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What Chevy Platform Is The Avalanche On?

A

Axl_Rose

GUEST
My salesman told me the Avalanche is on the Suburban platform.
Is this true?

If so will most Suburban parts (lifts, running boards, etc..) fit?
 
The Av is part Suburban, which is part Silverado. It appears to be more Suburban than anything else. There are many interchangeable parts between the Av / Suburban / Tahoe / Silverado / Escalade / Denali / etc. However, there are also parts that are not interchangeable. There is really no way to make a blanket statement that all parts will fit.

Generally, if it fits a Suburban or Silverado, there is a good chance you can use it, but you need to confirm that on a case-by-case basis.

-- SS
 
The dimensions from the Chevy website are the same (i.e. wheelbase, width, type of suspension) I am 99.9999% positive the frames are the same. ?It sure does ride better than my 2000 extended cab Silverado, and I don't think Chevy would come up with another specific frame just for the AV. ?Now, with that said, I do not know how many of the Suburban accessories will fit. ?The Avalanche has alot of accessories out on the market for it anyway. ?Just look at the mods section. ?Hope this helps some.
 
The dimensions of a 2003 Avalanche are the same as those of the 2003 Suburban.

Length of both is 221 inches.
Wheelbase of both is 130 inches.

These numbers are different than those of an ext. cab Silverado:
Length of Ext cab short bed Silverado is 227
Wheelbase is: 141.

The Avalanche is 1 inch wider than the Silverado...not sure about the Suburban.

Please note: These numbers are from memory and may be off just a bit, but are as accurate as I can recall.

Craig
 
Yes, the Av is on a Suburban chassis. ?Key points are the rear suspension on the 1500 (multi-link as opposed to leaf), dimensions, and the one piece body (truck boxes and cabs are seperate). ?Also, the Av is built on a 'Burb assembly line.

 
The 1500 Suburban has the same coil spring suspension as the 1500 Av. The platform is the "GMT805" which is the same platform as the Suburban.
 
As stated the AV is based on the Suburban chassis but there are some differences. ?The C-ring is the big difference between them. ? ?(y)

As the back third of the Suburban was cut off for the AV bed the structural was weekend. ?The C-ring, which run from rail to rail behind the cab and is what the sail panels cover, was added to reinforce the chassis. ?This steel cage actually made the AV more ridged than the Suburban and helps account for the AV?s great ride. ?:D

And the sail panels that cover the C-ring were designed to prevent the wind from swirling into the cab when the midgate or rear glass are removed. ? ?Cool engineering ! ? ? :cool:

This is a copy of my post under AV Genealogy 101 , thought it applied here too


 
The AV is build on the GMT800 series (includes the GMT820, 830, 805, etc). Like ShapeSifter posted, check every part that you might want to use. Remember that if a part fits the regular cab Silverado, it may not fit the crew cab or extended cab Silverado (ie running boards). Same applies across the entire GMT800 series line.

Happy modifing!
 
An acquaintance who worked at the factory said the Suburban and the Avalanche are the same until the body is put on. I hope that means Quadrasteer will one day be available on 3/4 ton Avs.
 
OK -

The Avalanche is about 85% Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe. Many of those parts are also shared on the Silverado. The Avalanche 1500 is similar to the 1/2 ton Suburban and the Avalanche 2500 is similar to the 3/4 ton Suburban.

However the Avalanche is actually bigger than a Suburban - about 3" longer largely due to the bumpers. I would venture a guess and only a guess that the WBH Avalanche will be closer in size to the Suburban.

When you push the OnStar button for Custom Service, at least on my 2002 the computer in the car identifies itself as a Tahoe (interesting).

So the salesman was shooting straight when he told you the Avalanche was Suburban at heart. Sounds like you have a good salesman!
 
This was a great series of posts. I really learned a lot. I thought that the AV was Suburb. based but it is great to know the geneology. I wouldn't mind reading it again in one of the CAFCNA mags. :D
 
I'm glad to see such an interesting discussion on the subject.

I was wondering about the differences because I can find more 2wd suburban suspension lifts than 2wd suspension Avi lifts.
 
Chief said:
OK -

When you push the OnStar button for Custom Service, at least on my 2002 the computer in the car identifies itself as a Tahoe (interesting).
Click to expand...

This tahoe phenom is due to the VIN coding for the avalanche. In true VIN code format for GM what you have is a "tahoe" that is built in Silao, Mexico. However, the plant does not have any tooling for the tahoe, and hence it is the Avalanche. A little trivia for ya! Any questions, or need for further info let me know!

ciao for now
Rick
 
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