by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 04/18/2017 at 10:00
by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 04/18/2017 at 10:00
Tags: cars I don't hate
STARS: 3
I really dislike the fake plastic “rugged enhancers” that were all the rage on vehicles in the early 2000's. Its not UV stable, it just makes the car look stupid and its not like it more durable, it scratches so dang easy. Also, the midgate...no I don’t want pickup truck things to come inside the cab. No I don’t want to have to choose between a 5 seater and a pickup truck. Its silly.
Still, they were pretty durable, and you could even get them as 3/4 ton with the Vortec 8100 8.1 liter big block V8 that was just a 454 that they thought could use some extra cubes. 340 hp and 455 lbs-ft seem like a pretty crap use of those cubes but it was a helluva stout engine and can make lots more power with a little tweaking. Plus it had the 4L85E which is a transmission that can take more power. Having put about 400 hp and 550 lbs-ft though a 4L80E I can tell you it didn’t seem to mind too much.
I hate the front, I hate the plastic, I don’t really like the midgate, but its got a 496 cubic inch engine, a bobmproof trans and coil springs all around. it could be worse.
"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
04/17/2017 at 16:25, STARS: 1
the later models certainly looked better
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
04/17/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 4
But what about no cladding?
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
04/17/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 2
I though the second gen looked particularly fetching. Too bad they only made it in 1/2-ton.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
04/18/2017 at 10:05, STARS: 1
Guy down the street from me has a first gen, but he had the plastic painted to match the rest of the truck. Looks pretty good. Except for the 22" chrome wheels.
"Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
04/18/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 2
First-gen was available without the “body hardware” on the 1500s. The 5.3 is certainly adequate, and can tickle 20 mpg on the highway:
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
04/18/2017 at 10:08, STARS: 1
What is the level of hate for Avalanche + topper?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/18/2017 at 10:11, STARS: 1
Just below Subaru Baja with topper
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
04/18/2017 at 10:12, STARS: 1
This is getting complicated. I’ll need to see a chart.
"Milky" (jordanmielke)
04/18/2017 at 10:12, STARS: 0
Looks at tailgate.
“Oh Chevy, you couldn’t just take all of the cladding off now could you?”
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
04/18/2017 at 10:21, STARS: 0
I like the ones with no cladding. They’re nice looking vehicles. They still couldn’t do anything about the “roll bar” though.
"Racin'Jason001" (racinjason001)
04/18/2017 at 10:30, STARS: 0
That gen Avalanche was best gen Avalanche.
"Racin'Jason001" (racinjason001)
04/18/2017 at 10:31, STARS: 0
... Redemption from vol 2 ... I still think vol 1 was best.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
04/18/2017 at 10:36, STARS: 0
I really want a 8.1 Avalanche as well.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
04/18/2017 at 11:01, STARS: 1
I’d say just above Baja+topper. Purely because the Baja is better to start with. Although there’s he whole “why don’t you just have an Outback?•” thing
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
04/18/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 0
It’s interesting......
"AfromanGTO" (afromangto)
04/18/2017 at 11:06, STARS: 0
A few people I knew got the body cladding painted body color, and it looked so much better.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/18/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 2
Thats where I stand. You could have had a better wagon in the outback and a better pickup in...anything else.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/18/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 1
fair enough.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/18/2017 at 11:13, STARS: 1
Something so perversely wrong/right about a 10 inch rear a 496 big block and a converted suburban pickup body.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
04/18/2017 at 11:30, STARS: 0
I tried really hard to buy one (a 1500 though), but they were all way overpriced or beat to shit.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
04/18/2017 at 11:31, STARS: 0
I tried so hard to find a good one at a good price, couldn’t happen.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/18/2017 at 11:32, STARS: 0
really? hmm, I had no idea they had achieved cult status. I know the 8.1 models are hard to find and pricey, but I didn’t think the 1500's were...they built a grundle of them.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
04/18/2017 at 11:34, STARS: 0
There were two 2500s for sale by me for a good deal when I was looking, but I didn’t want a 3/4 ton big block to daily drive. REALLY big following, their forums are super active.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/18/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 0
You should get the 2500...they are only going to go up in price. The 8.1 isn’t too bad. we had a 7.4 and it did better on gas than my cruiser.
"Blind Willy" (blindlemonchitlin)
04/18/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 0
In 2004 I was working at the Magnolia Hotel in Dallas and the Bullrun race stopped in overnight. Richard Rawlings was driving a lifted Avalanche in that race. If I remember, he won it.
Edit, I found an article where he claims he did. About halfway down the page talking about his first race. The question was about the Gumball rally.
I’m not a fan of those trucks either.
http://www.maxim.com/rides/richard-rawlings-taking-back-gumball-record-and-hanging-motley-crue
"adamftw" (adamftw)
04/18/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 0
Too late!
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/18/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 0
That works too.