2007 Silverado Classic - NOT GOOD

[ECeptor]

I had a 1996 Silverado extended cab 1/2 ton 4x4 Z71 for 10 years. Was a great, great truck...so much so I really didn't shop around when looking to replace it. Long story short, using a dealer 3 hours away to get under my uncles emplyee discount I ended up with a 2007 Silverado 1/2 ton "classic" 4x4 Z71 crew cab. I took delivery sight unseen (my f&$k-up...) and my folks drove it down to me this weekend.
I'm not at all impressed. First, it rides worse than any truck I've been in in the last decade. Way worse than my bro's 3/4 ton Powerstrokes and not even in the same ball park as my 1996. Bouncy and rough...just simply horrible.
And when in the hell did Chevy change the rear brakes back to drums? WTF? My dad's 2003 has disks, I just assume this one would also.
Overall, highly dissatisfied....and this coming from someone who really didn't seriously ever consider a different brand.
Am I missing something or did Chevy screw the pooch?

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Drum rears???
Wow,,, the BFD of the new Chevy trucks in '01 was the 4 wheel discs.
The Z71 is where ya get the harsh ride.
We never order that. Brutal, and for what?
The drum rears,, that's a blindsider.
The 4 wheel discs was a Chevy Truck first, and standard.

[Sleek-Jet]

I don't agree on the Z71 being harsh... I regularly drive a truck with that suspension package and enjoy the same ride I have in my 93 Blazer (It's a 2003 Extended cab 1/2)... smooth and very car like.
Unless GM has changed something on the "classic"...

[Cole Trickle]

I think you need to drive it more.
I have owned a 1996,2003,2005 Silverado and they get better each year.
chevy wen't back to Drums in 2005 on the 1500's because the discs didn't wear good while towing(I think there was something else but i can't recall).The drums stop just as good as the front rotors are now bigger.
My 05 CC/1500 5.3 2x4 Hauls ass and rides nice.(not a Z71)

[BreastManWins]

I suspect there's more to this story than we are seeing here.
Harsh ride on a Z71?! Maybe for someone who has no clue about the ride of a 4x4 pickup.
Drum brakes on the rear of a Z71? No way.

[carreraelite]

Yessir!! GM went back to rear drums on the 1500 series.....

[3 daytona`s]

Yessir!! GM went back to rear drums on the 1500 series.....
Rear drums,but you must understand he is in such a hurry to get post count up speaks before knowledge:idea:

[voodoomedman]

07 Classic=Rear drums
07 New Body=Rear drums standard and rear disks optional

[tahitijet]

chevy went back to drums in rear in 06 do to problems or expense (can't remember) of the e-brake is waht i was told.

[h2oski2fast]

I think you need to drive it more.
I have owned a 1996,2003,2005 Silverado and they get better each year.
chevy wen't back to Drums in 2005 on the 1500's because the discs didn't wear good while towing(I think there was something else but i can't recall).The drums stop just as good as the front rotors are now bigger.
My 05 CC/1500 5.3 2x4 Hauls ass and rides nice.(not a Z71)
Cost.

[Outnumbered]

Shoulda bought a Dodge:argue: :D

[Bense468]

First of all my chevy had rear drums in 2000 (not 01 as tpc said)
Second it always had e-brake problems (as tahiti said but they came back in 05 not 06) cole was right about that part. The drums are bigger that also when they went 17" wheels.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

First of all my chevy had rear drums in 2000 (not 01 as tpc said)
Second it always had e-brake problems (as tahiti said but they came back in 05 not 06) cole was right about that part. The drums are bigger that also when they went 17" wheels.
The 2500HD with rear disc came out in 2001. Standard.

[Bense468]

yes

[Outnumbered]

The 2500HD with rear disc came out in 2001. Standard.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/image.php?u=14853&dateline=1165850262
Nice avatar TPC:lightsabe

[ChumpChange]

Second it always had e-brake problems\
Including mine. Is there a recall on this so I can go get it fixed for free?

[caroftheweek]

First of all my chevy had rear drums in 2000 (not 01 as tpc said)
Second it always had e-brake problems (as tahiti said but they came back in 05 not 06) cole was right about that part. The drums are bigger that also when they went 17" wheels.
in 1999 when the "silverado" replaced the c/k pickups they went to 4-wheel discs. this is 1/2 tons only. they had discs until 2005 when GM lost there mind and went the cheap route and put drums back on.
now the 3/4 & 1 ton crew cab had drums on the rear until 2001 when the "silverado 2500 hd" was introduced switched to disc and are still currently running rear discs.
now non-HD 2500 trucks (reg. & ex cab) from 1999-current were/are discs
the 17" wheels that came in 2005 were added to clear the new brakes.
confused?
Ryan

[marty722]

I went from chevy to toyota and I don't regret it at all..... Again just my 02 cents and don't want to offend anyone......

[Cole Trickle]

I went from chevy to toyota and I don't regret it at all..... Again just my 02 cents and don't want to offend anyone......
Toyota makes a nice Caruck.
The Tundra is way way underpowered in the power/towing department.:)
The next generation tundra looks promising.....

[Trailer Park Casanova]

I went from chevy to toyota and I don't regret it at all..... Again just my 02 cents and don't want to offend anyone......
We picked up a new Toyota Truck this year, moms kid hauler,, rear discs were a dealer installed option.

[beaverretriever]

First of all my chevy had rear drums in 2000 (not 01 as tpc said)
Second it always had e-brake problems (as tahiti said but they came back in 05 not 06) cole was right about that part. The drums are bigger that also when they went 17" wheels.
My truck is an 01 with rear disc. The e-brake has never worked worth a darn..LOL

[Bense468]

in 1999 when the "silverado" replaced the c/k pickups they went to 4-wheel discs. this is 1/2 tons only. they had discs until 2005 when GM lost there mind and went the cheap route and put drums back on.
now the 3/4 & 1 ton crew cab had drums on the rear until 2001 when the "silverado 2500 hd" was introduced switched to disc and are still currently running rear discs.
now non-HD 2500 trucks (reg. & ex cab) from 1999-current were/are discs
the 17" wheels that came in 2005 were added to clear the new brakes.
confused?
Ryan
So pretty much what I said then LOL.

[uvindex]

Yessir!! GM went back to rear drums on the 1500 series.....Yikes. I'm glad I have an '04. Drum brakes suck. (What's next, carburetors?) :boxed:

[Cole Trickle]

So pretty much what I said then LOL.
I said it first;)

[ECeptor]

Saleman called me back and said the drums were due to issues when pulling a trailer. I'm not buying it.
As for the ride, my 96 was a Z71, my dad's 03 (which I have driven from Wichita, KS to Detroit and back) is a Z71, many friends of mine have Z71's...BUT this one is very rough and bouncy - kind of a high frequency fore-aft bounce that seems to be always there. You can see it in your drinks...never did that on the 96.
Anyone here driven an 07 classic w/ Z71? What was your impression?

[Outnumbered]

This is exactly why the salesman always insist you go on a test drive. You know the line they always use..."would you buy a pair of shoes without trying them on?"...

[marty722]

Toyota makes a nice Caruck.
The Tundra is way way underpowered in the power/towing department.:)
The next generation tundra looks promising.....
I have no problems pulling a 21 foot boot up over the grapvine at 60mph. It have more pulling power then my 350 chevy..... Take the overdive off and it kicks into low gear and has pletty of power...... I will never go back to a chevy again.... my 95 at 60,000 miles starting using alot of oil and they told me the rings needed to be replaced. 60,000 I went to the toyota dealer and traded it in for the v8 tundra......

[ECeptor]

This is exactly why the salesman always insist you go on a test drive. You know the line they always use..."would you buy a pair of shoes without trying them on?"...
I know, I know, I know....I will never ever make that mistake again. I drove a 2007 new body style and like it...quite smooth. But went with the classic due to 10% less price + $4000 rebate.

[Cole Trickle]

I have no problems pulling a 21 foot boot up over the grapvine at 60mph. It have more pulling power then my 350 chevy..... Take the overdive off and it kicks into low gear and has pletty of power...... I will never go back to a chevy again.... my 95 at 60,000 miles starting using alot of oil and they told me the rings needed to be replaced. 60,000 I went to the toyota dealer and traded it in for the v8 tundra......
A 95 chevy 1500 with a 350 feels/performs quite a bit worse than a 4.8L 01+ Silverado.
The 5.3L is in another league and will literally walk away from your Tundra.
I don't believe in jumping on any companies bandwagon and have posted my opinion on the top to the bottom power wise.
1.Chevy 1500 with the HO 6.0L
2. Nissan titan 5.6L
3. dodge 5.7L hemi
4. GM 5.3L
5. Ford 5.4
6. toyota 4.7L
I am not saying that the tundra isn't a good truck but hook it up to my 28+ foot boat or a heavy 5K plus trailer and try and pull it up a pass.

[came along during the sunk boat thread]

Wheres the chev 8 liter and the ford v10 on the power scale?

[Cole Trickle]

Wheres the chev 8 liter and the ford v10 on the power scale?
Can't get either in a 1/2 ton truck.(They make less HP that the top 4 but way more TQ)
I have driven both of them and in my opinion hey feel very similar. Low on HP and good on TQ.(They both need intake/exhaust mods to breath)
I have driven both and they felt strong while others felt weak.(I drove a 2500HD with a 8.1 and was impressed and than I drove a 8.1L avalanche 2 days later that was a total pig.)
I wouldn't buy either if I was purchasing a tow vehicle. Diesels are the way to go for heavy loads and decent mileage.

[ratso]

Can't get either in a 1/2 ton truck.(They make less HP that the top 4 but way more TQ)
I have driven both of them and in my opinion hey feel very similar. Low on HP and good on TQ.(They both need intake/exhaust mods to breath)
I have driven both and they felt strong while others felt weak.(I drove a 2500HD with a 8.1 and was impressed and than I drove a 8.1L avalanche 2 days later that was a total pig.)
I wouldn't buy either if I was purchasing a tow vehicle. Diesels are the way to go for heavy loads and decent mileage.
Dodge you can...:D

[MBlaster]

A 95 chevy 1500 with a 350 feels/performs quite a bit worse than a 4.8L 01+ Silverado.
96 was first year of the vortec 350. It has way more power than the 95.
I love my 96 Z71.:)

[79 Howard]

I've had a 97 two wheel and then went to 4 wheel in 2000,2003 and just bought a 2005 with the drum rear and have already done a brake job all around at 45,000. they suck ,do not stop as well and know the only reason for the change is because they engineered a great product and then realized they couldn't make any money off 4 wheel disc so they chucked it

[caroftheweek]

So pretty much what I said then LOL.
not quite. the first line of you post is as follows:
"First of all my chevy had rear drums in 2000 (not 01 as tpc said)"
the only truck that had drums in 2000 would have been a crew cab. the ex cab and reg cab would of had discs
:hammerhea :argue::supp:

[ROZ]

I am not saying that the tundra isn't a good truck but hook it up to my 28+ foot boat
That boat is too heavy for the any of the entry level pickups ... lol

[Riverat84]

GM went back to the drums cuz they figured out they could havec the same stopping power as the discs at a much lower cost....it had nothing to do w/ the E brake....that's what all my friends that were service techs told me...they work at chevy/gm.
Reid

[One Particular Harbor]

It's not a pick-up, but we had a 1997 Suburban with front disks and rear drums and you really had to plan ahead when stopping, especially towing. Really didn't do a good job slowing that large amount of weight down.
However, the biggest issue was that we went through brakes every 15,000 - 17,000 miles with that Suburban. We replaced the '97 with an '02 Denali XL (four-wheel disk brakes) and I just did my first brake replacement at 75,000 miles. World of difference in how the truck stops and how the brakes wear.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

It's not a pick-up, but we had a 1997 Suburban with front disks and rear drums and you really had to plan ahead when stopping, especially towing. Really didn't do a good job slowing that large amount of weight down.
However, the biggest issue was that we went through brakes every 15,000 - 17,000 miles with that Suburban. We replaced the '97 with an '02 Denali XL (four-wheel disk brakes) and I just did my first brake replacement at 75,000 miles. World of difference in how the truck stops and how the brakes wear.
Same story here. Had the same Suburban
The GM drums brake jobs expensive to do them right, and frequent replacement needed. P.I.T.A. to do the job yourself. 1/2 days work on the driveway.
2001 HD 4 wheel drums almost 100K orig pads all around. Teriffic brakes.
Would never go back to drums.

[Cole Trickle]

That boat is too heavy for the any of the entry level pickups ... lol
agreed;)
I have towed it with my silverado from Parker to Havasu and it does a good job. I wouldn't want to be caught in a wind storm or pull a large grade.:hammerhea
Here is a easy power test for the Tundra owners.
Put your left foot on the brake with lots of pressure and then hit the gas....If the tires don't create smoke your driving the most underpowered truck on the market;):skull:
Don't ask how I know that the only way that truck will do a burnout is if you roll backwards at 15mph and then shift it into drive in a puddle of water:D:shift: (It was R&D for a TV commercial)

[rivercrazy]

agreed;)
Here is a easy power test for the Tundra owners.
Put your left foot on the brake with lots of pressure and then hit the gas....If the tires don't create smoke your driving the most underpowered truck on the market;):skull:
Don't ask how I know that the only way that truck will do a burnout is if you roll backwards at 15mph and then shift it into drive in a puddle of water:D:shift: (It was R&D for a TV commercial)
I had a 2000 Tundra. Now I have a 2005 Tundra. Both do burnouts no problem. And both of them had limited slip rear ends. And both were bone stock!
Both also pull my 25 Shockwave Tremor no problem as well. The 4.7L V8 in the Tundra is the most efficient motor with the best torque curve in its class (versus the Dodge 4.7, Chevy 4.8, or Ford 4.6)
Just wait until the new Tundra comes out. Relatively solid rumors call for 381HP and over 400 lb feet of torque

[Cole Trickle]

I had a 2000 Tundra. Now I have a 2005 Tundra. Both do burnouts no problem. And both of them had limited slip rear ends. And both were bone stock!
Both also pull my 25 Shockwave Tremor no problem as well. The 4.7L V8 in the Tundra is the most efficient motor with the best torque curve in its class (versus the Dodge 4.7, Chevy 4.8, or Ford 4.6)
Just wait until the new Tundra comes out. Relatively solid rumors call for 381HP and over 400 lb feet of torque
Sounds like you got a runner.:)
I have dynoed 100's of trucks and the tundra regardless of what people thing is the most underpowered 1/2 ton truck on the market.(I was not comparing the lower ends from the other trucks.I am sure the 4.7L does fine vs. the other entry level motors)
I can't wait until the new Tundra comes out and I have my fingers crossed for 380-400HP.:D
How exspensive will it be?(It's hard to get a screaming deal on a Yota:hammerhea )

[rivercrazy]

Quality & reliability costs money

[Cole Trickle]

Quality & reliability costs money
Truck is a truck to me.(Who ever is offering the best deal and finn. when I look usually gets my business)
We currently own a 05 Sliverado 1500 and a F350 Diesel.:)
I have owned 4 GM trucks and 2 Fords. I have never broken down in any of them and the GM's always have good resale.
I honestly don't like the looks,power and feel of the Toyoya trucks. the new Nissans are making great power but I can't get over the interiors.