2000 Silverado z71 refurb

someotherguy · Mar 28, 2025

bigdogYJ said:
Don’t know these guys or anything about them other than found this on a google search

GMT K2XX Jump Seat or Console to GMT800-GMT900

OBS Outpost 1988-1999 Chevy GMC Truck Parts Fabricator. Chevy/GMC Single, Extended,Crew Cab Pick Up Trucks,Blazer, Tahoe and Yukon SUV's.

obsoutpost.com

Looks interesting.

Haven't done any business with those guys yet but I see them mentioned a lot. Seem to be legit. Being a big fan of the 1990-1994 GMT400 seats, I hate the idea of having to swap anything else in their place, but the split bench in my '93 GMC is getting a bit threadbare, and there's no easy replacing the OEM fabric on these because they're the notorious "ribs in the material glued to the foam" design. That's not dirt you see in the picture (well, they are a bit dirty) - but the darker areas are where the material is becoming kinda transparent from wear.

Being a regular cab, it feels a bit cramped in there and I'm not really a big guy. If I replace these with any other model of seat they're gonna have to be at least the same dimensions or slightly more compact. Of course, if I move them much farther back, I'm gonna have to finally commit to defeating the clutch safety switch..

Richard

bigdogYJ · Apr 10, 2025

just a short update. nothing really done to the truck, but driving it around and using it to haul crap out of my parents yard (dad was a bit of a hoarder -- thankfully limited to the backyard and garage). But helping get stuff cleaned up. Still running good.
currently 298,700 miles. hoping to get the speakers replaced soon as the popping and buzzing and crappy sound is starting to wear on me.

bigdogYJ · Sep 8, 2025

Still driving this rig occasionally. I did replace the steering gear box and pump. I’ve had some piss poor luck with parts store and even GM oe rebuild gear boxes. Actually had pretty bad luck with steering in general lately. But this time I decided to go with blue top steering gears. Box feels good. Definitely a bit stiffer than the old one but feels good. Pump is a new unit from Napa. Happy with it so far. As a 3rd vehicle, we’ve only put about 1k miles on it so far in town just running small errands and junk haul runs. Currently at 299,708 miles. Planning to snap a pic at 300k. Had a baby in July so time has become a precious commodity as of late. I think I figured out the ac compressor clutch is worn. Everything else seems to work fine. Have the parts just haven’t swapped it yet. We’ll see what time I have the next few weeks.

stutaeng · Sep 8, 2025

bigdogYJ said:
Still driving this rig occasionally. I did replace the steering gear box and pump. I’ve had some piss poor luck with parts store and even GM oe rebuild gear boxes. Actually had pretty bad luck with steering in general lately. But this time I decided to go with blue top steering gears. Box feels good. Definitely a bit stiffer than the old one but feels good. Pump is a new unit from Napa. Happy with it so far. As a 3rd vehicle, we’ve only put about 1k miles on it so far in town just running small errands and junk haul runs. Currently at 299,708 miles. Planning to snap a pic at 300k. Had a baby in July so time has become a precious commodity as of late. I think I figured out the ac compressor clutch is worn. Everything else seems to work fine. Have the parts just haven’t swapped it yet. We’ll see what time I have the next few weeks.

Sounds great! Yeah, some of the stuff they sell for replacements seems a hit/miss lately.

Congratulations on the new addition to the Family!!!

mars2878 · Oct 5, 2025

bigdogYJ said:
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?

Check LMC truck, I saw black framed taillights in the catalog. I do not know if they were raised or not?

bigdogYJ · Oct 5, 2025

interesting LMC list the black trimmed version for the 01-03 3500 model. Maybe the deal swapped them before we got it. we also had load range e 245/75r16 tires on it when the driver door sticker calls for load range C. I have a feeling it might have been used as a parts swap truck while it lived on the lot before it sold.

I ordered the LMC units. We'll see how it works out. Thanks!

mars2878 · Oct 5, 2025

bigdogYJ said:
interesting LMC list the black trimmed version for the 01-03 3500 model. Maybe the deal swapped them before we got it. we also had load range e 245/75r16 tires on it when the driver door sticker calls for load range C. I have a feeling it might have been used as a parts swap truck while it lived on the lot before it sold.

I ordered the LMC units. We'll see how it works out. Thanks!

It's been years since I messed w/ load range tires, but, correct me if I'm wrong, aren't "E" for heavier weight than "C"? If so, then someone intentionally swapped for heavy weight handling tires or maybe it was about price?

On the gmt800, I have only seen the black framed taillights on the 3500 & Z71 models. I'm fairly certain that they are factory. I can't imagine that the crap load that I've stripped over the years, that all of the PO's put on the same taillight trim on only those models?

And you're welcome.

ORVietVet · Oct 5, 2025

Load range E is considered a light truck/truck heavier load tire that has a stiffer sidewall and more ply's in the tire. A load range C tire is considered passenger car type tire that has a softer sidewall.

I run Load Range E tires on my 2005 Tahoe Z71 because I also have Hellwig Performance sway bar kits, front and rear, and I can corner/curve better with the stiffer sidewall. I also run more air in them for better handling. The Tahoe suspension is smooth enough for me to offset the tire load range and the air pressure.

bigdogYJ · Oct 29, 2025

It's official... rolled over 300k miles!

Sold the old tool box (wasn't using it anymore)

Installed my old tonneau cover from my dually. Guess I kept it around for this occasion. Now I've got some covered storage for this winter. I'll probably replace the bed rail covers as well so it looks a bit nicer as im missing the drive side entirely and the passenger side is busted up and missing a few chunks.

And got an underseat storage box to keep stuff a bit more organized in the cab.

Other than that just driving it and enjoying it. gonna need to do spark plugs soon (every 100k) and probably ready for an oil change.
Still got a few upgrades/projects on the list but prioritizing as best I can for now.

bigdogYJ · Oct 29, 2025

Looks like I missed providing this update....

So right before the little one was born I had a buddy up north pickup a white rear passenger door for me because my dad did a number on it with a gas station pole (oops...)
Was able to get that swapped out since it was already white. It was from an 03 so the trim didn't match up so I pulled it off and plan to attach the piece from the original door at some point.
In this pic you can see how bad the original was...

Pulled the old door off...

Side by side comparison:

New door installed:

The alignment isn't that bad but a slight adjustment would help to make it easier to close. but it's actually not all that bad. I replaced the door weatherstripping on both sides while I was at it. So thats probably more what I'm fighting when closing the doors.

When I get the time I'll use the 3m wheel to get rid of the adhesive residue and then reattach the old trim with new vhb. Until then it's gonna look like that for a bit.

bigdogYJ · Dec 16, 2025

Came across a good deal for a softopper which gives a bit more space for the winter. So far I like it. its a bit tricky to put up when its cold out but once its up its pretty decent. the top of the bed rails are pretty beat up and the front header wall of the bed is bowed as well. so I wouldn't call it watertight. I need to massage some metal back into shape so the seals can keep all of the water out but for now it's totally functional.