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04 Avalanche that needs frame replacement -is it worth it?

chrischen200901

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Joined
Sep 1, 2021
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We bought an 04 AV Z71 180k miles last month. Inspection came back saying the main frame is rusted out and we need to have a new frame. They quoted $5K to replace the current frame with a used frame (in good condition, we assume). Other than that, the truck appears to be good condition. The brake is a bit loose (they said no repair needed). The engine light is on and they said it is because of a bad plug. We are hesitating if we should spend $5K to fix the frame. We want to have the truck for mountains, camping trips, etc.. Will a truck with replaced frame be as safe? Will the frame replacement cause other issues? It is our first Avalanche and we were so excited, but we are really lost as of now.
 
If the rest of the truck is rust free and the mechanicals are in good shape, I would go for it. If the rest of the truck is a rust bucket or the mechanicals are shot I don't think I would. A frame replacement, while expensive, shouldn't cause other issues. Just look at all the frames Toyota replaced as part of their recall a few years back.

Now, I would peak around in rust prone spots such as the rear fenders, etc. to see if there is hidden body rot that could impact your decision. I fully plan on spending some serious coin on ours sometime in the next few years to fix rust. The reason being:

  1. They don't make Avalanches anymore and it suits our needs far better than a traditional pickup or SUV
  2. It's still WAY cheaper than a new truck.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Is the truck a cladded model?

If so, it might be a good idea to check behind the cladding really well.

That plastic can hide a lot of sins.
 
Frame is the main structure of the truck.
Body bolts to it
Suspension bolts to it as do some other things.

IF this replacement is for your truck and is in good condition you should be OK as long as the TRANSFER of stuff from one to the other is done well without issue.

Used frame could come with old suspension which would save work.

but when done you have more into truck then she is worth.

Might be better to look for a rust free one from the south or CA and buy it for similar money as to repair what you are looking at repairing.
Then sell yours to someone else.
 
I agree with everyone above, it is way cheaper to replace a frame then buy a new truck and if the replacement is done well with inspection and rust prevention measures the AV should last a long time and be safe. Assuming the replacement parts are good and the work was done properly.
Oh and welcome to the website!
 
Im definitely the type that makes a money pit out of a vehicle I really like. But if there's one thing that's absolutely critical to a vehicle, it's the frame. If you're looking at replacing the frame ontop of all the other work needed to restore it, you're better off cutting your losses and selling the vehicle in this crazy market. I mean, as of this week, they really aren't making new pickup trucks.


Unless you absolutely love this exact truck, or are stuck with it, then swapping the frame off the bat just doesn't make sense imo. The rest of the truck would have to be absolutely perfect. There's nothing saying that $5k is going to cover additional damage that they find. If the body is rusted to match the frame, then you're going to wind up with a mess once you start to pull it off the frame. Once you do that, there's no going back. You either follow though or scrap it. And seeing as we already know it needs more work than the frame mechanically.. yeah..

Your call ultimately. I'd weigh how much you can get out of selling it (if you can) vs the cost of a good alternative one on the market. If it makes sense to you, go for it. My concern is that if they're going to wind up pulling the frame from another truck, id be curious what that truck was like first. You know? Rust is usually what kills these things. It's uncommon for them to be mechanically totaled. It's usually rust or collision and you want neither of those. So if they're pulling from a good used truck, id be having a really good look first to make sure you wouldn't be better off going with it's replacement.

The exception would be trucks that were caught in a flood. Those are the ones to get off of auction because they would be mechanically totalled and the interior is likely bad. But the steel should be fine.
 
Sadly this confirms my own decision. My 2002 died in 2020 - bad fuel pump. Was running strong at 199,756 miles except for that. Had replaced front ABS sensors / hubs just a few thousand miles before that - 3rd time due to rust. Other than never had transmission or engine issues other than tensioning pully. But the body was holed below the passenger doors and the repair shop said it was so rusted underneath that they cold not give me a price for fear of rusted bolts, gas tank straps, fear of the gas tank breaking due to plastic age and likely rust of fuel lines. I parked it... and miss it.
When I went looking for a replacement Avalanche and they are not only expensive, but ALL that I looked at had major rust on the underside. One dealer in PA actually painted the underside - but did not actually remove the rust, just coated it and missed tell tale spots, then asked $29K.
I wanted to sell mine for $2K but got low ball offers of $800. I decided to keep it and go for the parts - 2020 battery, tires with 20K+ left on them, good interior, alternator, love the rubber bed mat and will use it for my shop. If I get a truck that uses same size wheels I'll have an aluminum spare. The Silverado Electric is supposed to have a tunnel like the Avalanche. (I love and use that feature quite a bit!) But I don't want to wait to 2023 and pay $93K. I wish I could find a 100K mile rust free Avalanche for $10K. An Aluminum body Ford F150 Hybrid may be in my future.
 
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