2000 Silverado z71 refurb

[bigdogYJ]

Yeah the guy I use here locally is really good. He’s been able to align anything I bring him perfectly. No that’s not my rack. That’s the alignment shop.

I do have a buddy where I do a lot of my automotive work with both a 2 post and 4 post drive on lift in a 6k sqft shop. I’ve been very blessed to use that pretty much at my disposal. It’s just a 3hr drive away so takes a little planning. If it’s not drivable then gotta plan to tow. Not a huge deal. It’s a pretty easy drive to be honest, as long as I avoid commute traffic getting out of here.

 

[bigdogYJ]

Also drove it to the office yesterday. Fits right in nestled amongst the Audi’s and Tesla’s.

 

[ORVietVet]

My shop owner friend has a 2 post and plans for another. Not enough room for a 4 post. I can use the 2 post if absolutely need to but only if wide open. He stays very busy there.

 

[bigdogYJ]

Well I ordered replacement tail lights and headlights/marker housings. Headlights and markers look ok. But the tail lights are missing the black trim around the housings like the originals? When installed they look like crap. They don’t line up well at all. Anyone have any luck finding decent quality replacements with the black trim?

 

[ORVietVet]

I typically use TYC and so I looked for you. The TYC and DEPO look like what you show in the pic. The Dorman design does show a darker area where they divide but they are not raised like the OE ones. I even checked CariD and they just have the dark etching, like Dorman, but nothing that is raised like the OE ones.

 

[bigdogYJ]

Interesting. If I remember correctly my 2006 Silverado dually had the same design tail lights is this one with the raised black trim. These housings aren’t terrible I think I was looking for an easy way out to get some clean looking housings. I’ll just plan to put in some elbow grease and cleaning these up as best I can with the cerakote kit.

Thanks for looking and confirming what I saw.

 

[ORVietVet]

Interesting. If I remember correctly my 2006 Silverado dually had the same design tail lights is this one with the raised black trim. These housings aren’t terrible I think I was looking for an easy way out to get some clean looking housings. I’ll just plan to put in some elbow grease and cleaning these up as best I can with the cerakote kit.

Thanks for looking and confirming what I saw.

Like you, I like the look of the new light assemblies. Makes the truck look cleaner. I like to stick to a complete stock look but it may take some looking for replacements that have that raised black rib.

I did find these two choices at ebay though:

Pair Tail Lights Rear Barke Lamps For 1999-2006 GMC Sierra 1500 2500 Truck LH+RH | eBay

Halogen tail lights, your new choice for a safety upgrade! High-quality halogen bulbs with strong penetration of warm yellow light ensure clear visibility even in rainy or foggy weather, making every brake and turn safe and worry-free.

www.ebay.com

1999-2002 Chevy Silverado 1999-2006 GMC Sierra Replacement Tail Lights Lamps Set | eBay

Chevy Silverado 1500/ 1500 HD. Chevy Silverado 2500/ 2500 HD. Chevy Silverado 3500. GMC Sierra 1500/ 1500 HD. GMC Sierra 2500/ 2500 HD. GMC Sierra 3500. GMC Sierra Classic. Tail Light.

www.ebay.com

 

[bigdogYJ]

Yeah those look like the same dark area like the dormans.

I did find these…

https://www.carparts.com/details/Chevrolet/Silverado_3500/Replacement/Tail_Light/2003/SET-C730149-U.html?TID=gglpla&origin=pla&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADjOeBgB8N7B0uvB68X7hPIASkh1B&gclid=CjwKCAiAzPy8BhBoEiwAbnM9Oyl0_H-BROJN7RuRVAVwroJE2Wl-lCcgkEsQo6V0xLj3JxSY4-0RyhoC6ugQAvD_BwE

 

[ORVietVet]

Yeah those look like the same dark area like the dormans.

I did find these…

https://www.carparts.com/details/Chevrolet/Silverado_3500/Replacement/Tail_Light/2003/SET-C730149-U.html?TID=gglpla&origin=pla&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADjOeBgB8N7B0uvB68X7hPIASkh1B&gclid=CjwKCAiAzPy8BhBoEiwAbnM9Oyl0_H-BROJN7RuRVAVwroJE2Wl-lCcgkEsQo6V0xLj3JxSY4-0RyhoC6ugQAvD_BwE

Looks like those are the ones to get.

 

[stutaeng]

That's interesting. I had never seen those with the black stripes. Are you sure those are the originals?

My 99 has the other ones. I actually took them off recently and gave them a sanding and applied some 2k automotive clear to them.

 

[ORVietVet]

I actually just noticed that my own 2005 Tahoe Z71 had the raised black stripes. The ones listed at RA show that the complete assembly looks the same size but the location of the different lenses are stacked differently.

 

[bigdogYJ]

Yeah that’s interesting. These are definitely original. I’m the original owner of the truck and know for sure they were never swapped.
I found an old pic of my dually and it had the same design. I’m not the original owner of that truck but I will say the black trim ring finishes it off nicely.





Nice job on refinishing those. They look great. I’ll see if I can remove the black trim. That would make it easier to clean up and refinish then put it back on.

 

[bigdogYJ]

I actually just noticed that my own 2005 Tahoe Z71 had the raised black stripes. The ones listed at RA show that the complete assembly looks the same size but the location of the different lenses are stacked differently.

So maybe it was a z71 thing? Doesn’t explain my dually though. Yeah the suv and pickup invert the brake/tail with the turn signal I believe and they are a bit wider in shape compared to the taller shape of the pickups.

 

[bigdogYJ]

Actually the brake/tail move to the bottom and the turn and reverse move up. And no reflector. Interesting how different they are. At first glance all GMT 800 look the same until they switched the pickups to the all red housing. Interesting the dually never got those red ones. My buddies 06 I’m pretty sure had the same design as mine with the black trim.

 

[Cadillacmak]

I never realized there were that many styles of tail lights on the GMT800's! I thought there were 2 types, the Chevy and the GMC, must be half a dozen.

 

[bigdogYJ]

and dont forget the step side lights...

 

[ORVietVet]

View attachment 1809
Actually the brake/tail move to the bottom and the turn and reverse move up. And no reflector. Interesting how different they are. At first glance all GMT 800 look the same until they switched the pickups to the all red housing. Interesting the dually never got those red ones. My buddies 06 I’m pretty sure had the same design as mine with the black trim.

Yea, my Tahoe Z71 looks like these.

 

[bigdogYJ]

I was successful in getting the front seat covers installed. Not sure I’m a fan of the center console condom thing. But we’ll see. So far I like that the seat covers don’t move when getting in and out of the truck .

Next gotta work on the rear seat. Then steam clean the seat belts.

 

[ORVietVet]

I was successful in getting the front seat covers installed. Not sure I’m a fan of the center console condom thing. But we’ll see. So far I like that the seat covers don’t move when getting in and out of the truck .

Next gotta work on the rear seat. Then steam clean the seat belts.

View attachment 1813

How much were the seat covers and how much of a PITA were they to install?

I just checked and RC does not make seat covers for my truck.

 

[bigdogYJ]

How much were the seat covers and how much of a PITA were they to install?

I just checked and RC does not make seat covers for my truck.

~$200 they are listed as 99-06 Silverado ext cab.
the fronts weren't terrible. There's 2 nylon straps with buckles that run front to back under the seat. Then there's 2 elastic straps on each side with a plastic hook that I believe are supposed to run under the side and hook to each of those nylon straps but the clearance to get those under the side is kinda tight. I haven't done that yet. but it hasn't needed it yet. if I wasn't planning to pull the seats out in a few months to give the carpet a deep clean then id probably unbolt the two nuts from under the front of the bottom seat cushion and lift up the lower cushion/cover/etc and connect the elastic that way.

I've heard the rears can be done with the seat in place but it's far easier to remove the rear ext cab bench so you can get behind the rear seatback. I'll report back how that goes in the next few days.