffalo and my wife whacked a yak. The buffalo carcass weighed 515 pounds and the yak weighed 426 pounds, both on the butcher's certified scale. The ol' Z-71 was loaded to the gills. It still had lots of power, got great traction in the snow and didn't whine a bit. This is one heck of a half-ton truck.

Steve

Shaners · January 29, 2004

Congrats on the new truck Trout!!!

99silveradoz71 · January 29, 2004

Sounds like a nice ride

TROYROBO · January 29, 2004

cowboy02 · January 29, 2004

Congrats on the new truck and welcome to debt city!!!

Unless your rich in that case.... Speaking of cases pass the beer!!!

Truckman031 · January 29, 2004

Congrats on the new rig.

MCourson · January 30, 2004

Congrats you upgraded to a truck with the best looking front end around.

troutmustard · January 30, 2004

I picked up the new rig yesterday. I forgot how nice trucks look w/o a topper... She's pretty sweet! The old topper will be painted to match in the next week or so. Looks like I'll have to tote the two pooched in the cab for a while... I don't think they'll mind.

Hey, one thing, there's a slight shimmy/thud coming from the backend when I first step on the accelerator. I didn't have anything like that on the old one.... Anything to be worried about?

~troutmustard