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Holland Member needs Metric Cluster

AVA_Grandpa

AVA_Grandpa

SM 2004
Full Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2003
Messages
1,134
Location
Ontario, Canada
Hey guys,

I received a PM from a new member, shthpnz, out of Holland. He received his '02 Avalanche out of the US and thus the instrument cluster isn't "metric".

Is there any member in Canada who may have removed their OEM cluster and may have this available for sale. How might shthpnz obtain one of these through a factory order? Part Number?

Let's us Canadian folks help out our Holland member (y)
 
Yip, I sold my Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 and told myself the only car that would fit all my needs would be the Chevrolet Avalanche. So you understand I have a lot of needs ;D

So I got a 2002 black Avalanche Z71 from the USA. With Fahrenheit and Miles on it.

I am looking for the Celcius Temperature Panel and an Instrument Cluster which shows Kilometres instead of Miles.

So if anybody can help me out, please contact me.

Roel, The Flying Dutchman

Searching the internet I discovered that the Escalade Cluster will fit too. Not too ugly I think. But rather stiff price. HERE is one with Miles
 
I do not think that you need whole instrument cluster I do remember some months back I got magazine with all different gauge faces. You just remove needles and replace gauce face and I`m positive that they had them for canadien
models also. I will look for it. If I find it I will post it.
Hans
 
Well I know if you import your car into canada from the US or vice versa you can take the cluster to the dealership and have it switched over.

Not sure if any chevy dealers over in Europe thou?

BusterAv

And I have a standard US Mph guage sitting on my workbench but that dont really help ya now does it:(
 
Can't help you with the instrument cluster, but the temp on the mirror can be switched to celsius by pushing and holding the temp/comp button for 4 seconds.
 
Fred

He can go to any european GM dealer and order any 02 Silverado cluster..... Why doesn't it look at upgrading to either a Escalade or SS for 02.... and get the European unit model.... which does not display any MPH... only metric....
I know JP Customs can order a Canadian version, so I would imagine he can order a Europen version as well. Heck, you can go to Custone Auto ( authorized dealers for clusters ) and order them and then ship it over to him.....

Chris
 
As the Avalanche is officially not imported in Holland spareparts are not easy to get. And second hand parts are even more rare.

@arrivalblue:
I have seen the stick-on type of facial. But in my 'Grand Cherokee-time' I heard a lot of noise about broken needles and so, when trying to remove the needle from the instruments.

@Chris:
Tomorrow I'll ask the Dutch GM dealer the prices for a new instrument panel. I'll let you know.

@Avid: Thanks for the tip. As soon as I drive in it I'll switch it over like you mentioned.

The avalanche is now being transformed to be fit for the import into the Netherlands. They have to close the midgate permanent, and even place a second screen just in front of the midgate. (tilting the back of the backseat a bit more.) Those mods are tax based, so I don't moan. You don't want to know the price differences with and without these modifications!
The buying price alone is 42% higher without the modifications, let alone the extra roadtaxes of several thousand Euro's a year.
I really don't moan!


Thanks in advance for your cooperation! This is a wonderfull place to learn about the in's and out's of the Avalanche!
 
shthpnz said:
Thanks in advance for your cooperation! This is a wonderfull place to learn about the in's and out's of the Avalanche!
Click to expand...
Well shthpnz, we've got some ideas on how you may proceed. Do keep us current on your progress towards getting your metric cluster and/or guages.

If you want me to chase down an over-the-counter price for parts here in Canada let me know, and I'll help as best I can. I would think your dealer should be better equipped to get these parts and help minimize shipping and duties.

:B: Good luck :B:
 
Arrivalblue said:
I do not think that you need whole instrument cluster I do remember some months back I got magazine with all different gauge faces. You just remove needles and replace gauce face and I`m positive that they had them for canadien
models also. I will look for it. If I find it I will post it.
Hans
Click to expand...

This is the best darn advice given. Further because it is just a thin piece of plastic that could be carefully rolled up the shipping cost would be low and I'm sure the contents could be listed - creatively to reduce import duties.
 
Why on earth do you have to permanently close the Midgate? Why do you need a screen in the cabin? YIKES, I thought we had strange regulations and laws here...
 
@Chief:
Not easy to explain, but:
In the European Community Holland is standing alone in having a special tax for cars and motorcyles. Apart from the 'normal' buying tax, those vehicles get another 42% 'special' tax over the price-with-'normal tax'.

Also passenger vehicles have to pay road tax. It depends on the kind of fuel how much that road tax is. road tax for Petrol driven cars is relative cheap, For Diesel and LPG cars very expensive. The fuels themselves differ the other way around. Petrol being expensive, diesel and LPG being cheaper.

So far so good.

To promote business the Dutch gouvernement decided to lower the road taxes for vans and pickups and skipped that special 42% 'special' tax!
But by doing that guess what: everybody rebuilt their cars to transform them to vans or pickups!

So there came rules to prohibit not correct use of the lower tax regime. And those rules are very unlogical, beiing only there to stop unlawful use.

So every car which wants to use the mild tax regime has to be measured. Both the cabin and the pick-up part. The pick-up part may not be entered through the cabin, and the size op the pick-up part has to have special dimensions. The Avalanche has 3 cm too less space in the pick-up part, and it is too easy to enter the pick-up part.

So:
1 we have to close the pick-up part from the cabin.
2. we place a screen 3 cm in front of the midgate. The precise wording in the Book of Rules states then that 3 cm of space may be added on the space of the pick up part! Voila!

Don'ask me if I like it :8:, but yes it saves me ten thousands of Dollars! >:D

Now I can drive my car on LPG, being the cheapest fuel here in Holland, without significant road tax.


OK, Looong story, next time I will be shorter!

 
shthpnz said:
@Chris:
Tomorrow I'll ask the Dutch GM dealer the prices for a new instrument panel. I'll let you know.
Click to expand...

You don't have to get one for an Avalanche, you just need to find one that will find an Avalanche. Now 02 AV should also be a Yukon, Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade, Siera PU and Silverado PU.

A cheaper option might be to just change out the overlay!

But if you do go with the new cluster, then upgrade to the units with the Automatic Transmission temperature guage... Denali's, Escalade, 2500 series PUs etc....

Have fun, and lets see some PICs...

Chris
 
I think its interesting to hear all the different rules and regulations overseas. I couldn't imagine having to pay a 42% tax on my truck. I don't think you would see many people in the US driving super expensive cars. Just think your AV cost 40k and you have to pay another 16.8k in taxes. That's more than enough for me to weld the midgate shut.

I can't believe the bed is roughly 1.1 inches too small. I would get out the belt sander and start sanding the plastic down. Does that rule go by total volume of the space? You could also cut out one of the side panels for the extra space if its total volume.

Get us some pictures soon.

Good luck. I'm sure the people over there won't know what to say when they see the AV. Good luck finding a parking space as well. ;D
 
shthpnz said:
@Chief:
Not easy to explain, but:
In the European Community Holland is standing alone in having a special tax for cars and motorcyles. Apart from the 'normal' buying tax, those vehicles get another 42% 'special' tax over the price-with-'normal tax'.

Also passenger vehicles have to pay road tax. It depends on the kind of fuel how much that road tax is. road tax for Petrol driven cars is relative cheap, For Diesel and LPG cars very expensive. The fuels themselves differ the other way around. Petrol being expensive, diesel and LPG being cheaper.

So far so good.

To promote business the Dutch gouvernement decided to lower the road taxes for vans and pickups and skipped that special 42% 'special' tax!
But by doing that guess what: everybody rebuilt their cars to transform them to vans or pickups!

So there came rules to prohibit not correct use of the lower tax regime. And those rules are very unlogical, beiing only there to stop unlawful use.

So every car which wants to use the mild tax regime has to be measured. Both the cabin and the pick-up part. The pick-up part may not be entered through the cabin, and the size op the pick-up part has to have special dimensions. The Avalanche has 3 cm too less space in the pick-up part, and it is too easy to enter the pick-up part.

So:
1 we have to close the pick-up part from the cabin.
2. we place a screen 3 cm in front of the midgate. The precise wording in the Book of Rules states then that 3 cm of space may be added on the space of the pick up part! Voila!

Don'ask me if I like it :8:, but yes it saves me ten thousands of Dollars! >:D

Now I can drive my car on LPG, being the cheapest fuel here in Holland, without significant road tax.

OK, Looong story, next time I will be shorter!
Click to expand...

Well, at least you didn't have to convert it to Right Hand drive, like SKIDD did...
No way for you to appeal this for exemption... The AV is clearly a Truck. I had to put Truck Plates on the AV here! Not allowed to put car plates on....
 
After reading your good help I went to the local GM dealer for a replacement instrument cluster from an Avalanche or the like.

He understood my question, and redirected me to the GM national service dept. There they could tell me blunt that I can not buy a AV or Escalade instrument cluster here in Europe. :E:

When a cluster gets failures it will be sent to a European repairshop in Switzerland.
So I asked what will happen if I destroyed a cluster, would I be able to get me another one? The answer was clear again: NO.

I am discovering these cars are really rare over here! :6:

So I emailed today to JP Customs if they can send me a escalade cluster with KM/H on the display. Hope to get an answer soon.
I'll keep you updated. :-X
Roel
 
shthpnz

I went to look up http://www.chevroleteurope.com/ but the pages are not coming up right now.... I am positive that the suburban and tahoe were sold in Europe, thus you should be able to purchase the cluster. However that being said, you might have to go the authorized dealer for this type of component. An example is here in Southern Ontario, GM dealers are not authorized repair shops or retailer for the parts like the cluster or radios, you have to go through Custone Electromotive Inc.

http://www.custone.com/cei/instruments+display.asp

Thus europe maybe in the same situation and the dealer themselves might not be able to get you the components, but if this was the case, I would expect the dealer to have notified you of this.. Not tell you NO!!!

Anyway, as you have contacted JP Customs, I know they can help you as Jason has quoted me a price for the Canadian version of the Silverado SS Cluster, which has kilometers as the primary. I bet you he can get the European/Asian/MiddleEast region verisons which have only Kilometers......

 
shthpnz, would it not be possible to obtain a new or reconditioned cluster through that "European repair shop in Switzerland"?

I see you have contacted JP Customs, perhaps they can help.

I am aware of a member here in Canada who may have a metric SS cluster available. Perhaps he will send you a message if that cluster is indeed available for you :)

:B: Wishing you success in your ongoing search :B:
 
hello, here an update on my search.

As the sales boys of JP Customs did not rearct to my mail, I went ahead and mailed a connection in Canada, who's name I got on the Web. He sells new Avalanches and Dodges to customers in Western Europe. Nice guy. Dan Kehler
He went to the local GM dealership for me and got the following result:
I have bad news. I spoke to GM and we cannot order this particular part without having the vehicle. GM does not sell these parts without the vehicle since their may be the possibility of rolling back the mileage of the vehicle when installing the new unit. GM installs the part and supplies a legal document stating the original mileage and the new mileage with the new odometer. They cannot do this if they do not have your vehicle.
Click to expand...

Seems a clear answer to me.

So I went back to JP Customs. Now I mailed to the customer service guys. They did reply that they will come back to me with an answer. And that's what I'm waiting for now.

@AVA-Grandpa:
I keep listening at any sign of life of the member with the metric SS cluster though. I am not familiar with (for me) exotic models like SS. You think that cluster will fit?

Regards, Roel
 
Hi Roel,

Does your AV have side turn markers? just ahead of the front doors ???

Looking to add them and curious to see if yours came with them..

Thanks!

Send some pics of the AV in the small country... (y)
 
@AVA-Grandpa:
The truck is now at a specialized workshop to make it fit for the Dutch roads. It sure will get small orange sidelights just in front of the front doors. (rules again)

I'm asked several times now to post pictures, but as my truck is as stock as a truck can be, I thought it would be a waste of webspace. Now I suddenly seem to have got something you guys don't have ;D!

When I get the car (which will at least take another week :6:) I'll post a pic of the sidelight and the car around it.

Roel
 
shthpnz

Are the rules and regulations going to make you install amber turn signals in the rear as well!
Since you AV is stock, do you have to upgrade your tires to European specs, and if so, are you going to eliminate the top end limit as the european tires will most definately be able to handle speeds in excess of 160 km/h.
How about the window tints.. Are they going to make you take them out? What are some of the other changes that are required for you to have done?

Just because we want to know!!! ;D

Chris
 
No, the rear turn signals can stay the same.
Windowtints are OK. Even the front screen is allowed to be mildly tinted.
Those amber frontlights will have to be disconnected.
Tow hook has to be replaced.
The tires are allowed here in Holland. And yes, I will have to get used to that low max speed.

Later I will post the list of modifications.

I know many of you think otherwise, and I don't want to boast and certainly not attract flames, but I was glad my Grand Cherokee 5.9 is running towards 120 m/h. It gives you a time warp. You start late and arrive in time! That car can make me travel back in time :)

Maybe I will remove the speed limiter. And get other tires with it. But for now I think this is the moment to switch to a more decent way of driving.

Funny thing: On my Grand, the speed limiter blocked the gas injectors when driving faster than 125 m/h. but because my Grand was running on LPG instead, it kept on accelerating beyond that point.
Roel
 
shthpnz said:
The truck is now at a specialized workshop to make it fit for the Dutch roads. It sure will get small orange sidelights just in front of the front doors. (rules again)
Click to expand...
At least you aren't having to install those little arm-like thigies like they had on some of the old cars ;D Those would raise up to indicate you were making a turn :eek:

Roel, it's been a treat conversing with you, and as dichris said in his last note, we just wanna know how the AV needs to be adapted to meet your government regulations.

:B: Take care :B:
 
dichris said:
Well, at least you didn't have to convert it to Right Hand drive, like SKIDD did...
No way for you to appeal this for exemption... The AV is clearly a Truck. I had to put Truck Plates on the AV here! Not allowed to put car plates on....
Click to expand...
Fortunately, you drive on the right-hand side in Holland. Of all of the places I have driven, next to Canada and the U.S., Holland is the one place that reminds me the most of home. I was very comfortable driving there, apart from almost running out of fuel on the way from Rotterdam to Heeze. :)
 
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