Is there a quality forum for Avalanche

[PatDTN]

I've come to realize I should have bought a Chevy Avalanche for my needs. It won't happen soon but I think I'd like to swap into one. I see that bed flipping feature as a potential problem area and I'd like to hear what people are saying. This forum has been fabulous with very low noise to signal and I'd like to find that for Avalanches.

 

[avalonandl]

https://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/

 

[swathdiver]

Have done a lot of research over there but those forums are not nearly so active anymore since the trucks are long out of production. One of my kids wants one...

 

[OR VietVet]

https://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php


I used to, years ago, own an Avalanche but no more. I last owned it in 2014 before I bought my current Tahoe and joined here. I had a nice 2002 Z71 and really had no problems with it except for lifter tick noise intermittently. The one prevalent concern was always the leaking bed cover sections but I never had that problem. I got lucky. The back glass had many complaints as well about leaks and function.

I was either a member of this forum or the one that Roger is talking about but both look like the design of the website has changed. I could also have been a member of another one that morphed in to these two or has disbanded altogether. We are talking 6 years ago after all.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

I had 3 avys before my burb. All you need is on the above mentioned forum, as well as this one. While not near as active, a search will give you all you need to know there.

The avalanche is essentially a suburban, and the mechanical parts are the same from the front seat forward on the 07-13 (as is a tahoe). The frame and suspension are also the same, so most suburban advice crosses over. If you choose the 03-06, the front clip is the same as the silverado of that age, so the truck forum (gm-trucks.com) would apply there. The original 2002 is its own beast with limited part availability, so I would not go there...

Know the bed is not waterproof, but will keep out most water. The best mod is the homemade bed slide - I missed it so much I made one for my burb, but it wasnt the same, and I needed the rear seats. My 13 held its value better than any vehicle I have owned since they all were black diamond special editions with painted sail panels - the 12 is probably priced better, and can have the same features. All LTZs have the autoride (similar to magnaride) with rear leveling air shocks. They are expensive to replace, and last only 60k miles or so. The back window frame will crack, but liquid gasket fixes it well. Were I to buy one today, I would get a 12 or 13 Z71 as they are the easiest to maintain. You got me thinking I need to get another one now...

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[OR VietVet]

After I responded as above I went to shower for work and thought while I was in there that I should have shared exactly what Scro just did. The Sub is an enclosed back area that will not leak like the Avalanche's did at times. If you need tall cargo then the bed covers come off and you can haul it and the Sub limits that but if that is the case, rent a pickup. I liked my Avalanche but I missed a Tahoe and that is why I switched from the 2002 Aval to my current 2002 Tahoe with the barn doors, which I love.

 

[Sarah_279]

You're probably aware of this already, but. The frame rust is real on the 2011-2013's.
There was a TSB regarding this for this platform (#PI0564B "Wax coating on frame peeling/Metal shows corrosion/rusting" Escalade, Escalade ESV, EXT, Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL) Might be something to look for depending on what year you end up considering.

The midgate on my '13 Avy was a PITA. Admittedly, the seals likely would've benefited from some TLC that I did not follow through with. I am not a large or strong person and I couldn't operate the midgate by myself. It required brute force, luck and a few choice swear words to get it to function as intended. It didn't leak or anything... it just wouldn't move when you wanted to use it, even from day 1. (I bought it brand new, it was garage-kept and pampered like a princess.)

But other than that, it never needed anything other than the usual maintenance.

 

[PatDTN]

For all your exposed rubber seals https://www.amazon.com/nextzett-91480615-Gummi-Pflege-Rubber/dp/B004B8GTQG

I haven't looked for this in forever. Used to sell it at VW dealers.

 

[PatDTN]

Should add the above might have helped unstuck your migrate.

I haven't gotten up close with an Avy yet. I better get a job first. I want Bluetooth streaming and guess that's 2012 or 2013 only. Also very attached to my air condioned seats so probably only the LTZs.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

Bluetooth is for phone only. Also doesnt have wifi, apps, android auto/carplay - its kinda why I sold it - but an aftermarket HU is very easy to diy on all GMT 900s. The K2 burb is the closest I could find to ride and utility with more modern features, but I miss the truckage component (hauling oil, gas, mulch, etc. was better in the avy)...

I forgot you asked a bout the flip system which is actually 3 panels on bed. The panels are heavy duty enough for a family to stand on, and all 3 will cost over a grand so make sure they are present when u buy. They are stolen, but I never had issues in over 12 years of ownership keeping my trunk locked. It makes it easy to switch from having an enclosed windproof secure super trunk (think costco) to pickup bed on the fly for taller things, and they can store in back seat floor if the whole bed is needed. I would leave the panels at home if I needed all 8 feet like I did picking up an 8' slate pool table. My panels only let water in when I went through a carwash, and it wasnt more than a couple oz...


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[PatDTN]

Hm. I thought I read on here that streaming music on bluetooth started with the 2012 models. If that's not the case then I'd go older and replace the head unit. It annoys me that so much gets routed through the stereo though.

 

[K2 Kaiju]

Hm. I thought I read on here that streaming music on bluetooth started with the 2012 models. If that's not the case then I'd go older and replace the head unit. It annoys me that so much gets routed through the stereo though.

The 12 HU had the update to hdd instead of cd for nav plus 20 gb music storage and pause live radio, but it definitely cant stream - I had one of the last 13 LTZs made. The 900s were not near as integrated as the k2s - you can buy adapters for everything - xm, nav, steering wheel controls, and rear camera; an aftermarket hu should get you all the new stuff. Dont go older than 11 as that is when the oil routing was improved for the AFM. I am seriously trying to buy one now, and telling the wife it would be good for a teenager even though rear visibility is horrible for someone with little driving experience (the only true thing that sucks). The rear camera, however, was much better in the avy than my 18 LT burb. Milage is 15-16 mpg. I actually want an EXT with the 6.2 - dont know if they can stream...

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[PatDTN]

Thanks for all that information. My '09 Tahoe has 220k miles on its AFM and is doing well.

 

[pcwizard2600]

I had an '02 Z71 Avy, and my girlfriend still has her '07 LTZ. Never had much issue with the covers, although I would wipe down the rubber between the sections with armor all or silicone periodically. Rarely had a leak except a tiny bit in a real heavy rain. when the leakage occurred during the heavy rains, it was always on the right side near the tailgate on both of them.

 

[bigdog9191999]

still driving mine till the end of april when I will be swapping some parts and driving the hoe I have full time ( in addition to the Denali xl the wife drives and the 8.1 c2500 burb I am using for a tow pig)

the reason for the exact dates is the avy is rusting out on me and I patched it up enough to be safe through then, I have some vacation time and will be swapping during that time as the hoe was wrecked and needs some parts off the avy. but I have had the avy for about 6-8 years or so and have put about 80k on it myself and pulled/worked it much through the salt of Michigan.

any avy specific questions I would be happy to try and answer, I am more familiar with the 02-06 versions, but my buddy has an 09 and I have become more familiar with those also.

 

[BG1988]

I've come to realize I should have bought a Chevy Avalanche for my needs. It won't happen soon but I think I'd like to swap into one. I see that bed flipping feature as a potential problem area and I'd like to hear what people are saying. This forum has been fabulous with very low noise to signal and I'd like to find that for Avalanches.

I wanted one my self NNBS one

I was going to buy one but gas price were sooo high at the time I all ready started saving up for one... maybe a hybrid swap but it will be hard to find a drive shaft for it.. longer length = breaker bar = Destroyed rear differential


right now there is sooo many forsale with 120k or less and under 9k

 

[BG1988]

https://www.ebay.com/i/264563833677...MInt31lN2z6AIVB6rsCh2lfA4QEAkYASABEgLqNvD_BwE

if you want the tent Part#12499157

 

[avalonandl]

I loved my 2004 Avalanche 2500. Had the 8.1 and 4.10's

12,000 lb towing capacity....11 mpg.....LOL

 

[PatDTN]

I've been turned. My possibly evil neighbors have been taking my wife and I 4 wheeling in their Jeep Rubicon. The scenery they've shown us and the ridiculous capabilities of the Jeep have made me want one instead.

This time it's more serious as I'm trying to sell my Tahoe to buy one.

 

[OR VietVet]

Good luck with that. Totally different vehicles and what they are meant for. Get used to no room in that Jeep compared to the Tahoe. If it is just you and your wife and no kids, then start laying out the grid in the Jeep for where your stuff will be and your wife's stuff because the extra room in the Tahoe will now be gone.

By the way, I did the off roading 4x4 rig adventure. I had a purpose built 73 Blazer that I guarantee you I put in places not even that Rubicon can go. I had 1 ton axles and a roll cage and ram assist steering and and and.....the list goes on. But I was younger. It was a blast though.