Found my rare parts!

[GTRhino24]

Found a set of OE Z71 tail lamp covers in a salvage yard in CT. Found a Z71 brush guard on Facebook marketplace attached to a Silverado for sale. Bought the lamps just for the covers but restored the lights too and decided to use them. Already had the foglamps/bezels/harness/switch for the Z71 lamps. Stripped and straightened the brush guard and working on getting it coated for final install. I’ve been wanting to build the truck Chevy should have built but never did. The 2-door Z71.

 

[j91z28d1]

I have a 96 2 door that's got z71 rpo code and doesn't have tail light like that.

I've never seen those?

 

[GTRhino24]

I have a 96 2 door that's got z71 rpo code and doesn't have tail light like that.

I've never seen those?

The Z71 package you normally see are skid plates, bilstein shocks, etc. In 2000, they produced the Limted and the Z71 phasing out the old body style. The 2000 Z71 had painted bumpers, foglamps, brush guard, two tone leather seats, flares, and tail lamp covers like the ones above. The covers and brush guard have GM part numbers but we’re discontinued not long after it started.

 

[Sam Harris]

The Z71 package you normally see are skid plates, bilstein shocks, etc. In 2000, they produced the Limted and the Z71 phasing out the old body style. The 2000 Z71 had painted bumpers, foglamps, brush guard, two tone leather seats, flares, and tail lamp covers like the ones above. The covers and brush guard have GM part numbers but we’re discontinued not long after it started.

Yup. I remember those. I had a buddy with one. IIRC, it was a single year deal. His was a very nice looking dark blue.

 

[OR VietVet]

I have just never been able to wrap my mind around a brush guard. The rest looks great.

 

[B-train]

Those were great looking trucks. I remember in 2008 when everyone ran from gas guzzlers you could pick up low mile versions of that body style for $4500 all day long. Should've done it

 

[GTRhino24]

I have just never been able to wrap my mind around a brush guard. The rest looks great.

I will post some pics when it’s painted and back on the truck. Maybe I can change your mind. I’m not a fan of brush guards in general, but this one fits so well. It doesn’t stand far off of the truck and follows so close that the bumper is out past the headlamp guards. But yes, in general, brush guards annoy me.

 

[Swagfu]

Those were great looking trucks. I remember in 2008 when everyone ran from gas guzzlers you could pick up low mile versions of that body style for $4500 all day long. Should've done it

I had one just like it. I love those tail light covers. And I love the rest as well. My 99 z71 got me hooked. Here is one on FB marketplace right now. If I had the extra cash and was closer I would go pick it up for sure. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3498574430372833/?ref=saved&referral_code=null

 

[j91z28d1]

The Z71 package you normally see are skid plates, bilstein shocks, etc. In 2000, they produced the Limted and the Z71 phasing out the old body style. The 2000 Z71 had painted bumpers, foglamps, brush guard, two tone leather seats, flares, and tail lamp covers like the ones above. The covers and brush guard have GM part numbers but we’re discontinued not long after it started.

ahh.. interesting. I've definitely never seen the truck in that pic before.. the flare alone are kinda wild.

 

[j91z28d1]

I have just never been able to wrap my mind around a brush guard. The rest looks great.

I'm the same way, first thing everyone does to a truck around here is raise the front, usually to high so its passed level lol. buy a big brush guard and a light bar or 2.

i could see where a brush guard could save you a lot of headaches in an area with a lot of deer and you had to drive at night all the time. but yeah, running around in the city. eh.

 

[FatBob]

I have just never been able to wrap my mind around a brush guard. The rest looks great.

Hit a deer and you might change your mind.

 

[kurtibm]

I had a dark blue 2000 Z-71. If I recall... the factory 'brush' guard was optional - in that there was a $175 credit for a brush guard delete.
I remember (because 'barn doors' were all-that) hunting high-and-low for a tailgate version. STILL hate the idea of a hatch-back on a body-on-frame SUV.

 

[OR VietVet]

Hit a deer and you might change your mind.

I don't aim at deers. So....I am good. And I lived in deer country in MO.

 

[FatBob]

I don't aim at deers. So....I am good. And I lived in deer country in MO.

Neither do I. Many close calls, two hits. First made it across in front of me then turned around and came back across. Second was a pair came out of revine, I braked from 50 down to 30 and hit the second one.

 

[mikehooo]

Found a set of OE Z71 tail lamp covers in a salvage yard in CT. Found a Z71 brush guard on Facebook marketplace attached to a Silverado for sale. Bought the lamps just for the covers but restored the lights too and decided to use them. Already had the foglamps/bezels/harness/switch for the Z71 lamps. Stripped and straightened the brush guard and working on getting it coated for final install. I’ve been wanting to build the truck Chevy should have built but never did. The 2-door Z71.View attachment 398788

I'm the same way, first thing everyone does to a truck around here is raise the front, usually to high so its passed level lol. buy a big brush guard and a light bar or 2.

i could see where a brush guard could save you a lot of headaches in an area with a lot of deer and you had to drive at night all the time. but yeah, running around in the city. eh.

You made a big difference in those tail light lenses. If you don’t mind me asking what did you use to get rid of the haze they did have. They look good.

 

[GTRhino24]

You made a big difference in those tail light lenses. If you don’t mind me asking what did you use to get rid of the haze they did have. They look good.

Yeah this is a lot easier than you think. Once cleaned up and the covers removed, I wet sanded them with 1500. Cleaned them off and then wet sanded with 3000. I have a little 3” mini buffer and used some compound to take out the 3000 scratches. Polished with some finishing compound. That’s it. No clear or anything like that. Just remove the 23 years of oxidation and start fresh. I had originally planned to trash the lights because all I wanted were the covers. Then I decided to clean up the lamps to sell, but once I saw how they came out, I replaced my new aftermarket lamps with restored OE.

 

[j91z28d1]

I don't aim at deers. So....I am good. And I lived in deer country in MO.

I was leaving a late shift job one night at a Electronics manufacturing plant in FL, not known for deer. was on the long. driveway heading out, a big deer was on the side of the road nibbling at low hanging leaves of a tree. I slowed down to look at him doing maybe 5mph because we never really see deer there. guess it spooked him, one leep he turned jumped and basically landed on my hood, rolled up to the windshield and back off. like wtf just happened. he bounced up and ran off. left my car covered in hair and dents from his antlers. I was stunned and pissed haha.

when I moved here the city deer are domesticated. enough that I literally had one crossing the street at a stop sign, he saw me, stopped, made sure I stopped and then walked across the road. it's kinda crazy during fawn season to see them running around the neighborhood. don't see them get hit in the city, but ou farther guys come to work with bashed up grill kinda often.

 

[GTRhino24]

I’ve gotten the brush guard in primer and just have to fix a few knicks here and there. Decided to replace ALL of the hardware since the threads are corroded (these things are notorious for galvanic corrosion). Should be able to put it back on the truck with some pics next week. Fabricated some nice little brackets to the bumper that were missing and fixed a hole the prior owner drilled . This is normally the type of thing I rush because I want instant gratification but I figured it’s the last one I will ever own.

 

[2591tdj]

Have never cared for the guards over the tail lights. Great job polishing those lenses!

 

[GTRhino24]

Got it all buttoned up today! Lots of patience paid off. Found all new hardware at McMaster-Carr. Highly recommend them as you can find any kind of fasteners there at good prices and delivered next day. Turned up the torsion bars a bit to level it out. I will be on the hunt for the painted bumpers but I’m satisfied even if I never find them.