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Have an offer to trade my 03 Avalanche 2500 to an 08 1500 and need advice

Sstevieboy0208

Sstevieboy0208

Full Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2020
Messages
117
So i have an offer to trade my 03 2500 for an 08 1500 5.3 Z71 and would like some advice.
Condition is comparable and so is the mileage. My 2500 runs perfect and I drove the 08 and it rides nice. Needs shocks but everything else seems to be good. The only thing I noticed is that it has a buff of smoke every once in a while on a startup while warm. He said that the engine was replaced with LC9 that has 90k on it. I'm on the fence. It seems clean and shifts great.
 
If I had to upgrade to the second gen(07-13) I'd go with a 09 up, GM made some improvements to the AV like improved valve lifters and the 6 speed transmission.

Being at 90k I would bet it has many originals parts, I think the the LC9 has the second design lifters but not sure.
 
MS03 2500 said:
If I had to upgrade to the second gen(07-13) I'd go with a 09 up, GM made some improvements to the AV like improved valve lifters and the 6 speed transmission.

Being at 90k I would bet it has many originals parts, I think the the LC9 has the second design lifters but not sure.
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I was thinking about it but not sure. Kinda love my 2500. Lol the smoke one startup is what's really making me think
 
Listen to your inner voice, Smoke on start-up after warm is a sign that tolerances are loose, Now on start-up cold ok.
 
ronthehandymanga said:
Listen to your inner voice, Smoke on start-up after warm is a sign that tolerances are loose, Now on start-up cold ok.
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Yup. It's doing it when warm and it was 70 degrees out. And when I looked the issue most say piston rings are on their way out not to mention he's using 10w30 in it and I don't understand why. Scanner didn't show anything.
 
why? whats wrong with yours?

If you say nothing then keep it
 
Is.it puffing blue only at warm startup,.or all the the time? If the former, wouldn't that be more likely tired valve guides than rings?

What's the draw to the 08? (Asking as an 07 sometimes wishing it was a 2500)
 
DaCurmudgeon said:
Is.it puffing blue only at warm startup,.or all the the time? If the former, wouldn't that be more likely tired valve guides than rings?

What's the draw to the 08? (Asking as an 07 sometimes wishing it was a 2500)
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When it's warm and then stops and runs fine. And I just like the body style. You have an 07? How do you like it
 
Sstevieboy0208 said:
When it's warm and then stops and runs fine. And I just like the body style. You have an 07? How do you like it
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Real love/hate relationship. 216k with deferred maintenance on all original bits. Had it almost 2yr now. Leaked out of everything and tons of codes, but no big body or frame issues. Not mint, but barely any surface rust on bolt heads. Now only leaks out of half the things and as of this week only a few inconsequential codes. Slowly getting restored. Have always owned quirky vehicles, and this is likely the most complex one, but the hunt is part of the 'funstration' chasing gremlins. My biggest "issue" is hitting tow/haul limits. Gimme a gmt900 body with 2500 capacity!
 
DaCurmudgeon said:
Real love/hate relationship. 216k with deferred maintenance on all original bits. Had it almost 2yr now. Leaked out of everything and tons of codes, but no big body or frame issues. Not mint, but barely any surface rust on bolt heads. Now only leaks out of half the things and as of this week only a few inconsequential codes. Slowly getting restored. Have always owned quirky vehicles, and this is likely the most complex one, but the hunt is part of the 'funstration' chasing gremlins. My biggest "issue" is hitting tow/haul limits. Gimme a gmt900 body with 2500 capacity!
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I can relate. Mine have some rust as I'm in Ohio. Rockers and whatnot, the 08 that I'm offered is a little cleaner body wise and the engine sounds good but that smoke which smells like burning oil is what has me puzzled. Personally I had an 04 1500 with the 5.3 that used to do that and once I replaced to the upgraded valve cover with the new pcv I had no problem but a lot of people keeps scaring me from the AFM and the smoke. It only lasts like 30 seconds if that. Then clears up. So any advice will be very helpful. Also it doesn't do it all the time.
 
Question for you, are you using your 2500 as your daily driver. ??
 
MS03 2500 said:
Question for you, are you using your 2500 as your daily driver. ??
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Yes. It's currently my only one. And yes it dies burn some oil but no smoke. I honestly have a gut feeling that I need to trade it but my heart say no if that makes sense
 
The 2500 AV's will use some oil partly because of the PCV system it has, it just sucks (pun intended) the oil vapers from the lifter valley with no filtration... In needs a catch can to reduce this IMHO...
 
Randy said:
The 2500 AV's will use some oil partly because of the PCV system it has, it just sucks (pun intended) the oil vapers from the lifter valley with no filtration... In needs a catch can to reduce this IMHO...
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Well I fully decided against the trade. Went and saw it today and on a cold start it sounded funny a little rough then smoothed out. Then decided to look under it and long and behold bad rust to the point that part of the trailing arm hinges came off in my hand when I touched it. So no way I'm trading for it. So I truly appreciate you guys helping me come back to my senses lol. Now I'm taking my truck for a good wash and ceramic waxing lol
 
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I can tell you that IMHO after you've been driving a 2500 8.1L that accelerates with ease, pulls any hill like it wasn't there and handles like a truck half its size you will be disappointed diving an AV with the 5.3L...
 
Randy said:
I can tell you that IMHO after you've been driving a 2500 8.1L that accelerates with ease, pulls any hill like it wasn't there and handles like a truck half its size you will be disappointed diving an AV with the 5.3L...
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I truly appreciate all the help and support of this forum and you guys over the years. You all have helped guiding me through some issues I had with it and now honestly she runs great for me. Almost every one in here have giving me advice on something and was always right and helped so thank you all. I'm a veteran and it does remind me when I was deployed when we all had each other back so thank you again. Glad to be part of this community.
 
Auto Parts Guy said:
I would never trade my 2500 for a 1500.... but I'm biased so there's that. You made the right choice!
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I'm with you man. In the beginning of that whole thing I was in the fence but once I walked away it's like falling in love all over again man. I just wish I can find someone close to me who can tune it for me. For some reason I can't find anyone in Ohio Indiana or Kentucky. Like I'm willing to drive to them just can't seem to find any. Lol
 
So if you live in any form of the rust belt I would steer clear of any 1500. The frame on all the1500s are delicate to say the least. Also not a fan of AFM. Your 8.1 is pretty bullet proof if your taking care of it. Maybe a LTZ might be an OK comp....
 
Mercruiser used the 8.1L but it had to pass an endurance test first... It was run at full throttle for 3 hrs stopping and idling for five minutes every hour, so it's built to handle a load... Arguably the best Big Block Chevy ever made as far as reliability, daily driver and endurance, not high performance but the possibilities are there GM just did not pursue a performance line for this motor in cars and trucks...
 
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