OR VietVet Is Still Throwing $$$ at 2005 Z71

[Tonyrodz]

I know. I was just saying that may not feel the exact differences I have felt because of that different platform.

Gotcha.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Yes, I have an NNBS. I'll let you all know, once I receive and install them. I'm already 'mapping' out some sections of road, where I can do the 'before' and 'after' comparisons like @PNW VietVet did.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Interesting enough, I ordered the sway bars directly from Hellwig, and I also made a simultaneous inquiry about a third part, spacer plates, that are recommended for some GM trucks, to avoid clearance issues with 6 speed transmission cooler lines. It was on their web site where it was stated that delivery of the rear sway bars would be in June.

They responded to me today, saying that orders placed on their web site are not fulfilled by them directly, but instead are fulfilled by Parts Via. So, I went to the Parts Via web site, and both sway bars are listed as in stock, and shipped within 24 hours of an order placement. So, it looks like I may receive these sway bars sooner than later.

 

[Sam Harris]

Interesting enough, I ordered the sway bars directly from Hellwig, and I also made a simultaneous inquiry about a third part, spacer plates, that are recommended for some GM trucks, to avoid clearance issues with 6 speed transmission cooler lines. It was on their web site where it was stated that delivery of the rear sway bars would be in June.

They responded to me today, saying that orders placed on their web site are not fulfilled by them directly, but instead are fulfilled by Parts Via. So, I went to the Parts Via web site, and both sway bars are listed as in stock, and shipped within 24 hours of an order placement. So, it looks like I may receive these sway bars sooner than later.

Nice!!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I also confirmed with Hellwig that those spacers are needed for all NNBS trucks with 6 speed transmissions.

 

[OR VietVet]

Ok, some headway now. I dropped off the appliques at a body shop/painter guy that I know thru the American Legion. He is the husband of one of the post bartenders. I have seen his work and looks just as good as my friend's looked. He is even going to charge me $40 less for the pair to prep and paint. Plus, install for free because, #1-he said is very easy to install and #2-he wants to see the paint match side by side when installed.

 

[OR VietVet]

I also confirmed with Hellwig that those spacers are needed for all NNBS trucks with 6 speed transmissions.

Glad you are getting the kits asap. Make sure to post pics. Are you going to have a build thread?

 

[OR VietVet]

Slightly related. I picked up some directional all season Nokian tires yesterday. They came with 6 lug GMC truck wheels. The tires only have 4k miles on them. Perfect condition. I got the 4 tires and wheels for $300. They are take offs from the self storage facility owner that I work for. They are the same 265/70R17 that is the stock size. I am going to bolt them on and see how the handling does with street tires instead of the off road style tires that came with my rig. I am then going to get the old tires off my Z71 wheels and then going to matte black those wheels. I have a wheel guy set already for that.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Slightly related. I picked up some directional all season Nokian tires yesterday. They came with 6 lug GMC truck wheels. The tires only have 4k miles on them. Perfect condition. I got the 4 tires and wheels for $300. They are take offs from the self storage facility owner that I work for. They are the same 265/70R17 that is the stock size. I am going to bolt them on and see how the handling does with street tires instead of the off road style tires that came with my rig. I am then going to get the old tires off my Z71 wheels and then going to matte black those wheels. I have a wheel guy set already for that.

I think you'll notice the difference with the street tread. I hate the way mine handles on the highway with my current winter tread.

Can't wait to swap everything over for summer.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

The Hellwig sway bars have arrived. It's on me now.

 

[OR VietVet]

Like a kid at Christmas. Pics please and comment after first road test.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Like a kid a Christmas. Pics please and comment after first road test.

Absolutely will do.

And, thanks again for you being the test balloon for these sway bars, and your excellent reporting on the project and its results. I will be absolutely thrilled if I achieve even half of the change that you experienced, after installation.

 

[OR VietVet]

Trust me. You will feel and love the difference in the handling feel after the install. Besides the paint work I have done on my rig, this Hellwig bars kits install has been the biggest PLUS that I have done to my rig. Do the mid range adjustment on the rear bar to begin with. You can go up or down from there. Good luck and again, post your pics as you go.

 

[OR VietVet]

Ok, so I did buy some new wheels and tires from the owner here that were take offs from his 2018 GMC truck. Same tire size as my Z71-265/70R17. The tires are newer than 2018 because he did not like factory tires and bought new. These tires have 4k miles on them. I swapped them over this morning and road tested. The handling improved just a little because the new tires are all season Nokian directional tires instead of the all terrain tires that were on the rig.

The center caps did not swap from my Z71 wheels to the new wheels so I had to order bow tie center caps. The bow tie will be blacked out on the caps.

I also have to say that I like the look of the new wheels instead of the Z71 wheels. Not sure which way I will go from here.

 

[Sam Harris]

Absolutely will do.

And, thanks again for you being the test balloon for these sway bars, and your excellent reporting on the project and its results. I will be absolutely thrilled if I achieve even half of the change that you experienced, after installation.

X2! Your review prompted me to buy my set..! I just got box #2 delivered this evening. Next Thursday, they go to work!

 

[OR VietVet]

Ok, got the "Black Bowtie" center caps. Installed them and stood back. I like the look. I am not gonna paint the wheels black and after I decided I also put the other wheels and tires up for sale at CL. I had them all listed for $1000 and sold them for $800. A guy with a pewter 2002 Z71 with rear barn doors called me and wanted the wheels. He had some ugly knock off wheels on his rig, with missing center caps, and is ecstatic to get these wheels and tires. I really played up the part about how hard it is to find the Z71 factory wheels. Anyway, here is a pic of the new look.

 

[Sam Harris]

Ok, got the "Black Bowtie" center caps. Installed them and stood back. I like the look. I am not gonna paint the wheels black and after I decided I also put the other wheels and tires up for sale at CL. I had them all listed for $1000 and sold them for $800. A guy with a pewter 2002 Z71 with rear barn doors called me and wanted the wheels. He had some ugly knock off wheels on his rig, with missing center caps, and is ecstatic to get these wheels and tires. I really played up the part about how hard it is to find the Z71 factory wheels. Anyway, here is a pic of the new look.

View attachment 275561

Nice work ! [emoji482]

 

[OR VietVet]

Am in the process of ordering in all new GM parts for the complete front end rebuild. It will be the center link, inner and outer tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm, left and right upper and lower control arms, Timken wheel hubs and rear track bar plus alignment. The parts at RA total with the 5% discount at $76.86 and the shipping at $80.96 figured in is $1541.26. I punched all numbers in at Amazon and with no shipping charges the total is $1771.40. A $230 difference. I could have lived with a $100 difference and ordered it all from Amazon but a $230 difference is too much. Amazon was in the running because of some reward dollars that I could have used for about $23 and charging it on the Amazon c/c.

I just also received a text that my newly painted smooth rear upper corner louvers are painted and sealed and he will install them on Sunday.

Except for the steering wheel position sensor and the knock sensors that will be done soon, I am running out of things to do on this rig.

I have really put the new tires and wheels thru the paces with the new sway bar kits and am very satisfied so far.

At end of summer, I believe I will be doing the exhaust.

 

[OR VietVet]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...channel\":504,\"value\":3.1065284008532e-5}"}

This is the same year as mine with 42k more miles than mine and $4k more than what I paid but is the same condition and color.

 

[Tonyrodz]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/5333361830068956/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined&referral_story_type=listing&tracking={"qid":"6951813255478924428","mf_story_key":"5333361830068956","commerce_rank_obj":"{\"target_id\":5333361830068956,\"target_type\":0,\"primary_position\":106,\"ranking_signature\":547472012272992256,\"commerce_channel\":504,\"value\":3.1065284008532e-5}"}

This is the same year as mine with 42k more miles than mine and $4k more than what I paid but is the same condition and color.

Dealers are greedy. Their stuff is great, while your stuff is junk--that's their attitude anyway.