I was a salesperson at a Chevy dealership from 2004-2009. I was at the GM sales training for the debut of the Z-71 Tahoe/burb. We were trained to point out that feature on our sales presentations, thats the only way I knew about that.
I dont have a z71 but I bought a cheap yukon XL to flip and ended up keeping it as a daily driver because of how many useful unique features it has. Great trucks!
Oh we made use of the roller regularly for the whole time we had ours (purchased new in 2004, scrapped in 2016, rust in pieces). Was fantastic for getting the Thule box on and off every summer, and getting the dinghy on and off.
I had a black 2001 Z71 that I bought brand new in July of 2001 Loved it & I knew about it Salesman didn’t tell me about, but I noticed it putting a luggage cargo carrier cover on the roof That truck was a beast Captain’s chairs in the middle Only thing that ever went wrong on it was a battery terminal rusting out Loved it Wish that I still had it😢
I could have gotten a z71 back in 03 . The dealer told me about that roller. I didn’t get the z71 for I already had a 4x4. It’s a cool feature for sure. Thanks for sharing!! 👍🏼👍🏼
The Z71s had a few oddities like this. GM planned on featuring auxiliary lamps on the back of these racks, but the DOT said no and the option was canceled. GM left the two round punch outs in place, which you can cut out with a hole saw and add lights. They also have different rear coils than the other SUVs, they're taller, and on the Tahoes, there were two different Z71 rate coils, there was a different rear spring dependent upon whether the third row seat was optioned. Some Z71s didn't have them.
I bought my dads suburban z71 from him and didn’t find out about it until I helped my friend move a basketball hoop and had to slide it up there. It was a great feature wish gm came up with more useful and quirky features like that
I drove an 03 burb for 7years..stood on the top multiple times noticed these and always wondered the hell it was about...one of them smack yourself in the head and call yourself a “dummy” moments lol
I always new the Z71 had a beefier rack than the standard one. I never knew about the roller. My dads old 73 Ford super duty had a lumber rack that had oblivious rollers in it, but nothing as sneaky as the Z71’s. Pretty sweet.
I have a blacked out 05 Z71 Tahoe.... I already knew this. There's also a secret compartment if you lift up the cup holders by the front console. Great place to put a wallet and gun. 😊
Now take a closer look at the back of that roof rack on the sides... there should be two circular shapes that almost seem like they would be perfect for... some extra reverse lights? I don’t think Chevy ever actually put lights there from the factory but lots of guys on the forums would mod some lights in there. They looked slick and worked/fit well. Always wanted to do a z71 rack on my normal Tahoe back in the day when I had it but never got around to it.
Yes, and the black circular areas on either end of the roller facing aft (and angled down slightly) are designed so you can fairly easily add a round emergency light or rear area work light flush-mounted in there.
Damn i grew up with the exact one in the thumbnail. 2001 chevy suburban z71 in that sparkly green. That thing was with my family for 15 years. Now it's my grandpa's trailer hauler/winter beater. I love that truck
The canoe/kayak deal was what it was for. The lumber thing just happened out of need or accident. My 03' Tahoe Z71 rear roller crossbar is now stationary as I am using it to secure a CURT cargo basket with an extension.
@@paulmahon1613 Honestly I'm ok if it doesn't have it I didn't even know it was an option lol. I've wanted this truck ever since my family sold our 2003 Z71 Tahoe in 2011, that truck was awesome!!!!!
When I first bought my Suburban, I thought it was just a bar coming loose, but when I bought a kayak and tried to slide it onto the roof, I realized it was supposed to roll. It's a shame the newer Suburbans/Tahoes have that extension coming off the back that can get damaged if you try to slide something up onto the roof.
I have an 05' Z71 Suburban that I've owned for 7 years now. I notice the roll bar 2 years after ti got he truck. That roll bar has helped me out so many times. I love this truck and I'm not afraid to say I own a Chevy Suburban Z71.
That was the best roof racks on any vehicle I ever had! They had one year that was just the same as the Z71 but it was 2006 they offered a LTZ and it was just like the Z71 but with chrome and a 6.0 motor hard to find but a great car! #suburbanlife
Page 146 of the Owners Manual talks about the “luggage carrier” and makes ZERO mention of the rear roller. Talk about hidden gadgets on the truck! 🤟😎🤟🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Always wondered about the circle indents on the back of the rack. It's like they were gonna have some sort of rear flood light option but decided not to include it for production
I new about it my Z71 has it. I personally won't use my roof rack to carry anything but it's functional as long as the weight limit isn't maxed out. Y'all be safe!
The Z71 actually has a set screw on each side for the bar adjustment so it’s infinitely adjustable unlike the LT and others where it has to clip into specific increments.
i also own a 2004 Z71 but one day i saw it and i had no idea i tought it was the part of the roof rack then i watched this and this video and i was like WHATTT it was a ROLLER
Only the Z71 came with that opinion. My 05 Tahoe and my dads 05 suburban were both z71. Also the Z71 had a bigger luggage rack. They were taller and more bulky but so nice
...WOW That's what that is for.. hahaha. I love my 02 Z71 burb. I have noticed that thing and noticed that it rolls but never knew what it was for! lol.
@@brandonbrown3600 These were the last GM trucks without the dumb EPA regulations. That's why I'd still much rather have a 2007 Classic Silverado than a newer one. Right now I'm daily driving a 2001 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3l that has almost 310k and still runs good.
Specifically what EPA requirements are you talking about? Never forget, that without the EPA pushing the OEMs to ever more demanding emissions and MPG averages, we wouldn’t even have these trucks at all. Efficiency helps make horsepower, and our 5.3 V8 engines making 315 HP and getting 20+mpg Hwy would have been utter nonsense in 1990. Or, to be more direct in my line of assertion, unless you think it’s cool to shit in your children’s mouths, don’t hate on the “green” movement. Back in the time of asbestos and lead, very similar sentiments were shared widely. “Those damned health and safety nannies making us quit using lead in our paint!? Damn them! This new paint sucks, doesn’t go on as smoothly, doesn’t stick as well, and chips more easily! “. And the new heat insulation in my new oven sucks too. I can actually feel heat on the outside of my oven. Damn them. Meanwhile, little Johnnie’s intellect takes a nosedive, and the housewife doing the laundry of her husband who works at a brake pad factory has mesothelioma, and dies a slow and painful death with severe lung blockage. Cause you know, the EPA and nature types are just out to make our lives worse. So what EPA changes are you talking about? The ones that make cleaner air? Did you know that were it not for the EPA, the Los Angeles Basin would have been UNINHABITABLE by the year 1990. Think about that.
yeah that is really cool it's a shame they didn't make it known everybody that bought one, also this is a good bit off topic but a little bit on top of two the same time a lot of people don't realize that some suburbans have crab steering or four wheel steering....
Yup! We added rear halogen lamps to ours. In the rear nacelle covers. We even modded an Avalanche with a Z71 roof rack from a Z71 Tahoe that we shortened.
I found out on accident I was climbing on top of the suburban and my foot slipped because of that roller but for some reason I thought I had broken it myself.
Ive known that lmao. I try and clean my roof and i grab it and my hand rolls off making me fall all the time. If you also check your build model, it will tell you it has the feature on it in the buyers guide
Never heard of such thing 🤯BUT leave it to Mich to bring the internet yet another valuable piece of information. Prob the realest dude in the car scene!
3:14. Hey you two board haulers. Try hauling a canoe sometime and make a vid about that. Yah boieeee!, BTW nothing wrong with wanting to haul azz and 6 or 7 beams atop of your Z71 roof rack but you have to be able to get an 1/8 of a scratch downhill on a dusty old road first. Haha. Seriously sir take your beautiful Z71 with its LS6 motor to the great outdoors where the original SUV light weight tanks where designed to go. Have fun, go slow, unclip the back seat and take it out, grab some coolers, invite a couple of friends, dogs too, don’t forget the canoe and hit the local state park.
Man I had a 2002 z71 Tahoe in black. Loved it. I went on deployment and my wife sold it and got a 2010 LT. I wasnt too mad, I bought a 240sx and we were even lol
Yup knew about that, dad and I found them by accident, we added some trail lights to the back of his Suburban and that wouldn't stay directed. It took us longer then it should have to realize that what we thought was a solid bar was turning when we would hit a solid bump.
"i wanna see a roller" walks outside to a street race
Lol
Lmao
Doug DeMuro would squeal over this.
😂 totally
but is it a quirk or feature
@@Stapleton42 ; )
THIIIIS is a roller roof rack.
🤣🤣🤣
I've had my Z71 for 7 Years and just now learning about this. Thanks
Just when this Gen of GM trucks couldn’t get any cooler...
I know right! I don’t know why a lot of people hate them tho. They are reliable
@@hdtv1063 if only the 4l60 could be bulletproofes
That would be epicccccc
Have known about this since I got my tahoe z71 3 years ago, the roller was for loading/offloading kayaks and such
Same with me, i used to use it with ladders, rip my Tahoe
Yep! Tahoe’s have it too! Found it by accident be glad you didn’t find it by standing on it😂
Definitely a hidden gem. Those trucks are tanks. Wish they were offered with a Duramax. However. The 5.3L aftermarket is immense.
A keeper for the next 50 years, it looks like.
I was a salesperson at a Chevy dealership from 2004-2009. I was at the GM sales training for the debut of the Z-71 Tahoe/burb. We were trained to point out that feature on our sales presentations, thats the only way I knew about that.
Interesting lol
I want my money back my dealer never told me. J/k. All good now I use a trailer but good to know I have this option.
Then you should know they don't all have it. I own a Tahoe that is an ex-govt. vehicle and it does not have this.
@@paulmahon1613 It was Standard on the Z-71 models only. It wasn't available on LS, LT, or PPV.
Mine will give you some nostalgia most likely
Owned one in ‘05. I now understand why my contractor friends all wanted to buy it. That is crazy.
I had one of those years ago, and noticed it when hauling a ladder for the first time. Nice feature
Chevy guy for 28 years and never knew... I need one for my Trailblazer
same
I dont have a z71 but I bought a cheap yukon XL to flip and ended up keeping it as a daily driver because of how many useful unique features it has. Great trucks!
The best 🤟🏻
Definitely went out to the garage to check my wife's 2005 tahoe. Can't say I knew it was there, but I can say it'll never be used 🤣🤷🏻♂️
Oh we made use of the roller regularly for the whole time we had ours (purchased new in 2004, scrapped in 2016, rust in pieces). Was fantastic for getting the Thule box on and off every summer, and getting the dinghy on and off.
Bought a 02 Z71 Burb brand new, definitely knew about the roller right away. Used it to load a canoe all the time
I had a black 2001 Z71 that I bought brand new in July of 2001
Loved it & I knew about it
Salesman didn’t tell me about, but I noticed it putting a luggage cargo carrier cover on the roof
That truck was a beast
Captain’s chairs in the middle
Only thing that ever went wrong on it was a battery terminal rusting out
Loved it
Wish that I still had it😢
They’re great vehicles!
I have an 04 and installed the roof rack from a Z71, I wondered what it was for. I almost left it at the junk yard. Glad I decided to keep it.
i have a 04 Z71 and a LTZ 16 . Never knew that about the 04. I gotta go get 2x12s tomorrow , perfect timing , unreal .
I have a 2005 Z71 Chevy Tahoe and I never knew what that piece was for. Thanks for the info 🤙🏼
I could have gotten a z71 back in 03 . The dealer told me about that roller. I didn’t get the z71 for I already had a 4x4. It’s a cool feature for sure. Thanks for sharing!! 👍🏼👍🏼
The Z71s had a few oddities like this. GM planned on featuring auxiliary lamps on the back of these racks, but the DOT said no and the option was canceled. GM left the two round punch outs in place, which you can cut out with a hole saw and add lights. They also have different rear coils than the other SUVs, they're taller, and on the Tahoes, there were two different Z71 rate coils, there was a different rear spring dependent upon whether the third row seat was optioned. Some Z71s didn't have them.
Interesting. All of that
Awesome!!!
I actually saw one once with the aux lamps in the cutouts. Looked cool and I thought it was a great idea.
Didn't some Z71s also have quadrasteer?
@@johnnyjonesAFX I've only seen the quadrasteer on some 2500 Suburbans, and it is fairly rare too
I bought my dads suburban z71 from him and didn’t find out about it until I helped my friend move a basketball hoop and had to slide it up there. It was a great feature wish gm came up with more useful and quirky features like that
I drove an 03 burb for 7years..stood on the top multiple times noticed these and always wondered the hell it was about...one of them smack yourself in the head and call yourself a “dummy” moments lol
😂
They say you learn new shit everyday, and this just proves that saying is 100% true
And the lesson today is, they (Z71s) don't all have it LOL.
The whole reason I put a Z71 Tahoe roof rack on my 2003 SLT Yukon. Easy swap, looks way better, and the roller makes loading kayaks way easier!
The Tahoe and Suburban are the best family cars ever made, they can do anything!
And the crazy thing is that Chevy never advertised this feature. Who would of thunk it?!?
I always new the Z71 had a beefier rack than the standard one. I never knew about the roller. My dads old 73 Ford super duty had a lumber rack that had oblivious rollers in it, but nothing as sneaky as the Z71’s. Pretty sweet.
I have a blacked out 05 Z71 Tahoe.... I already knew this. There's also a secret compartment if you lift up the cup holders by the front console. Great place to put a wallet and gun. 😊
Where at?
I got four cup holders lol
HOLY SHIT, you’re RIGHT LOL
Now i can access my sub easier
So thats where my extra cup holder rubber tag went
Had no idea that was a thing and I grew up with one.
Wow 😂
Now take a closer look at the back of that roof rack on the sides... there should be two circular shapes that almost seem like they would be perfect for... some extra reverse lights? I don’t think Chevy ever actually put lights there from the factory but lots of guys on the forums would mod some lights in there. They looked slick and worked/fit well. Always wanted to do a z71 rack on my normal Tahoe back in the day when I had it but never got around to it.
Yes, and the black circular areas on either end of the roller facing aft (and angled down slightly) are designed so you can fairly easily add a round emergency light or rear area work light flush-mounted in there.
Yes I always noticed that ideally I would put a reflector decal.
Damn i grew up with the exact one in the thumbnail. 2001 chevy suburban z71 in that sparkly green. That thing was with my family for 15 years. Now it's my grandpa's trailer hauler/winter beater. I love that truck
also good for canoes and kayaks the rollers are way more useful than you think
The canoe/kayak deal was what it was for. The lumber thing just happened out of need or accident. My 03' Tahoe Z71 rear roller crossbar is now stationary as I am using it to secure a CURT cargo basket with an extension.
The 2000 to 2006 chevy Tahoe/suburban Z71 is my favorite truck ever made. i really want one at some point.
Look first, because my 02 Z71 Tahoe does not have this.
@@paulmahon1613 Honestly I'm ok if it doesn't have it I didn't even know it was an option lol. I've wanted this truck ever since my family sold our 2003 Z71 Tahoe in 2011, that truck was awesome!!!!!
I have a 2004 tahoe z71, 248,000 miles and still running strong 💪
@@mariobarrera1882 nice!!
Been selling GM since 1985 had no clue this did that !!!!
They don't all have it. Don't feel bad.
Knew about this when they were new. My uncle had one. We used it all the time to load canoes
When I first bought my Suburban, I thought it was just a bar coming loose, but when I bought a kayak and tried to slide it onto the roof, I realized it was supposed to roll. It's a shame the newer Suburbans/Tahoes have that extension coming off the back that can get damaged if you try to slide something up onto the roof.
They’re more SUV and less truck with every passing model update. It’s sad
I never knew that was like that, I always liked the look of the Z71 Roof Rack I didn’t know it was also functional
I have an 05' Z71 Suburban that I've owned for 7 years now. I notice the roll bar 2 years after ti got he truck. That roll bar has helped me out so many times. I love this truck and I'm not afraid to say I own a Chevy Suburban Z71.
Had a 2004 Z71 just like the one in your video, and knew it was there, it was marketed as a way to load a canoe on the roof.
More practical car knowledge from Stapleton42.
Oh my word I never knew that that’s so cool! Seriously though, this gen of SUVs and trucks, fantastic.
This reminds me of my 4 runner,
It’s packed with hidden cool features
Been driving my 2003 Z71 Suburban since I bought it in 2008...never knew about this. THANKS for the great video form Arlington !
Damn I notice this on mine for the first time this weekend! Learn something new everyday
My 02 z71 tahoe coolest hidden feature is that it has a chocolate fountain under it. Also i have the roller and never use it
Thanks for being mad enough to admit that man....been there brother!
We installed back up light pods in the round indentions . Cut holes and glued them in. Lights up the whole back area
That was the best roof racks on any vehicle I ever had! They had one year that was just the same as the Z71 but it was 2006 they offered a LTZ and it was just like the Z71 but with chrome and a 6.0 motor hard to find but a great car! #suburbanlife
Page 146 of the Owners Manual talks about the “luggage carrier” and makes ZERO mention of the rear roller. Talk about hidden gadgets on the truck! 🤟😎🤟🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Always wondered about the circle indents on the back of the rack. It's like they were gonna have some sort of rear flood light option but decided not to include it for production
It was for aftermarket lighting upgrades - ambulances in Israel, work vehicles, fire chiefs, etc.
Thing I like about my 04' Z71.. It doesn't have a "Tahoe" badge anywhere on it.
I want one of these Suburban suvs now after seeing this and a few other videos. I want to get my hands on the Vortec 8100 engine with it.
I new about it my Z71 has it. I personally won't use my roof rack to carry anything but it's functional as long as the weight limit isn't maxed out. Y'all be safe!
I still love this model GMC Yukon & Tahoe
My 2004 Suburban Z71 has that as well, it was easy to load kayaks on the roof rack with that roller on the back!
Cool i just got my chevy today! I have one! Sweet! Thanks!
I see you didnt mention it but also the cargo bars are adjustable they slide forward and backwards along the rails with the button at the ends.
The Z71 actually has a set screw on each side for the bar adjustment so it’s infinitely adjustable unlike the LT and others where it has to clip into specific increments.
I have an 04 z71 and I use that for carrying the canoe. Works great!
I wish that was on our 2004 GMC Yukon XL SLT, we owned since 2014 and like to use kayaks and such for roadtrips.
You can literally just get some torque bits Find AZ71 burban and take the roller off the back of the rack.
Found by washing the roof. It's an AWESOME feature
Like you said if I'm watching I want to learn something .you learned me. Thanx roof rack guy and you big guy
Thanks man. I learned it too at the same time lol
I'm guessing it ain't for lumber it's for recreation equipment like canoes and kayaks etc
it's for anything you wanna haul on your roof just dont stop real fast or you ll find out how good of a job you did strapping it down.
@@justinriley8651 lmao 😂
Got my 04 Burb in Dec 04, known about this since then.
I knew about it. I found out when I loaded my kayak for the first time.
Yeah man I own a 02 Z71 suburban and I've known it before I even bought it. It's a helpful feature man saves your back
He said its like my ex girlfriend hauls alot of wood 😂
I learn something from every video you post. I love it.
That’s my goal!
i also own a 2004 Z71 but one day i saw it and i had no idea i tought it was the part of the roof rack then i watched this and this video and i was like WHATTT it was a ROLLER
Works great for canoes too 👍
WOW,,,,,,,,,, Thanks for the info!! I never knew that,,, AWESOME 👍🇺🇸
Only the Z71 came with that opinion. My 05 Tahoe and my dads 05 suburban were both z71. Also the Z71 had a bigger luggage rack. They were taller and more bulky but so nice
"Oh my gawd I didn't know that was there."
My ‘05 Tahoe Z71 has it. Didn’t know it till I saw your video though LOL thank you. I bet it’ll work great for kayaks. I’ll have to try that soon.
Didnt even have to watch the video to know what you were going to talk about. Its a very handy way to pick out a z-71 package at first glance.
...WOW That's what that is for.. hahaha. I love my 02 Z71 burb. I have noticed that thing and noticed that it rolls but never knew what it was for! lol.
Some of the most reliable pickup trucks and SUV's ever made as well.
Still would be if not for EPA requirements. Sad to see great models slowly get neutered.
@@brandonbrown3600 These were the last GM trucks without the dumb EPA regulations. That's why I'd still much rather have a 2007 Classic Silverado than a newer one. Right now I'm daily driving a 2001 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3l that has almost 310k and still runs good.
Specifically what EPA requirements are you talking about? Never forget, that without the EPA pushing the OEMs to ever more demanding emissions and MPG averages, we wouldn’t even have these trucks at all. Efficiency helps make horsepower, and our 5.3 V8 engines making 315 HP and getting 20+mpg Hwy would have been utter nonsense in 1990. Or, to be more direct in my line of assertion, unless you think it’s cool to shit in your children’s mouths, don’t hate on the “green” movement. Back in the time of asbestos and lead, very similar sentiments were shared widely. “Those damned health and safety nannies making us quit using lead in our paint!? Damn them! This new paint sucks, doesn’t go on as smoothly, doesn’t stick as well, and chips more easily! “. And the new heat insulation in my new oven sucks too. I can actually feel heat on the outside of my oven. Damn them. Meanwhile, little Johnnie’s intellect takes a nosedive, and the housewife doing the laundry of her husband who works at a brake pad factory has mesothelioma, and dies a slow and painful death with severe lung blockage. Cause you know, the EPA and nature types are just out to make our lives worse. So what EPA changes are you talking about? The ones that make cleaner air? Did you know that were it not for the EPA, the Los Angeles Basin would have been UNINHABITABLE by the year 1990. Think about that.
yeah that is really cool it's a shame they didn't make it known everybody that bought one, also this is a good bit off topic but a little bit on top of two the same time a lot of people don't realize that some suburbans have crab steering or four wheel steering....
Yep Quadrasteer 🤟🏻 I like the fat fender flares on those
Damn good vehicles IMO. Any of those gmt800s. I've got 344k on mine so far.
Why doesn’t every truck have this?? (No, didn’t know either!)
Yeah man I realized it by accident one day I grabbed it to tie down and lost my grip, great feature very handy foe large items
I had one of these actually
Excellent family truck, great off road
thats the best god damn thing i have ever seent. i need a suburban now.
Yup! We added rear halogen lamps to ours. In the rear nacelle covers. We even modded an Avalanche with a Z71 roof rack from a Z71 Tahoe that we shortened.
You also have the two rear cut outs on the sides for rear lights
😂😂 all this time I thought my shit was lose
I found out on accident I was climbing on top of the suburban and my foot slipped because of that roller but for some reason I thought I had broken it myself.
Ive known that lmao. I try and clean my roof and i grab it and my hand rolls off making me fall all the time. If you also check your build model, it will tell you it has the feature on it in the buyers guide
Thank you for spreading this knowledge! I know now!
Love my 02 Z71 Burban 👍🏼
Never heard of such thing 🤯BUT leave it to Mich to bring the internet yet another valuable piece of information. Prob the realest dude in the car scene!
3:14. Hey you two board haulers. Try hauling a canoe sometime and make a vid about that. Yah boieeee!,
BTW nothing wrong with wanting to haul azz and 6 or 7 beams atop of your Z71 roof rack but you have to be able to get an 1/8 of a scratch downhill on a dusty old road first. Haha. Seriously sir take your beautiful Z71 with its LS6 motor to the great outdoors where the original SUV light weight tanks where designed to go. Have fun, go slow, unclip the back seat and take it out, grab some coolers, invite a couple of friends, dogs too, don’t forget the canoe and hit the local state park.
I just literally ran outside to check my z71 tahoe 😂
Had a 04 Tahoe Z71 and was great for loading kayak and stuff.
Man I had a 2002 z71 Tahoe in black. Loved it. I went on deployment and my wife sold it and got a 2010 LT.
I wasnt too mad, I bought a 240sx and we were even lol
It’s the little things ! 😎🦅
Yup knew about that, dad and I found them by accident, we added some trail lights to the back of his Suburban and that wouldn't stay directed. It took us longer then it should have to realize that what we thought was a solid bar was turning when we would hit a solid bump.
😂😂😂
Right on! Getting bigger by the day i see. 500 more subs to 34k!