2000 Ext Cab Silverado Z71 - New to me expedition vehicle

[dy_lon]

Well there is a good chance i may be picking up a higher mileage 2000 z71 ext cab short bed truck. I currently have a 1995 chevy tahoe - see sig.

I am just mainly wondering everyones thoughts, common issues, etc. It will be mainly for light to moderate trail use ( the blue trails according to the Funtrek books).

I know IFS is an issue. I have only taken my tahoe offroad once and engaged 4wd and i blew out the retaining rings on the cv joint.

I plan to put lift leafs, blocks or shackles or some combo of those in the rear and torsion key the front. Other than that, i will just use the thing to camp in.

Maybe down the road get a roof top tent setup sto place above the bed in an elevated position so I can utilize the bed.

If and when I get it, and make substaintial expedition related upgrades, I will update this thread.

Thanks for the help, ideas and recomendations.

-Dylan

[locrwln]

How many is "higher" mileage?

There are lot of those 5.3's with 250k plus miles, still running like new.

They are good solid trucks with minimal issues.

Good luck with the truck.

Jack

[dy_lon]

How many is "higher" mileage?

There are lot of those 5.3's with 250k plus miles, still running like new.

They are good solid trucks with minimal issues.

Good luck with the truck.

Jack

212,xxx miles -- Im not worried because parts are plentiful and I enjoy the build.

I plan to run the same style front bumper as my Tahoe, a pair of Hellas or light forces in the bumper, a 1.5" body lift, 2" keys and 2" lift leafs and some new shocks.

[dy_lon]

Already completed: Good deep interior clean and exterior clean, removed step bars, chrome wheel well trim and pulled of windo visor plastic things.

Ordered: Open element air filter and tube, 1.5" body lift and front torsion keys, tow mirrors, factory style fender flares, center consle cup holder thing (missing when I bought it).

To do list: Change front and rear diff fluids, motor oil, trans and transfer case oil change, install everything, order matching front and rear bumpers, order shocks, remove some surface rust on the rocker panel at the ext cab door on driver side and a few other items that I can't think of right now.

Pics:


When it was purchased:

84943


Small updates:
84942
84940
84941



Let me know what you think!!

-Dylan

[Walker]

Looks great, I am sure you will have years of enjoyment and modifications to your trail ready Z71.

[TowPig]

Lookin good man going to turn out to be a good rig

[dy_lon]

Along with my list above, I have ordered


A Tru Cool 40k trans fluid cooler
aluminum transmission pan
Improved 4th gear servo
Custom front winch bumper
Best top Soft top black --I liked that this one has windows, the taligate window is more securely attached
Some CB stuff



My brother will drop the truck off and we will do some work on it this weekend. Lots of photos to come.

-Dylan

[chilliwak]

Looking forward to seeing the stuff on the truck Dylan!:ylsmoke: Keep us up to date with LOTS OF PICS!:)

[Mark Harley]

dy lon:
Looks good keep us posted with pictures.

I drive a 2002 GMC sierra 2500HD crew cab. 6.0 auto
Love the truck! so far it has been very reliable and cost efficient.

1 upper ball joint, outer tie rods, pulse board for the wipers and a board for the heater fan.
The usual, brakes, and rotors and a couple light bulbs.

I am impressed with the simplicity of working on this truck

[TowPig]

Post some pictures of the truck now

[dy_lon]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6839190720_9f1257fbc2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839190720/)
Drvr Side Silverado 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839190720/) by dstanar (http://www.flickr.com/people/56444286@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6839190966_04bf290b80_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839190966/)
Drvr Side Silverado (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839190966/) by dstanar (http://www.flickr.com/people/56444286@N04/), on Flickr

[dy_lon]

Better quality pictures:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6839939262_f057d7cf5f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839939262/)
Pre mod (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839939262/) by dstanar (http://www.flickr.com/people/56444286@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6986058085_316617fcd6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6986058085/)
Shocks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6986058085/) by dstanar (http://www.flickr.com/people/56444286@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6839934342_6d76e30476_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839934342/)
Shocks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839934342/) by dstanar (http://www.flickr.com/people/56444286@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6986046515_00784f6b4b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6986046515/)
IMG_9264 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6986046515/) by dstanar (http://www.flickr.com/people/56444286@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6839957314_cc5104b2da_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839957314/)
IMG_9246 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56444286@N04/6839957314/) by dstanar (http://www.flickr.com/people/56444286@N04/), on Flickr

[dy_lon]

So far I have:

Body lifted the truck 1.5"
Installed Lift torsion keys
Installed the Bestop Bed cover
Factory fender flares
Painted the grille
Performed maintenance on the truck
Installed the tow mirrors
Shocks


Still to install:

Front bumper and winch
CB stuff
Front auxillary lighting
Backup lights


Need to:

Get it tagged!!
Go on some trips!!

[Revco]

Lookin good

[Mark Harley]

Nice truck and good choice on the mods!

[lam396]

Looking good! What size tires are you running? Did you get the Zone body lift? How do you like it? It seems to be a really clean look and I have been thinking about one for my 02. Where did you pick the tow mirrors up from?

[chilliwak]

Excellent :Wow1:upgrades Dylon. Biltsein shocks are the best going for the money, or at least I think so...:ylsmoke:
I installed some 5150s on my truck and they make a HUGE difference!:)

[Walker]

Looks solid, you have done well for yourself!

[dy_lon]

Looks solid, you have done well for yourself!

Thanks!


Excellent :Wow1:upgrades Dylon. Biltsein shocks are the best going for the money, or at least I think so...:ylsmoke:
I installed some 5150s on my truck and they make a HUGE difference!:)

With the torsion key lift, I think they sure do help.


Looking good! What size tires are you running? Did you get the Zone body lift? How do you like it? It seems to be a really clean look and I have been thinking about one for my 02. Where did you pick the tow mirrors up from?

Tires are a 305-70-17. Yes on the 1.5" zone body lift -- pretty easy to install. My tahoe had a 3" which I liked when I needed to work on it, but hated the appearance from the side. I like how this body lift is very subtle. The tow mirrors are from Ebay--Option Racing, I believe. But be warned, I am not happy with the mirrors. I purchased a set for my 95 tahoe and they were fantastic. The set on this truck, from the same manufacture have limited adjustability and dont feel as heavy duty as the ones on my tahoe.

I thought I may have got a bad set, so I returned them and recieved the exact same disapointment. They will work for now until I find something better.


Nice truck and good choice on the mods!
Thanks!


Lookin good

Thanks!

[Balzer]

Looks great!
If you could please I would like more info on that soft top, I wasnt aware that besttop made one for pickups. I have seen the canback tops in person and while Very nice are really spendy.

[General Automag]

So far I have:

Body lifted the truck 1.5"
Installed Lift torsion keys
Installed the Bestop Bed cover
Factory fender flares
Painted the grille
Performed maintenance on the truck
Installed the tow mirrors
Shocks


Still to install:

Front bumper and winch
CB stuff
Front auxillary lighting
Backup lights


Need to:

Get it tagged!!
Go on some trips!!


What body lift did you install, what was the cost, and was it a PITA or an easy install? Tx!

[dy_lon]

I installed the 1.5" zone body lift. I had it installed by myself in a few hours. Very easy to install. Only issue I had was one body mount bolt is still broke in the body.

Update on the truck and life.

Right now I am having some OD shifting issues. Truck wont shift into 4th gear. Im going to be swapping out the 2 solenoids and pulling out the servo to clean in that area. I am wondering if the trans got some debris in the 2-3 servo and 4th gear hold servo when i changed the trans filter, pan and cooler. I hope this will fix it.

I wasnt able to take our planned Moab trip due to starting a new job soon. I hope to go next march, or sooner. I will keep updating this thread for my build.

Right now I have picked up a few other items waiting to be installed..High lift 48" extreme and some hi lift accesories, Midland 75-822 radio, winch bumper, front hellas, back up lights.

I will keep updating this thread for my build.

Dylan

[dy_lon]

Fixed the OD issue! Changed both shift solenoids and stroked the servo a few times. I dont know if it was debris or what, but i have 4th gear. I will be swapping out the servo with the better "vette" servo in a coupel weeks. I hope to install the bumper at that time and take some more photos.

-Dylan

[gmcpimpin]

Hey nice truck, giving me ideas for mine. I have a 2002 Ex cab Z71 like yours in gray. So far I put a bigger transmission cooler, KYB steering stabilizer and did the suburban brake upgrade too it, I also have a set of GK torsion bars which should give me a bit of lift. Keep the pictures coming!

[dy_lon]

Some cell phone picks of the bumper installed. I have not welded up the "prerunner bar" yet. Maybe next month when I get moved into our new house.
Pics:
978779787897879

Ill try to get some better pics within the next few days.

[General Automag]

Hey nice truck, giving me ideas for mine. I have a 2002 Ex cab Z71 like yours in gray. So far I put a bigger transmission cooler, KYB steering stabilizer and did the suburban brake upgrade too it, I also have a set of GK torsion bars which should give me a bit of lift. Keep the pictures coming!

What's the "Suburban brake upgrade"?

[dy_lon]

The SUV's have dual piston rear calipers, I believe. Also the 05' + have a large front brake setup but you must ahve a 17" wheel. The SUV brake upgrade is on my list. Google search " Silverado rear suv brakes" and "silverado budget brake ." Id post the link to the other site, but being that it is another forum, i am not sure if that is appropriate.

Thanks,

-Dylan

[jayrguidaben]

Nice truck and love the bumper!

[Midland Radio]

Bumper looks awesome! Hope the Midland is treating you well :)

[dy_lon]

Bumper looks awesome! Hope the Midland is treating you well :)

Thanks for the comments. The handheld is great. I brag about it to anyone that asks. I actually broke the car adapter today when it fell under my seat and i scooted the seat forward. Do you have a adapter you can send for a trade off of some nice, high quality pics of it installed?

[dy_lon]

Another cell phone pic..
98387

[4BT]

More pictures of the lowered regular cab shortbed!

[dy_lon]

More pictures of the lowered regular cab shortbed!

Off topic, but this is my hotrod:
2004 Silverado LS 2wd
LQ9, LS6 cam, Magnuson MP112 Supercharger
3.90:1 gears, Shift kit, vette servo
Belltech swaybars front and rear
Mcgaughys 5/7 lowering kit
Belltech nitro shocks

98396983979839898399

Back to topic--

[Saiyan66]

Looks like the expo truck is coming along nice. FYI the 05+ brakes will fit with 16" wheels, you just have to have the right backspacing and grind the top of the caliper a wee bit.


Any dyno numbers on the reg cab? I bet that thing hauls @$$!

[gmcpimpin]

Exactly what Dy Lon said. It requires new dual piston calipers and brackets as well as the rotors for a suburban since they had slightly wider vane spacing, assuming thats for additional cooling. Everythiing swaps and the rotors look massive in the wheels. Its also a good time too replace the backing plates and parking brake assembly with the updated unit. The front brake swap is a one inch larger rotor and different bracket to space the caliper out. Its kind of dissapointing that a factory 2005 tahoe gets larger brakes and Hydroboost than the silverados...

[Midland Radio]

Thanks for the comments. The handheld is great. I brag about it to anyone that asks. I actually broke the car adapter today when it fell under my seat and i scooted the seat forward. Do you have a adapter you can send for a trade off of some nice, high quality pics of it installed?

Saw the model number on your previous post and just want to confirm: 75-822. Let us know if this is correct and we'll work on something from our end. Look forward to working with you.

[dy_lon]

Saw the model number on your previous post and just want to confirm: 75-822. Let us know if this is correct and we'll work on something from our end. Look forward to working with you.


75-822 is correct. Thanks for working on this! I really appreciate the help!

-Dylan

[Seabass]

Another cell phone pic..
98387

Man i love that bumper! What brand is it cause i want one! My truck is identical to yours except for the body lift- which inplan to get.

[Jimmeh]

Very cool truck! I am subscribing so I can get to see the next updates!

[dy_lon]

Man i love that bumper! What brand is it cause i want one! My truck is identical to yours except for the body lift- which inplan to get.

Guy that built my bumper: http://www.rlcweldfab.com/

If you look at the other chevys, you'll noticce my tahoe is the advertisement :)

[Midland Radio]

Dylan,

Hope your Monday is going well. We just pm'd you some more information. Look forward to speaking with you soon.

-Midland Radio

[General Automag]

Another very useful modification is to have the low-beams and fog lights stay on when you activate your high beams. We've had the high-beam relay kit from Painless wiring http://www.painlesswiring.com/webcatalog/largeview.php?SearchField=30821 installed for years and it works great.

HOWEVER, has anyone figured out an EASY solution to keep the fog lights from turning off when you activate the high-beams? It makes no sense to have the fog lights turn off when you activate your high-beams.

[gmcpimpin]

I found this for the low beams http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/general-discussion/tech-articles/469334-99-02-4hi-quick-easy-cheap.html

[dy_lon]

Thanks for mentioning the hi-beam low beam mod. I was able to do this by grounding out the yellow wire coming off the drivers side headlight. I have not figured out an easy way to even hook up the factory fog lights, using the factory switch.

[southpaws3]

nice

[gmcpimpin]

I have not figured out an easy way to even hook up the factory fog lights, using the factory switch. There is a how-to out their, GM sells a complete fog light install kit. 99-02 and a seperate kit for 03-07. 99-02 need the BCM flashed to enable fog lights if they did not come with them from factory. My Z71 is an LS model so it didn't have fogs, so I installed some from a 04 Z71 Tahoe with the round fog lamps. Really no clean easy way to use the factory switch with out the kit.

This is also an interested mod if you have extra lights
http://z71tahoe-suburban.com/iboard/index.php?showtopic=9274&st=0

I found a silverado with the VYU option in the salvage yard and stripped the whole harness for the Aux light switch.

[AA1PR]

I find it hard to believe that you gave the truck the torsion key mod & a 1.5" body lift, it looks so much higher

I know its illegal to run fog lights when you have your high beams on, so be careful, even though I think I would try it too :)

[Jimmeh]

Another very useful modification is to have the low-beams and fog lights stay on when you activate your high beams. We've had the high-beam relay kit from Painless wiring http://www.painlesswiring.com/webcatalog/largeview.php?SearchField=30821 installed for years and it works great.

HOWEVER, has anyone figured out an EASY solution to keep the fog lights from turning off when you activate the high-beams? It makes no sense to have the fog lights turn off when you activate your high-beams.

Not sure how it works on 99-02, but for my truck I used diodes to accomplish the all on high mod. I don't have fog lamps, but the how-to I looked at said it would work with those as well. Again, the how to was for 03-07 trucks and SUV's (specifically the Avalanche, though I am sure it works for the Tahoe's/Yukons as well), so it may be different for the older rigs. I will dig up that thread and post it here.

[dy_lon]

Updates:

I installed some 285-70-17 Falken Rocky Mountains ( exact same as the falken wild peak, but named different when purchased from Discount tire) tires and gave my maxxis big horn 315's to my brother. The maxxis tires looked great, but 11mpg for a daily driver was not cutting it. The new tires are much better and I am getting about 14mpg, with no tire howl and not wearing out the drive train as quickly.
117327117317

Other than that, I have just been pondering my next modification. Drive rtain or suspension??

The truck is in need of a new engine and most likely a transmission. I have a spare LQ4 6.0 that i bought many years ago for a project, but i have been thinking of different transmission choices; Built 4L60E, a 4L80E or NV4500.

I am also considering a mid travel suspension kit that will swap out my torsion bars with a coil-over setup. JD Fabrication has a Mid Travel Upper a arm setup, and also has the other components avaliable to complete the swap.

[4BT]

Not sure how it works on 99-02, but for my truck I used diodes to accomplish the all on high mod. I don't have fog lamps, but the how-to I looked at said it would work with those as well. Again, the how to was for 03-07 trucks and SUV's (specifically the Avalanche, though I am sure it works for the Tahoe's/Yukons as well), so it may be different for the older rigs. I will dig up that thread and post it here.


The 4Hi mod was one of the best modifications I installed on my 2006. A few inches of wire and a resistor and now I can see everything at night!