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If U Were In Charge Of The Av Engr & Design...

clayton said:
I would have power retractable outside rear view mirrors; ?provide a better looking runningboard with the factory package, similiar to a nice aftermarkets. Expecially for Z71. ?A "tailgate ajar" alarm. Make A/C cooling and heating mode more user friendly. Makes no sence to put heat in "red" max heating when the unit is in automatic.Does'nt seem very automatic to me. Improve mushy brakes. I love the idea of a 3-way switch from rear seating area or at least do like GMC suvs. ?Their headrest automatically flips back when seats are tilted forward. This would at least clear the offset behind front seats and then flip down. ?Have consol cover flip up and back rather than from driver side. ?Eliminate CD ?PLAYER and offer XM satEllite. ?I love my AV. It is 18monts old and will get a new one early 2004. ?
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Looks like at least some of your requests have been taken care of already and I'm sure will still be there in '04 for ya.

And as for the headrest thing...
Their headrest automatically flips back when seats are tilted forward.
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If they fold back like that 8' cargo will hit them. But perhaps a different solution would solve both problems.
 
6 cylinder turbo diesel with 30 MPG and 500K mile service life.

Make the rear seatbacks non-slip with full coverage when folded down without lowering midgate.
 
chevylover said:
Electric rear window, four wheel steering and a little more power out of the V-8's
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Would you give up your option of running with back window in place and midgate down (8' enclosed cargo), or would you ask them to slide the rear window up into the headliner somehow?

 
I think the ones I would like to see are:

1. Split mid-gate design

2. Power locking tailgate

3. 6.0 Liter option for 1500 series

4. 12V power points in rear of bed

5. Cargo lamp switch in rear of bed

6. Useful coat hooks

7. Lock for center console

8. Availability of roof marker lights like HDs with separate switch

9. Finally, one which I believe will be available on '04s, option to get Sunroof and DVD Rear Entertainment System together
 
jmbfin said:
I think the ones I would like to see are:
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That's a great list, jmbfin, I'd buy that truck. (y)

(Of course, I already have a center console lock in my '02. >:D )

I'd like to add a heads-up display, and a built-in navigation system. The front face of the radio should be a display screen, that folds down for inserting CD, DVD, and maybe even cassette. A row of fixed action buttons across the bottom for common functions: volume, seek/scan, etc, with the rest being soft controls on a touch screen. This screen could be used for radio, DVD, navigation, rear camera, and many other functions. When navigating, current position and route are shown on this screen, and upcoming turn indications are shown on the HUD so you don't have to look down.

-- SS
 
I am sure someone else already may have posted, but since I am new, here goes. Please don't think that I am hammering the Ave's. But working in an engineering position for several years, your normal thinking is maximize the situation. Anyway, I am shocked GM did "NOT" use an electric rear window design with the Ave. it would be real nice to hit a switch and have the rear window reside in the rear seat . Very similar to the old GM station wagon, Tahoes, and Suburbans. Second, I would love to see the bed cover become an electronic door. What I mean is, have a light weight metal slatted door retract into the uderside of the bed (similar to a rolling garage door). Since I remove the panels on a daily basis, I am sick of storing them.

As I said, I am trained to optimize and GM could have inovated to the extreme. Carpe Diem !!!!!! I love my Ave. but these two additions would have really kicked the competition beyond beleif.
I would also love to see a supercharger as a stock item as well. Oh boy, I am dreaming and really stretching now.

C-mon GM and Chevy, have the younger engineers work with the older ones. :B:
 
gatorray said:
The electric window idea is a good one....

Does anyone think this is mod-able?
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There has been a bit of discussion about that, we had a member from Hawaii who was going to give it a go. Have a look at this thread...

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?board=16;action=display;threadid=6657;start=0
 
Thney could have made the midgate window a bit thicker and then installed an area for window track and motor......but what you lose is the ability to have the midgate down with the window installed......

SO when ever you need to drop the midgate you would have to roll the window down which woulkd stink in the rain......I think they thought well about it myself for this reason........
 
ygmn said:
Thney could have made the midgate window a bit thicker and then installed an area for window track and motor......but what you lose is the ability to have the midgate down with the window installed......

SO when ever you need to drop the midgate you would have to roll the window down which woulkd stink in the rain......I think they thought well about it myself for this reason........
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I agree. Unless there was a way to roll the window up into the headliner like a one-piece garage door I prefer it the way it is, non-power and many configuration options.
 
OK, I am a rookie since we have only had the 2003 Avalanche WBH for @ 3 weeks. However, I do have some ideas already :).

- I echo the suggestion of power locking/unlocking of tailgate for sure. The side storage compartments, I could go either way.

- I want to be able to fold rear seat/lower mid-gate and not have to have front seats so $%&* far up.

- Dual exhaust outlets on both sides of vehicle, and of course a more free flowing muffler!

Mike Webber
 
tafirehawk309 said:
OK, I am a rookie since we have only had the 2003 Avalanche WBH for @ 3 weeks. However, I do have some ideas already :).

- I echo the suggestion of power locking/unlocking of tailgate for sure. The side storage compartments, I could go either way.

- I want to be able to fold rear seat/lower mid-gate and not have to have front seats so $%&* far up.

- Dual exhaust outlets on both sides of vehicle, and of course a more free flowing muffler!

Mike Webber
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you can eliminate some of that forward seat movement by doing the rear seat "headrest mod". this will prevent you from moving your seat forward during a rear seat fold down procedure.
 
i forgot to mention that a search under Modifications and Accessories should get you the results you are looknig for.
 
Just chalk it up to this gang of Av'ers to keep the ideas free flowing! Many great Ideas and comments!! Need to see where we can make the recommendations to GM as a recognized/organized group of owners to have our say in the matters. Thanks for continuing to keep this thread going!

see ya
Rick
 
Would like to see a couple of things. For the Z66 it needs to come standard with 20's on it and lowered about 3" with 5.7 and dual perfomance exhaust badged Z66SS. Cladding painted to match. Chevy needs a street brawler and what better platform. (not real thrilled with the SSR :9:. Gave up on Camaros and Firebirds for that thing? Please :7:)
Z71 this has been covered else where and I like the ideas over there. Lift at least 3" (tired of F@&d Heavy Duties looking in my Av) Minimum 33" tires on it with real skid plates covering all the vitals. 5.7 Standard dual performace exhaust with 410 gears brush guard with Stealth Offroad bumper.
If Z71 and Z66 are the Marque for the Av Fleet then do them up right.
Theo
 
Forgot, DITTO on the auto locking tailgate :0:. That is truely an irritating deleted feature. Typical routine at ball diamonds, turn off engine drop off son then have to get out to unlock bed to get his 30lbs of catchers gear and bats. Lock bed get back in start back up and go find a parking place while line of parents behind me ends up 1/4 mile long :mad:. Oh yeah and bring back the under hood lighting (y). Got it in the bed why did they remove it from under the hood? :E:
Theo
 
I have been a fan of the AV since before it hit the drawing board years and years ago, but here are a few realistic things I wish GM would do, and where I am with my AV currently thanks to this website.
  • Power Locking tailgate - will be done soon
  • 12v power in cargo bed - done
  • 110v power in center console - done
  • Move heated seat controls (hit it too easily)
  • Pin switches for lamp on tailgate and cargo bins - will be done soon
  • Rear window screen insert option - done
  • Body color match mirrors and handles on WBH - I'm 1/2 way done
  • Rear view camera - done
  • Auto up/down on all windows
  • Auto close on sunroof
  • Auto close / vent windows via key fob - will be done w/ new Alarm
  • Hinge console from rear not passenger side
There are some other things that are great ideas - split power fold midgate would be nice, but I will let that go until 2007. Stereo - 'eh I will go aftermarket. GPS and DVD - again aftermarket as I have my "carputer" DVD/MP-3/Navigation/Computer/WiFi setup they would never want to offer as a factory option.
 
Blue_03 said:
  • Power Locking tailgate - will be done soon
  • Pin switches for lamp on tailgate and cargo bins - will be done soon
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Sounds like a Tailgate locking kit from Rod is on your list or already ordered. You won't be disappointed. It's as good or better than I'd expect had it been done by the factory.

split power fold midgate would be nice, but I will let that go until 2007.
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Wow! The rear window engineers would HATE you with that idea. Another vote for window retracts up into the headliner I guess. :)
 
- Ram air hood or better air box design
- Clearance lights standard on AV's
-- Line of Fire standard option
- Expanded GM color schemes
- While we're dreaming;
-- Remote lockable tailgate with powered dop/ raise feature ( for the grenade launcher of course) >:D >:D
-- Power slide runnning boards for those who like to 4 X 4 and not mess em up --- with lights, Neon's of course
-- Retractable bed cover ???
-- 60/40 Split midgate
-- Self inflating pressure sensor on tires- okay, too much!
-- Electronics/audio video prewired hook ups and mounting areas ;D
hey-- you did say we could dream.. :love:

Oh yeah, redesign of bed frame for fifth wheel adapabilty HD's natrually.

ADD ON: 9/21
Wonder if there any market for an AV 3500 Series? Lenghten the bed maybe one panel or more :eek:, maybe dually (y), diesel paower pack (y) ;D, for the heavy haulers and fith wheels :0: I think it would be something to consider??

I mean think about the versatility of the Avalanche, storage and change up plus the fitht wheel and goose neck suitabiliity?/



 
Definitely an SS version. 6 liter,lowered. 20inch rims with 50 series tires. This would have to be a WBH model with the pillars monochromatic. Would look killer!.... Someone out there has probably done it already sans the 6 liter motor. :B:
 
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