Maglight In The Driver's Seat Track

dogzapper · February 6, 2005

Hi Guys,

I've driven and loved a 2003 Chevy EC/SB LT 5.3 Z-71 truck for the better part of two years. It has been an absolutely flawless truck, except for one thing. My single complaint was that the driver's seat would not go back far enough. Gad, I had to drive the thing, sitting like a monkey, with my knees about one-inch from the dashboard.

Frankly, I thought it was some type of compromise that had been made. After all, the rear passengers, poor souls, need room, too.

Yesterday, I was complaining to my wife, Karen, that I was tired of driving my truck while bent in half like a friggin' ape and that we desperately needed a new crew cab (Z-71 would do, but I LUST for a Duramax)

So, my lovely wife of forty-one years proceeded to show me how far her seat would go to the rear. WOW, her seat sould go fully four-inches further back than mine would.

This got to gnawing on me. Why would the General have the passenger's seat go back so much further than the driver's seat? I went to sleep last night, contemplating this paradox.

This morning, I fully checked out the rails of my seat and found a five-cell Maglight (major-big flashlight) between the console and the seat. And when I removed the flashlight, my seat would go waaaaay back. Heck, I can drive in a normal position (if I can remember what that is) and still have a couple of inches to spare.

Problem solved.

Does this mean I don't get my Duramax?

Steve

Fatboy2 · February 6, 2005

Good One! I thought I was the only one that done things like that.

dogzapper · February 6, 2005

Good One! I thought I was the only one that done things like that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can't be that unusually dumb. It makes me wonder how many guys are driving around with flashlights, shorty umbrellas and mini-fire extinguishers stuck, for quick use, between the seat and the console? All, of course, wondering why GM engineers were so silly as to make the spacing between the seat and the dashboard so darned short. I'll bet that it may not be that terribly uncommon.

Believe it or not, I've made two two round-trips from Portland, Oregon to Pierre, South Dakota and four trips from Portland to NE Montana (hunting for deer and antelope) with the my seat in this rediculous position. At least 10,000 miles riding like a monkey.

Makes me feel pretty dumb.

Steve

intruder217 · February 7, 2005

How much for the flashlight??!!!!

Black-Z71 · February 7, 2005

How much for the flashlight??!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OMG

facn8me · February 7, 2005

admiting you have a problem is the first step to recovery

99silveradoz71 · February 7, 2005

I keep my Mag there as well, but haven't had issues with seat travel. Of course I don't really adjust my seat often at all.

99-2door · February 7, 2005

Not the sharpest tool in the shed are ya?

Actually here is a story to make you feel better.

There is a woman that lives near my house that I work on her vehicles whenever they need something. She called me a few months back and said that she let her nephew borrow her truck (97 GMC ext. cab K1500 Z71). when he brought it back he had moved the seat from the position she used it at. He was much taller than her and she said she couldn't get the seat to move forward when she press the power seat control forward. I said "Sure, bring it by and I'll take a look at it", figuring that one of the electric seat motors was out or a fuse or something.

She brings the truck by the next day and I went to check it out. I found to my suprise that the trucks didn't have a power driver's seat. It actually had a manual 60/40 split with the power lumbar support. She had been pressing the lumbar support button to move the seat forward. Had to break it to her that the lever on the front of the seat was for that

Bgdsub72 · February 7, 2005

that happened to me too, I had my 4 cell mag there and I could not figure out why the passenger seat went back further...boy did I feel stupid when I pulled it out.

Wingnut · February 7, 2005

That's great man.

I needed that...At least I'm not the only one who does stupid crap like that.

dogzapper · February 7, 2005

Oh man, I just took "Barky", my Z-71 Silverado, for a nice, long drive. I can't tell you fellas what a pleasure it is to drive this truck while not curled up like a frekin' monkey. This is GREAT.

It is a totally different truck, now that I can drive it in a normal position.

Maybe, by sharing this tale, I can prevent one or two of you from doing the same thing. Hey, by devoting a brain cell to it, you'd know precisely where to look first, and that is the value of this wonderful forum.

Jeez, I still feel so STUPID.

Steve

71GMC_3/4T · February 7, 2005

Thanks for the um, confession, Dogzapper. I bought a new 4D Maglite for my truck weekend before last. Yep, I put it alongside the driver's seat next to the console. It fits in there just right. I haven't had any issues with seat travel, but at least now I know where to look when I do!

Just remember, the dumb things you do and learn will benefit all the rest of us morons. Sorry you're missing out on your new truck, but hey, it sounds like you have made it seem like a new one, to you at least!

Cheers!

Supurban · February 8, 2005

The nice thing about these types of boneheaded revelations is that when you fix it, the truck feels like it is brand new again.

highup1500hd · February 8, 2005

Does this mean I don't get my Duramax?

Before you tell your wife you found the problem, go back to the truck and put the flashlight back. Then complain some more about the seat all the way to the dealer.

99silveradoz71 · February 8, 2005

Oddly enough, I think the mag in the truck is a 4D as well. Must be a thing around here or something. I used to have a 3D in my Jimmy, but that's now in the office here.