Just picked up my new truck!

[Chad H]

Hey guys,

Well, the dealership had her all washed up and waiting on me. I traded my 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Z-71 with 11,000 miles for a 2003 Chevrolet Avanlanche with 50,230. The Avalanche is a Z-66(2WD) and has every available option. You name, this thing has it. But, as you can tell from the pics, this thing is in great shape. The mileage portion doesn't bother me that bad because it was well maintained from the get go. Anyway, below are some pics. I have already dumped a can of "Seafoam" in the gas tank to clear anything out and I have a "Wait4me tune" on the way.

 

 

 

 

 

[ChevyTech007]

You need to change your signature. Looks great.

[RyanZ71]

Every option except 4WD

None the less, congrats.

[Chad H]

Thanks guys! I really love this truck. Rides great and get's good gas mileage! I just have two problems to have looked at. Every once in a while, when I turning when stopped I will hear a rubbing sound. Kinda seem's like the steering shaft, can they lube that? Also, the passenger window rolls up fine, but when it rolls down it goes fine for halfway and then gets really slow. Does anybody know anything about that?

[Greenage]

Looks great!! You will LOVE the Avalanche!!!!!!

[dogzapper]

Chad,

 

Have you ever noticed that different guys have different dreams? And they are still absolutely right? You have to buy what makes you happy.

 

I bought a new 2002-2500 Avalanche with literally every option. Yeah, 8.1/4.10, sunroof, LT and 4wd; the whole enchilada. Couldn't live with it, sold it and bought a new 2003 Silverado Z-71 EC/SB 5.3/3.73.

 

Recently, I sold off the Z-71, which was really a helluva truck, but wouldn't haul or tow enough weight for me.

 

Now I'm certain that my new 2006+ Chevy Duramax/Allison LT-3 CC/SB is absolutely the end of the line. Man, I love this truck.

 

Congratulations, my friend. I surely wish you many, many years of enjoyment out of your new rig. By the way, you might check our www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com . I'm a Charter Member; there are a lot of great folks on the forum and they really know/love Avalanches.

 

Steve

[Truckman031]

Congrats on the new truck.

[Chad H]

Thanks for all the compliments guys!

[Draenor]

Yeah they can lube the stearing shaft. It needs lube when you drive down the road you'll hear a clunking sound. Dont know about the rubbing is the same cause. As for the wind my guess is the track may need some sort of adjustment. Does it do it with the auto down and manually?

[Chad H]

Actually, I had it backwards in my intial post. It rolls down fine, its when you roll it up that it does it.

[Chad H]

I guys, I have a question about the "conversion" process. I just went outside and took the slats off and fold the seats down just kinda messing with everything. Well, I was wondering when any of you are removing your slats, do the seals kinda pop off a little? My number 2 slat was doing that. I cleaned all the seals with a wet rag and wiped them down and popped them back off. Also, I removed the midgate but the left the window in, which is very cool! But, does the window seal that good with just the two clips at the top holding it in? I un-did both of the and let it tilt and then pushed it back and made sure both clips were in place at the top. Maybe I am being weird, just wanna make sure I don't have anything leak. I thought about getting the hose out and spraying the bed down to check.

[dogzapper]

Chad,

 

The first-year (2002) Avalanches had a leakage problem around the rear window. Not all of them, just some of them, and there was a silent recall on this problem (if you went in with a problem, they fixed it under warrenty). The problem was broken rear window gaskets.

 

There were a few problems in the 2003 model year. Basically, look at your rear window gasket; inspect it closely and rub it lightly with GM Dielectric Grease, to insure a great seal. It also might not hurt to test it with a water hose.

 

My 2002 - 2500 never had a leak problem in the rear window; it was as tight as could be.

 

Some early Avalanches had a problem with water leakage in the rear (wet carpet) which was eventually traced to the rear seat belt bolts. Be sure to test this one out because it was a significant problem for the first couple of years.

 

Be sure to slam...and I mean SLAM...your midgate shut. Lots of guys get wet carpets because they close it like a gentleman-woosey and the midgate doesn't close entirely. SLAM the sucker and it will be tight. Again, the gasket should be lightly rubbed with dielectric grease.

 

Yours is a used Avalanche with some years on it, so it would be a great idea to study the "Water Handling System" that surrounds the upper part of the bed. Hopefully, you have the instruction manual....if you don't, download one from www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com . Clean the grates and make sure water goes where it is supposed to.

 

In the early years, the seals between the hard tonneau plates came off easily and were a bugger. Mine did and mine leaked like a sieve because of it. That was fixed in the later models, I'm told. I got tired of fighting it and eventually bought the GM/Snugtop canopy for it ($2,000+++). Anyway, there is a fix, if yours isn't fixed already and your Chevy dealer should know all about the gasket prob between the tonneau plates.

 

From your excellent photos, yours doesn't have the silly/useless luggage rack. They were a source of leakage from the git-go (plus a great rust source). No problem there, my friend.

 

If yours has the original rubber bed mat, be sure to remove it often and clean out the condensation that forms under it in the bed. Guys from Arizona and other dry places never had the problem, but if it rains or your area has over 30% relative humidity commonly, you are going to see a fair amount of condensation. It's quite easy to remove the matt (or roll half of it over, then the other half) and wipe the bed down. I'm pretty anal about keeping a truck nice, so I heavily waxed mine. Later, I removed the mat and installed a Bedslide and the exposed bed was not subject to condensation.

 

The Avalanche is a slightly different critter from other trucks. Know its habits and you will be able to prevent a problem before it gets big. You'll love the smoooth Suburban ride, my friend.

 

Steve

[pm26]

Chad,

I bought a new 2002-2500 Avalanche with literally every option.  Yeah, 8.1/4.10, sunroof, LT and 4wd; the whole enchilada.  Couldn't live with it, sold it ......

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I wonder why? 6 MPG with good tail wind?

[Chad H]

dogzapper,

Is this something I can get an appointment for and just drop it by the dealership and have them check the seals and stuff out? Or can I just do it myself? Can I pick the dielectric grease up at the dealership? I didn't know if this would cost me an arm and a leg. I went back after hosing it down and have 0 leaks inside and out from what I can tell. I slammed the midgate shut and closed the window firmly also. I also opened the tailgate and made sure the water was running down the draining tunnels properly.

[2001chevygirl]

Very nice !!!! I've been thinking of checking into the avalanche. Hope you enjoy it.