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SAMSET said:
thinking about buying an avalanche. couple people here have them right? they tow the jeep?

im not looking for a jeep hauler per say, just wouldn't mind having something that could do it if i needed it done.

4 door, 4x4 trucks are so stupid expensive and i dont even really 'need' a truck. just want one. which makes the avalanche seem like a good idea.
Click to expand...

burbans are cheap comparatively.

it's all the same stuff.
 
SAMSET said:
thinking about buying an avalanche. couple people here have them right? they tow the jeep?

im not looking for a jeep hauler per say, just wouldn't mind having something that could do it if i needed it done.

4 door, 4x4 trucks are so stupid expensive and i dont even really 'need' a truck. just want one. which makes the avalanche seem like a good idea.
Click to expand...

Well I will answer it like you are hauling a Jeep. They are the same platform as a Suburban and were built in the same factory I believe. Avalanches fit a niche market of practicality which I suppose is why they don't make them anymore. The fold down midgate means you can haul lumber in it, or maybe even sleep in it if everything seals up right. The plastic cladding is usually pretty ugly but that just means fewer people want them. You can put dirty crap in the bed but your typical plastic-cutting metallic off-road parts are better suited for a proper pickup with a bedliner (if you care about resale value).

If you are thinking 3/4 ton then go for it, they do not have the Allison but you have nothing to worry about burning up with a 4L80/85. It will have plenty of power to haul a Jeep with either the 6.0 or 8.1, a 6.0 has great options for aftermarket parts and tune if you ever need more power. Lots of fun when you aren't hauling something.

If you are going 1/2 ton then I would avoid Autoride if possible, as you see many trucks where it is broken and squatting, because people don't want to drop the money on proper replacement parts. But, either way, you can always get a set of Firestone or Airlift air assist bags for it. Power from the 5.3 will be adequate (and lots of options to add power if you need) and 4-wheel discs will be fine as well, if needed you can upgrade to later-model brakes for more stopping power. Now the downside. The 4L60 transmission is destined to let you down eventually. But if you find one that shifts well and you put a big-ass cooler on it, and you are patient then you can probably make it last. As the Avalanches are getting cheaper to find, that means you can save the difference and be ready if it ever craps the bed. If you aren't hauling very often then that will definitely help things last longer.

Expect any GM truck to need front end parts. GMT800s have Cavalier-sized steering parts. Tie rods, ball joints, and hubs are common. It's probably not as bad as people make it out to be, look at some Dodge/Ford horror stories with ball joints or U-joints. Smaller parts on the GM mean less surface area to seize up :D
 
I had an 1/2 ton Avalanche and loved it. Towing was decent, the 1/2 tons are coil spring rear, so they squat fairly easily. Comfortable to drive daily, the 5.3 makes plenty of power and they are easy to work on. More powwwaaa is available with a tuner. Most used 5.3s will need the typical GM stuff; knock sensors, upper plenum gasket, etc. The 4L60e hates towing, buy the biggest cooler you can find and change the fluid/filter with synthetic.

The 3/4 ton Avalanches are friggin' awesome, but are hard to find and are almost always overpriced. They only came with the 8.1L/4L85e. The Escalade EXTs came with the 6.0, but they are considered 1/2 tons.
 
Avalanches are just a modern day 4 door plastic cladded El Camino....and with that being said, El Caminos are sweet......my brother and his exbicthasscheatingwhorewife had one for a good 6-7 years, all they did is put gas in it and drive it, oil changes were likely optional. It had 200k on it and they got like $4k for it. It still ran fine and my brother even said that he wishes he would have kept it for that cheap bc it never needed anything other than gas and car washes..oil changes???? never heard of her......
 
XJ&CHZ4ME said:
Avalanches are just a modern day 4 door plastic cladded El Camino....and with that being said, El Caminos are sweet......my brother and his exbicthasscheatingwhorewife had one for a good 6-7 years, all they did is put gas in it and drive it, oil changes were likely optional. It had 200k on it and they got like $4k for it. It still ran fine and my brother even said that he wishes he would have kept it for that cheap bc it never needed anything other than gas and car washes..oil changes???? never heard of her......
Click to expand...

Avalanche=El Camino
El Camino = 1981 Malibu
Avalanche = 1981 Malibu?

Run, run far, far away!!!!
 
Brad with some good info. I will refer back to that post when I start getting serious. Right now I'm just trying to think about what I need vs what I want vs what I can afford.



In other news. You know when your lead tells you to grab that 5ft cheater pipe for these 25 bolts, your back is going to be tight the next day.
I think the lights item I installed today was 4000lbs.
 
I always liked El Caminos before "My Name Is Earl" came out....and Joy is still hot in that redneck skank kind of way.....

And it seems that there is someone among us that tattled on a title of a thread...so SHIT ,SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT....and double SHIT! :D
 
ok Comanche nerds, my first deal on the roller is apparently falling through bc the dude is a dousche and will not give me a solid price, so F him. I found an 86 (2.8 L or furry baby!)in about the same shape, maybe a little better. It is a longbed though, is that good or bad in the world of wheeling MJ's?

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/5319607686.html

My buddy Jeremy still has his old 90 XJ with all the lift goodies on it but he sold the tires/rims and it just sits in a field, I can get it for a trade of a .357 snub that I have...so front end lift items are covered and it has a full motor/drivetrain out of a 93 in it that is in running shape. All sorts of bastardizing swapping possibilities. And I'm still fat and wont fit in it comfortably regardless.
 
Have you ever drove one? If you're Manche size, then no issues. But for us full sized guys, they're a bit cramped. I've got one in my back yard that sucks just moving around to mow.

I know we all want one, which is why I've got one, but I can't see me doing much with it.
 
I'm smaller than you guys, but not Manche sized. Summer clothes and its fine. Bulky coat or heaven forbid a pair of Carhartts and it quickly loses its appeal. An auto might be better, but manual offers the problem of the shifter coming back to almost touch the seat in 2nd and 4th.
 
im 6'1" 220 and fit fine in my MJ with bucket seats and full center console.

longbeds suck wheeling (shortbeds do to an extent as well). 4.0 swaps into an 86 require some fire wall massaging but can be done.
 
SMORR will be awesome!

I'm a fatass and don't remember Chucks MJ being all the complaints on size you sissies are talking about. Deep down everyone wants an MJ.

mac 'I just gave my son the initials' gyvr
 
I have driven a few, but don't remember them being horrible, but anything is cramped when I am used to the Denali. I am even toying with a 5.3/4L60 swap...they are so affordable now, its very tempting...but then come the 1-tons, then the 39.5's and then the body chopping and the countless $$ that are wasted to never be seen again...its a vicious cycle, maybe I should just buy some smack and a few good hookers.
 
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