“Ya know that SUV we make based on a pickup truck?” *rips line of cocaine* “lets turn it back into a pickup truck and see what happens” - GM board meeting probably
Way back in the day, I sold Chevys to pay for my college education. The Avalanche was such a cool vehicle to demo to customers. It took a full hour to blow people's minds with all the features that it had. It was truly a good time to sell GM products.
I knew of a few people that had thes back in the day. Its a fine grocery getter but the second you need to do more then take and antique dreser home to refinish you need to call a friend with a real truck.
@@federalagent7334lmao actual child. You’ve never done anything of worth with your life. It’s all good though, the more people think like you the easier it is for us who work. Don’t be begging for housing and livable wages when your lazy ass is on the street 🤣
@@The8thStoryWindowLickercool story , my grand pa went to college as husband and homeowner after a few gap years after high school. I’m sure your grand pa worked his tail off and deserved what he earned but let’s not pretend like it wasn’t easier to get by back then. On top of tuition being a fraction of what it is today
Its not even added versatility, they screwed the utility of a silverado and added back 80% of it through some bullshit process that removes tge ability to use the rear seats. If you need a truck get a truck.
I do light construction out of my avalanche. The rear bed is big enough to carry 4x8 plywood with the gate down, while carrying me and 5 other people in the cab.
@@user-nb8yt2il2r how did they do that if the most common Silverado combination is a crew cab and a 5.5ft bed? Seems the avalanche adds more functionality than that.
You know you haven't truly lived until you have to replace a fuel pump on an 03 Avalanche while in the middle of a parking lot at an Army base. In the middle of the coldest day in January. Absolutely covered in gas.
Dude mad respect to you. I’ve never worked on one but I know what you’re saying… top starter bolt on my ranger on the coldest day in January just happened to me lol
@@jonathanrush7357 besides the normal dod problems it's been pretty reliable all parts replaced under warranty and mine has a 6.0 liter more torque to motivate her.
@@jonathanrush7357overweight compared to what? Underpowered for what kind of use? Electrical issues can plague many vehicles, so unless it’s a common problem sounds like you might have just had a dud.
@dambroangling2828 I don't remember the exact models off the top of my head and a quick Google search will prolly do a better job than I can. I'm just a mechanic and work on all kinds of cars so I see them come and go all day so I know modern was do in fact still do this
I had one as a daily as I was looking for a new daily and they are super reliable too, you can find them for super cheap, even with high miles I would trust it to go anywhere and everywhere kinda miss it, early 2000s gm interior and with all the features at a good price really is the best truck
You know this truck was a beast because you still see them all over the place even though they stopped production over 10 years ago. These things are still on the road frequently and running.
I literally just traded my 2010 in with 202,000 miles because I couldn't afford to rebuild the engine. I've owned 3 trucks and that was the best one I ever had. I see them everywhere still and I live in a northern state with harsh winters.
I agree you see the avalanche after all these years all over the place and some of them are in pristine condition, One of a kind truck for its time that's for sure
@JaySports-kx7yb now that I've sold mine I feel like I see them a lot more. Chevy trucks usually last a long time. I had a Silverado that was given to me by my dad. Between us in 10 years we put 388,000 on it before I was hit by a semi.
The major issue with the Avalanche was all the plastic body panels. After several years in the sun the entire truck looks like crap because half of it is chalky grey plastic.
@@rhull3939 I wouldn't trust the average layperson to ceramic coat their own car, but I like that you know that you can restore the plastics with it! My shop uses black dye to restore the plastic trims for clients who don't want to purchase ceramic coating.
@@boomerkingsley8780 They have some quality issues depending on the year, but you're definitely right, the 8.1 is one of the best engines you can get in these Chevrolet trucks of the period. Both the Silverados and Avalanches with that engine are some of the hardest working, best running trucks around. My grandpa had one that ran plenty long.
I miss mine. Had an '03. Drove it for quite a while until marriage, kids, bills, and lack of money. Wife had to drive it while I drove her Chevy Prizm to save on gas. She called me one day asking if I knew how much it cost to fill it up. I giggled and said, "Yep. About $99 if you are on empty." She said, " I wouldn't know. The gas pump quit pumping at $75." But it was a great truck. Sad day when I took it into Carmax to sell it. Spent all day detailing it only for a typical Florida thunderstorm to pop up and cause flooding on the streets all the way there. It was the most comfortable ride I have ever had next to my Oddesy. Can't beat a minivan for comfort. The older I get, the more I appreciate it. I've got over 270k on my '05. Hoping to get another 100K or more. Great car.
I'm always hunting for one of these trucks, ever since I found out just how much space you can get out of them, I've really hopped on the bandwagon for them. It's a full sized pickup bed, with the seating space of a Tahoe, on the wheelbase of a Suburban, it's really a great concept.
Ah yea youre right, I got the ridgeline. i put a plastic tarp in there, and turn the entire thing into a cooler when we go camping 😂 its super badass cuz as soon as you lift the 'lid', those lights on each wall inside the bed come on, and light up your 'cooler' so you can see your drinks even in the darkness of the woods 🔥 @TheJmauldin
They probably don't make them like this because the average person buying a pickup truck is doing it as a status symbol, not because they have any actual need for a pickup truck.
@@lazaroortiz2803 that sounds more like there is seldom a need than always a need. I have used it for a tv but most of that stuff could fit in our 3 row SUV. I think what most people would refer to as needing a truck, would be for hauling and towing. I just chose to buy mine because I like it
I used my dad’s for a winter snowboarding adventure for 3 months. Best vehicle I could’ve asked for. So easy to store your gear in the back. 4x4, Flo-masters. Loved that truck.
@Anonymous..VQ3.5Lg35 most Avalanches were half tons, but they did make a 3/4 ton in the first generation of the Avalanche. 2nd generation was only half ton.
Dropping the mid gate like that gives you enough room for 2 quads in the back of the truck i remember seeing this truck at the car show the year before production two quads sitting in the back and i thought that was one of the coolest things ever
As the years go on, I feel less “hatred” for trucks like this. My anger is shifting towards EV trucks. If there’s any “us against them” mentality to go around anymore, it should be ICE against EV. Congrats to 300k. Not many people get up that far.
My grandfather bought a brand new one in 08 customized by southern comfort 22 inch rims and custom body kit paint and exhaust had some great memories and road-trips in that truck always got compliments everywhere we went
My father worked in a Prototype Vehicle Division at his company. I was lucky enough to work for him. In the time I work with his crew, we bulit the Prototype Avalanche for the SEMA and DIAS. One of the best moments of my life is when we loaded the truck on the trailer to ship out days before Christmas. A few weeks later, I went to Detroit Auto show and saw our work on display.
Love my Avalanche so dang much! It gets a lot of hate online, which cracks me up because so many trucks have copied its style and functionality, from the rear spoiler to the huge full size cabin interior. Such a great truck!
Full size cabin interior? Off the top of my head I can confidently say Ford was building pickup trucks like that since at least 1999 with the launch of the super duty F250 and 350 trucks. (And the ford expedition and excursion models of SUV on same platform) The F150 was offered with a crew cab in 2001, the same year the avalanche launched. While I don't have experience with earlier trucks I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider almost all crew cab trucks going back to the 1970's to have "full size cabin interiors". I think the Avalanche gets a bit too much hate but they are ugly, are prone to rust out in every way imaginable if not well looked after, and the only thing I can think of that might have directly taken inspiration or features from it is the equally, if not more hated, first gen Honda Ridgeline which started development in 2001.
The Ramboxes are much bigger making them far more useful. But both make for a narrow bed that is a bigger PITA than I realized if you are trying to move or load stuff while standing in it. At least the Ram doesn't have those sail panels also getting in the way.
@@panzermensch1577 I'm not assuming. I've loaded and unloaded stuff in them and they suck because there is no room to walk around. I suppose if you never get up in the bed they would be ok.
@augustinegalela3430 I disagree. Tesla copied the GMC Envoy XUV. The GMC was ugly back then and didn't sell, which is why it had a short market life. The Cybertruck is ugly, and most people who reserved one are bailing on the purchase.
Some may not know. The circular locking things he mentions are actually to hold the glass. You would remove the back glass first and put it there before lowering the whole partition. The rear fender compartments were insulated with drainage holes like an ice chest. With the partition down, you could store full 4x8 sheets of plywood enclosed with the tailgate up. Had one. Loved it.
I had one in 2004. It was that forest green. I put a 4-in lift on it with 35s. It was sick. I still have amazing photos of it. It was unique, and a lot of fun. I used to have it wide open all the time with fresh air blowing around. Then they had that cool tent you could install in the back.
Idk what you think a major component is. But mine had over 180k before I had to do any really expensive repairs. Even then these trucks have cheap parts. They are very affordable to fix.
YEESSSS!!! I drive a 2010 Avalanche and no one ever believes me when I tell them how good it is. Also 120,000 miles with no major issues aside from replacing some suspension components. Most under rated truck in the world.
Good on gas? I had a 2011 5.3 and It had that stupid thing where it would kick it from a v8 down to a 4 cylinder. Sucked gas like crazy. I was paying out 70$ in gas for 2 weeks
@LariatXLT89 my dad can drive his 2011 from our place to my sisters old house, which was a 2 and a half hour highway drive away, on half a tank. That's round trip. And that was consistently, not just a one off.
@@IG10705 although that passenger airbag recall always made me shit bricks, basically sitting in front of a claymore going 120km/h until Chev got it replaced😅
The Chevy avalanche was truly the first wow car that my family ever bought the first day I saw it and I got to ride in it. I was truly impressed as a kid and I will always remember it as my favorite truck.
I had 280k on the odometer when I sold my ‘07. It looked brand new outside, and the only seat that looked like it was ever sat in was the driver seat. Original motor and transmission. Damn I miss it.
Just stop it. Look like new? That plastic faded damn near instantly making it look old. I don't mind the Avalanche, but to say it "looked new" with over 200k is ridiculous.
That's because they are made in Mexico, are mostly plastic, and the people that own them can't afford to get them repaired or re painted. (My dad has one)
I was thinking “that’s a car for people who want a pickup truck, but still want it to look like a 2006 civic” and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw his plastic moonswatch
@@petermacgregor9805 My 99 Civic held up so much worse than my 04 Silverado. Everything still works on my Silverado, but my Civic doesn't have working power locks, power windows, windshield wiper arms don't move anymore, rear door handles don't work, etc.
My Aunt and Uncle loved their avalanche. They have a 2020~ Ford Raptor which is obviously an upgrade but they frequently talk about how much they liked that truck
I had an 03 unit 2018, Most comfortable vehicle I’ve ever had, no leaks and I could haul 8ft drywall and plywood in the box and it would stay dry, the saddle bags were extremely handy as well. They were also incredibly easy to work on. I still miss it
@@clintleaf-sz1wk Just buy a 4x4 van then, most can pull a trailer because its about weight and not length, and you can put a quad in a van just as well as in a truck. Ur using a ramp mate
I love my avalanche. Super convenient being able to go from a 5ft to 8ft bed whenever i want. Storage is awesome for ratchet straps and jumper cables. But my absolute favorite thing about it is the shorter wheelbase than other pickups. It makes parking so damn easy. I hate parking in my dads f-150
I was always a huge fan of the Chevy Avalanche, and still am. It's just sad how much that vehicle got panned the first came out. It was seen as weird, considered cheap and gimmicky GM "trash", and therefore undesirable, much like other innovative GM vehicles at the time like the Pontiac Aztek. To see it get its flowers so many years after its demise is definitely interesting to see. For the record though, the new Silverado EV is essentially the modern day Avalanche.
i've been in that situation to as a child. the reason she did not know how to brake was because the pedals where vertical on one point, then she panicked, while she had to concentrate on steering and forgot to put the pedals horizontal for breaking.
@@jaredlancaster4137SUV has a whole roof and connected rear column to prevent torsion. These designs don’t. And the bed is part of the cab. I haven’t seen what he’s talking about but it makes sense. But true, I’d need real evidence to bring that argument up.
@@jaredlancaster4137 fair but it doesn’t extend the the very rear like a suv would. It might prevent some but it’s still in front of the rear axles where you put the load… so that dinky little column might not do much. That’s why a pickups cab USED to be separate from the bed. So you didn’t bend shit up front when setting stuff in the back.
A friend was on the Chevy corporate support team for the Avalanche. He said they had a ridiculously high support rate from dealers for the mid-gate leaking water into the cabin.
thats because the plastic rim going around the window would crack from cold weather...it shrinks..and some people are too dumb to put it back in properly.....i fixed my cracked rim with silicone and i know how to put things back together properly.......love my avalanche
I've worked on one that had a misfiring cylinder, and I had to delete the active fuel management. It's the worst thing I have worked on. I had to drop the front dif to get the oil pan off. I hate the avalanche it's the worst.
Have an avalanche. Can confirm. Pretty useful for house stuff. Nice being able to haul sheets of 4x8 ply and lock it up out of the weather. Basically a suburban with a bed.
Back in 2006, I test drove one. Was considering it. But I chose the Blazer SS instead. 6 months after buying it(new)the transmission went tits up and they would not stand behind any warranty. Last Chevy I got talked into buying. Can only imagine how many issues a non high performance rig like this would have given me.
Making something really cool and cancelling it after two generations right before it would have made them a boatload of money is kind of GM's whole deal
Step Dad been the owner of one since 2008, it has over 300k miles on his, it's been through 2 transmission and still hanging in there. He now keeps it as his 2nd vehicle 😊
Yes and no, because although it leaks, the leaking points actually flow to the sides, and out the bed from holes made for that reason. Nothing in the bed is actually going to get wet unless those drain holes are plugged. I think GM knew that it was impossible to seal something with so many removable parts, and actually planned for it. I have heard of water leaking into the cab from the rear window, but not too often, and mine has never leaked into the cab. Cool truck, but i think im done with it and might sell it this year. I need an SUV for my growing family. Its actually my wifes truck.
my dad bought an avalanche in 2008 and i still remember the day he brought it home. i was about 6 years old playing with tonka trucks in the driveway when i saw him pull up in a brand new 08 avalanche. fast forward years later and that was my first car when i was 16. we all drove that thing for years and had some great times in it until eventually it stopped working right at around 230k miles just last year. one of the most durable trucks money could buy. handled like a dream as well. i remember my dad would always tell me how badly people wanted it because of its mid gate that people would use as a hub for subwoofers lol.
My 2005 avalanche was my favorite car. I used to open the whole bed up and put a mattress in there and camp out under the stars with my gf in high school. Such a cool feature. .... such good memories 🥹
Those side compartments had drains in them too. Excellent coolers. You could really fit an 18pack in each side with plenty of ice. Nc state tailgating was a blast in that truck
Had a 07 Avalanche LTZ from my dad that he used for concrete, the thing had well over 360k miles on it and was an absolute unit of a truck (yes I called it a truck). Id almost give anything to have that truck back. Definitely getting my hands on another one sometime in the future.
“Ya know that SUV we make based on a pickup truck?” *rips line of cocaine* “lets turn it back into a pickup truck and see what happens” - GM board meeting probably
Wish i was there!!
This explains the GMC Envoy with the roof that opened up to turn the rear into a truck bed
@@domin8ssit was kinda sick tho
@@domin8ssJeep had a Trail-hawk concept like that too. It was a cool design going back to the Blazer and Bronco days of off-road convertible designs.
No matter you’re professional level, can’t go wrong with the booger sugar.
It’s like they sent the whole engineer team to design a badass truck and then completely forgot to bring the style department 💀
honestly, it was built for picking up lumber but looks like it was made for picking up kids from soccer practice.
Or reliability
Ran out of budget 😂
No it's worse, they outsourced the style to the guys who made the first Ridgeline. It's like intentionally making the worst decision.
@@ithmithsits a chevy, cant change that.
Way back in the day, I sold Chevys to pay for my college education. The Avalanche was such a cool vehicle to demo to customers. It took a full hour to blow people's minds with all the features that it had. It was truly a good time to sell GM products.
@@federalagent7334 not sure what you mean. Are you saying car sales people are all super models now? Not around where I live...
I knew of a few people that had thes back in the day. Its a fine grocery getter but the second you need to do more then take and antique dreser home to refinish you need to call a friend with a real truck.
Only issue I had with mine was bed would leak some when driving in heavy rain, Had a tool box I kept in back corner discovered them wet
@@federalagent7334lmao actual child. You’ve never done anything of worth with your life. It’s all good though, the more people think like you the easier it is for us who work. Don’t be begging for housing and livable wages when your lazy ass is on the street 🤣
@@The8thStoryWindowLickercool story , my grand pa went to college as husband and homeowner after a few gap years after high school. I’m sure your grand pa worked his tail off and deserved what he earned but let’s not pretend like it wasn’t easier to get by back then. On top of tuition being a fraction of what it is today
If they built this today, it would come with a 2.7 turbo 4 cylinder and would cost $120k without a steering wheel or stereo.
Real
Yea but at that time they made the avalanche 2500 with the vortex 8100. Last BBC RIP u will be missed.
The new ev Silverado is based on the avalanche design. Would be nice if they made a gas version. I love my 2002, but it's getting old and tired.
That new 2.7 is a monster 4cyl tho
@@JXC98🤦♂️"Monster" and "4-cyl" should NEVER BE IN THE SAME SENTENCE.
Ye Ol’ Tupperware Truck
Yes yes ... so very yes.
😂😂😂
This one made me laugh
😂😂
I thought Tupper is only in Germany a thing.
This concept went away when GM realized people dont actually use their trucks, so this added versatility was just added expense to them.
Its not even added versatility, they screwed the utility of a silverado and added back 80% of it through some bullshit process that removes tge ability to use the rear seats. If you need a truck get a truck.
I do light construction out of my avalanche. The rear bed is big enough to carry 4x8 plywood with the gate down, while carrying me and 5 other people in the cab.
@@user-nb8yt2il2r how did they do that if the most common Silverado combination is a crew cab and a 5.5ft bed? Seems the avalanche adds more functionality than that.
@@kmorris9098 It is on a Suburban platform not a Silverado.
God the amount of pristine ass f-150s riding around my area is sad
If I was a Hispanic man in my 40s I’d buy it in a heartbeat
lol thats about the truest shit ever. I live in south texas and see many of these
Yeah man Latina Homies like all those little cubby holes nice shabby to give them places to hide stuff people kilos tequila you know
😂
And if I were white , I'd touch my sister more frequently while living in a Double wide with my dad/brother. 😂
god damn you for knowing me better than i know my own hispanic azz lol
You know you haven't truly lived until you have to replace a fuel pump on an 03 Avalanche while in the middle of a parking lot at an Army base. In the middle of the coldest day in January. Absolutely covered in gas.
Neat. I'm sorry that you know that, obviously from experience.
I mean… sounds like you could’ve warmed up anytime you wanted.
🤔😅💀
Shoulda drained the gas tank first haha 😂 happened to me my first time changing a fuel pump.
Dude mad respect to you. I’ve never worked on one but I know what you’re saying… top starter bolt on my ranger on the coldest day in January just happened to me lol
so your not in the army then ?.
Most versatile truck I've ever owned.
Biggest piece of shit that i've ever owned. Overweight and under powered. And a whole bunch of electrical issues
@@jonathanrush7357 besides the normal dod problems it's been pretty reliable all parts replaced under warranty and mine has a 6.0 liter more torque to motivate her.
@@jonathanrush7357 same experience here
Mine running like new 230k miles original motor and trans and its been abused
@@jonathanrush7357overweight compared to what? Underpowered for what kind of use? Electrical issues can plague many vehicles, so unless it’s a common problem sounds like you might have just had a dud.
The back of cab opening up to bed is actually sweet.
And not even unique to this truck lmao I've seen a couple other trucks that look better be able to do the same thing
@@LOG4N98 which ones? Hummer and Ridgeline probably
@dambroangling2828 I don't remember the exact models off the top of my head and a quick Google search will prolly do a better job than I can. I'm just a mechanic and work on all kinds of cars so I see them come and go all day so I know modern was do in fact still do this
You can sleep there 😂
I had one as a daily as I was looking for a new daily and they are super reliable too, you can find them for super cheap, even with high miles I would trust it to go anywhere and everywhere kinda miss it, early 2000s gm interior and with all the features at a good price really is the best truck
The Avalanche is basically from a GM board meeting that went like... GM: Hey guys, remember the Aztek? Let's do all that weird shit in a truck now.
Mitsubishi must have really liked the Aztec as well. That eclipse cross...
dude, the eclipse was a bad ass car, i liked it.@@smokey2535
Dam i forgot i owned a pontiac aztec and this comment brought back memories. The Aztec warrior 😂😅
At least the avalanche looks better
Aztec and avalanche were both wayyyy ahead of their time. The Aztec will be a collectors car in 30 years guarantee
You know this truck was a beast because you still see them all over the place even though they stopped production over 10 years ago. These things are still on the road frequently and running.
I literally just traded my 2010 in with 202,000 miles because I couldn't afford to rebuild the engine. I've owned 3 trucks and that was the best one I ever had. I see them everywhere still and I live in a northern state with harsh winters.
I agree you see the avalanche after all these years all over the place and some of them are in pristine condition, One of a kind truck for its time that's for sure
@JaySports-kx7yb now that I've sold mine I feel like I see them a lot more. Chevy trucks usually last a long time. I had a Silverado that was given to me by my dad. Between us in 10 years we put 388,000 on it before I was hit by a semi.
The major issue with the Avalanche was all the plastic body panels. After several years in the sun the entire truck looks like crap because half of it is chalky grey plastic.
Unless u get the 2012-13 I got the 13 black diamond
And...you don't realize that it takes 15 minutes to fix that with armor all or especially ceramic coating. Literally 15 minutes.
i'd rather have that than rust
trucks dont need to look good to work
@@rhull3939 I wouldn't trust the average layperson to ceramic coat their own car, but I like that you know that you can restore the plastics with it! My shop uses black dye to restore the plastic trims for clients who don't want to purchase ceramic coating.
I've got one, a 2002 2500 8.1L 280,000 plus miles, original drivetrain, best truck I've ever owned..
It looks like a good vehicle, would you recommend?
@@mrbrandonturner85not at all. He has to be lying. TERRIBLE engine and trans
@@fantasiafox22the trans can be rebuilt for not much and the 8.1 (and all the vortec engines) are great youre full of it
Obviously never had a Ford....
@@boomerkingsley8780 They have some quality issues depending on the year, but you're definitely right, the 8.1 is one of the best engines you can get in these Chevrolet trucks of the period. Both the Silverados and Avalanches with that engine are some of the hardest working, best running trucks around. My grandpa had one that ran plenty long.
my late grandfather had an Avalanche. He loved that truck...man do I miss him :(
I miss mine. Had an '03. Drove it for quite a while until marriage, kids, bills, and lack of money. Wife had to drive it while I drove her Chevy Prizm to save on gas. She called me one day asking if I knew how much it cost to fill it up. I giggled and said, "Yep. About $99 if you are on empty." She said, " I wouldn't know. The gas pump quit pumping at $75."
But it was a great truck. Sad day when I took it into Carmax to sell it. Spent all day detailing it only for a typical Florida thunderstorm to pop up and cause flooding on the streets all the way there. It was the most comfortable ride I have ever had next to my Oddesy. Can't beat a minivan for comfort. The older I get, the more I appreciate it. I've got over 270k on my '05. Hoping to get another 100K or more. Great car.
TFL needs to buy a Chevy Avalanche and run some tests with it! The Avalanche was so ahead of its time.
Make it a 2500 with the 8.1 V8
@@domin8sscame here to say this, you beat me to it...
It made a comeback
@@domin8ssthey make one that's a 2500 too
I'm always hunting for one of these trucks, ever since I found out just how much space you can get out of them, I've really hopped on the bandwagon for them. It's a full sized pickup bed, with the seating space of a Tahoe, on the wheelbase of a Suburban, it's really a great concept.
You forgot the giant lockable compartment underneath the cargo area. This truck is a gun owners wet dream. Wish they still made trucks like this.
No they aren't. All I know is GM guys. Everyone junks them and pulls the motors for other projects. Pure junk
@@kennethlaw9830 Camaro and TransAm comes to mind as well....
There is no lockable storage under the bed in an avalanche.
You're thinking of the Honda Ridgeline
Ah yea youre right, I got the ridgeline. i put a plastic tarp in there, and turn the entire thing into a cooler when we go camping 😂
its super badass cuz as soon as you lift the 'lid', those lights on each wall inside the bed come on, and light up your 'cooler' so you can see your drinks even in the darkness of the woods 🔥 @TheJmauldin
Drove an avalanche for years, best truck I have ever owned.
grew up with my dad having one of these. one of the best value trucks and never had any issues with it. he had it for 15 years
Honestly wish it was still around
Buy a Silverado EV, it's basically the same design with a midgate.
silverado ev is an avalanche with a midgard, but even more refined
Get the Hyundai one if you want a gas version
@@TechnicalLeeBut the issue is that’s an ev
@@firedemon2166 eaxtly, Id rather buy this old avalanche than the ev lol.
They probably don't make them like this because the average person buying a pickup truck is doing it as a status symbol, not because they have any actual need for a pickup truck.
Hell yeah! I don’t need my GMC but I sure do love it
@@kieth1284there’s always need let’s say you need to pick up a tv or a couch you never know
@@lazaroortiz2803 that sounds more like there is seldom a need than always a need. I have used it for a tv but most of that stuff could fit in our 3 row SUV. I think what most people would refer to as needing a truck, would be for hauling and towing. I just chose to buy mine because I like it
@@kieth1284 imagine bragging about that
What status is having a truck and not using it for work?
Bought & sold 7 so far, all of them developed leaks around the rear removable glass. Notorious
Bad leaks or very small leaks?
And fixable with caulk or no?
Bro thats your complaint!? 😂
I used my dad’s for a winter snowboarding adventure for 3 months. Best vehicle I could’ve asked for. So easy to store your gear in the back. 4x4, Flo-masters. Loved that truck.
Even better is the 2500 8.1 avalanche. I never see those in MN but would love to buy a clean southern one in the future. I’d keep it forever honestly.
I thought it was just a half ton, cool to know!
@Anonymous..VQ3.5Lg35 most Avalanches were half tons, but they did make a 3/4 ton in the first generation of the Avalanche. 2nd generation was only half ton.
There are a few on the Eastern Shore of Maryland near me. No rust as we don't get much snow and they weren't used to back boats into the water.
@@greenshield1im in baltimore, are any for sale down there 😂
@wassupdummy everything is for sale, if you catch my drift. Lol
You know what a cool feature is too? Everything rusting.
Well they were smart with the plastic fender flares. That's always where Chevy's start to rust.
Dont have to worry about rust, bc it's 100% plastic
You mean “patina?”
fun fact the chevy avalanche is the only car that will rust
Chevy weight reduction
The Avalanche was truly ahead of its time in terms of versatility and features. It's a shame they don't still make trucks like this today.
Minus the midgate this is what a Honda Ridgeline is.
Dropping the mid gate like that gives you enough room for 2 quads in the back of the truck i remember seeing this truck at the car show the year before production two quads sitting in the back and i thought that was one of the coolest things ever
I still have mine. Same exact one as that. 300k miles and I still love it.
As the years go on, I feel less “hatred” for trucks like this. My anger is shifting towards EV trucks. If there’s any “us against them” mentality to go around anymore, it should be ICE against EV. Congrats to 300k. Not many people get up that far.
If every Avalanche owner I ever knew wasn't a giant tool, it would be a cool truck
100%
Every . Single . One
I owned one, and I still kind of agree with this. Lol
Too funny.
My grandfather bought a brand new one in 08 customized by southern comfort 22 inch rims and custom body kit paint and exhaust had some great memories and road-trips in that truck always got compliments everywhere we went
My father worked in a Prototype Vehicle Division at his company. I was lucky enough to work for him. In the time I work with his crew, we bulit the Prototype Avalanche for the SEMA and DIAS. One of the best moments of my life is when we loaded the truck on the trailer to ship out days before Christmas. A few weeks later, I went to Detroit Auto show and saw our work on display.
awesome story!
Love my Avalanche so dang much! It gets a lot of hate online, which cracks me up because so many trucks have copied its style and functionality, from the rear spoiler to the huge full size cabin interior. Such a great truck!
Full size cabin interior? Off the top of my head I can confidently say Ford was building pickup trucks like that since at least 1999 with the launch of the super duty F250 and 350 trucks. (And the ford expedition and excursion models of SUV on same platform) The F150 was offered with a crew cab in 2001, the same year the avalanche launched.
While I don't have experience with earlier trucks I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider almost all crew cab trucks going back to the 1970's to have "full size cabin interiors". I think the Avalanche gets a bit too much hate but they are ugly, are prone to rust out in every way imaginable if not well looked after, and the only thing I can think of that might have directly taken inspiration or features from it is the equally, if not more hated, first gen Honda Ridgeline which started development in 2001.
@@thatguyoverthere9634Bro’s yappin
The new Silverado EV copied this. Ram was so intimidated by the success of the side boxes that they copied them and call it the Rambox.
The Ramboxes are much bigger making them far more useful. But both make for a narrow bed that is a bigger PITA than I realized if you are trying to move or load stuff while standing in it. At least the Ram doesn't have those sail panels also getting in the way.
@@plmn93but Ram box beds can still fit plywood inside. It's not as cumbersome as people assume
@@panzermensch1577 I'm not assuming. I've loaded and unloaded stuff in them and they suck because there is no room to walk around. I suppose if you never get up in the bed they would be ok.
If any truck copied this it has to be the cyber truck😅
@augustinegalela3430 I disagree. Tesla copied the GMC Envoy XUV. The GMC was ugly back then and didn't sell, which is why it had a short market life. The Cybertruck is ugly, and most people who reserved one are bailing on the purchase.
Some may not know.
The circular locking things he mentions are actually to hold the glass. You would remove the back glass first and put it there before lowering the whole partition.
The rear fender compartments were insulated with drainage holes like an ice chest.
With the partition down, you could store full 4x8 sheets of plywood enclosed with the tailgate up.
Had one. Loved it.
I had one in 2004. It was that forest green. I put a 4-in lift on it with 35s.
It was sick. I still have amazing photos of it. It was unique, and a lot of fun. I used to have it wide open all the time with fresh air blowing around.
Then they had that cool tent you could install in the back.
all cool cars eventually got their own tent
My automotive instructor just bought one of these. I never knew it's full potential until now. Cool!!
A friend of mine loved the avalanche. A little too much plastic, but definitely had utility.the mullet of trucks
Unpopular opinion I actually like the avalanche. It’s like an SUV with a bed instead of a 3rd row seat you’ll never use, pretty cool IMO.
Toyota’s don’t require the owner to replace major components after 50,000 miles. That’s even cooler.
Idk what you think a major component is. But mine had over 180k before I had to do any really expensive repairs. Even then these trucks have cheap parts. They are very affordable to fix.
better change timing belt/chain on your toyota.
So versatile they stopped making them
Actually that's typical of Gubment Motors
Had nothing to do with a bad design and everything to do with the bean counters...
The new electric silverado is based on this truck, they just didn't want to call it the new avalanche
@@_Optnz_Wish we could get a gas powered version of that new truck
They sold like a half million of 'em if you count the Caddy re-badge
YEESSSS!!! I drive a 2010 Avalanche and no one ever believes me when I tell them how good it is. Also 120,000 miles with no major issues aside from replacing some suspension components. Most under rated truck in the world.
I got a 06 with 170k and no major repairs other than the drive shaft seal. Fun truck plus I’m about to put a cam and lsx parts in it😂
@@brandonren1219I would expect a truck with under 180 thousand miles to not give me any major issues at all 🤦
@@conormayweather5474ikr. They can call me when they reach 350k+ like this old 1988 f250 I had.
And it's hella good on gas, and drives like a giant car. Badass trucks.
Good on gas? I had a 2011 5.3 and It had that stupid thing where it would kick it from a v8 down to a 4 cylinder. Sucked gas like crazy. I was paying out 70$ in gas for 2 weeks
@LariatXLT89 my dad can drive his 2011 from our place to my sisters old house, which was a 2 and a half hour highway drive away, on half a tank. That's round trip. And that was consistently, not just a one off.
@@IG10705 although that passenger airbag recall always made me shit bricks, basically sitting in front of a claymore going 120km/h until Chev got it replaced😅
The Chevy avalanche was truly the first wow car that my family ever bought the first day I saw it and I got to ride in it. I was truly impressed as a kid and I will always remember it as my favorite truck.
I had 280k on the odometer when I sold my ‘07. It looked brand new outside, and the only seat that looked like it was ever sat in was the driver seat. Original motor and transmission. Damn I miss it.
212k on mine, buy the transmision did go out about a year ago.
Just stop it. Look like new? That plastic faded damn near instantly making it look old. I don't mind the Avalanche, but to say it "looked new" with over 200k is ridiculous.
@@wilmarbarrick3194like new. I was able to keep my black panels new. It’s amazing what cooking oil spray and some time spent can do. You should try it
@@wilmarbarrick3194 He mentioned he owned an 07 which would have been the next body style. The older ones had the separate body moldings
@@wilmarbarrick3194 looked new. You’d be amazed at how well cooking spray shines up those plastic panels. So yes, absolutely looked new.
Never have I ever seen one that’s has yet to be sun faded. Truck looks like if the dollar store started building them.
I remeber seeing sun faded ones 15 years ago lol
That's because they are made in Mexico, are mostly plastic, and the people that own them can't afford to get them repaired or re painted. (My dad has one)
They were badly sun faded 5 years after new.
@@thestarwarsbro **completely plastic
Most people I knew spray painted it black
I love these trucks. I never realized how versatile they are. They give me Aztek vibes except better looking.
I was thinking “that’s a car for people who want a pickup truck, but still want it to look like a 2006 civic” and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw his plastic moonswatch
Not only that but the 2006 was reliable you can find these trucks with over 250,000 miles
Yes but nothing will be working on them except the engine and transmission! They are a piece of junk.
Got one with only 70k 🧍🏽♂️
@@petermacgregor9805 My 99 Civic held up so much worse than my 04 Silverado. Everything still works on my Silverado, but my Civic doesn't have working power locks, power windows, windshield wiper arms don't move anymore, rear door handles don't work, etc.
I have 2 of them, my 05 has over 300k miles and I still drive and use it daily
@GoogleDoesEvil true, but the honda's drivetrain will longgg outlast the drivetrain in the Chevy.
Just one of many instances GM was so far ahead of anyone else.
Said no one ever...
There is a reason it was discontinued.. 😅
If only they made it quality instead of stupid
@@hello_youtube_318have you seen the EV Silverado 😂
What time the forties
People don't realize how difficult it is to find the right parts for these trucks.
My Aunt and Uncle loved their avalanche. They have a 2020~ Ford Raptor which is obviously an upgrade but they frequently talk about how much they liked that truck
I had an 03 unit 2018, Most comfortable vehicle I’ve ever had, no leaks and I could haul 8ft drywall and plywood in the box and it would stay dry, the saddle bags were extremely handy as well. They were also incredibly easy to work on. I still miss it
Doesn't any van do the same but better?
@@Menon9767 most vans aren’t 4x4 and can’t pull a 29ft trailer, also can’t put a quad in a van…well I guess you could try.
@@clintleaf-sz1wk Just buy a 4x4 van then, most can pull a trailer because its about weight and not length, and you can put a quad in a van just as well as in a truck. Ur using a ramp mate
Yeah I guess if you want a van so bad you should buy one. 😂
@@clintleaf-sz1wk im just pointing out that pickups are not a very useful vehicle nowadays
ok nah. i didnt know any of this before, now i actually kinda like the avalanche. maybe ill get one as my next toy idk
It would be a great toy hauler
Yea, that truck made high school memories.
I love my avalanche. Super convenient being able to go from a 5ft to 8ft bed whenever i want. Storage is awesome for ratchet straps and jumper cables. But my absolute favorite thing about it is the shorter wheelbase than other pickups. It makes parking so damn easy. I hate parking in my dads f-150
I always thought it was odd looking. But it’s versatile.
I want one even more now. Bring it back GM
They did, Silverado EV.
@@TechnicalLee ahh interesting
Avalanches got a place in my heart for sure
The most underrated truck
I was always a huge fan of the Chevy Avalanche, and still am. It's just sad how much that vehicle got panned the first came out. It was seen as weird, considered cheap and gimmicky GM "trash", and therefore undesirable, much like other innovative GM vehicles at the time like the Pontiac Aztek. To see it get its flowers so many years after its demise is definitely interesting to see. For the record though, the new Silverado EV is essentially the modern day Avalanche.
Minus the EV part 🤢
God I wished GM did a smart move & make an ICE version of the Silverado EV bodystyle
You might be the only person who would want it. EVs are not selling.
@@herbb8547”internal combustion engine version”
@@herbb8547 He said an ICE version of that EV body style. ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) meaning not EV just the design.
@@RayRayP2001 OK. I misunderstood that. That would make more sense.
@@herbb8547 Lol it happens.
Love my '02 Z71, has 225K miles and still rollin'!
i've been in that situation to as a child. the reason she did not know how to brake was because the pedals where vertical on one point, then she panicked, while she had to concentrate on steering and forgot to put the pedals horizontal for breaking.
El Camino problem: The bed needs to be separate from cab because of torsional weight in bed would body crease behind back doors.
That's not a problem with El Caminos, Avalanches, or any SUV that has the cargo area attached to the cab. What are you talking about?
@@jaredlancaster4137 it would be if you tried to do what rednecks and mexicans do and put 2 pallets of roofing shingles in it 😂
@@jaredlancaster4137SUV has a whole roof and connected rear column to prevent torsion. These designs don’t. And the bed is part of the cab. I haven’t seen what he’s talking about but it makes sense. But true, I’d need real evidence to bring that argument up.
@@OneHellOfASandwich well a Chevy avalanche literally does have a connected rear column to prevent torsion, that's why that's there
@@jaredlancaster4137 fair but it doesn’t extend the the very rear like a suv would. It might prevent some but it’s still in front of the rear axles where you put the load… so that dinky little column might not do much. That’s why a pickups cab USED to be separate from the bed. So you didn’t bend shit up front when setting stuff in the back.
We need a new version of it.
Hummer EV...
Silverado EV has it.
It’s called a Honda Ridgeline
@patrickmillehan6075 this is body on frame with a solid rear axle, though...
Hyundai Santa Cruz
This would make an awesome overland/off-road vehicle.
I remember sleeping in the back of my mom's avalanche like this as a kid on our trip to Wyoming.
A friend was on the Chevy corporate support team for the Avalanche. He said they had a ridiculously high support rate from dealers for the mid-gate leaking water into the cabin.
Haven’t had any problems with mine :)
thats because the plastic rim going around the window would crack from cold weather...it shrinks..and some people are too dumb to put it back in properly.....i fixed my cracked rim with silicone and i know how to put things back together properly.......love my avalanche
Yep, they creaked and rattled too. But the main problem was that they were priced so much higher than a pickup.
@@Joe-pb3lx he was saying those complaints happened under warranty
got yeah.....im just having a bad day with all the inept people i dealt with on the phone the past few days@@firstlast---
So darn cool they stopped making them 😂
Hahaha
You called an avalanche a truck!!!
Bahahahahaha!
I think the best feature of the Avalanche was the rust. All those extra holes made it really fast.
I've worked on one that had a misfiring cylinder, and I had to delete the active fuel management. It's the worst thing I have worked on. I had to drop the front dif to get the oil pan off. I hate the avalanche it's the worst.
Liar😂
@vcente671 No, I'm not. That's what my auto techerhad me do
What🤣 Silverados are the easiest shit you can possibly work on
SUV with a birth defect
Nope
I used to own one. It was a brand new 2005 Avalanche. I had for about 7 years! Man I super loved that vehicle! Making me miss it!
Have an avalanche. Can confirm. Pretty useful for house stuff. Nice being able to haul sheets of 4x8 ply and lock it up out of the weather. Basically a suburban with a bed.
Back in 2006, I test drove one. Was considering it. But I chose the Blazer SS instead. 6 months after buying it(new)the transmission went tits up and they would not stand behind any warranty. Last Chevy I got talked into buying. Can only imagine how many issues a non high performance rig like this would have given me.
None except the transfer case.
i had a lot of problems with mine,2012, totaled around 5 grand to fix them over time......ill never sell it
Shouldn’t have got a blazer💀
Both of my brothers had one. They were always working on them.
@@johnsonoutdoors8117 ...yup but still cheaper than a new truck and just fun to own one......i like looking at it
They should bring it back and put a Duramax in it
Making something really cool and cancelling it after two generations right before it would have made them a boatload of money is kind of GM's whole deal
Step Dad been the owner of one since 2008, it has over 300k miles on his, it's been through 2 transmission and still hanging in there. He now keeps it as his 2nd vehicle 😊
You know what isn't cool? The parking.
You forgot to mention how the transmission is made out of off brand Legos.
Love my ‘04! It’s been a champ and it is really handy to have a bed that stays pretty dry.
With kids in sports plus DIYs and camping trips.
This truck would be priceless to me.
what's even cooler? a truck with an 8ft bed.
I'm guessing most leaky truck ever.
Exactly!
Yes and no, because although it leaks, the leaking points actually flow to the sides, and out the bed from holes made for that reason. Nothing in the bed is actually going to get wet unless those drain holes are plugged. I think GM knew that it was impossible to seal something with so many removable parts, and actually planned for it. I have heard of water leaking into the cab from the rear window, but not too often, and mine has never leaked into the cab. Cool truck, but i think im done with it and might sell it this year. I need an SUV for my growing family. Its actually my wifes truck.
Pretty nice fairly standard features, but that fully removable window is dope
2 people in my squad have one, a senior specialist and a sergeant. The sergeant has his in black and lifted. It's nice
Biggest POS on planet earth that truck is.
NOPE
my dad bought an avalanche in 2008 and i still remember the day he brought it home. i was about 6 years old playing with tonka trucks in the driveway when i saw him pull up in a brand new 08 avalanche. fast forward years later and that was my first car when i was 16. we all drove that thing for years and had some great times in it until eventually it stopped working right at around 230k miles just last year. one of the most durable trucks money could buy. handled like a dream as well. i remember my dad would always tell me how badly people wanted it because of its mid gate that people would use as a hub for subwoofers lol.
Trash
I've never seen inside of those trucks. It has some kick ass features.
Those side-compartments are such a cool feature
My 2005 avalanche was my favorite car. I used to open the whole bed up and put a mattress in there and camp out under the stars with my gf in high school. Such a cool feature. .... such good memories 🥹
Yes, I wish they'd never stop making it like that.
Those side compartments had drains in them too. Excellent coolers. You could really fit an 18pack in each side with plenty of ice. Nc state tailgating was a blast in that truck
Had a 07 Avalanche LTZ from my dad that he used for concrete, the thing had well over 360k miles on it and was an absolute unit of a truck (yes I called it a truck). Id almost give anything to have that truck back. Definitely getting my hands on another one sometime in the future.
I had the Cadillac EXT version of this truck. I enjoyed driving it for ~8 years!
Like the Aztec, ahead of its time and underappreciated during it's time.
Why in the world did we not buy enough of these to keep them in production?