Your GM parts counter sells a 'wipe' in a pouch called Armadillo. It is specifically designed for the cladding on the Avalanche. It works VERY well in protecting it and keeping it looking new. 303, Armor All, tire protectants, etc. will all eventually "zebra stripe" the cladding and plastic on the AV & Escalade EXT.

This site is a fantastic site for the AV enthusiast:
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/index.html
You can find info about every nut and bolt on the truck there.

I finally had the chance to pick up my Suburban 2500 8.1 today.....very happy boy! I bought it last saturday. It's an LT, 4x4, 4:10 rear, quad captain's chairs, snrf, summit white/tan interior, super clean. Can't wait to get my Formula behind it.

The 2500 Avalanche/Suburban with the 8.1 engine is a towmaster. They have a 12,000 lb rating (with the 4.10 axles) and will pull your boat with no problem. The 4L80E tranny is very heavy duty. The 6.0 versions are good but do not have the torque of the 8.1. The only issue is gas mileage, my Avalanche with the 8.1 gets 11.8 mpg around town, 12.5 on the hwy and 9 pulling my 30ft Chris cat. The good news is my oil changes are only $ 48 (mobil 1) as opposed to 2x that for diesels and I don't have to smell like a truck stop after I fill up my Truck. There are used 8.1's out there, look on the internet. Most people that have these vehicles take good care of them, and if maintained should see 200k miles before major work needs to be done.

Wannabe

Just to quantify... You don't have smell like a truck stop when you fill up a diesel anymore. The diesel pumps are quite pleasant nowadays! If I could squeeze a 7.3 PSD into my 2 door Tahoe....

Damn, now I got the gears turning. (I've seen it done on a mid-90s full size Ford Bronco.)

Also, I suggest the cupholder size of Swipes in each car truck. They come in handy for any fuel/hand contamination!

Congrats! Mine only had 3.73s but it towed my '91 311 just fine. Should be that much better with the 4.10s. I sold it with 190k miles. I'm shopping for a newer one...

Pic of the new rig, poor quality, sorry. Just put the new wheels/tires on today, 20s with 285/55-20 tires:

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...g?t=1273886923

I don't have to smell like a truck stop after I fill up my Truck. wannabe


Ridiculous reason not to have a diesel. :rolleyes: There are thousands of gas stations now that have diesel pumps, so you don't HAVE to go to a truck stop. I use Valero QT and Race Track but I'm sure there are more. I carry a pair of gloves which I use to fill up with so my hands never touch the fuel.

(BTW my Dodge Cummins gets 15-16mpg towing the weight of your AO).

I've had my 2007 5.3 Avy for 3 years now and use it to tow both the Allison and the Pantera. Mine is 2wd and has the 3.73 rear. My 24 is roughly 5600 pounds on the trailer fueled up and packed for the weekend. It tows just fine down here in FL. I've been back and forth to the east and west coast at 80 mph several times and never had any problems.

I think the rear definitely makes a difference as the 5.3's were also available with a 3.42 rear. I believe all the 6.0's came with 4.10's.

I just replaced my hatches with the bakflip. It's great!


Also I think it was 2006 as the last year of the 2500. The one I picked up last month was a 2006 8.1 LT 2500 with 4:10 gears loaded with Nav, leather and only 54K miles :)

Pulls the new sled pretty good.http://www.teamjustice.net/DCB/truckboat.jpg

TIGHT!