Differences between Avalanche and 1500 CC

Musgofasta · November 27, 2004

Hey everyone

Been checking out the 1500 crew cabs, but last nite took a hard look at the avalanche, and now I've got some questions for you all.

Are the cabs and interiors the same for the two? It looks to me that from the back of the rear doors forward, the two are identical, except suspensions. What's everyone's take on this?

What makes the avalanche more than 2000 bucks more, except for the midgate? suspension? interior stuff? I don't get it.

My plan was a crew cab with a bed lid and carpet, but then I've basically got an Avalanche! And the avalanche would give me a big ass bed if I needed it.

Has anyone else had this dillemma, or own both? And why can you get 4.10 gears in the avalanche but not the crew cab? 4.10's are a helluva lot better than 3.42's!

Thanks everyone!

hihosilverado · November 27, 2004

All I have is opinions not facts, but I will share them! If you are gonna use the vehicle for much hauling, I would stick with the Silverado. The real bed IMO is more useful for hauling stuff a truck is made to haul, like ATVS . However, if you are planning on using it as a car 95% of the time go with the 'lanche. It is more carlike to ride in and very smooth riding. Might make a more comfortable tow rig. I think the midgate is garbage. It is better at leaking than anything else. I would not plan on folding it down all the time, it will get old. As far as looks go, it is a tossup, but I prefer the look of a Z71 over an avalanche, but I do like the wbh avalanches (without body hardware) better than the plasticized ones. The inside is basically identical. To sum it up, I think it basically boils down to how you are gonna use the vehicle. If it is a family truck that is vacation bound get an Avalanche, if your uses are the other extreme, bet a Crew Cab. And, you can get 3.73 gears in the Silverado, and I would recommend them. My 02 Silverado has 4.10 and they are not necessary. I hope this helps some.

Shaners · November 27, 2004

If I'm not mistaken, the 1500 Avalanche is built on the 1500 Suburban chassis.

It will give a better ride, but less carrying capacity.

mcreyaufmiller · November 27, 2004

If you want a truck, buy a truck. If you want a yuppie mobile, buy one of those other things.

Mike

Greg · November 27, 2004

I had an Avalanche and it was a great freeway cruiser. Like Shaners said, that Suburban wheelbase and chassis is great for that. The shorter length of the Av makes it easier to fit in a garage, but it might be taller than some conventional pickups. The big difference is the bed:

- The Av already has a bed cover, bed mat, and bed storage compartments. You don't need to buy these.

- With the midgate open, the Av will give you an enclosed 8' bed. Something the 1500 crewcab can't.

- Accessing the Av's bed stinks. You can't reach over the sides, even with the covers removed. Reaching stuff that rolls to the front of the bed means dropping the midgate, grabbing a rake, or crawling in. Buying a bedslide helps, but you lose height under the covers. (I have one available, cheap!)

When I bought a new truck this fall, I bought an extended cab Sierra Denali instead of another Av. Then again, I wanted the larger bed, 6 L engine, quadrasteer, etc.

dogzapper · November 28, 2004

Avalanche?

Been there, done that. Rear visibility is horrible and changing back into the right lane is always a guessing game. Bed access is impossible from the sides and difficult from the rear. Smooth on the highway, but "hunts" on anything not resembeling pavement.

I went back to a Silverado Z-71 EC/SB in 2003 and have never regretted dumping my 2002 - 2500 Avalanche. Obviously, I would buy the crew cab Z-71 Slverado today.

Friend, buy the Z-71 Silverado and don't get caught up in the Avalanche. And if a non-truck is what you want, buy a Suburban or Tahoe.

The 5.3 engine in our 2003 Silverado is a wonder, by the way. Superb mileage (20/15) and excellent power for towing/hauling. We have the 3.73, which is impossible to get in the 2005, but you will be more than satisfied with the 5.3 liter. Forget the 4.8; less power and same mileage.

Hope this helps,

Steve

Butch 02 Denali · November 28, 2004

The only solution to the dilemma is to get both!

Butch

02 Sierra Denali

04 Avalanche

WyRam · November 28, 2004

Hey everyone

Been checking out the 1500 crew cabs, but last nite took a hard look at the avalanche, and now I've got some questions for you all.

Are the cabs and interiors the same for the two? It looks to me that from the back of the rear doors forward, the two are identical, except suspensions. What's everyone's take on this?

What makes the avalanche more than 2000 bucks more, except for the midgate? suspension? interior stuff? I don't get it.

My plan was a crew cab with a bed lid and carpet, but then I've basically got an Avalanche! And the avalanche would give me a big ass bed if I needed it.

Has anyone else had this dillemma, or own both? And why can you get 4.10 gears in the avalanche but not the crew cab? 4.10's are a helluva lot better than 3.42's!

Thanks everyone!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

4.10s are the option gear in the CrewCab,I have one.Dave Smith in Idaho had over 30 CrewCab GMs on the lot all with 3.42s,they had to dealer trade to get me one with 4.10s.1085 miles on mine and I love it,too much plastic on the Avi for me!

sperry · November 28, 2004

I did a hell of a lot of study and ended up with a plastic Avalanche. However It has to be YOUR lifestyle and need. I couldn't fit a Silverado HD in my garage, so I went this way. I still have my S-10 long bed and I worked it well. Sand, gravel, concrete and all except a good fit of drywall and/or plywood. Which happens to fit well and dry inside the Av.

Being versitile doesn't mean that you get everything each way you convert it. Closed, it isn't a `burb and open, it won't hold the cargo weight of a similar-class pickup or hitch up a 5th wheel. And although some have done it, I wouldn't want a scoop of sand or gravel in mine. But, again, I have the S-10 for that - as small as it is for that sort of thing. If I needed to hitch up a 1 yard trailer of concrete, I'll do that in the Av, just as one would with a Silverado. (It's too much for my old `82 S-10).

If you're looking for ride comfort, a travel vehicle, and as I like it better than the old pickup bed, the comfort of stretching out inside. So far I have NO regrets or "leaks" that is not part of the normal drainage.

What I don't like is shared with all of our later model trucks. Obnoxious chimes, the OEM crappy bozo (premium) amp (that I changed for the luxury one, that which is the exception for the Denali's and Escalades). And too much "torque management".

If you have an interest in the Avalanche or EXT, try this site; it's packed with Avalanche info. CAFCNA

Aesop 540BC: "People often begrudge what they cannot enjoy themselves".

I'll bet he never owned a Frod or Dudge..

WyRam · November 28, 2004

I did a hell of a lot of study and ended up with a plastic Avalanche. However It has to be YOUR lifestyle and need. I couldn't fit a Silverado HD in my garage, so I went this way. I still have my S-10 long bed and I worked it well. Sand, gravel, concrete and all except a good fit of drywall and/or plywood. Which happens to fit well and dry inside the Av.

Being versitile doesn't mean that you get everything each way you convert it. Closed, it isn't a `burb and open, it won't hold the cargo weight of a similar-class pickup or hitch up a 5th wheel. And although some have done it, I wouldn't want a scoop of sand or gravel in mine. But, again, I have the S-10 for that - as small as it is for that sort of thing. If I needed to hitch up a 1 yard trailer of concrete, I'll do that in the Av, just as one would with a Silverado. (It's too much for my old `82 S-10).

If you're looking for ride comfort, a travel vehicle, and as I like it better than the old pickup bed, the comfort of stretching out inside. So far I have NO regrets or "leaks" that is not part of the normal drainage.

What I don't like is shared with all of our later model trucks. Obnoxious chimes, the OEM crappy bozo (premium) amp (that I changed for the luxury one, that which is the exception for the Denali's and Escalades). And too much "torque management".

If you have an interest in the Avalanche or EXT, try this site; it's packed with Avalanche info. CAFCNA

Aesop 540BC: "People often begrudge what they cannot enjoy themselves".

I'll bet he never owned a Frod or Dudge..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think since the mid year 04 release of the 1500 CrewCab with 5 3/4ft box the decision is not as easy as it has been in the past!

MyBigToy · November 28, 2004

If you don't use your truck as a work vehicle all of the time, go with the Avalanche. It's a lot more versatile and rides and handles a lot better than the trucks since it has the Suburban's coil spring rear suspension on it.

I've had my Avalanche for 2-1/2 years now and have had zero problems or leaks with it. You get used to the visibility issues but I also solved it by purchasing and self-installing an aftermarket Poron talking reverse sensing system for $62.