• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

What don't you like about you Avalanche?

I bought my 09 new so after 10 years my dislikes are:

1.  Wish it had a 6.2 and 8L90 trans. 
2.  I hate that  I loose 4" of bed width due to the bed covers/saddle bags.  I would much rather have the full use of the bed space. 
3.  The 6L80 needs a better trans cooler. Mine is much better after I had the trans die from running too hot. 
4.  Can't put on a HD bumper due to the front end design. 

I would buy a 2019 if they were made though. 
 
Dont really care for the woodgrain interior trim. To old fashion for me. I cured it though. Pulled every piece out and applied brushed aluminum transfer tape to it. Gives it a modern day performance feel.
 
MHPiatt said:
Dont really care for the woodgrain interior trim. To old fashion for me. I cured it though. Pulled every piece out and applied brushed aluminum transfer tape to it. Gives it a modern day performance feel.
Click to expand...
Or the look of a 2008 Z71. (They came that way from the factory).... >:D

Some even modified the cup holder area with insert from a Denali from that year or a hummer too I think....
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0052 (Small).JPG
    IMG_0052 (Small).JPG
    47.9 KB · Views: 32
  • console (Small).jpg
    console (Small).jpg
    73.4 KB · Views: 29
Southernslide said:
sofar havn't fully discovered everything about this truck....but....where do you put the panels?? :needhug:
Click to expand...

I usually just leave them in the garage if I need an open bed.

The first generation trucks came with a large storage bag that holds all three bed panels and attaches to one side of the bed.

BedPanelBagMounted-02_zpse80e2b70.JPG


The second generation trucks came with a set of straps to hold the three panels in that same location.

I have the storage bag, but it is stowed away in a closet.

Too bulky to store in the truck.

So, as stated, I leave the bed panels at home in the garage if I need to use the open bed.

So far, I haven't ever needed an open bed in the spur of the moment while I was away from my garage.
 
Southernslide said:
sofar havn't fully discovered everything about this truck....but....where do you put the panels?? :needhug:
Click to expand...

https://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=136931.25

EXT4ME explained it, and the link above has pictures posted by Thomcat mid way down the post that shows the gen2 strap system that holds the panels in place in the bed. Realistically though, the panels just stay at home when an open bed is needed just like EXT stated.
 
Don't likes for a gen 2 avalanche are all engineering or marketing decisions that don't really affect my enjoyment of the truck.

Engineering decisions I don't like:
No access to the fuel pump without removing the fuel tank or cutting a hole.
Power folding mirrors are fitted with cheap plastic gears.
The pivot point of the rear seats and midgate are misaligned. When the seats are folded down that misalignment prevents the gate from sitting flat with the bed when in the lowered position.
Removal of the rear bumper corner steps on the 07 and up models. Remolding the rear step bumper to allow for paint would have been a great option.

Marketing/Business decision I don't like:
Displacement on Demand that cannot be disabled from the DIC. I realize the need to meet emissions but let me decide if I care about mileage after the sale. If I wanted to hyper mile I would not be driving a >6000lb truck.
They Killed the Avalanche!
 
netdoctored said:
Don't likes for a gen 2 avalanche are all engineering or marketing decisions that don't really affect my enjoyment of the truck.

Engineering decisions I don't like:
No access to the fuel pump without removing the fuel tank or cutting a hole.
Power folding mirrors are fitted with cheap plastic gears.
The pivot point of the rear seats and midgate are misaligned. When the seats are folded down that misalignment prevents the gate from sitting flat with the bed when in the lowered position.
Removal of the rear bumper corner steps on the 07 and up models. Remolding the rear step bumper to allow for paint would have been a great option.

Marketing/Business decision I don't like:
Displacement on Demand that cannot be disabled from the DIC. I realize the need to meet emissions but let me decide if I care about mileage after the sale. If I wanted to hyper mile I would not be driving a >6000lb truck.
They Killed the Avalanche!
Click to expand...

I agree on the cylinder deactivation.  And even if you take it in and ask, I want this programmed to be removed, they still wont do it.  I agree, if I wanted gas milage I wouldnt own a truck with a 4:10 rear end for towing

Its just a pain to have, you can tell when it goes into "V4" mode.  Engine feels wierd, like some sort of feedback.  And I dont even see how I even get better mileage with it
 
Hi everyone, I'm a new member with a 2010 Ave. Had to think hard about what I don't like and couldn't come up with anything worth mentioning. We've had it from new and have over 230k km or approx 140k mi.
 
Factory trailer hitch is weak, folded frames down on 2 previous Suburbans while pulling big heavy trailers, '13 Avy hitch looks :E: even lighter. Yikes!
 
Being in Northern Indiana, my only 2 gripes would be that the truck is prone to rust, and they discontinued it. I bought my Avy used, previous owner had a body shop do a "cover up" job before he traded in. Now I have rust bubbling through on both rear fenders, bottom of the front doors, left rocker panel, and hood. I plan to drive it till the wheels fall off and then get another one.
 
Molon Labe said:
Being in Northern Indiana, my only 2 gripes would be that the truck is prone to rust, and they discontinued it. I bought my Avy used, previous owner had a body shop do a "cover up" job before he traded in. Now I have rust bubbling through on both rear fenders, bottom of the front doors, left rocker panel, and hood. I plan to drive it till the wheels fall off and then get another one.
Click to expand...
I was trying to find the max tonged weight. Do you know it?
 
Having to do the AFM removal was pretty silly and I feel like the bed covers leak more than they should.
 
1 week into ownership of my 2013 LT I'd have to say that being able to BT the phone is nice, but not being able to stream audio from the phone is just silliness.  :)

That and mine is missing the rubber bed mat.  So i need one of those.  I just don't like its missing. 
 
Bonzohansen said:
That and mine is missing the rubber bed mat.  So i need one of those.  I just don't like its missing.
Click to expand...

When I bought my 2004 EXT used back in 2012, it was missing the bed mat, among other things.

I went to a local truck accessory store and found that an aftermarket rubber mat for a step side pick up truck was a good side to side fit and I cut off the foot or so that the mat was too long.

This mat has worked perfectly all these years since.

Just last summer, I was just bouncing around on eBay and I stumbled across a listing for a used Avalanche bed mat.

I bought the mat.

When it came, I took my power washer to it and boom, now I have two mats in the bed of my EXT.

One OEM and one aftermarket.

In the picture below, you can see the aftermarket step side pickup truck bed mat.

BedPanelBagMounted-02_zpse80e2b70.JPG
 
I seem to remember I paid less than $100 for the step side pickup mat.

It's actually thicker and heavier than the OEM mat.
 
Vaeagleav said:
Or the look of a 2008 Z71. (They came that way from the factory).... >:D

Some even modified the cup holder area with insert from a Denali from that year or a hummer too I think....
Click to expand...

Is that cupholder mod a simple swap out, or does it involve a lot of "making it fit"  Looks so much cleaner.

I as well have wanted to replace the "wood" in mine, but its been almost 8 years now.
 
Yes it is a simple part swap with no mods needed. (y)
This post from 2015 has some part numbers from GMpartsdirect.com to replace console cup holder area but near bottom of thread also has part number to swap out push button padded lid section with brushed aluminum part as well to complete the look of Z71 in second gen AVs.
https://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=146901.msg2108649#msg2108649



This is what the sliver insert looks like open FYI:



 

Attachments

  • console open (Small).jpg
    console open (Small).jpg
    68.7 KB · Views: 24
Vaeagleav said:
Yes it is a simple part swap with no mods needed. (y)

This is what the sliver insert looks like open FYI:
Click to expand...

Ill have to see if I can find one and decide since its easy to do.  Seems you lose a lot of storage compared to the wide open area.
 
Yes some loss of cubby storage but cleaner look especially when closed. I consider it better due to no junky stuff to fly around in an accident or become an attractant for thieves who might like what you left in the open with the old console.
I modified my above post to include link to old thread that has some part numbers that may help you find the parts you want.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top