Z71 vs 4X4?

[TBow]

As I've been scouring the internet for a new-to-me Sierra or Silverado, I've notice that some trucks have the Z71 stickers on the back of the box while others have the 4X4 stickers. They're both advertised as 4wheel drive vehicles, but what's the diff?

If it says AWD, is it all-the-time awd, or can it be shifted in and out of 4X4? I've noticed that some trucks have the 2WD to 4WD stick shifter on the floor, while others don't.

Also, are all the 2500 GMs with the Duramax, HDs, or is there a non-HD version?

TBow

[Dawg]

I believe Z71 is the Chevy version and the 4x4 is GMC. There's not much difference between the two that i know of from what little hands on experience I've had.

As for the other ?'s....I can't help you with.

I'm sure Shaun can expound on this in great detail.

[pendog]

i always thought z71 was more of an off road package with skid plates and better suspension....not positive though.

my 2010 gmc sierra is a 4/4 z71

[redkneck]

Z71 is a suspension package option for Chevy/GMC 4x4 vehicles. I believe it includes:

Z71 Decal

Front diff skid plate

Front x-fer case skid plate

Upgraged shocks/bumpers

Upgraded front and rear stabilizers

Higher capacity air cleaner

The Z71 option should add a little to the value of the vehicle, but not much. Also beware of vehicles that have the decal but are not Z71's. My friend bought one at a lot (used) and immediately called the guy out on it. Skid plate under the front diff is the dead giveaway for the Z71.

[redkneck]

Also on the AWD, I really dont know. Mine is an older model (2000) and it has pushbuttons for:

Auto 4WD

2WD

4 high

4 low

The auto 4x4 allows the front diff to engage and disengage as traction loss is sensed. I only use it during heavy downpours, but would come in handy with freezing conditions/snow. Shaun can tell you what the newer ones have.

[wtnhunt]

John and Andy have it right, the Z71 is the suspension package. A lot of the 3/4 ton trucks have the skid plates, but they have a beefier suspension and do not have the Z71 stickers.

Not sure on the newer awd models, manual floor shifter in my 98 model, our 97 yukon had the push button, never had a problem out of either.

Durango we have is an awd model and has a selector, would assume gm models would be similar. We never push any buttons, it rarely slips, even coming up our steep drive when we had all the snow last winter the thing transferred the traction where it was needed and did not slip.

[Gator]

I have a 2010 Silverado WT and it has the floor shifter in it. I'd venture to guess thats the difference from the WT (work truck) to the LS/LT versions. Also, the WT's don't come standard with the 5.3 V8, it's a 4.8L V8. WT's also typically are just a "truck" no power windows, door locks, CD Player and on and on. I got lucky, I got all that minus the CD Player, but an aftermarket was ALOT cheaper than factory. Do some camparison shopping on a new vs used. With all the rebates and incentives out there, it's possible to get a new truck at a better price than used, plus you will get a better interest rate. Ex. My truck listed for 32,700. After everything was said and done, with atrade of $2,000, and no money out of pocket, I financed $22,200. Good luck with your search

[Shaun_300]

You guys nailed it with the Z71, it's a suspension package. The 4x4 on the floor is a mechanical linkage to the transfer case, and the push button is electronic, with an encoder motor on the side of the transfer case to move the selector lever inside to the different positions. I like the floor shifter myself, but the newer push buttons ones have come a long way, we used to have problems with the encoder motors, switches, modules. Not too many problems now though. The only thing is... DO NOT LEAVE IT IN AUTO 4X4 It's okay to use it in the snow or dirt roads. Especially if your tires are worn uneven, if you leave it in auto 4x4 going down the highway it'll be constantly applying the clutch inside the transfer case and burn the transfer case out. I do believe all Duramax 2500's are HDs.

[hunter109]

well i would not have them at all a truck is a truck and stickers dont makeit any better

[TBow]

Stickers can be just window dressing for sure, but to a potential buyer who's browsing the internet and looking at pictures in the adds, or cruising through car lots at night, those stickers can provide some useful information with regards to just exactly what options are on that vehicle. Plus as in this case / post, I was able to pick up on something that I wasn't sure of, was able to ask some questions and got some useful information from the members here that will help me to make a better informed decision on my next truck acquisition.

I've found on sites such as "Autotrader.com or .ca", the seller has misrepresented (likely not intensionally) the specs or options on a particular vehicle, and I have been able to note what was wrong by recognizing some sort of sticker or emblem on the vehicle in the accompanying picture. ie: The add might say in the specs, "ENGINE: GAS", but the "DURAMAX" emblem over the 2500HD emblem on the doors, is a dead giveaway that it's diesel. This usually happens where a car dealer might be putting multiple adds on a site and just misses something on their 40th ot 100th add they're entering. It's also helped me where I live beside the province of Quebec and look through the Autotrader.ca adds from that province. Some adds are written purely in french, and although I understand a little, I can get confused with some words or terms. The corresponding picture showing stickers or emblems clarified a few things for me.

TBow

[redkneck]

well i would not have them at all a truck is a truck and stickers dont makeit any better

Decals mean a LOT. It is rare to find vehicles with decals that have been faked, mostly older muscle cars, but not much on newer vehicles. It pays to know what you're looking at before you buy, and pays to know what a Z71 is before you write the check. It's not much of an option, but it does fetch a higher price and I for one have seen one my friend bought and called the used car dealer on it. Best to get an edjumacation before you buy.

Wish you luck finding one Tbow.

[LETMGROW]

The Z-71 package is a suspension upgrade as some have said. It does deliver a slightly stiffer ride but the trucks do handle better.

If you have one and decide to replace suspension parts you should advise the parts person of the fact it is a Z-71 to keep the suspension in balance.

When I bought my 1 year old truck I called a friend of mine who works in a Chevrolet dealership and asked him to run off a copy of the " broadcast sheet". This tells what options etc. were originally installed on the truck. I keep this sheet in the glove box for reference if I need it.

There used to be quite a few trucks running around up here with upgrade strickers. Not so many now. Guess it was a prestige thing. If a buddy had a better model a guy would strip off the original sticker and replace it.

The stick 4-WD lever was installed on a lot of base line trucks. IE: the Chev.WT or work truck. Most Silverados come with the push button selector which works as Shaun described.

A few years back I had a 94 Silverado. I put an emblem on it which read LT. A friend picked up on this and accused me of cloning the truck to add to it's value. After a few minutes of listening to him moan about it I told him, " the truck is not for sale" besides the LT are my initials. He got over it quickly and we had a good laugh about it.

I forgot to mention the Z-71's generally came with one size larger tires. Usually the 245 tires were upgraded to 265's.

Lynn

Edited September 19, 2010 by LETMGROW

[redkneck]

When I bought my 1 year old truck I called a friend of mine who works in a Chevrolet dealership and asked him to run off a copy of the " broadcast sheet". This tells what options etc. were originally installed on the truck. I keep this sheet in the glove box for reference if I need it.

Lynn

Just an FYI, I posted a link to an RPO database in here the other day so you can look that stuff up for yourself.

http://www.lonestarthunder.com/m_rpo.php

There's always options like you said that change the makeup of your truck, and it's nice to be able to look up parts you need from time to time, or is to me

[ODH]

Z71 is a suspension package option for Chevy/GMC 4x4 vehicles. I believe it includes:

Z71 Decal

Front diff skid plate

Front x-fer case skid plate

Upgraged shocks/bumpers

Upgraded front and rear stabilizers

Higher capacity air cleaner

The Z71 option should add a little to the value of the vehicle, but not much. Also beware of vehicles that have the decal but are not Z71's. My friend bought one at a lot (used) and immediately called the guy out on it. Skid plate under the front diff is the dead giveaway for the Z71.

ya i think your right redkneck. Its the same with Ford's 4x4 Off- Road and the regular 4x4. Its just beefed up more.