I'm still fairly new to the board and just purchased my first silverado a couple of weeks ago. I have a 2000 silverado Z71 LS, which brings me to my question. A buddy of mine has the same truck only it has a 4X4 decal instead of the Z71. What is the difference? I've also noticed some trucks have the Z71 offroad decal. Just wandering what the difference between these three trucks and if I'm limited to anything (offroad driving or towing) by having the Z71. Thanks.

I don't know for sure, I'm just going to throw my two cents in. I think 4x4 means it just has 4 wheel drive. Z71 is a package that has brush guard and off road suspension. Probaly more but I don't know.

Z71's usually come with skid plates, 265 tires, different shocks, different gearing in the differentials, tow hitch. Those are a few things that i know SOME times come on a Z71. I say sometimes for one reason, i had a 96 sierra 4x4 but it had the skid plates and factory to hitch. My 2000 silverado is a 4x4 but came factory with 265 tires as well as a hitch. Best way to tell the difference between your truck and your Friends is go down to the dealer and ask them to print out a sheet for what all your truck and your friends truck came with from factory, they did this for me with my 96 (for free). As for the brush guard that i think IF it did come with the truck from new would have been an added on option , not factory equiped. Just a thought.

well Z71 refers to a suspension package, but along with that package is often found those other options. It has better shocks, skid plate and I believe an upgraded air box system.

I'm Pretty sure it not a brushguard...but suspension is different, the hitch, gear ratio's i think are also different. a skid plate came with mine. I know size tires are diffeerent, and the z71 rims are different.

My 2003 1500HD has the Z85 suspension and only list 4x4 on the side. It is my understanding the Z85 is a heavier suspension. Is your friends truck a 3/4 ton? How many lugs on the wheels? Most of the trucks that I have seen that only list 4x4 are 3/4 ton trucks. and.....I may be way off base.

On a side note I put 2 1/2 tons of gravel on my 1500HD Crew SLT Sierra, 6.0L today, just made it squat a little. Swithed it in tow mode and pulled the long main road that is twisty,turny and was back up to sixty in not time. I was very very impressed with the performance and handeling with the load on.

All a Z71 has different that a regular 4x4 is bilstien schocks and a few skid plates, thats all and tires are an option on this option (245 or 265). Gear ratio and hitch's come as a different package. BTW, no truck comes with a brushguard.

no truck comes with a brushguard.

Hummers (H1's) do.

The difference between the "Z71" sticker and "Z71 Off Road" is the year(different stickers). As far as options, it's suspension(shocks) and skid-plates and a few other things and most of the time you'll find newer Z71s in upper trim packages. I have yet to see a true Z71(stickered from the factory) with hand crank windows. Also, a popular option coupled with the Z71 package is the autotrac x-case. Also, they typically come with the aluminum wheels, though I've seen a few without(although they could simply just have had the sticker).

When I bought my truck I had to get a Z71 due to the other options I wanted. It was hard or perhaps impossible to find an ext cab LS with the full console and tape player(thus push button 4wd), fender flares, and aluminum wheels and only in a 4x4 instead of Z71.

Typically the brush guard would be a dealership installed accessory
Jeb

On earlier Z-71's (I think it stopped in 2002) they used heavier duty torsion bars too. As of 2003, the bars are the same between the 4x4 and Z-71 models. BTW, the gearing is the same for all, EXCEPT, the Z-71's come with limited slip. Really, it's worth the extra $$$ if buying new, and it's a $750.00 add when selling/trading.

Thanks guys!

The Z71 has the skid plates, a locker rear axle, electric button 4 wheel drive engagement, and suspension and shocks designed for high speed off road performance, and a high price. The Z71 package is only availible on the more upscaled Silverados (not the base model).
Mine is a base model extended cab 4x4 (NON Z71) with the locker rear axle option, as well as skid plates, and heavy duty suspension. And I got the (better in my opinnion) lever operated 4x4 engagement. And I saved several thousand dollars over a Z71.

I have had both. The only differenence is that Z71 has bilstein shocks and a 3/8" aluminum skid plate up front

skipr wins
hes the only one that is 100% right

Not to say that CJ2A or TXAGG05 are wrong, but my dad's truck has come with prett much all of those options, rear locker, auto-4, fender flares, 265's, and skid plates all over. It's a '99 LS ext. cab 3/4 ton.

you can't get the "Z-71" package on a 3/4 ton but most of them come with everything a Z-71 comes with anyway

I belive the 4X4 is a heavier duty truck than the Z71 (at least around the 95 year models that is). First thing I noticed that is different between the two is that the Rear axle of the 4X4 is a much larger 14 bolt 10 1/2" rear end as compared to the Z71 and almost all 2 wheel drive models, (unless heavy duty) have a 10 bolt rear end. You can tell the difference real easy even while driving down the highway looking at other trucks rear ends. The 10 bolt will have two notches that are very visible at the bottom of the differential while the 14 bolt does not and is not as round. I have also noticed that the brake drums on the 4X4 are bigger (11 1/2" or something close to that) where Z71 has the (10 1/2") rear brake drum. I Also notet that the Z71 Torsion bars are a hair bigger than 4X4 (as stated above by moose in loose). I have seen a few, not mine 4X4 models with the same skid plates on it, Z71 has better shocks and both have the same amount of leaf springs in the rear.... I also have the rear locker with the manual 4X4 enguagement (I belive is better than the electric since I have seen a bunch of electric engaged transfer cases fail and doesn't seem as rugged as manual adding to the already complicated electrical system.) As for everything else, like power options, interier, 5.7 L engine, 4L60-E tranny, and front differntial are all the same. My opionion is that Z71 is way over rated.

You haven't been off-road'n till ya broke somethin

You can tell the difference real easy even while driving down the highway looking at other trucks rear ends.

Kinda like checkin' out another dude's package, isn't it?

Kinda like checkin' out another dude's package, isn't it?

Z-71 vs. 4x4 is...yes the rear locker, skid plates,and shocks, push button 4wd, and some minor interior options, a Z-71 actually sits about an inch and a half to two inches higher than a 4x4 as far as gearing isnt a factor. I have a 99' 4x4. auto 4wd, skid plates had factory aluminum wheels, 3:73 gears, tow package,hitch, no rear locker no bilsteins but skid plates. Every truck has its own quirks and blemishes.....My :2cents:

wow funny to see so many different stories! this was an older thread befor try doing a search? i listed from a book the exact differences between the 4x4 and z-71..oh and nobody has said that the z-71 has jounce bumper's!!

found it ok it say's z-71 will include -larger springs
-larger shocks
-jounce bumpers
-stabalizer bars
-high capacity air cleaner
-and either 245 or 265 tire's
-both the 4x4 and the z-71 can have locker ,skid plates,and push button 4x4
-no offence but my z-71 and my brother in-law's 4x4 sit the same height.

Not all Z71's have push button 4wd. And not all Z71's come with fender flares. Skipr is exactly correct and every other option is an option that can be chosen for any truck....4x4 or Z71.

I have had both. The only differenence is that Z71 has bilstein shocks and a 3/8" aluminum skid plate up front

I believe you are correct. You could get a Z71 with a non locking 3.42 axle, so the 3.73 locker is not mandatory. You could also have it with or without electronic shift 4x4. All trucks have jounce bumpers. If the truck has stamped steel wheels, either someone stuck the Z71 stickers on it, or swapped the wheels. A dealer can print a VIS report (vehicle inquiry system) from the VIN that will chow the exact options for your truck.

On the 2005's the chrome steel rims are standard. You can see the list of standard/optional features at http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/features/