Freebird

LOL...there better be.

I doubt that will be a problem. She loves her Nissan Murano. Besides, the Murano gets MUCH better gas mileage.

I'll check that out when I get home Eck. Dang PUC...now you've ruined it. I was thinking that would be a good concealed carry hiding place.

Done.

LOL...hasn't broke down as far as I know. I drove 4 1/2 hours early Monday morning to look at and then buy it. Eileen went with me. After I bought it, I drove it as far as Toledo, OH and she followed me in my company car. I had to stay in Toledo to see some customers and then a trade show that doesn't end until Saturday evening. So, she took the Avalanche home from there and I haven't seen it since then. She said it drove great on the way home though. Yes BigLenny, it is exceptionally clean for a 2002 model.

I'm not ignoring this thread folks but haven't had tie to look into it. Long days right now at a trade show. I will look into this but it will probably be next week. I actually have a software update to do here that I've been putting off. Just bug fixes and etc. Maybe that will take care of it. Will get it done soon.

Anyway, we bought it and it was even better than I expected. Very well maintained. Runs and drives great.

Carl, I took it down some brutal roads and just did almost 200 miles on some absolutely horrible roads. I won't say that it rides anywhere near as good as my half ton did but it wasn't terrible. How often will I pull something that heavy? We will pull the boat often enough and sometimes it is a long trip. Last summer we pulled it to Lake Cumberland, KY and once you get in the hills, the 1/2 struggled and actually got terrible mileage with that load behind it. I think the half ton was rated to pull about 7700 lbs. and I was pulling between 8500 and 9000. So...it absolutely struggled. I am willing to put up with a bit rougher ride to have something that is built to pull the weight that I put behind it.

I don't know if it's any better than the 6.0 but certainly can't be much worse. The 6.0 is a good engine but like the 8.1, not very good on gas. They were only offer in the 3/4 ton Avalanches and it was actually the ONLY engine offered in the 3/4 ton. Also, you are right about the ride of the standard Avalanche, my '07 model rode like a dream. This one doesn't ride as well however. It has heavy leaf springs on the rear and not the coil over suspension like the 1/2 tons. BUT...if you need to pull a load, this is the ticket.

Yea, lot of motor. I drove a 3/4 ton extended cab with the 8.1 for a few weeks about 13 years ago when I was working at a Chevrolet dealership. NOT something that you want for a daily driver. You can almost watch the gas gauge go down as you drive them. This will not be a daily driver though so I'm OK with it. If I needed something heavy duty to drive every day, I would go with a diesel.

I've been looking, on and off, for another Avalanche since selling my 2007 model a few months ago. I really like the Avalanche but mine was just not quiet heavy duty enough to pull our boat that weights between 8,000 and 9,000 pounds. They made a 3/4 ton Avalanche for about 4 years I think from 2002 -2005 but they are not that common and the ones you find are typically very high miles and beat up pretty good. I finally found one that I will buy later today if it is everything the guy says it is. It is a 2002 model with just over 55,000 original miles. I've run the Carfax on it and it shows no issues. One owner since 2004 and appears to be in nice shape. I've found that Carfax is not always 100% reliable but it is at least one thing to check. This one is exactly what I was looking for. 3/4 ton, 8.1 engine, trailering package including transmission cooler, tranny temp gauge, etc. Also heated leather seats, moonroof, appears to have every option offered in that year. The price is right and it's even in my preferred color so unless I drive 4 1/2 hours and get there and see something that I didn't expect, I will buy it. Now I just hope I can find enough money to drive that 8.1 gas drinking monster back to Ohio. Luckily this will NOT be an everyday driver. It will be used for specific purposes like pulling the boat and other loads that come up. There are a lot of differences between the 1/2 ton Avalanches and the 3/4. 8.1 engine as opposed to 5.3 in the half ton. Rear leaf springs as opposed to coil overs on the 1/2 ton. Heavier duty transmission, cooling systems, etc. From what I understand, the 3/4 ton is actually built on the 3/4 ton Suburban chassis. So hopefully I'm driving 4 1/2 hours to get what I THINK I need. We'll see.

Nothing wrong with the OEM pads. I personally like the EBC HH pads. Great stopping power and they wear very well. I also agree with the C Clamp. I have used a C Clamp and even a large pair of Channel Locs. Whichever you use, just very slowly compress the piston because the new pads will be thicker and you won't be able to get them over the rotors if you don't compress them first. I wish I was closer so that I could stop by and give you a hand this first time but it's really simple and I don't think you will have a problem. Just take a good look. It should be evident how the calipers come off. If you don't have a service manual, you can download one in the Second Gen Tech Talk area. I still didn't see your bike in your postbit so I took care of that for you.

To do it, just click on "settings" at upper right corner. Then scroll down to "edit profile" in left column. The second block on that page is "optional information". Add your bike information to "custom user title".

Yes, I understand. But not everybody likes to have to click on your name and read your profile every time. Look at my name on this post. Most other people too. See where it shows our bikes below our username when we post? That is what I'm talking about. Just makes it easier for people trying to reply and answer your questions.

Very simple. Front wheel does not need to come off. On another note, you should edit your profile and add your bike to your custom title. That way we will know what bike you are asking about when you post.

No problem. I plan to get out of here by noon tomorrow anyway. Just thought if you were here tonight that it might work out. You be same and we look forward to hearing about your adventure.

Heck Craig, where are you? I thought you were going to get it on Monday? If you are in the Columbus area, we should go to dinner. I'm here on business.

Your membership has expired so I don't know if you will see this and know you won't be able to reply but there is a manual in the Tech Library that you could download if you renew your membership. The RSV manual does have troubleshooting info for the cruise.

I think he means for a second gen. There is more to it than just finding one on Ebay. You have to buy one that has been modified for the speedo sensor or be willing to do it yourself.

Excellent article submitted by Mike Eykamp. Ignition Switch Repair (1).pdf

Some great pictures. Looks like you had some good rides.

I think that the mods you speak of were for the first generation Royal Stars. The Venture being discussed here is already factory rated at 99 HP. Even HP at the rear tire is more than the 62 that you mention and I don't think any air filter mods are necessary other than perhaps going with a K&N filter.

I'm not seeing that on my system but my research also shows that it is caused by Norton Internet Security and I've read a couple of places that they have released a patch to correct it.

Yes, Dave is very close. Let me know if you need me though.

Craig, I could get by there to look at it but not until Monday. Let me know if that's not too late.