Calling Avalanche owners.

[79BRUISER]

I'm thinking of buying an Avalanche. Who owns one?

What do you like/ hate about it?

I think it would make a descent tow rig for the k-5. The 3/4 version.

Any idea if chevy put a D-max in them? I searched but can't find anything about that option.

Thanks, Bruiser

 

[rx7gslse]

no D-max... It's the same chassis as the suburban..

5.3L in 1500 form, or 6.0 or 8.1L gassers in 2500s.

My father is on his 2nd one, and loves all the
misc extra storage it has. He uses it to tow a ski boat and a hot air baloon trailer.. nothing huge, but works great for that.

 

[Drey]

Kid here in mallard pulls his Stock car with at 1500 one. Seems to do alright.

 

[JEBSR]

I have an 03 Z66. It's my wifes actually. I towed my v10 on an all steel trailer from TN to Florida last July to go 4wheeling with some of the guys in Pensacola. It loaded the ass end down a little, but it has the auto load leveling suspension so within a mile or so it would level out. I ran in about 65-70 the whole way and got between 12-15 MPG depending if I was on level areas or in hills. They don't make the 2500 any more, but I have been considering getting an older 2500 for my tow rig. I want a diesel but they don't put them in the Avalanche.

Likes: covered weather resistant bed
Load leveling suspension
good power, tows great
pre wired for brake controller (all never trucks are)
shortest crew cab you can get
can haul full sheets of sheetrock or plywood and still close the tailgate
Has step bumper on the back
built in tool box and ice chest
you can pull the back window and get better air flow in the summer
due to the link suspension they ride better than the leaf sprung trucks

Dislikes: Not real crazy about the side cladding
Air bags availability for the 1500 is very limited but available
The plastic fades if you don't take care of it regularly

 

[daleearnhardt01]

My dad loves his 04 Z71 Avalanche.. Of course it doesnt have the ugly cladding and has the pickup front end as opposed to the suburban front end. Rides nice with the linked rear suspension. Has plenty of pep and he loves the storage space or the ability to be a truck.

No leaks or anything from the midgate. You need to keep the plastic bed covers well conditioned with Armadillo or Gatorback to keep them looking nice and black

 

[mogulmasher]

no D-max... It's the same chassis as the suburban..

5.3L in 1500 form, or 6.0 or 8.1L gassers in 2500s.

My father is on his 2nd one, and loves all the
misc extra storage it has. He uses it to tow a ski boat and a hot air baloon trailer.. nothing huge, but works great for that.

No 6.0...only 8.1 available on 3/4 ton verison.

I snowmobile with a buddy that has one. Thing is a great towing rig and very comfortable. If you don't have the need for a pu very often, this is the rig for you.....its kinda like owning 90% suv 10%pu.

 

[TexasBlazerBoy]

My dad loves his 04 Z71 Avalanche.. Of course it doesnt have the ugly cladding and has the pickup front end as opposed to the suburban front end. Rides nice with the linked rear suspension. Has plenty of pep and he loves the storage space or the ability to be a truck.

No leaks or anything from the midgate. You need to keep the plastic bed covers well conditioned with Armadillo or Gatorback to keep them looking nice and black

Awesome avatar

Very respectful

 

[vortec]

They don't make the 2500 any more, but I have been considering getting an older 2500 for my tow rig. I want a diesel but they don't put them in the Avalanche.

and afaik, the 8100 is gone for the entire gm line. RIP. i always thought the 6 liter was a better engine, anyway.

i haven't driven the new body style, but the old one had some unimpressive visibility out the rear and sides. that bed comes up too high and the angled plastic pieces need to go.

 

[79BRUISER]

Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming.

Too bad about the D-Max.

I can't afford a new one, maybe 2003 or 2004, definitly a 3/4 ton.

wifes keeping her eye out for a good deal on one. Her company is directly involved with 5 different Chevy dealerships. You could say She has the inside track.

I'm sure the load leveling is an option Is that what they call the air assist in the rear?

Anyone have the engine displacement shut off on thiers? How do you like it?

Thanks, Bruiser

 

[Cornfield creations]

I bought an 04 brand new, and put the k-5 up for sale. A year later I still had the k-5 and the avalanche was up for sale. Kept the blazer and sold the avalanche. I am glad it's gone. I only put 7,000 miles on it in a year, mainly because it was in the shop so much. They have major problems with the back window leaking water into the cab. The midgate not unlatching and problems with the trannys going out. At 3000 miles my info center in the dash went out. It was an awesome looking truck, mine was "naked" w/o body hardware. Just toooo many problems with them. But if you do buy a 1500, and if you are in southern Indiana, let me know. I still have my Magnaflow exhaust system off of it. Only 2,000 miles on it!