Sierra Noob, A Few Questions!

ryanthewalker · March 27, 2008

Hey everyone, how's it going?

Well, my grandfather passed and he left me his Sierra 4x4. I don't know what year is it, but I think it's an '01 or '03. (I know for sure it's in the '00-'04 range. It has the 4 doors, the rear two open from the inside. (That might help identify the year.)

It only has 18,xxx miles on the odo.

I will be flying up to get it and picking up a dirtbike at the same time. He has a toolbox in the back, and I was wondering how easily the dirtbike will fit in the bed.

Will the front wheel of the bike have to be up on the tool box?

Will one dirt bike fit in if I angle it and close the tailgate?

Will I be able to fit two dirtbikes and a youth dirtbike if I arrange them all that way (up on the toolbox)?

What is the bed layout as far as using straps for the bikes is concerned. (I've searched for pictures, but can't find anything that will give me an idea of where any hookups/rings/etc are for the straps.)

Thank you all for your help, I really appreciate it.

Vehicles I own or have owned in the past:

'84 F-250

'95 Nissan 4x4 XE

'99 Jetta Wolfsburgh

'91 Honda Accord

'99 Honda CR-V

Ryan

Edit: My stepfather has a '99 short bed standard cab with 42,xxx miles on it. I love that truck!

onac255 · March 27, 2008

Hi sorry to hear about your grandfather. I also have a dirtbike and If I put it in diagonally it fits with the tailgate closed however I do not have a tool box, since you have a toolbox I do not believe you will be able to do the same. If you do put the front wheel on the toolbox then you should be able to close the tailgate.

I also forgot to ask whether you have a long bed or a regular bed?

ryanthewalker · March 27, 2008

Hi sorry to hear about your grandfather. I also have a dirtbike and If I put it in diagonally it fits with the tailgate closed however I do not have a tool box, since you have a toolbox I do not believe you will be able to do the same. If you do put the front wheel on the toolbox then you should be able to close the tailgate.

I also forgot to ask whether you have a long bed or a regular bed?

Hey, thanks for the reply. Nice truck you have!

I believe it is a regular bed. Not 100% sure though.

Ryan

strafingmoose · March 27, 2008

Hi sorry to hear about your grandfather. I also have a dirtbike and If I put it in diagonally it fits with the tailgate closed however I do not have a tool box, since you have a toolbox I do not believe you will be able to do the same. If you do put the front wheel on the toolbox then you should be able to close the tailgate.

I also forgot to ask whether you have a long bed or a regular bed?

Hey, thanks for the reply. Nice truck you have!

I believe it is a regular bed. Not 100% sure though.

Ryan

Then you have a 6.5 foot long bed. And sorry for your lost.

Rado10VicRed · March 27, 2008

sorry to hear about your loss, but if you take the tool box out you can fit 2 dirt bikes in back and possibly a youth size, I've done 2 dirtbikes before in my old truck(94 silverado) and my friends (02 seirra). Now if you keep the toolbox in there then that is a different story, i dont know how you would secure the wheel on top of the toolbox. Tie downs are located at the four top corners of the bed, and possibly on the floor of the bed itself, i really dont remember. I hope this helps, and good luck!

onac255 · March 27, 2008

Yeah If I were you Ryan I would take the tool box off and put it next to the bike lengthwise for the trip back home. I think it should work out.

ryanthewalker · March 28, 2008

Thank for all of your help guys, I really do appreciate it! I didn't even think about taking the box out and turning it sideways...that would work great. (Maybe I should consider whether or not I'm cut out to be an engineer! )

Ryan

Lincoln30 · March 28, 2008

Sorry for your loss. Your bed will have four tie downs in each lower corner and 4 stake pockets on the bedrails (assuming no aftermarket parts have been added to block the stake holes).

ryanthewalker · April 17, 2008

Well, I have returned with the beautiful truck. After arriving back in Colorado it has 19,1xx miles on the odo. This truck is amazing. 5.3l v8, z71, 4 door, leather, heated/power seats, xm, heated rear window. I don't know what separates this from a Denali other than badging and color matching handles/side view mirrors. It's the ideal "grandpa has to have all of the accessories" set-up. A little over $36k off the lot according to the window sticker. The tool box in back is designed for fitting in the bed with a 5th wheel attached, so it's sunken/sloped and allows access to the cargo hooks in the bed. Spray on bed liner, tow package. Wow. I can't believe how amazing this truck it. We averaged About 16 mpg coming back from Washington with two dirtbikes. I am going to clean it up real well, give it a wax, and let the dry air from the Rockies take away some of the Northwet greenery living in the crevices. It won't be a daily driver, but it will serve it's purpose well. I am now one of the only guys in our group with a truck, and am loaning it out already. I will snap pictures later today and post them asap.

Now a few questions: What should I look out for with this truck? My grandpa has had all recalls/bulletins done as far as I know...I have the complete service history. Any suggestions to get the most out of this truck? Thanks everyone!

Ryan

Darkanion · April 17, 2008

Any suggestions to get the most out of this truck?

My first suggestion would be..... Don't loan it out. You don't know how people are treating something that doesn't belong to them when you're not there... Make sure all hte servicing has been done, do regular oil changes, lubes, and maintenance.. and drive 'er.