Z71

Got2b · Feb 4, 2006

What information is available on this?

Any rumors that it might be cladded?
It would certainly fit the Z71 off-road image.

moosc · Feb 4, 2006

The available Z71 package (available later in 2006) takes this aggressive look to the next level. It includes a specifically designed three-piece fascia with a protective, platinum chrome skid plate. It has larger tow hook openings; larger, more prominent fog lamps; and specific grille texture and platinum chrome grille trim. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires also are part of the package :B:

bonesaw · Feb 4, 2006

moosc said:
The available Z71 package (available later in 2006) takes this aggressive look to the next level. It includes a specifically designed three-piece fascia with a protective, platinum chrome skid plate. It has larger tow hook openings; larger, more prominent fog lamps; and specific grille texture and platinum chrome grille trim. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires also are part of the package

18" wheels and "off road" just don't seem like a good match.

moosc · Feb 4, 2006

straight from gm atleast there not 20s

bonesaw · Feb 4, 2006

18s would be cool if . . . 37s were wrapped around them. Now THAT would be an off-road package!!!

Got2b · Feb 5, 2006

Why are 18's bad for off-roading? I assume the bigger the wheel, the bigger the tire and thus more ground clearance.

SRFNSNO · Feb 5, 2006

Side wall baby side wall.

16" and 35's w/10ply side

4x4 Offroad Tire Dia = or greater than 2xRim Dia. is Preferred!

sennister · Feb 5, 2006

Got2b said:
Why are 18's bad for off-roading? I assume the bigger the wheel, the bigger the tire and thus more ground clearance.

Well speaking from the car world a lot of people here in MN have problems with bending rims when they hit pot holes. Typically the larger rims will have lower profile tires and this is the cause of it. If they don't have low profile tires then you would have to have a lift which may prevent some people from being interested as everyone has a different idea on how high a truck should be.

2002AVA · Feb 5, 2006

Having a big sidewall helps with bumps and ruts and such. I plan on having 2 sets of tires in my garage for the Av. The 35 on 16 for severe off road adventures and 285/70/17 for street driving and mild off road adventures.

BLUEavyZ71 · Feb 5, 2006

Three pieces fascia? You mean the front bumper?

moosc said:
The available Z71 package (available later in 2006) takes this aggressive look to the next level. It includes a specifically designed three-piece fascia with a protective, platinum chrome skid plate. It has larger tow hook openings; larger, more prominent fog lamps; and specific grille texture and platinum chrome grille trim. Eighteen-inch wheels and tires also are part of the package

Got2b · Feb 6, 2006

Can somone firther explain tire size vs. sidewall and off-roading? Does a bigger tire size require a wider tire and thus won't fit without it lifted?

SRFNSNO · Feb 6, 2006

OK I am at work and have no links.

But the tire sizing (metric I believe) Is 1st # perimeter of tire (cross section)- 2nd # height of sidewall- 3rd # rim dia

(EX.)Stock AV 265/75-16 or 265/70-17 (both have the same overall Diameter 32.6"

In my case I have a 35/12.5-15 (English sizing) or equivalent to 315/75-16 tire dia = 35"

any tire larger than stock in Dia or A wider tire give you a chance that there will be Rub issues

james21 · Feb 6, 2006

I think it would be nice if GM made a truck that came from the factory w/ a lift and big tires like 33s or 35s, full skid plating and possibly a grilleguard or winch. I saw in the latest issue of "Truck Trend" that Nissan is doing just that w/ their Titan, straight from the factory in either 4x2 or 4x4, crew or extended cab, it come w/ 6" lift, 35s, full skid protection, and some other options. If GM did that for the 07 Z71 AV, that might influence a buy, but I highly doubt they'd follow that route, maybe they'll have a special edition like the NFE, that's something to look forward to

.

-James.

SRFNSNO · Feb 6, 2006

OR the power wagon : 33's, winch, (power sway bar disconnect), front lockers........

sennister · Feb 6, 2006

SRFNSNO said:
OK I am at work and have no links.

But the tire sizing (metric I believe) Is 1st # perimeter of tire (cross section)- 2nd # height of sidewall- 3rd # rim dia

(EX.)Stock AV 265/75-16 or 265/70-17 (both have the same overall Diameter 32.6"

In my case I have a 35/12.5-15 (English sizing) or equivalent to 315/75-16 tire dia = 35"

any tire larger than stock in Dia or A wider tire give you a chance that there will be Rub issues

Yep that is a good explination. I'm sure the person asking the question has seen low profile tires. It is possible to have 20" rims with the same overall diameter (or very close) as long as the sidewall height is reduced from the stock tire's height. By keeping the over all diameter the same or very close you don't have to worry about a couple issues.

1. Tire rub when turning
2. Inaccurate Speedo/Odometer

Issue 1. is taken care of by either trimming around the wheel well, lifting the truck or both

Issue 2. is taken care of by in old vehicels changing the gears in the speedo cable and in newer vehicles it can be done by making changes in the computer with a programmer.

While it would be cool if GM would come out with a lifted version of the AV from the factory I wouldn't hold your breath. I don't know about dealers in your area but here in MN there are a few dealers here that lift vehicles, do custom paint jobs and install other accesories. If you look at the average AV or truck for that matter on the road here in MN and they are mostly stock height. This weekend for instance I think I saw about 15 AVs on the road and only 1 had a lift kit. I think that was a higher average than normal because I rarely see a lifted AV. A cousin's boyfreind had one and that was the one I would see the most often.

The problems with doing a factory lift like that is the fact that with any other mods out there it tends to make a vehicle harder to sell. This is because with so many options out there and everyone has thier own idea as to what the ideal truck would be. Would you really pay a premium for a vehicle that once you owned it you would be parting out certain parts because you would want a given part made by a different company? A better route would be if they offered a line of accessories that could be installed at the dealer and potentially be covered by your warranty. This is something Subaru does with thier WXR. GM does offer this to a point. Look at thier line of rims that they offer and I'm pretty sure you can get a Corsa Exhaust from the dealer. The problem there is that the dealer typically charges more for the given name brand component than what you could find it on the internet for. So do you really want to pay a premium for a potential warranty? The warranty point isn't a always going to be honored either. Look at the Z71 shocks. Bilstein offers lifetime warranty on thier shocks and the Z71 comes with them from the factory. Now once you are out of your standard 3/36K warranty with no extended warranty I would like to see you try and get one replaced under Bilstein's lifetime warranty. They will tell you it is an OEM part and not covered under the same warranty so once your standrd or extended warranty is up you are on your own.

That is why I would rather do what I want to a vehicle rather than have some GM exec put a package together for me. In the long run it would probably cost the same and I would get what I want.