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Interesting question: Do you prefer stock or tricked out?

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Pasnthru1

New Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2021
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I bought my AV so cheap, I won't say how much! Suffice to say it had a "few" problems but since I was part owner of a Auto Repair Shop, I wasn't worried. Even though I knew it needed an Oil Pump (I drove it 156 miles that day) It had a "High Dollar" after market sound system in it that the owner proudly told me that he had installed it himself (trouble there I knew) I was fine until Monday morning when I looked the labor up (and the Chevy Parts) To say I was brooding is to say the least. It had 293,000 miles on it so my partner said " Look up the labor for an engine exchange. I did. Wasn't a lot of difference! Wound up getting a Jasper engine which had corrected Chevy's Problems with the qriginal motor design. New motor installed, cranked it up and every light in the dash came on! None went out!! So, here we go I said. Solved all problems.......Check engine light stayed on! (Back then a vehicle's Ck. Eng. had to be off just to get plugged up to an Inspection Station's machine!) Long story quick. It was the stereo system the guy, "I installed it myself" At a local used parts store that we used all the time, my buddies had a 2002 that had wreck front end. Since we did so much biz w/them they sold me the stock chevy stereo system for 20 bucks......hmmmmm I kept "shopping" and bought the (never used) spare tire and wheel for 50 bucks! My biggest expense was the jasper motor which has about 28,000 miles on it now and is finally "broken in". I am keeping my AV "Stock" Truck has the bells and whistles except no hole-in-the-roof! Best truck I've ever owned. Ist used truck I ever bought also. But something about it just makes me so comfortable and at ease.
 
First welcome to the website and AV ownership!
Unless I missed it you didn't say what year and model AV you have.....you did say you bought a stereo from a 2002 AV, problem could be in that 2002 had a unique electrical system and it may need some altering to connect to a different year AV. It's best to stick with same year for easy install.
The question you ask about stock or tricked out is a long debate among car collectors, it all depends on the owner and maybe someday the buyers wishes as to which train of thought wins out on resale value. Many auctions show that a true stock vehicle with all matching numbers may draw a higher price in a certain market. Once you swap motors and other large numbered parts it's no longer a survivor or truly stock vehicle...
I do appreciate a true stock vehicle as it is a snapshot of history and is an example of technology from that era. That can be a problem in that it then has old brakes, suspension and performance and features that can't meet current buyers wishes.
I guess I have done some of each when it comes to my vehicles. My Av is basically stock from 2008 yet my 1947 Chevy is a Restomod car with shaved door handles, electric windows, chevy 355 motor with overdrive transmission, upgraded stereo and other mods to bring it more into the modern day.
 
LOL! I stand corrected (somewhat!) Yes, I do have a 2002 (wanted 1st. year) Since I owned a trucking company that specialized in transporting antique & classic vehicles, I think I kinda "overlapped" my language a bit. But, I was not thinking "down the road". Perhaps I should have though. So now I do have "Correct vehicle, it is not "original"! The guy I bought mine from (Petersburg VA.) spliced into the power seat harness & the Aux. power harness. Creating many problems along the way. Happily, I was able to get around them. I've owned several "Z-71" but none of them was my AV!! I hardly ever drive it anymore unless my wife and I go to Tidewater (where I am from!) or to the mountains. All things being said, I really like the Jasper motor that corrected the problems with original chevy motor (which increased the HP a bit) Your 47 sounds sounds sweet. Any photos anywhere?
 
What problems with a 2002 5.3L Original motor?

All I see is rear main seal leaking.
 
The oil pump on the original 5.3 motor has historically gone bad & is labor intensive to repair. Jasper improved the pump design and cover making it easier to get to. No leaks or loss of OP over time. It can go bad without warning on high mileage 5.3's causing engine failure. Also, it is easier to get to and replace the timing chain. Which as you probably know at 200,000 plus miles its floppy at best on many. If you get to 280,000 300,000 miles on original motor, it gets really expensive to repair when it breaks.
 
My 04 is loaded, and with Z71 has done everything that I’ve asked of it to date. I’ll leave it stock except for small upgrades (Energy Suspension poly bushings; s/s hardware on non-structural fittings; plug wires) but I WILL be going with police/GMT900 front brake upgrade when a brake job is required.

I have generally upgraded the brakes/suspension/tires on every vehicle I have owned over 40 years- manufacturers almost-ALWAYS cheap out there. But with the Z71 package, I’ll stick with GM engineers’ competency. OK, OK, I lie- I’m thinking of a Torsen LSD in the front dif 😂😂😂
 
None of my rides have ever stayed stock. I'm never interested and resell value as I hang on to them. My 2002 Z66 will be 20 years old this September. Still fast as hell with 152K miles on her. Power steering pump and water pump are the only engine items that have failed or leaked. Getting new shoes on her today, I'll post a pic when it's done. Hard to find a shop that will put 20" wheels on, Costco won't I can tell you that.
 

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I drive 'em till they die. My '04 z71 will be the same, but I really like this one and its worth throwing some money at. I just got it this year so I'm only getting it to run proper. Soon enough I'll be upgrading and customizing. Thats what makes it yours. Get good quality parts over cheap Bling. I also have to keep reminding my heavy right foot "Its Not a Hotrod". If you want to do a burnout, you shoulda got a Z66 ;)
 
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