New to site and full size Chevy trucks.

[jimmypsp700]

I'm a proud new member of the Chevy trucks family!

 

This is my first "real" PU truck owned... I'll be driving this red 2004 Avalanche Z71 1500 5.3L.

 

Is there any concerns or issues I need to look for or take care of before its out of warranty?

 

thanks,

 

 

Jim

 

[cmoore74]

Not sure about anything specific to the Avalanche itself, but as far as the drive train:

 

- The engine is nearly bullet-proof mechanically. Just make sure nothing is leaking as GM tends to have leaky seals.

- Make sure the tranny shifts good. Some have issues with the transmissions going.

- There's a lot of talk about steering shaft noise, but I don't have that problem yet and from what I understand it is just an annoyance.

- The CD players tend to die after a few years.

 

I'm sure I've missed things, but I think these are the major ones.

 

Good luck and enjoy the truck.

 

Chris

[jamram]

The intermediate shaft starts to clunk over bumps and in tight turns after a while due to lack of lubrication. It is a cheap and easy fix.

 

A/C Delco side post batteries have a tenancy to leak, causing more damage to everything under it.

 

The CD player can usually be fixed with a software upgrade done by the dealer. If yours stops working and you pull the fuse for a minute and put the fuse back in and then the CD player starts working then it is likely a software problem. If it still does not work after that then it is probably a problem with the actual CD player.

 

The parking brake does not hold on some models.

 

Encoder sensors for the Automatic Transfer Case go bad frequently. Make sure yours works in all ranges and no "Service 4WD" indicator comes on.

 

The Recirculation door in the HVAC unit stops working, causing you to have fresh air only. With the A/C on and the blower on high you should be able to hear a definite difference in air flow when you press the "RECIRC" button. If not then you probably have a bad recirc door motor. There are also sofware updates for the HVAC module that can remedy this problem.

 

 

Not sure about anything specific to the Avalanche itself, but as far as the drive train:

 

- The engine is nearly bullet-proof mechanically. Just make sure nothing is leaking as GM tends to have leaky seals.

- Make sure the tranny shifts good. Some have issues with the transmissions going.

- There's a lot of talk about steering shaft noise, but I don't have that problem yet and from what I understand it is just an annoyance.

- The CD players tend to die after a few years.

 

I'm sure I've missed things, but I think these are the major ones.

 

Good luck and enjoy the truck.

 

Chris

 

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[jimmypsp700]

thanks for all the help and advise guys.

 

sorry about the delayed reply, i was away for the holiday, up north hunting.

[Dana_15]

Nice truck, good luck and welcome!

[TheClassic]

Armor-All will be your best friend on all the plastic trim in your bed. All that plastic loses it's finish, and fades in the sun rather quickly. Armor-All will help keep everything moist and dark.