Avalanche Advice

[Pioneer]

I'm considering getting a 3/4T avalanche to haul my boat and go 4x4 in the snow.

 

I want the 8.1L engine with the highest trim package (LT?), and 4 wheel drive.

 

Any advice from experienced Avalanche owners re:

1. Problems, likes and dislikes?

2. Recommended features/options?

 

Thanks, in advance!

[dogzapper]

Pioneer,

 

I owned a 2500 LT Avalanche for about a year and a half. Basically, it was a good rig. The ride was very Suburban-like and the engine answered every chore.

 

If you like power, the 8.1 engine is for you. The only downside is it is thirsty (about 11 mpg highway/7 city) and they burn oil. After a while you get used to the engine burning 1 to 2 quarts of oil per thousand miles.

 

The reasons I sold my Avalanche were:

 

1) The rear visibility sucks and after several near-accidents, it was time to say bye-bye.

 

2) I took immaculate care of the cladding and it still was starting to look shabby.

 

3) I can easily afford it, but I hated the gross consumption of gasoline.

 

4) The oil-burning 8.1 liter engine bothered me. Why should a brand-new engine burn oil? I sold the rig before any problems developed.

 

5) I write for gun magazines and I hunt a lot. The approach and departure angle of the Avalanche sucks. I was always scraping the front or the back.

 

6) The fog lights leak water like crazy. They all do on all Avalanches. Small thing, but a lot of small things eventually get to you.

 

The Avalanche was replaced by a 2003 Chevy Z-71 extended cab/short bed. It's an LT with the 5.3 liter engine and every possible option. I added a Fold-A-Cover tonneau and like it a lot. Experienced gas mileage is 19+ highway and 15 in the city. It pulls my 6000 pound trailer house well and serves me much better than the Avalanche. No, the 5.3 liter engine will not pull the trailer over the hills as fast as the 8.1, but I only tow one percent of the time. The Z-71 is perfect for my use and I love it.

 

I wish you the best of luck with your Avalanche. It's a cool rig and a lot of guys really love them. I did, but I fell out of love after a while.

 

You might check out www.avalanchefanclub.com. Nice guys and loads of good info.

 

Hope this helps

 

Steve

[Brian1]

I've had 2 2500 Avalanches a 2002 and now a 2003 ( great deal on this one only cost me $15.00 more per month on payments ) Also a 2002 1500 Avalanche ( Nothing but problems with this one ). Didn't have any problems with the 2002 one. Never had it in the shop. The 2003 had the fueling problem but it was easily fixed by me by removing the flapper check that is stuck in the Aux tank right off that connects to the filler tube. The only problem I had with this fix was I think I threw arm out when I threw it as far as I could. There is info on the http://www.chevyavalanchefunclub.com/ to fix it. So far it has never been in the shop either but only had it about 4 months.

 

It does love gas about 12 mpg average, but so far does not use much oil between 3000 miles. Maybe 1/2 quart or less. The 2002 burned about 1 quart in about 2500 miles.

 

Adding the Predator Programmer really livens it up. But I hear the Wester Program is nicer.

 

The guy named gandolphxx here under High Performance has a 2500 Avalanche Supercharged with the Whipple. Alsome truck.

 

 

 

The only major problems that can happen is the midgate can leak into the cab.

 

Some discoloration on the cladding ( mostly related to the 2002 gray color ). I wouldn't use products like amror-all on the cladding. They just leave by products that discolor over time unles you use it about every week. There are a few good products for cleaning the cladding. Check the Website for info. All 2500's come in the cladded version.

 

My only Major dislike is the Console Box in the middle. The best one I have every seen was the ones they used in the 96 - 98 chevy trucks. Since 99 the compartment just gets smaller and deeper. I you drop something in it, it is gauranteed to keep going till it hits bottom. 2003 are just smaller and as deep, They just can't seem to find a better place for the amp. There is room in the engine compartment.

 

 

 

Get all you can get on one. You will just regret it if you don't. The only thing I lack is the XM radio, wish I had it but for a 2003 with 7 miles vs 2002 with 39,000 and $15 more can't beat it.

 

Hope this you gives you more info.

Brian

[chevy4x4trucks]

I've had my 1500 Avy for about a year now and haven't run into any problems. I dunno, I more or less have compensated for lack of rear window usage, but then again I'm used to driving work vans here at work which have no rear window.

 

 

As for the cladding looking shabby. I haven't done anything special to mine since I got it and it still looks good. Although the 03 and up models have the darker cladding which should do a better job of looking good over time. I've got a feeling my light gray cladding may soon fade and look chalky. But then again it doesn't see a whole lotta sun in WI.

 

 

As for features, I've got them all but the sunroof (refer to paragraph above about lack of sun).

 

 

The bun warmers as I like to call them are great on cold winter mornings. The Automatic Climate Control works great, I just leave mine on 78 degrees and it's a perfect temp for me. Once you've been driving for about 10 minutes the truck is nice and warm and stays that way w/ no adjustments required.

[Shaners]

My buddy has a 2500 Avalanche and loves it with the only problem being an occaisional misfire being coded. His drinks fuel but doesn't use any oil...

[Pioneer]

Thanks for all the info everyone!

 

I'll check out the aforementioned avalanche board too.

 

Very helpfull.

[MyBigToy]

Pioneer:

 

Good advice above, check out the mentioned websites (although they have gone back to chevyavalanchefanclub.com).

 

I've got a 2002 Z71 1500, it's never been back in the shop. Best vehicle I've ever owned.

 

If you are concerned about the rear visibility, and it does suck even though you get used to it pretty quickly, you can add a reverse-sensing system. I bought a Poron system from eBay for $62, it's normally a $150 item.

 

MBT

 

edit: didn't proof-read!

[QUIKAG]

My dad had an '02 1500 AV and then traded it on an '03 1500 AV without the cladding and with all the interior goodies. It's an awesome rig and both have been very reliable for him.

[Green_Machine]

Pioneer,

 

I have a 2002 3/4 ton Avalanche and I love it. I average about 10MPG in the city but going between NM and CO I average about 15MPG (without pulling a load).

 

These might have been posted but just incase:

 

Chevy Avalanche Fan Club of North America

 

or

 

Club Avalanche