Avalanche

ChevyAGoGo · November 18, 2001

Hi all. I am thinking about getting an Avalanche. Any opinions on the truck would be great. Also, how is the aftermarket for the Avalanche? air intake, etc.

fastz28 · November 18, 2001

I've only got 100 miles of mine, but I love it so far.

Do a search on "Avalanche" to see more posts.

Also check out

www.pickuptruck.com

www.fullsizechevy.com

www.gm-trucks.com

Zane · November 18, 2001

Quote from fastz28, posted on Nov. 18 2001,11:40

Also check out

www.gm-trucks.com

Hmm, from what i hear, thats a very good site!

MountaineerTom · November 18, 2001

Quote from Mervz, posted on Nov. 18 2001,12:27

Quote from fastz28, posted on Nov. 18 2001,11:40

Also check out

www.gm-trucks.com

Hmm, from what i hear, thats a very good site!

Best one around!

brmiller · November 18, 2001

Yep, gm-trucks.com is a great site. It goes way beyond the familiar "We all drive Chevys and think they're great!" fan-site. There are actually quite a few folks here who know what they're talking about. I mean, guys that really know trucks. This is great for a newbie like myself with his first truck to get good advice.

Anyway, speaking of my first truck, like the other Avalanche owners here, I just can't stop looking for a reason to take a drive. We've done a long 1600-mile roundtrip from Oregon to California, and the highway handling is great. Real quite, smooth ride. And we've hauled a couple loads of 8ft lumber from Home Depot (something I can't do too easily in the Sprint!) as well as the half-ton of gravel in the bed for a backyard project. So it has proven its utility too--not just something too look at.

BTW, my sister rode in the back seat for 5 hours on part of our Oregon-California roadtrip, and she said it felt just fine. So despite the rear seats sitting pretty straight, they ride okay too.

Just got my mudflaps on this afternoon too--a great functional addition, and they look great too!

Brendan

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Z71 Indigo Blue Metallic

1995 Nissan 240SX SE Blue Emerald

1988 Chevrolet Sprint 1.0L faded red

pacodiablo · November 18, 2001

yeah, this place be cool, even a ford person can post here

fastz28 · November 19, 2001

Quote from Mervz, posted on Nov. 18 2001,11:27

Hmm, from what i hear, thats a very good site!

Duh, didn't realize where I was.

Also checkout the town hall in edmunds.com

:stupid:

Greg · November 19, 2001

I've got about 4500 miles on mine without a problem requiring a service visit. The ride is much better than my '99 Sierra extended cab / short bed, as is the rear seat room and access. With the midgate open, I have a full 8' covered, locked bed. The Av fits in the garage better than the Sierra and I can even get the tailgate down with the garage door closed.

The only disappointment I have is the width of the bed. While the rear "saddlebags" are useful (I was able to get rid of the plastic bin of stuff), when I load a wheelchair and step in the back and go shopping with my wife, I can't also load the groceries in the back. However, the front of the bed is now reachable by dropping the midgate.

The selection of aftermarket products is small, but growing. It took a couple of weeks for my toy store to get some Westins and I see K&N just recently offered a FIPK. One advantage of the AV is that you don't have to spend extra $$ on buying basics like a bed cover and bedliner/mat/Rhinoliner.

bshef · November 19, 2001

I'm pushing 4K miles on my z66 and have a few comments to anyone considering an Avalanche.

Pro's:

- Gas tank size is 5 gallons "deeper" than the Silverado.

- Coil suspension offers smooth, quiet, quality ride.

- Back door windows roll "all the way down".

- Locking tailgate (standard).

- BedLiner with built-in tie downs.

- 3 hard-panel bed covers (hold 250 lbs, keep cargo area dry).

- Lights in cargo area.

- Dentless tail-gate.

- Step assist built into rear bumper.

- Suburban frame/chasis easily lifted.

- No "Clunk".

- No "Ping".

- plastic cladding is inexpensive to replace ($100 +/- panel)

- Less Metal to wash.

Cons:

- some people say it looks silly.

- My wife always wants to drive it.

- I bought it before the 0% financing was available.

- PF59 oil filters are kind of expensive ($6).

- I'm spending more money taking road-trips.

- sits kind of "stink-bug"

- On-Star doesn't have a message center if someone calls when your not in your truck.

Brad in SoCal

:love:

fastz28 · November 19, 2001

2 wishes:

1. Tie in power lock/unlock for tailgate with doors

2. Switch for the bed lights in the bed area.

:angry:

MountaineerTom · November 19, 2001

Brad,

Do you get your PF59 filters from the dealer? If so you may want to check Wal-Mart or KMart stores. I get teh same filter there for aroun $4.00. I believe Ryanbab got a few at Wal-Mart once on sale for .50 cents each, or somthing like that. He can fill you in.

fastz28,

You may be able to put a switch in the cargo area your self. I'm no electrical wizard, but some of the other guys here may be able to help. I wouldn't think it would be that hard of a job. Could be wrong though.

Glad to hear you guys are enjoying your Avalanches!

ChevyAGoGo · November 20, 2001

What about leaks around the midgate? and/or other areas?

I am currently scheduled to trade my Ford SuperCrew in for one on Wednesday - had to get the Ford because Chevy did not have the 4 door at the time.

Thanks

00 Vette

70 Chevelle

67 Chevelle

01 SuperCrew... but not for long

ScottS · November 20, 2001

Hey

No leaks so far. There is some waterflow between the hood and grill, very minor in nature (streaks on the fan shroud), the box is not watertight, and is not advertised as such. What I expected, and have found to be true is that there is some waterflow into the box, even when closed. The bed mat stays dry, but there usually is some moisture under the mat (ala std. pickup), and minimal traces around the drains etc. Nothing I have put in it has gotten wet, the water containment system seems to work very well. I have had one instance of a small dribble of water inside the rear window after washing with a high pressure wand (< 1 tsp.). If the box is wet, some moisture might drip into the cab when dropping the midgate, but again, very minimal and the truck is designed to handle it.

Best test is maybe this. Given a magic wand to go back a month and do the deal all over again, or change my mind, I would without hesitation buy the Av again. Great truck, very happy with it.

Hope this helps

Scott