Chevy Avalanche Opinions

Hey double trouble, the idea of an open cab in this area just won't fly. Heck, it is the coldest day of the year so far, almost done with November, and I'm STILL getting mesquito bites!!!!!!

The thing that inflames me about the Avalanche isn't really the truck itself, rather that the GM trucks have been the best things coming from GM for years and they had to go and mess it up with all the overstyling and plastic. I rent alot of cars because of business and personal travel and the GM cars never fail to dissapoint. That Olds Alero is the biggest POS since the Chevette. Its funky door lock setup caused me to get impailed by the door in the throat a few years ago. The exception to my GM feelings (other than the trucks) is Buick. They seem to have their act together in that division.

You'd think as a carmaker they could get away from the poor chassis (torque steer), growly motors (anyone ever drive the original quad 4s?) and interiors that appear to be designed by multiple people who seem to have never met, let alone collaborated on the project. I rented the "new" malibu back in '99 for example. You could not shift the thing out of park into drive without banging your funnybone on the overly high armrest unless you lifted your arm up at an acute angle. The torque steer was so bad that when pulling away from a light to make a left turn I gave its overly sensitive throttle too much pressure and it pulled the steering wheel out of my hand, shooting me over 3/4ths of a lane to the right immediately. I almost got hit by a car approaching in the next lane from behind.

They build a darned good truck and have for years. The Avalanche looks to me like the guys at Pontiac got involved in the project. I first got a good look at the thing up at Pike's Peak raceway during the AMA Superbike races. I thought it was a concept truck or something, you know like the one with the dimples in the rear gate for bike tires. When I saw one on the street I thought "you've got to be kidding". It just dissapoints me that GM allowed this to happen to what I consider the bright spot in their product line.

But hey, some people like chocolate and others vanilla. The Avalanche will make somebody happy I'm sure. Enough ranting on my part. GM builds a good truck and I find the Avalanche a questionable move on their part. Also doubt it wil do anything to help boost GM's stock price. Can you say big rebates????

Well I just traded my Silverado in on one. Used it as a race hauler over the weekend too. 8' of enclosed (and secure) storage worked well. I also could drop the tail gate on the tongue jack crank without worrying about scratching or denting the metal. Feel free to rip all you want, I like it, and when your Ford starts puking red fluid, and you stop moving forward, I've got enough towing capacity to yank you back to your mechanic( and you to your therapist Tex:D )

Thanks Kevin - you must be referring to my physical therapist for the bum elbow ;).

Ah, the truth finally comes out - "I own one therefore it is good". Got it. Hope it serves you well, Kevin. Maybe you can get some of those spiked wheelcovers like Mel Gibson had in Road Warrior, plus a sawed off double barrel shotgun in a belt holster.

Do that, and I'll have to agree both you AND your ride are cool.

Screw the wheel covers, I'll take the supercharger

You guys crack me up!

Aloooha!:)
TrailTramp

Originally posted by ToddHawaii
You guys crack me up!

Aloooha!:)
TrailTramp

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Always aim to please, Todd! That's the problem with the Internet - you can't see my tonque permanently planted in my cheek.

theres no doubt in my mind that the 2500 avalanche isnt a heavy duty.
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-> But my questions remains, "Why the heck do you need a Heavy Duty framed SUV/truck"
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I dont expect to see people on the lot asking about the 2500 avalanche as if they were picturing a loader bucket of small rocks being dumped into the rear of it...?
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:think
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What a topic....
..... Good pick up on the lugs , that is correct, my buddy has the 2500 HD and has the 8 lugs.

Looked at the Ava--- was happy I bought the 1500HD four door. Pleanty of room and a short bed to ride the bikes. 6.0 liter with flow master and K&N air filter gives me the Hp's I need. Even put a DVD player and screen for the kids. All go no show. Got what I paid for! Go for thr 8.1 liter!!!:D

Wow, lot's of ink on this one. My last 3 trucks have been a 96 1/2ton 4x4 Chevy LS burb w/350, a 99 3/4ton 4x4 GMC SLT burb w/454 and an 01 Chevy LT Crew Cab Shortbox HD2500 4x4 duramax diesel/allison 5 speed auto.

The difference in the burb's seemed to be just springs and axles. The front wheel spacing was wider on the 3/4 ton and it sat a bit higher. I have no idea if the frame was different as I never looked that close. I wanted the 454 and the incresed towing capacity so I went to the 3/4ton. Both rode very, very well unloaded. The 3/4ton rode better loaded as it was more stable.

The HD has been awesome but it's obviously worlds different than a burb. Stiffer ride but not bad after swapping the junk firestones out for some Goodyear GSA's. A bit longer and fair amount taller. I'm still getting used to owning a diesel but no big deal so far. Way quieter and more powerful than the PSD in the Ford we test drove. I liked the Ford a lot but it was no contest when it came down to power and quietness.

I went to the diesel for mileage and torque and have not been disappointed. Pulls markedly easier than the 454 did.Towing mileage on the interstate at about 10 over almost all the time has jumped from about 7mpg with the 454 to 12.1-13mpg. All around town and pheasant hunting mileage is 17+mpg compared to 10 with the 454. I haven't done any unloaded hiway driving with it since it was new in August but I expect it to be just over 20 compared to the 454's best ever of 13.

All of the listed vehicles have been very reliable. No major problems with any of them. I looked at the Avalanche but the lack of the diesel option and the too short bed made it a short look, pun intended. :) I liked the interior options, though.

There are so many great choices out there right now for full and midsize pickups and SUV/SUT's. It's fun to be a consumer! ;)

Jeb... I have to say I envy your latest truck, the '01 2500 HD crew cab with diesel and ally tranny... That is a sweet, sweet set up...
Thanks for the updates on the mileage. My buddy got the 2500 HD ext cab and he thinks he is averaging about 13 mpg...Its good to hear, since I havent seen it printed on the window sticker.
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Does anyone think that there is a chance that chevy might produce the FOX concept truck..?
If not from factory, it would be cool if the dealers offered a "conversion" package, like they do for vans... so that you could advise them to "send it out" and they would make some changes on the truck for you...ie. the slotted wheel tailgate, toolbox bed, access door between bed wheel well and cab, and the load up ramps that slide up underneath the bed...
just my thought...

Jeb - Totally envious! That is exactly what my wife and I are trying for next. Thanks for the info.

Aloooooooha!:)
TrailTramp

zcookie and todd, I've been very happy with the truck so far, especially since it's living up to my mileage expectations. None of the 3/4 tons I've bought have any window sticker mileage claims. I think 3/4 tons and above are exempt from that requirement. This motor really goes, too. The redline is only 3250 so it really rips quickly through the 5 gears. Fun to watch the tach bounce! This is also my first turbo and I've fallen in love with the very subtle whistle.

My buddy just got an 02 GMC 1500 very much like mine. He says it's an HD1500. I thought the HD's were only in the 2500 but apparently not. He's got the 6.1 (?) gasser and is not doing as well on mpg as I am. Still, a very nice truck.

It'd be pretty hard to convert a pickup to all the things that Fox truck has. Maybe the tailgate. You'd have to replace the entire box I'd guess to get the rest of the goodies. Cool truck, though.

I'm surprised nobody has manufactured an aftermarket slotted tailgate that we could go out and buy (for the people with the 6foot beds)...
unless they have a patent on it or something.. that would be a pretty good idea

Originally posted by zcookie49
I'm surprised nobody has manufactured an aftermarket slotted tailgate that we could go out and buy (for the people with the 6foot beds)...
unless they have a patent on it or something.. that would be a pretty good idea

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What they should do is, make the beds 4 inches longer.

Originally posted by Offroadr


Jeb, I have a 1500HD as well, it is built on the same chassis, rear suspension, axles, transfer case, etc. The 2500 has different front suspension and sits 2" higher to make room for the Allison tranny. Its more like the 2500HD than a std 1500.

The 1500HD is only available with the 6.0l but unlike the 2500HD you can get 3.73 gears. I am getting ~15 mpg and I DONT drive for economy :D

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Thanks offroadr for the information. One correction, though. The HD2500 duramax/allison is ONLY available with 3.73. I also ordered out my 99 K2500 burb with 3.73's. Cut 2000#'s off the towing limit, though.

Just wanted to point out that on chevy's Avalanche site the "360 Degree Exterior View" shows them putting 2 dirt bikes (computer generated) in the back. Looks like we may have been one of the target groups for this truck.