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AV 1500 Or 2500

A

Al_Zheimer

GUEST
???
I plan on ordering my new, yellow Avalanche in the Spring. I'm not sure whether I should order the 1500 Z71 or the 2500. I don't plan on doing too much towing, but I really like the extra horsepower. I know the 2500 uses more gas, but I really like the extra horsepower. I like the off-road qualities of the 1500 Z71, but I really like the extra horsepower. Do you think I should get the 2500? Has anyone purchased the 2500 only to regret they did buy the 1500? Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, hints for when I place my order? I can't wait to get my AV.

Thanks
 
Sounds like you may already know which way to go.....you want the extra power go with the 2500....if you ever do tow you will have no issues.....if you plan on supercharging you already have the right tranny fof the job......sounds like the 2500 is the one for you... :B:
 
I am sure this has been brought up before on another thread but this time I have a different answer.

The power to weight ratio is about the same on the two vehicles so the performance is about the same. The articles that I have seen have the 1500 at .1 sec faster in the 1/4 mile and 0-60 mph and the 2500 slightly better handling so they are essentially the same. I agree with NJAV if you are going to add big mods. Also, if you plan on towing more that 5-6000# I would get the 2500. Otherwise, the 1500 will do just as well and be cheaper and cheaper to run (gas and drive train parts) and I would get a 1500.
 
Friend, it's always better to have too much truck. ?I tend to keep my trucks for several years and every half-ton I've bought has been a mistake (always end up needing the ?-ton).

Go for the 2500 with the skid plates and off-road stuff and you will have the truck of your dreams.

I actually prefer the ride of the 2500 Avalanche over that of the 1500. ?It's still cushy, but nailed, bolted and screwed ?to the road.

Yes, the 1500 is probably as fast as the 2500, but the torque is much higher in the 8.1 engine. If you want pure, hard gut-wrenching power to do your bidding, the 8.1 liter (2500s only engine) is the clear choice

Steve
 
I have the 2500 absolutely no regrets. I have heard of a few with the 1500 that now think they should have gone for the 2500..
 
I would like to hear G-xx's take on this ;D
 
Al, we test drove all the Av models before settling with the 2500. We wanted to get a truck that would last for many years to come, whether we wanted to go off-roading, towing, hauling, or just cruising :cool: Since the Av is our secondary vehicle, mileage was a concern but not the primary concern.

One word of caution -- some accessories take a while before they're available for the 2500. Somewhere on this site there was a statistic that only 1 out of 10 Avs are the 2500 model. Because of this certain 2500-specific suspension and engine-related mods may take longer to be made available than the 1500 models.

Good luck with your choice (y)
 
One more thing,

It is a smother ride on the 1500 than the 2500. But you can always change the shocks?
 
Last but not least if you do decide to go with the 1500 instead of the 2500....get the 4.10....not the 3.73....you will save a little more with the 3.73 with the fuel mileage...but who cares about that right?.....and get the Z71....the bilsteins alone make it worth it's weight in gold..... :B:
 
Last but not least if you do decide to go with the 1500 instead of the 2500....get the 4.10....not the 3.73....you will save a little more with the 3.73 with the fuel mileage...but who cares about that right?.....and get the Z71....the bilsteins alone make it worth it's weight in gold.....
Click to expand...

I will agree with NJAV here and add that if you are into power the 2500 is the way to go. We bought one and found it a pleasure to drive even if the wheels look too small for the wheel wells... ;D (According to my wife)

I also had the opportunity to drive a 1500 for a whole week and found it lacked that off the line humph I got so accustomed to in the 2500. Ride wise, they both ride well with the 1500 Z71 acting a lot more like a car then the 2500 siebling. Everything else was the same... I will have to speculate the 2003 will have the same characteristics (powertrain wise) as the 2002 do but I don't know for sure. I have a 2500 being loaned to me over the weekend and a 1500 loaned to me next weekend so I will know for sure. Good luck on your purchase, wichever you choose is all good by us!!!

Happy Aving! :cool:
 
chevroletavalanche said:
One more thing,

It is a smother ride on the 1500 than the 2500. But you can always change the shocks?
Click to expand...
You can't just change to lighter shocks to get a smoother ride. They are matched to the spring rate. Shocks with less damping would ruin handling and give a sloppy ride. The 2500's that I have driven were very smooth riding. The days of buck-board stiff 3/4 tons are over.
 
Steelheadchaser said:
You can't just change to lighter shocks to get a smoother ride. They are matched to the spring rate. Shocks with less damping would ruin handling and give a sloppy ride. The 2500's that I have driven were very smooth riding. The days of buck-board stiff 3/4 tons are over.
Click to expand...

Amen to that.....I've had the pleasure of doing so now and again..and it felt like a 5 ton.... :3:
 
I have just ordered the 2500, not because I plan to tow anything heavy but because I plan on larger tyres, a bit of a lift, and with 5 burly blokes on board I never want to say "I wish I had."
 
I'm sure you'll put that big block to good use....skidd... :B:
 
Or how about this one.."Does a bear shirt in the woods?" :B:
 
I walked by all 1500's on the lot until I got to the onyx black 2500! It's mine now! No regrets. I can't wait to pull my trailer with my big block beast!
It's a beautiful machine. Drives like a dream! Best truck I ever had!
:)
 
I have a 1500, but if you want the 2500, and you have the money, go for it!

Get what YOU want, too much is better than not enough, or so I hear >:D

 
Either way you can't go wrong....you will get the use out of both in some way, it pretty much comes down to what you would like to drive away in......It's an AV...your a winner regardless... :B:
 
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