[FC] [VV-talk] A Question Regarding New Vehicles (Minimal Corvair Content)

[Bill Elliott]

I have one of the first 2002 Avalanches (purchased used); it currently 
has just over 100k on it.

http://fnader.com/Avalanche.htm

It still runs, looks, and drives like a new truck.  Whatever the 
"concerns" about "American build quality" categorically does not extend 
to these trucks.

It tows extremely well and rides very well (both due to the long 
wheelbase). The brakes are 100% better than my previous generation Suburban.

It is just about the most versatile vehicle I have owned... with the 
hard covers off, the window out, cab windows down, and sunroof open, 
it's almost like driving a full convertible!

The hard covers are not 100% waterproof... more like 99% (you might find 
a few drops of water in the bed after going through a carwash or an 
extremely hard downpour).

I did expect the mileage to be slightly better... it's a little worse 
than my 5.7 Vortec Suburban was... other than that (and the fact it's 
somewhat ugly) no complaints at all!

Bill



RoboMan91324 at aol.com wrote:

> 
>Avalanche-  For those of you not familiar with this  vehicle, it is a cross 
>between a pickup truck and an SUV.  More accurately,  it can be transformed 
>from a pickup into a somewhat unusual SUV.  It starts  as a full size crew cab 
>pickup with a removable hard cover on the short  bed.  You can remove the back 
>window and lower the mid wall and back seats  to open the bed to the back of 
>the front seats.  This allows you a full 8 x  4 bed for standard size plywood 
>sheets, etc.  It can be used as  follows.  
> 
>1.  A short bed crew cab pickup with or without the hard  cover.  
> 
>2.  An 8' bed pickup with the window in place and the  hard covers attached.  
>This seals the bed and cab from the outside rain,  cold etc.
> 
>3.  If you are carrying a box that is higher than the  sides of the bed and 
>longer than the short bed, you cannot use the back window  and hard covers so 
>the cab is open to the outside elements through the  rear.  In other words, the 
>mid wall and window merely fold away but do not  move forward to change the 
>crew cab into a regular cab.  Obviously, if you  are carrying something higher 
>than the top of the cab, you can only use the  short bed length.
> 
>This vehicle has a longer wheelbase than the Tahoe and  therefore has a 
>bigger turning radius.  It also rides more like a truck  than the Tahoe which isn't 
>a big problem for me.  It is much more expensive  than the standard pickup 
>but is slightly less expensive than the non-hybrid  Tahoe and about $6k less 
>than the Tahoe hybrid.  My concern is that there  may be leaks at any of the many 
>sealing points of the hard covers, mid wall and  removable back window after 
>some years of use.  Does anyone have knowledge  of these kind of problems?
> 
>Any comments or advice would be appreciated.
> 
>Thanks in advance,
> 
>Doc
>1960 Corvette; 1961 Rampside; 1962 Rampside; 1964 Spyder  Coupe, 1965 
>Greenbrier; 1966 Canadian Corsa Turbo Coupe; 1967 Nova SS; 1968  Camaro Ragtop
>**************Need a job? Find an employment agency near you. 
>(http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000003)
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