A few questions about 1997-1998 Silverado X-cab

nx02nx02 · November 30, 2006

Hi there. I have a couple questions about the 1997-1998 1500 Silverado Extended Cab shortbed Z-71.

I am thinking of buying one of these trucks and It seems to me that some of them look quite a bit different than others of the same configuration.

Do some of these have a stock 2" lift on them? Or is it a lift that the dealer put on upon request?

Some of them are lifted and some arent. But they seem stock. I am curious if this is a factory lift or?

For example take a look at this truck.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...=1&cardist=1229

and maybe this one.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...ce=&cardist=984

To me they look higher than some of the other 1997-1998 trucks of the exact same configuration.

So I was just wondering if some of these came with a stock lift?

If they did which ones came with the lift and what kind of lift is it?

You can look at alot of 1997-1998 silverados and they are not as high as some of the other ones and they look alot different.

Also I have one more question.

In the 1997-1998 Silverados did GM make 2 different colors of black?

It almost seems like some of the trucks are a different shade of black?

I ask these questions because I want a truck like the ones in the links I gave and I am just trying to figure out exactly what configuration it was.

Thanks for the help.

GMSea97 · November 30, 2006

You may want to read the rpo codes to find out what is different. Me and my uncle have the exact same 97' z71 but mine is like 2-3 inches higher, plus a few less noticable things. The only difference is I have the f44 package (heavy duty chassis). A quick reference is to look at the rear differential. A standard half ton has a ten bolt rear, the F44 package gives the truck a 14 bolt. I assume the heavier suspension lifts the truck a bit.

mcreyaufmiller · December 2, 2006

There is a HD suspension and a regular suspension. there is also a 4x4 package and a Z71 package. These all have different set-ups. You have to be careful there were a lot of people that took a regular 4x4 and put the Z71 stickers on the side to get a better trade value.

nx02nx02 · December 3, 2006

Ok I am really curious about the black silverados. Howcome some of them look so much better then other black ones? Are there different stock blacks? I have asked a few people and they dont know.

Referring to the 1997-1998 Silverado X-cab's. How many different shades of black did these trucks come in? When you look at some of the black ones then look at some others some of them look 100x better than the other black ones.

Is it a different shade of black?

To tell the truth it's been a while since I seen one in person, I am going by what I remember and what pictures I see on the internet.

I wish I could go look at a couple side by side in person but their kind of hard to find.

I sure appreciate the replys. Thanks guys.

GMSea97 · December 3, 2006

as far as I know it only came in one shade of black. It really depends on how well the paint was maintained. A truck that has spent most of its life outside and unwaxed is going to get almost a washed brownish tint, where as if one was waxed regularly and garaged it is going to stay a rich deep black. Another point is possible, a different paint mix per plant, so if the two trucks came from different plants maybe the tint will be slightly different.

mcreyaufmiller · December 4, 2006

The paint, although the same color code, can have many different variants. If you go to a body shop and look at the color books, one code can have up to 5 dirrerent variations on color and still be the same color name and code. Some of the books look like war and peace.

srlbotanical · December 4, 2006

Both of the auto-trader trucks that you linked to look totally stock to me.

It is very common to find a truck that has had the torsion bars cranked a little. This can raise the front end an inch or two.

If you find a F44 truck, they tend to sit a touch taller, but again, it can be hard to tell them apart unless you count the bolts on the rear pumpkin (as mentioned above).

The 97-98 Z71 package was only skid-plates, gas shocks and a bigger air filter, so that shouldn't make any difference.

I looked a long time for my truck when I bought it two years ago. Good clean OBS trucks are still out there, but you have to be careful. a ten year old truck can hide some skeletons.

Good Luck

moman · April 26, 2007

I looked a long time for my truck when I bought it two years ago. Good clean OBS trucks are still out there, but you have to be careful. a ten year old truck can hide some skeletons.

Good Luck

I also looked a long time for my truck. I don't like the 99-02 style, and anything newer was too expensive, so a 97-98 made perfect sense. I drove 5-6 trucks and looked at 15-20. The requirements were something under $9k, 97 or 98 4x4 with 350, (wanted dual air bags), and good condition.

Took me two years to find one to my liking. Most of the ones I looked at had 100k-120k, and I ALMOST bought a 98 with 142k for $7700 in fall 2005. Some of the ones I drove were trashed on the interior but all drove well and were strong. Some looked abused, none looked pampered. I also bid on a 98 4x4 on ebay for 7500, it only had 58k miles, but the dealership thought that was too low, and I wasn't willing to pay more since I couldn't see it in person.

I had given up on finding one that met the specs and planned on biting the bullet and getting an 06 new. Left the dealer and on the way home I saw a nice looking truck in someone's driveway for sale. It was a 97 Z71 with everything I wanted (except leather), 69k miles, and the guy wanted $10k. Thinking it was a little high and he seemed desperate, I went to the bank and got $8k and upon seeing that cash, we had a deal.

The only difference between the 97 and 98 is the 98 has second-gen airbags and electronic 4x4 acutator. Everything else is the same, and I highly recommend either year. Good luck finding one that is just to your liking - I'm sure it's out there if you keep looking.

98Z71Slvrdo · May 1, 2007

i've noticed that my truck sits a little bit lower than my buddy's 97 Z71 Ext Cab Long bed. Especially the bed. I asked around and it was common that 1.) torsion bars cranked about an inch or so 2.) the rear leaf springs were set hard for towing and hauling? i've heard this only from one person and was wondering if thats even possible. To set the rear leaf springs up so that it would sit higher and slightly raked?

happypuppy · May 16, 2007

Hey i bought a 1995 z71, or so i beleive is there anyway to find out whether or not it is a real z71? THANKS!

There is a HD suspension and a regular suspension. there is also a 4x4 package and a Z71 package. These all have different set-ups. You have to be careful there were a lot of people that took a regular 4x4 and put the Z71 stickers on the side to get a better trade value.

mcreyaufmiller · May 17, 2007

If you take the VIN to a dealer, they can run it and tell you all of the factory features added to the truck. There may also be some web sites to do this, but I do not know them. Normally the parts department is able to to the cypher for you.