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CLADDING vs. NO CLADDING

welcome Sstevieboy0208,
Only you can decide if it's "too much work" or not. If you look around this website you should be able to find photos of a cladded AV with it's cladding removed and in the photos you will find many holes in the sheetmetal where the clips from the plastic cladding fits in.
in short you would need a couple thousand dollars in cladding parts including clips, double sided tape, and making lots of holes etc. Then you have to worry about rust forming around the holes or behind the cladding in time.....
Some members just wanted a tough off-road look of cladding so they had Line-X sprayed on lower parts of their WBH AV and that to me be a cheaper and easier way to get the look without the work and worry.
 
The sheet metal of a cladded Avalanche is shaped for the cladding.

A non-cladded Avalanche's sheet metal is not shaped to except the cladding.

Two different animals, entirely.
 
I'm for the cladding. Looks tougher and keeps the "off road hazards" from scratching your paint.
 
Cladding has save my wallet, I probably dinged like 20 car doors and I bumped my front into someone and it didn't even make a dent or scratch the other persons car.
 
I have the 02 w\cladding and can say I like the look of both for different reasons.
The cladding does make the machine more durable with respect to door dings etc, but it also brings out a ruggedness to its appearance.
The non-cladding version to me has appeal because it's sort of a streamlined street version of the same truck.
Both have their merits and also pitfalls.
The cladded version fades and requires maintenance, be it refinish restorer or a heavy duty covering.
The non cladded had the road rash door dings etc.
Either way, we got great trucks and a great community for topics like these.
 
Obviously I have the cladding. I like Both of the ways the avalanches look. I personally like the cladding. Rough and beat up like I am at 66 yrs young. They are just good looking trucks and I am surprised how many I see in my area.
 
cladding all the way. It was the first thing I liked when I got my AV in 2004
 
I honestly don't care either way! I will take cladded or not, I have owned both. I prefer the looks of the first gen Avalanches over the second gen all the way. I think GM dropped the ball on these trucks with the styling choices of the second gens. Had they kept them more in line with the pickup styling they would have been ok. But you cant beat the aggressive looks of the first gens. When I first seen an Avalanche in person I fell in love with them, then I noticed that the truck needed to look like this, that would be awesome! Guess what... my wish came though in a few months when the trucks got a facelift!
 
Gh0stU said:
Obviously I have the cladding. I like Both of the ways the avalanches look. I personally like the cladding. Rough and beat up like I am at 66 yrs young. They are just good looking trucks and I am surprised how many I see in my area.
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Nice Av Sir. Looks just like my 2004. Only my z71 sticker is silver. I think the body armor is great. Makes the truck seem heavier than it really is. I just bought it this month and now I notice at least a couple everyday. I'd like to paint the cladding so its all one tone. For now its 50 shades of grey lol.
 
I have 2002 w cladding I’m fine with it I like it better with cladding and grey mines black so it makes it two tone i use Armor all and chemical guys on it and it goes back to looking shiny no need to paint or line x nothing
 
I was curious how much new cladding would cost so I found a gmc parts dealer online. Canadian prices usually a little more than US. But check out these crazy prices
gmcparts1.jpg
gmcparts2.jpg

gmcparts3.jpg
Yes those prices are for each individual piece.
$1089 for the tonneau cover is for 1 of 3 pieces! and thats on sale! $1646 msrp!
These are new oem parts.
There is more like: front bumper cover $486, rear $363
 
I guess if you are one of the only places in the world with new parts, you can charge whatever you like.

:ROFLMAO:
 
When the cladded 02 Avalanche came out I thought it was the ugliest thing i'd ever seen!

Witht the benefit of 19+ years of hindsight,I have changed my mind.The unclad Avy's look naked!

Oh,and I now own an 05 clad Avalanche Z71.Not that that would influence my opinion tho...;)
 
chuck13 said:
When the cladded 02 Avalanche came out I thought it was the ugliest thing i'd ever seen!

Witht the benefit of 19+ years of hindsight,I have changed my mind.The unclad Avy's look naked!

Oh,and I now own an 05 clad Avalanche Z71.Not that that would influence my opinion tho...;)
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ha I feel the same way I hated avalanches forever til I got one. I love this truck. and I'd pick a cladded over a naked one any day of the week. I am jealous though, those guys have so many options for front end dress up and bumpers. we have nothing.... 😔
 
Most of the new trucks on the road get their styling cues from particular past vehicles. The cladded Avalanche is one of those vehicles manufacturers have gone back to in a big way. Covered lockable bed? Check. Rear side bumper steps? Check. Protective wheel well plastics? Check. Extra lockable storage? Check. Take a long look at the new Chevy Colorado. Does it remind you of something you are driving? The Avalanche is truly a classic, and the new trucks prove it. I like my midgate 2003 cladded Avalanche. It still looks unique and current. Not bad for a 19 yo design.
 
Tacocat said:
I have the 02 w\cladding and can say I like the look of both for different reasons.
The cladding does make the machine more durable with respect to door dings etc, but it also brings out a ruggedness to its appearance.
The non-cladding version to me has appeal because it's sort of a streamlined street version of the same truck.
Both have their merits and also pitfalls.
The cladded version fades and requires maintenance, be it refinish restorer or a heavy duty covering.
The non cladded had the road rash door dings etc.
Either way, we got great trucks and a great community for topics like these.
Click to expand...
Agree with all of this.
 
the truth most people think I have a car payment but it’s a 2002 I paid 2800 for it so I’m loving it don’t be fooled a car payment is a bad deal any way you look at it so if I can get a truck with full style but is older even better live smart no worries
 
My 16-year old 2005 in white has the cladding, as did my 2002 red one. Didn't do much for me on the red, but I really like the contrast on the white, and with the white letter BFG KO2s, I think it makes the thing look more muscular and purposeful. I like it.
 
Vegas Avy said:
I have no cladding. I think the benefit to that is that anything you need for the front end is interchangeable with the Silverado. Which is one of the most popular trucks from that time period.

Plus the "Cat-Eye Chevy" is my all time favorite look on a truck. So bonus. I get the Avy ride quality with the cat-eye look.

Plus I'm kind of a mid-size hater, so the Colorado look of the cladded version just doesn't do it for me.
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I'm going to have to agree. I have an '04 and absolutely love it. The "cat eyes" parts are plentiful easy to work on.
 
Cladded Avalanche styling reminds me of Max-D. Makes me cringe a bit.

Meents should have done a cladded Avalanche! Now that would be cool!

As for me, I prefer my non-cladded version. I do realize your opinion my vary considerably.

iu
 
I like the rugged look with the cladding, the only thing i don't like is the headlights, I don't know why but the turn signals on top just bothers me.
 
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