Chevrolet Borrowing (stealing) Our Beloved Midgate

[sharpdr]

Anyone else wondering what Chevrolet's next midgate utilization will be on. They are already talking of taking our beloved cladding and going to a more crew cab Silverado look w/o cladding---> yet calling it a Avalanche (Same Silverado grill, same side, same same)(Is it a potato or a po-tot-to) Anyone see a Monte Carlo with a AV midgate (Things that make you go hmmmmm)

 

[bmontini]

I haven't heard anything, but I am sure that they will use it elsewhere... I also assume that they hold a patent on the workings of it... I wouldn't be surprised to see it in their shortbed pickups with crew cabs...

 

[jstrickl]

It would make sense to put it on an extended-cab S-10 to compete and dominate the SportTrac segment. In fact at the Minnesota State Fair last weekend, at one of the Chevy tents, the had an S-10 Extended Cab that looked just like a SportTrac down to the roof rack.

Jamie

 

[Prince_FuFu]

Word out of Detroit is that Chevy will produce a Mini AV that is based off of the S-10 platform. Looks like the current AV, same power as the current AV...only smaller.
That's what I hear anyway. We'll see.

 

[jimlanthripe]

Check out the 2003(?) GMC Envoy XUV on the GMC site
http://www.gmc.com/gmcjsp/xuv/main.jsp

It has our midgate with an electric rear window and an electric retractable roof. The tailgate also has an electric window and can fold down or open to the side.

 

[Prince_FuFu]

That's pretty slick. Seems like a lot of moving parts that could could break though.
I was wondering why Chevy didn't make the mid-gate in the AV electric. But then I realized that you wouldn't be able to open the gate , keep the window closed at the same time (like if you wanted to haul sheetrock during a rainstorm. Would be pretty cleaver to have the option of an electric window that could be removed though.

 

[wrchism]

They claim 4x8 sheets of plywood, etc . . . but can they get the tailgate closed with such a load . . . I couldn't find that particular detail.

Getting the 4 foot width in an Envoy sized vehicle is pretty good, but I'm not sure the length is there.

I'll also bet this thing's pricey. ?I'll keep my Av!

 

[aprgriggs]

I keeping my AV too. I see why chevy would use the midgate on other popular models, but I think it will take away from the AV's unique style. And that is why it was truck of the year.

Also, why I am on a rampage. I understand painting the cladding, but removing it. I wish they would call that a silverado with a mid gate and not an AV.

Just thinking

 

[sharpdr]

If Chevrolet (Or the big brother GM) starts using the midgate on ALL of its trucks and SUV's then how can my plan be successful becoming the first AV millionaire paid only by "Change for a dollar" donations? First the IRS now my beloved Chevrolet brand. Must.... Control... Rage...... (Deep Breaths).......
(Think of my happy place---AHHHHHH Behind the wheel of 50th Anniversary Corvette Conv )

 

[ygmn]

Final a powered midgate glass.....WHY NOT ON THE AVY FIRST!!!!

 

[endeavorc]

THe length on the Envoy XUV is about 76.? in. I will have to look it up tonight to get the exact measurement. I have a brochure that was sent to me from GMC. The wife wants one BAD. I do know that plywood will NOT fit with the gate closed and will stick out past the gate with it open.

 

[dvd_rules]

Besides that, the Envoy is just an overpriced Trailblazer. I like my roominess, thank you very much!

 

[Ambalanche]

It's called Colorado and it's the S-10 replacement. You can see it at http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/news/colorado.html It makes sense that they would put a midgate on the Crew cab model to me.

Word out of Detroit is that Chevy will produce a Mini AV that is based off of the S-10 platform. Looks like the current AV, same power as the current AV...only smaller.
That's what I hear anyway. We'll see.

 

[endeavorc]

OK, Off of the GMC site, the rear cargo area with gate down is 77". Now if Chevy makes a little brother to the AV, the wife has stated that she would rather have that instead. Hopefully it would be cheaper also.

 

[ygmn]

I like the idea....I think they are getting creative at GM...

The tailgate is cool it folds down and swings...not that is cool.....

And the roof.....I could see this becoming a popular vehicle...

Go GM MAKE that stock price climb!!!

 

[Skidd-au]

OK, Off of the GMC site, the rear cargo area with gate down is 77". Now if Chevy makes a little brother to the AV, the wife has stated that she would rather have that instead. Hopefully it would be cheaper also.

Nah... get her into the full size one. Bigger is better.

 

[endeavorc]

Skidd,

She refuses to drive mine. Says its too big, don't get me wrong I DON'T mind. The XUV will actually be an excellent compliment to the Av, expecially with the dog.

endeavorc

 

[midlifecrisis]

Then GM will meet its ultimate goal - WORLD DOMINATION!

 

[pete2]

Then GM will meet its ultimate goal - WORLD DOMINATION! ?

I think Microsoft has them beat.

 

[aking]

According to the XUV link, the tailgate can be opened with the power rear window not lowered
(how in the world does that work?) Why not use this on the Av midgate? You could have a power midgate window and you could lower the midgate and leave the window up!

 

[wrchism]

aking . . .

I think your getting 'tailgate' and 'midgate' confused.

You can probably open the tailgate as a door without lowering the glass, but I'll bet that the glass has to be lowered to open the tailgate down (it does both like the old wagons in the '70's).

As for the midgate, you have to lower the XUV's midgate glass before dropping the midgate. On the Av, you have the option of pulling the glass to open up the whole back of the truck, or leaving the glass in place and lowering just the midgate. It would be quite an engineering feat to accomplish both of those options with a power midgate glass.

But, we can always wish!

 

[ahhyeah]

I know I read somewhere that the concept hummer that has a box in the back is going to have the midgate. It also has a night vision option mounted to the roof rack. I think it's MOD time?

 

[Pegtech]

Yes, the 2004 Hummer H2 "pickup" version will have a mid gate. I also saw a picture of a 2006 (Probably) GMC truck, not sure what they were calling it, but it was VERY cool looking and it had the midgate as well. It was very similar to the AV in that it had 4 doors and a short bed. I think I saw it in Pop Sci or Pop Mechanics magazine in the last month or two. It looked like it had good approach and departure angles as well, the only thing I dont like about my AV.

 

[Congelado]

On the Av, you have the option of pulling the glass to open up the whole back of the truck, or leaving the glass in place and lowering just the midgate.

I just found this out a few weeks ago. I always thought you had to take the window out to get the midgate down, as demonstrated by the salesperson.

I felt like a dope when I found this out by mistake -- left the window in and the midgate folded down.

You learn something new every day.