Thoughts on the Chevy Avalanche

[dur66@msn.com]

No cylinder deactivation on my 02.

It has a radiator leak, so that will be replaced. After that, the upper and lower control arms.

 

[phsycle]

No cylinder deactivation on my 02.

It has a radiator leak, so that will be replaced. After that, the upper and lower control arms.

Why not? Go for it. It’s a solid platform with plenty of cargo capacity. I’d be happy in one although my preference is towards a truck.

 

[CrazyDrei]

I have a 2002 Avalanche 2500 that I want to use for overlanding. I've read Chris Cordes article. Has anyone else out there done this? I think the only disadvantage would be fuel mileage. The parts on the 2500 are heavy duty, plenty of room for sleeping and carrying equipment.

Anyone?

dur66@msn.com,

Your Avalanche is perfect for overlanding, however the 2500 chassis will be a much rougher ride and have much more wear and tear that a lighter, more fuel efficient 1500 chassis. Parts on 2500 are heavy duty for hauling cargo on the highway but not designed to be beat and abused continually off road. I have both a 1500 and 2500 Suburbans. 1500 is my go-to overlander and daily driver, 2500 is my I'm not leaving the pavement and haul a 10,000# trailer go-to.

Just my opinion.

 

[AbleGuy]

My B-I-L in Tucson is probably going to have his Avalanche for sale soon.

I don’t know anything about it other than it’s a red one ?.

I’ll post info about it here on Expo when I get the specs from him.

 

[dur66@msn.com]

Nice to see that there are a few people out there who use them.

 

[dur66@msn.com]

I'm back.
Ok, the radiator was taken care of. Now I'm going to start working on the suspension and steering. The parts will be a combination of Moog for the upper and lower control arms and Rare Parts for some heavy duty tie rods. Afterwards, I'll replace the dry rotted BFG All-Terrain tires. I read this article https://expeditionportal.com/an-overland-chevy-avalanche/#disqus_thread and it gave me some ideas on how to make the Avalanche reliable for long-distance travel.

I'm looking into the best way of having electrical power in the back to run a refrigerator.

I think that this will make a great truck for overland travel.

 

[Stryder106]

I'm back.
Ok, the radiator was taken care of. Now I'm going to start working on the suspension and steering. The parts will be a combination of Moog for the upper and lower control arms and Rare Parts for some heavy duty tie rods. Afterwards, I'll replace the dry rotted BFG All-Terrain tires. I read this article https://expeditionportal.com/an-overland-chevy-avalanche/#disqus_thread and it gave me some ideas on how to make the Avalanche reliable for long-distance travel.

I'm looking into the best way of having electrical power in the back to run a refrigerator.

I think that this will make a great truck for overland travel.

Power in the rear - First, I have dual batteries - with the aux near the passenger side firewall in the headspace (GM makes a battery mount for that space). Attached to that (amongst other things) is the ARB fridge harness. That runs to the back of my truck, up through the rear drain port where I mounted the ARB threaded socket mount to the recessed portion of my bed wall. The wires are connected into that. Then, the power cord from the fridge, unscrew the 12v fitting and thread it into the bottom of the threaded surface mount - so it can't vibrate loose.

I HIGHLY recommend using the ARB blue tooth fridge monitor. I once had the issue of my fridge shutting off (blown fuse) and didn't know it - until I pulled in for fuel and checked it - but I had already lost 4 days worth of food. My fridge monitor is located in the spot in the dash that used tome occupied by the On Star. The monitor will mirror the read out of what's on the fridge display (temp), show you if it is pulling power or not (below temp = running - GREEN; at temp = not running - ORANGE; No power to the fridge = RED), and it will also show you how many volts are being supplied to your fridge (works as my volt meter for my aux battery).

Since you referenced Chris' article about my truck - look closely at the dash pics and you will the monitor.

Good luck.

 

[dur66@msn.com]

Thank you for your reply. I just got back from a trip to Mexico

As far as the Avalanche goes, I've done the dual battery setup and I'm working on the steering now.

Could you answer the following questions?

1. Could you show a picture of where the ARB threaded mount comes into the bed?
2. Who manufactured the metal support framework that you have mounted on the bed?
Thanks, Durwin

 

[dur66@msn.com]

I just found this thread again as I'm looking for build ideas for my 2500. Right now, I'm buying parts to rebuilding the steering and suspension. Eventually, it's my hope to use this for foreign travel as I use my Jeep now. Feel free to chime in with ideas or questions.

 

[dur66@msn.com]

Console in the truck which will be modified for the Scheel Mann seats, off-road lights and the Yaesu FTM 400 which I have. At present I have the Painless Wiring dual battery install, it will be removed in favor of RedArc. That will allow me to eventually use solar panels.

 

[dur66@msn.com]

Here’s an update in case anyone with an Avalanche is following.

The radiator has been replaced as well as the upper and lower control arms. Next is replacing the window regulator and motor in the front passenger side window, then rebuilding the front brakes and replacing the front sway bay.

I’m also buying parts for the Redarc dual battery install. The Redarc system will also allow me to use solar panels.