On vacation and stopped at a Chevy dealer in Montana to amuse myself. They drool over my truck and tell me they will make a deal. I say only if they can find the 6.0 NON SS 2wd. They found one and told me to have a great drive.... It is in POULSBO, Washington 98370. Red extcb, msrp $30K, aged 139 days on their lot. The guy I was dealing with said emp disc should be $24 and then some for the age. WA is the wrong direction for me, anyone else looking???? I was thinking of you White Lightening.

You are in TX right. I sure if you were willing to spend another g or so you could arrange transport if you cant find one more local. Im sure you have already thought of this but just wanted to give you a heads up

I'm in MT today and only need to be back to work on the 8th in Austin with one more stop in the Black Hills. I could make it the 527 miles in less than 8 hours but then I would have to start getting a Nelson tune, tranny parts, ...... Tempting though.

On vacation and stopped at a Chevy dealer in Montana to amuse myself. They drool over my truck and tell me they will make a deal. I say only if they can find the 6.0 NON SS 2wd. They found one and told me to have a great drive.... It is in POULSBO, Washington 98370. Red extcb, msrp $30K, aged 139 days on their lot. The guy I was dealing with said emp disc should be $24 and then some for the age. WA is the wrong direction for me, anyone else looking???? I was thinking of you White Lightening.

I'm surprised it would be aged 139 days. Most I've seen or heard about last only a couple weeks on the dealer's lot. Actually now - it is classified as the 2wd SS by Chevy/GM. I heard that Nelson has some type of an "upgrade" path as customers switch vehicles etc.. Several I've seen (including mine) come with the "SouthWest" package on them - which is fog lights - better radio features - and the heavy tinted glass - and one other very important benefit - $1,000 off for residents of about 8 SouthWestern states.

The truck you described would give you the heavy duty transmission too. Would be interesting if you test drove that truck - to see how it drove, handled, ran in stock form - compared to your existing truck with the Nelson on it. My guess is the biggest thing you'd notice is not the power - but the suspension, ride, and cornering improvement.

I also know of a white one like mine - sitting in upper upper IL practically with your name on it :wink:

cant u get that stuff without the ext. cab? im all for carrying more people in ur truck dont get me wrong, i just prefer a regular cab myself. i want the lightest, least optioned vehicle i can get when i go for a performer.i also couldnt seem to get chevy's website to let me get a manual with a 5.3 when i was building one.can this be done?ive also heard tho that the extra 10 horses arent really worth the gas mileage hit u take anyway, so maybe it doesnt matter.

I was at classic chevrolet dealership a few months ago and they had non ss 6.0l ext cab trucks on there lot. i believe the badge said 6.0 high output. they had 20 or 22 inch rims (not ss rims) and seemed to be leveled. I think they had 3 on the lot at that time.

cant u get that stuff without the ext. cab? im all for carrying more people in ur truck dont get me wrong, i just prefer a regular cab myself. i want the lightest, least optioned vehicle i can get when i go for a performer.i also couldnt seem to get chevy's website to let me get a manual with a 5.3 when i was building one.can this be done?ive also heard tho that the extra 10 horses arent really worth the gas mileage hit u take anyway, so maybe it doesnt matter.

The high output trucks only come in Extended Cab - not regular or crew to my knowledge. However - remember that the 2wd is lighter than either the 4 x 4 or SS by a couple hundred pounds. Makes a difference.

White Lightening

I was at classic chevrolet dealership a few months ago and they had non ss 6.0l ext cab trucks on there lot. i believe the badge said 6.0 high output. they had 20 or 22 inch rims (not ss rims) and seemed to be leveled. I think they had 3 on the lot at that time.

Yep - the 2 wd high output "SS" has 20 inch Chevy Bowtie wheels and Goodyear tires. They also have the Z60 suspension which is lowered and level - AND - it is a high performance suspension. Also tranny is heavy duty.

White Lightening

Have you guys seen the Motor Trend issue with the 2wd SS Silvy? If I remember right, they commented that even with the reduced weight, the times 0-60 and 1/4 mile were slower due to the better off-the-line traction that the AWD produced.

In my opinion though, I'd still go with the 2wd because the AWD system sure isn't cheap to fix when it comes time to repair it!

I'll try and see if a dealer in the Minn/SD/Iowa area can find one early next week. White Lightening, how far southwest do you need for a road trip? I will be in Sioux Falls Tuesday or Wednesday....

Have you guys seen the Motor Trend issue with the 2wd SS Silvy? If I remember right, they commented that even with the reduced weight, the times 0-60 and 1/4 mile were slower due to the better off-the-line traction that the AWD produced.

In my opinion though, I'd still go with the 2wd because the AWD system sure isn't cheap to fix when it comes time to repair it!

Red00lght. In my opinion - I don't see how the AWD SS could keep up with the 2wd SS like I have. Most of the 2wd SS trucks come with locking differential (not limited slip differential). In addition - AWD requires more linkage to the drive system - and that isn't a benefit for developing speed quickly. The AWD SS is a couple hundred pounds heavier and is stiffer (I didn't say tighter).

I test drove both the 04 AWD SS and then my 04 2wd SS truck. The AWD SS was about $12K more in cost and personally - I didn't like the handling and ride nearly as well. The transmissions are the same between the two - but with greatly less linkage - the transmission is much more efficient on the 2WD version without all the extra linkage and drive required. Everyone will have a different opinion on 2wd versus AWD - but I know for the Wisconsin winter we just had this year - I had no traction problems at all.

Just my opinion - no brag - no ego.

I'll try and see if a dealer in the Minn/SD/Iowa area can find one early next week. White Lightening, how far southwest do you need for a road trip? I will be in Sioux Falls Tuesday or Wednesday....

Greetings Jethro,

Last I checked the dealer in East Dubuque (Iowa/Illinois border) had at least one just sittin' there waiting for ya :smile:

And it had the Southwest package on it too with that extra big fat discount for Texans :smile:

Sioux Falls ??? man thats 2 states away :smile:

Shoot me an email. Man - how do you get all this windshield time - Montana isn't anywhere close to any of the states you listed. I gotta get one of those soft cushy jobs where you just drive and eat free :smile:

P.S. Still trying to figure out how I'm going to get to S.A. TX for my tune this Fall - don't want to wait for Spring.

White (but green with envy) Lightening

My vacation started in Tx, then NM, CO, WY, MT, WY, SD, Nebraska, Kansas, OK, ending in The Great State of Texas. Total of 5K just for a high school reunion and family reunion. Three weeks, ending Aug 8th, and just a skip in the park. Thought I would look for a 6.0HO 2wd NON SS truck while I was driving around the block.....

My vacation started in Tx, then NM, CO, WY, MT, WY, SD, Nebraska, Kansas, OK, ending in The Great State of Texas. Total of 5K just for a high school reunion and family reunion. Three weeks, ending Aug 8th, and just a skip in the park. Thought I would look for a 6.0HO 2wd NON SS truck while I was driving around the block.....

If you get rid of your current truck, you need to think about selling me some things...

hey jethro how is your gas mileage. I still want to take a look at your electric fan set up when you get back if you dont get a new truck.

I went to Bill Heard (big mistake) the other day to look at the 2wd SS truck....I think its their crappy general manager, but he was gunna rip me a new one...They only wanted to give me 6K for mine...then jacked the price of the other truck up about 3K....I hate salesmen....

I went to Bill Heard (big mistake) the other day to look at the 2wd SS truck....I think its their crappy general manager, but he was gunna rip me a new one...They only wanted to give me 6K for mine...then jacked the price of the other truck up about 3K....I hate salesmen....

Its all a lottery. Some dealerships and salespeople are great - while others are more manipulative. When I looked for my VHO truck last summer - I initially found 2 - one that was 70 miles away - one that was 110 miles away (different directions). The first dealership was nice - but they had taken their VHO 2wd - knew it was unique - and sent it out for "conversion". They had it displayed on ramps at the dealership - the conversion added $14,000 to the price and it was many things that I would never have wonted (carbon fiber dash - custom rear bumper and gull wing etc. etc. etc.). You couldn't even tow with it because it had no place to have a trailer hitch mounted (because of the crazy rear bumper). And they weren't budging on price - and sat with it for months. Meanwhile the other dealership - with only 4 total salemen - sell more than 100 trucks every month alone. My truck had been earmakred for the finance manager to buy - but because a customer had inquired about it - the finance manager had to wait. I like that kind of dealership. And theri pricing on the truck was great (although a bit light on the trade-in value of course).

Don't lose faith in salemen and dealerships - just understand that it takes all kinds :-)

White Lightening

I agree with ya, just seems like an outfit like Bill Heard with lots all over the US would at least have some decent salespeople. Even Carl Gregory did better than them with my trede in...

My vacation started in Tx, then NM, CO, WY, MT, WY, SD, Nebraska, Kansas, OK, ending in The Great State of Texas. Total of 5K just for a high school reunion and family reunion. Three weeks, ending Aug 8th, and just a skip in the park. Thought I would look for a 6.0HO 2wd NON SS truck while I was driving around the block.....

I want a 3 week vacation where I can go to TX and Phoenix and Las Vegas and Colorado and Wyoming and ............ who am I kidding - I'd be happy with 12 days. This working for a living stuff - and for taxes and insurances and payments and retirement stuff - man - I keep finding rainbows - but no pots of gold at the end of them :smile:

Life is good - it just takes soooooo much patience.

White Lightening

I bought my pickup at Landmark Chevy, which is a Bill Heard dealership, and although they tried to put me through the ringers, I ended up getting my pickup for 9k off sticker 11k off second sticker. You just need to go in with all the info and buy at the end of a month and raining if possible. They will be looking to move units and put marks on the board. Dave Smith motors in Kellog, Idaho is one of the best places in the nation to buy vehicles. Ever vehicle they sell which is everything GM and Chrylser sells for 215 over invoice minus and applicable rebates and any Dave Smith rebates. They even sell new vettes and vipers for 215 over invoice. All the salesmen make the same no matter what they sell, so it doenst matter what you buy. Catch them at the right time you can get fully loaded duramax's for mid to high 20's

The only reason I bought my pickup from land mark is they were willing to go as deep as dave smith plus the 300 it would have cost me to drive back to tx

Wow man, I need to go hook up with that dealer. A duramax for high 20's? That's insane!! I guess thats what you can expect when your salesmen don't get commision.

haha just to bring up the whole 2WD-AWD deal, i dont see how it could even be a contest. even if the AWD is quicker off the line, which i dont believe, its still not gonna yield very many smoky burnout photos for ur sig. i dont know bout anyone else here, but im a Super Sport guy thru and thru- chevelle, camaro, nova- and im not puttin down 40k for anything that says SS on the side and wont boil the rear hides. im real funny about slappin legendary badges on new cars, and i gotta say that chevy's latest SS lineup is a bit of a disappointment. its not really debateable, if its an SS its rear drive, big displacement, and nearly drag-race-ready. sorry to go off like that. probly nobody cares, but the silverado SS thing has bugged me since it came out. i did expect a little more than just boltin an escalade motor in a lowered 4x4. im tired of hearin about supercharged lightnings and i think its time chevy gave us somethin that'll put them in their place in stock trim. sorry again, had to vent. resume previous conversation lol.

haha just to bring up the whole 2WD-AWD deal, ........... i dont know bout anyone else here, but im a Super Sport guy thru and thru- chevelle, camaro, nova- and im not puttin down 40k for anything that says SS on the side and wont boil the rear hides. ............ lol.

No Rice, See thats what is so nice about the 2WD SS version - its not 40K - its not even close to 40K. Take 35% off that number and you'll be in the ballpark. And if "boiling the rear tires" is the goal - they can do it. For me - its about a different group of performance issues that I really like. I've driven Ford Lightnings before - I like my Chevy 2wd SS better. And - I don't even have an "ss" badge either.

o i have no doubts about ur truck smokin em lol. my stock 4.8 has a bit of a traction problem itself haha. did u remove the badging, or did it ever have any? i mean when u ordered it or whateveris it actually an SS on the build sheet or is it just the same performace options and so on as the AWD truck? i didnt think chevy built and sold an an actual "SS" in a 2WD version. im just trying to figure out exactly what these things r that u guys r talkin about lol. and y i havent seen any, cuz from how it sounds here theyre more common then i thought.

o i have no doubts about ur truck smokin em lol. my stock 4.8 has a bit of a traction problem itself haha. did u remove the badging, or did it ever have any? i mean when u ordered it or whateveris it actually an SS on the build sheet or is it just the same performace options and so on as the AWD truck? i didnt think chevy built and sold an an actual "SS" in a 2WD version. im just trying to figure out exactly what these things r that u guys r talkin about lol. and y i havent seen any, cuz from how it sounds here theyre more common then i thought.

Well in 2004 you had to look for them - but in 2005 there are more around.

Mine is a Mid Year 2004 (not available before then). It has no badging on it relating to being a V.H.O. or S.S.. I looks just like any other 1500 LS Ext. cab. or LT Ext. cab. EXCEPT of course, if you're noticing that the truck is level, slightly lowered, and the big wheels and tires. On the factory MSRP window sticker sales sheet - it is classed and listed with the Silverado Performance Package.

Another version was/is also available - that had the same suspension and wheels/tires - but had the standard 5.3 engine, standard auto transmission, and standard limited slip differential instead.

Below is a listing of what mine came with (under description). Price to purchase is somewhere between $24.5K and $26.5K depending on options included (with rebate and employee pricing already factored in).

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45885&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

those wheels r factory? nice. i like the price too. i knew there had to be somethin besides an overpriced, underpowered "SS" in chevy's goodie bag. it seems like choices r a little limited- u either get a truck like ur or spend a lot makin ur own like Slowprocess.

In a month you will be able to buy a 2006 Silverado SS 2WD reg cab.In 12 months you will be able to buy a supercharged corvette powered tire eating fire breathing 500HP monster next generation Silvy SS.

In a month you will be able to buy a 2006 Silverado SS 2WD reg cab.In 12 months you will be able to buy a supercharged corvette powered tire eating fire breathing 500HP monster next generation Silvy SS.


Let's get that right, a normally asperated small block 427(LS7) with 500 horse and torque, not forced....
:eek2:

In a month you will be able to buy a 2006 Silverado SS 2WD reg cab.
In 12 months you will be able to buy a supercharged corvette powered tire eating fire breathing 500HP monster next generation Silvy SS.

Greetings Spudglo08,

Well - its interesting theory - but I'll wait for the real thing before I'd declare I'd be even remotely interested or impressed with either choice you describe. During actual test drives - I personally noticed huge differences between the rideability and performance of the 2004 AWD SS - versus what I eventually chose - the 2004 2WD v.h.o..

Specs only told a small part of the whole story for me. It will be interesting to see if GM really can produce the vehicles you described - and what their affordability will be (cost to purchase plus cost to operate and own) and what the handling, comfort, and durability levels will be.

I find it particularly remarkable - that during a period of considerable energy price inflation - the domestic automakers are all producing ultra high performance new products like the Dodge SRT V10s and products like you describe from GM.

What would get me interested - is GM coming out with a new version of the Quadrasteer that actually delivered on their original claims - without the stiffness and high cost. My truck and performance - with a 36 foot turning circle instead of a 46 foot one - but with no negative effects to the ride and handling - now that would be sweet - but at present - not possible by any of the domestics.

Let's get that right, a normally asperated small block 427(LS7) with 500 horse and torque, not forced....
:eek2:
No supercharged LS2.LS7 is strictly reserved for the vette.Although the LS7 will be a crate engine in a month.And being in the LS family it should bolt up to our trucks easily.