This topic is not meant to offend Z71 owners.

How many people have seen ads for trucks for sale and the main selling point of the truck is that it has the Z71 option? Since the early 90s the only added content is the gas shocks, snow plow (HD) torsion bars & skid plates. The HD torsion bars & skid plates are available as separate options. When we started building the GMT400s in late '86, the option included the 265 tires & aluminum rims.

If I was looking at 2 similiar trucks & one was a 4x4 & the other had the Z71 option, the seller better have a good price, because an outlandish price won't make a deal. I can put gas shocks in & the skidplates on myself.

Just go to your local dealer and buy the decals,no one will know *http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I don't even have to do that, I can get them here at the plant http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

It's the torsion bars that really make the Z71's so abusable. And oncw you throw in the gas Bilstiens you have a great off-road truck for the average person. Those HD torsion bars make an incredible difference when you pound it off-road and are bouncing around. LOTs of people are starting to run Bilstiens on there 4x4's *now. they are expensive but well worth the money. And then with the skid plates it's worth an extra $300-700 on the used market. I don't know what it cost as a new truck option but it's a nice option for the hard charging hunter or mild off-roader that doesn't need alot of extra ground clearance.
Caleb

It really depends on what you are gonna do with it, if you are gonna drive it on the road and tow a 2000 lb trailer with it all the time, I would not get the Z71......if you are off roading every weekend or tow 4000+ lbs with 500-1000 lbs of stuff in the bed then it may be worth it. The lighter suspension rides much better in normal use, so if 99% of your driving is "normal conditions" (paved roads) dont get the Z71, you will be happier with the more carlike ride.

I saw the newer design Z71 emblems on the 99 Tahoes,so I bought some for my 'Burb *http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I'll check when I get back to work if there is a difference with the rear springs.

My '94 was a Z71 & I added 2 leaves on each side. Before this dropping my sled in it would set down the rear. IMO this was unaccetable. I guess 1500s aren't meant to carry anything *http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I have a 00 z71 and I do agree for the average person I wouldn't suggest it. *When you are on a highway with a slight ripple to it I feel it in my pickup and my dads ford fx4 offroad. *But my brothers standard ford f150 and anyother vehicle rides just fine over it. *I was wondering revrnd if another difference between a z71 and a standard is the 265 instead of 245 tires. *Overall I would definetly agree with you that its not worth any more money than a standard.

revrnd, as I have seen in past posts, you seem to pick on GM just alittle bit.Most of us know you work at the plant. Any hard feelings about something? *LOL

when i got the 2000 GMC with the Z71 package it included of course the 46mm shocks, skid plates, high volume air box and air cleaner, the option only cost me 165 bucks and it still rides better than most 4x4 trucks out there

most of you need to quit crying if you buy a truck to ride like a car just get the darn car

i'll bet these are the same people that complain because their new truck doesn't get as good of milage as their 83 civic

ZR580RULE.

I see your point about getting a car if you want your truck to handle like one. *But I get car like handling from my 2002 Dodge Ram. Even though i dont really care how my trucks handle it is very cool to have a truck go through a corner flat with no body lean. *It makes driving more fun and safe. *

My opinion after owning this truck is if manufactors are trying to get trucks handling like cars. *All the power to them.

As for the Z71 package. *I dont think its underrated. *It may not be a lot of add ons but what they do add on certinly changes the feel and attitude of the truck. *What do you guys want?

Besides the mechanicals, doesn't the Z71 package usually come with a body color keyed grille, fog-lights, extended fender wells and other styling differences than the regular truck? I just think that the new 2002-2003 Chevy Subruban Z71 looks pretty cool and more sporty than the regular Suburban. I have to look up the price difference at www.gmbuypower.com. Revrnd which plant do you work at?

no complaints on mileage here I get 22-23 mpg on the highway empty with my '02 2500 ram, of course its a diesel.machzzzzz1 do you have the 02 1500 ram?towed the race car with my buddys 02 360 half ton ,I dont think it was to bad but its no cummins.the half ton trucks by most now ride like cars because thats what the public is asking for,this is why all the big 3 will have dedicated heavy duty lines now.

Yeah is a 02 1500 360. *

Your right its no cummins. *But its great for pulling the sled around. *And its pretty quick around town. *

My next truck will be the 5.7Hemi 345hp. *I would get the desiel but i drive to many short distances. *I had a 99 Ram Sport with a 6 speed cummins. *It was awsome but In the winter there was hardly any heat and it took for ever to warm up. *Not good when your only going 2 km. *

I dont really think the HD lineup of trucks from GM is anything special. *A 2500HD truck is the same as a regular dodge ram 2500. *I even think the suspention is stiffer on the ram. Plus the ram has an axle.

Mcali17: I work in the Oshawa Truck Plant.

I guess my main problem with GM's truck design & marketing is that the people in charge of these areas would appear to not know or care what buyers want.

If truck buyers want low entry height, why do the Rams & Super Dutys sell so well?

My father had a '75 & a '79 GMC pickups before I bought my '82. Back then people who bought trucks were looked down at as a lower form of life. Now everyone & their uncle is buying a truck & they want all these creature comforts & options. The biggest thing in the majority of these pavement offroaders will be a TV set.

Like a previous post said, the ground clearance on the GM HD pickups sucks. So rather than design a real offroad package like the Highrider or ZR2 for the full size, they come up with the AWD SS truck http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleepy.gif

My brother, dad, and I all drive as we call them pickups cause there not really trucks but thats a local thing i think. *Anyway we live on a farm and we drive them because for one its the only way to get out of the yard in the winter and we haul all sorts of stuff that half tons probably should be hauling. *In our opinions if were going to pay this much for a vehicle and were driving it all the time not just as our work vehicle its nice if it rides good on the highway to. *Dad and I have offroads and my brother has a standard package his will pull and haul just as much but rides much better on the highway. *I guess I would have to agree with revrnd and say a z71 or in my opinion a FX4 ford package arent' worth it.

I guess the main reason for me starting this topic is when people sell a Z71 pickup they figure they've got a '69 Z28 that the numbers all match. I have no figures, but the vast majority of the 4WD extended cabs we build are Z71s.

rev, You mean a Zed71 don't you ? LOL

revrnd I know exactly what you're talking about with trucks being glorified cars. I'm a GM guy to the core and work on them for a living, but it hurts to see the beancounters at corporate do stupid things. A prime example would be the locating of the EVAP vent valve on the frame rail. Out here the failures of these valves are epidemic because they fill up with gravel dust from the roads in this part of the country. It's pretty sad when a person spends $30,000 on a "truck" and can't drive it on gravel road without causing problems. http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/nervous.gif

The front bumpers on the '03 GMCs are mostly a plastic cover. I wonder how they'll stand up in a constuction company setting?

Remember when the interior trim pieces were attached with screws? Well someone got the idea that exposed screws meant poor quality. Now everything is clipped together with "Christmas tree" fasteners. When you pry the parts off the parts get mangled & you have to replace them.

How about this scenario. A customer just has to have a Z71 package, the time comes to replace the shocks and they only want the cheapest ones you can find. Talk about defeating the purpose, just buy the decals if you only want the look.

I cross my fingers everytime I have to remove clipped in plastic trim for fear of breakage. http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

revrnd, anything else I should know about the 03's before they get here? http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/exclamation.gif

I'm getting ready to by an '02 GMC Z-71, not just because it says Z-71 on the side but rather the other options it just happens to have, 5.3L engine, towing package, ect. all I tow is my aluminum 2 place trailer, any opinions on the truck or other worth while options ? the $590.00 off road package it has comes with $500.00 off the price so I get all the Z-71 stuff plus aluminum wheels with bigger tires and fog lights for $90.00, and to top it off a $2500.00 rebate or 0 % financing, anybody want to buy a '93 Ford ?

Bartman, despite my complaining, that is a nice truck as long as it doesn't spend most of it's lifetime in rough conditions. It's more than enough to pull a 2-place trailer any where you want to go. Stay away from remote starters because they tend to cause more problems than they're worth. Use the tow/haul mode whenever you're trailering. There are still some issues with piston slap after a cold start up, but it DOES NOT affect the longevity of the engine. http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/exclamation.gif

doopilot, supposedly they are going to a "buss" type wiring system, not as many connections. I don't really know. I'm more involved with the body shop looking after the spot welding guns. If I hear of anything, I'll post it.

No changes motor-wise in '03. In '04, the blocks in the LS1 motors will be aluminum rather than cast iron. And the Displacement on Demand feature will be intro'd. No word on which displacement will be stuck with this screwup. *

For truck info, my brother says the GM forum on www.pickuptruck.com has a lot of info.

Oh Joy, the Cadillac V8-6-4 is back from the grave. http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif *http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif *http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

doopilot, thanks for the info but can you tell me more about the remote starter issue ? I have always had them and would hate to lose that option.

Bartman, the Pass-Lock theft deterrant system has a definite intolerance for remote starters. This system has been in use since about 1997. The remote starters tend to cause trouble codes in the different computer systems on the vehicle. Most problems are due to poor installation or calibration to the vehicle. When your paid $6/hr. at these installation places, how much motivation is there to do the job right. Also, the warranty doesn't cover problems caused by aftermarket accessories. If you have to have one, make sure you find a reputable installer that will back up their work. I would guess in our area, 25-50% of the remote starters installed on newer GM vehicles have caused at least one problem on those vehicles. To me, that's an unacceptable failure rate.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (revrnd @ July 16, 2002, 8:29pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The front bumpers on the &#39;03 GMCs are mostly a plastic cover. I wonder how they&#39;ll stand up in a constuction company setting?

Remember when the interior trim pieces were attached with screws? Well someone got the idea that exposed screws meant poor quality. Now everything is clipped together with "Christmas tree" fasteners. When you pry the parts off the parts get mangled & you have to replace them.[/b][/quote]
Screws, what a concept. *A vehicle that doesn&#39;t rattle like a 20 year old beat up POS. * http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

As for taking apart a snap together dashboard (yes, my truck has one as well), the name of the game is patience. *I&#39;ve had mine apart twice to install an aftermarket stereo, and to install switches for my driving and fog lights. *My truck will be turning 90k miles in the next couple of weeks, and still no creaks, squeaks, rattles, or other signs of loosening up. *http://www.snowmobileworld-s2.com/forums/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I don&#39;t think I would worry to much about the remote starter. *I have had mine since christmas. *I got it as a gift and installed it myself. *I&#39;m pretty handy with electronics but have never installed one before. *I got a little box that you setup to equal the correct resistance to bypass the passlock system. *Then I just took my time and made sure all my connections are secure and haven&#39;t had any trouble. *I agree I would make its a reputable dealer installing it but i wouldn&#39;t get scared out of not installing one.

I don&#39;t have a clue what has been said before me because I came here to throwin my 2cents about the Z71. *In my opinion it is just an image enhancing opinion (like most are). *Hey look he has a Z71. *See. *But if I was to by a half ton GM truck I would mostcertainly get a Z71. *My truck is a full ton Chevy because that is what I need on the farm.