New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) *UPDATE* New Boots

Topic: New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) *UPDATE* New Boots (Read 3493 times) previous topic - next topic

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

June 15, 2013, 02:57:19 PM

Yeah, I did it... I bought a Chevy. Sold the Dakota a few weeks ago because the V6 was just too much of a slug with the 32" tires that were on it, and the lack of opening rear doors was going to become a problem as my puppy grows (she's half shepherd, half cane corso, I'm expecting her to approach 100 pounds). A v8 four-door 97-04 Dakota would have been nice except for that five foot box required with a four door. Newer Dakotas are not an option (I hate them), and Rangers and Colorado/Canyon are too small (and the Chev twins are probably the worst trucks on the road). I wouldn't consider an older Ford because I don't want spark plugs blowing out, and newer trucks in general are off the table because of the cost. Dodge trucks are off the table as well (I love the Hemi, hate everything else about them). This pretty much leaves me with GM. An extended cab with 6.5 foot box would fit the bill nicely, so I began the search.

Then we had this beauty traded in. It's a 2004 Avalanche. I've always thought the Chev Avalanche was a great idea: Full-size rear seats and doors, but fold that magic wall down and you've got an eight foot box. Dead-nuts reliable LS (5.3) power, fully loaded with heated leather, and absolutely rust free thanks to years of undercoating. It's only got 85k miles on it, and drives like a new truck. Two sets of wheels (stock 17" GM alloys plus a set of 16" American Racing rims). The only downside is the body lift. I hate body lifts, especially on Chev trucks because they show so much frame. However, I got a great deal on it ($7500, including a two-year powertrain, electronics, and steering/suspension warranty) so I can live with the body lift.

So without further ado, here is my new truck:

First plan is to get some new aftermarket wheels and 33" tires. Gonna sell the set of American Racing wheels to help pay. Also gonna install some aftermarket headlights similar to the ones in the 300. And I've got to raise the running boards to try to hide some of that frame...

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #1 – June 15, 2013, 03:51:38 PM

cool I like my 01 1500

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #2 – June 15, 2013, 04:02:02 PM

I like the looks of the Avalanches except for the gray plastic cladding that some of them came out with. Yours looks good, you'll have to post some shots after the new treads are on too :)

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #3 – June 15, 2013, 05:32:58 PM

Nice Truck! Those models must have sold well, as they are everywhere here. I still work on them constantly at the shop. Would have went for the '04-'05 dually Silverado personally, if I was in the market, but I do see the appeal of the Avalanche.

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #4 – June 15, 2013, 06:15:31 PM

LSX 5.3 is a great engine...I got 2001 Silverado 1500 ECSB...loaded like your Avalanche....203k on it...only uses a bit of oil... Great truck.

Travis

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #5 – June 15, 2013, 06:58:22 PM

Already did my first "mod": I raised the running boards a couple of inches on each side. These running boards mount to the body mounts. Whoever installed the body lift left them in their stock location relative to the frame, so they were several inches below the rocker panels and it looked funny. I'd normally remove them entirely as I view running boards as something to tear off while mudding, but in this case I'm keeping them because they help hide the frame from view... at least they do now that I raised 'em. I'd have raised them even further but they're as high as they can go at the front mounts:

Before:

After:

Note that stuff you see all over the doors and rocker panels is not rust, it's undercoating. Gotta wash it off... eventually...

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #6 – June 19, 2013, 06:18:08 PM

Got the new boots on today. Cheapo Chinese 18X9.5's with 275/70R18 BFG Rugged Trail T/A tires. They work out to be a 34.5" tire, as measured by our shop's road-force balancer. Sorry for the poor lighting, the sun was at my back and half the truck was shaded by trees, making for dark photos.

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #7 – June 19, 2013, 07:05:00 PM

looks good

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #8 – June 19, 2013, 07:24:22 PM

oh yeah!

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #9 – June 19, 2013, 09:06:30 PM

Thunder you have came over to the dark side. Or should i say my side of thinking. Technically the engine is an LS motor with an IRON BLOCK but the correct designation is an LM7. Only all aluminum engines are considered LS. Even though it is a technicality the basic iron block and will except all LS parts other than the fact that the block is iron and an LM designation. Beautiful truck. Congrats I love that truck.

Chevy threw a few curves at the truck engines

4.8 mostly in the SSR

LM 7 came in most trucks in the 5.3 variety iron block

And just for fun they threw in a LH5 And LY5

You need a sharp eye and know chevys to tell them apart. Once again good luck with your new TOY!! I love the AVALANCHE it is a great truck!!

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #10 – June 19, 2013, 09:50:44 PM

I think one of those would look pretty slick with 35" tires, and a suspension lift.

Don't worry Tom, I ain't joinin' the Dark Side ;P

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #11 – June 19, 2013, 10:17:17 PM

Come over to the dark side 302 you will like it. The LS force is with YOU!!!! You can't hold out FOREVER!!!! It is your DESTINY !!!!

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #12 – June 20, 2013, 10:41:23 AM

Quote from: TOM Renzo;417337

Come over to the dark side 302 you will like it. The LS force is with YOU!!!! You can't hold out FOREVER!!!! It is your DESTINY !!!!

Darth Renzo

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #13 – June 20, 2013, 11:31:59 AM

Quote from: TOM Renzo;417335

Thunder you have came over to the dark side. Or should i say my side of thinking. Technically the engine is an LS motor with an IRON BLOCK but the correct designation is an LM7. Only all aluminum engines are considered LS. Even though it is a technicality the basic iron block and will except all LS parts other than the fact that the block is iron and an LM designation. Beautiful truck. Congrats I love that truck.

Chevy threw a few curves at the truck engines

4.8 mostly in the SSR

LM 7 came in most trucks in the 5.3 variety iron block

And just for fun they threw in a LH5 And LY5

You need a sharp eye and know chevys to tell them apart. Once again good luck with your new TOY!! I love the AVALANCHE it is a great truck!!

Actually, Tom, since you want to get picky, the only engines that are actually LS engines are the ones with LS in their RPO code, such as the LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6, etc. All others, iron or aluminum, are just called "Gen 3" or "Gen 4" small blocks, but since everyone on Earth calls all Gen3 and up small blocks LS engines I thought I'd follow convention. Similarly, when I do the 5.3-into-Jeep-XJ swap that I've been dreaming about lately I will call it an LS swap, just like everyone else does.

This also isn't my first GM. I've owned two 2nd gen Firebirds (78 T/A and 80 Formula), a 78 Skylark, an '83 Chev C10 shorty 2wd (305, 3-on-the-tree), three Saturns, a Passprt Optima (Canadian version of the Pontiac Lemans), and an S10 4x4. I truly have no automotive loyalty except for Fox Birds and Cats. I've owned Nissans, Toyotas, Hyundais, Fords, Toyotas, Volvos, Chryslers, Jeeps, and of course Fords... Just about everything except Honda, and its not because I hate Hondas, I just won't pay what fools think they're worth.

I bought a GM truck not because I wanted to join the dark side, but because for 1997-2010 GM trucks are the only ones I'd consider owning, for the reasons I mentioned in my first post. I don't think they're perfect, they're just s little less trouble pr0ne than older Firds and Dodges.

New truck (CAUTION: CONTAINS BOWTIE) UPDATE New Boots

Reply #14 – June 22, 2013, 04:34:47 PM

Looks nice :).

Is it possible to take the body lift out since you don't like it?