Just bought an 04 Z71

[Chads93GT]

Bought an 04 Z71 to "replace" my 01 Tahoe which currently is sporting 442,776 miles. It is only a 2x4 but the new one is a 4x4 so I have some questions.

The Z71 is a 4x4 with the towing package. I noticed mounted down by my right shin is a reese hitch trailer brake setup. Is this factory? I assume when pulling a trailer, like always I push the lil button on the end of the gear shifter, where my 01 tahoe says tow/haul. As for getting in and out of 4x4, i assume I have to stop, and put it in neutral? thats how i did it when test driving it anyway. 4 low, 4 high, I didnt do 4x4 auto though. I just dont wanna drop the transfer case in the winter or when im offroading down in tennessee/alabama on the way to some remote caves down old logging roads.

The truck has grey leather but the front seats show a lot of wear and I would like to replace them. Any idea where i can get exact color matching seat covers? The seats are not heated, bummer as my 01 is, and only the drivers is electronic adjustable front/back/up/down, However i have to maunally lean it back, which is fine.

I guess id like to try to keep the 04 in better shape than my 01, which is my mobile office, and still going strong. Even though it has heavy wear and tear on the interior from the high miles, it still runs great.

Ive never done much maintenance to the 01, other than general maintenance to keep it going, and as options fail, i just say screw it and deal with it. With the 04 id like to fix little things that are wrong. Is there any companies that sell repo parts and what not for these trucks/ Im a 5.0 mustang guy, and there are restoration companies galore for those, but what about these vehicles? Thanks for reading

Chad

 

[The 'ER]

First thing the brake controller by your shin is not factory. That was added by someone. I would look to see if they hillbilly wired it or used the plug that come with the control. We see a lot of home jobs ( I work at an RV dealership) and that can cause electrical nightmares. As far as 4 wheel drive. I like to keep it old school. Never used 4 auto EVER. Don't trust it and puts strain on the transfer case as it is not locked but will grab. As far as shifting always in neutral and wait to hear it click off. Then I back up 10-15 feet to make sure the case is disengaged. Never run 4 lo above 30. I know our manuals say I think 40 but I have not seen anything good coming from doing that. As far as body parts I have had good luck with Keystone Automotive for exterior as far as seats go a junk yard or local shop is prob your best bet. I am also a mustang guy (4.6) and no I have not found anything near the pony car world for resto parts. If you look at the posts here the guys really know their stuff and a simple search will find you an answer (that is how I found this heaven and why I joined) to many common problems and how to fix them. I have a "Z" as well and love it.

 

[Chads93GT]

First thing the brake controller by your shin is not factory. That was added by someone. I would look to see if they hillbilly wired it or used the plug that come with the control. We see a lot of home jobs ( I work at an RV dealership) and that can cause electrical nightmares. As far as 4 wheel drive. I like to keep it old school. Never used 4 auto EVER. Don't trust it and puts strain on the transfer case as it is not locked but will grab. As far as shifting always in neutral and wait to hear it click off. Then I back up 10-15 feet to make sure the case is disengaged. Never run 4 lo above 30. I know our manuals say I think 40 but I have not seen anything good coming from doing that. As far as body parts I have had good luck with Keystone Automotive for exterior as far as seats go a junk yard or local shop is prob your best bet. I am also a mustang guy (4.6) and no I have not found anything near the pony car world for resto parts. If you look at the posts here the guys really know their stuff and a simple search will find you an answer (that is how I found this heaven and why I joined) to many common problems and how to fix them. I have a "Z" as well and love it.

Hillbilly wiring causing nightmares ehh. Well this thing also has a Viper alarm with a viper door unlocker and I HATE the way it works. I want the factory setup so I am goin to rip it all out and splice all the factory wiring back together. I will most likely remove the trailer brake if its a junk wiring job as I did notice the lights on the rear view mirror flickering. the temp guage/compass and the onstar lighting was majorly on the fritz. The speedometer doesnt work, but the odometer does. Thanks for the advice on the 4x4. Big help to get advice from guys who have been there, done that. Always been a car guy, so this is my first 4x4. Thanks again. I will keep searching.

 

[The 'ER]

It is amazing what we see. A lot of people hack an old brake controller harness from a previous truck and try and make it work. If you lost or your truck never came with a factory plug you can buy one for $16.00. Amazing what people do to save money.

 

[southboundchicken]

theres a web site out there that can get you the factory leather seat covers and will match perfectly, my neighbor just ordered from them and they are the real mcCoy, im not sure what site though and he's not home to ask but i'll keep this thread in mind and as soon as i hear from him i'll chime back in, my brothers also in need of covers for his hoe so i wont forget

 

[Jonah52]

^^im interested in that too

 

[felixgun]

Welcome Chad. Holy crap 400k+ mileage?! That's the most i've ever heard of on a Tahoe. Nice!!

 

[edgaranah1]

^^ x2 that's a lot of miles.

 

[alc5m]

well with the electronic 4wd, you can just push the button while driving, but it wont engage unless all wheels are moving the same speed (make sure wheels are going same speed when clicking it)

usually i flip it into neutral, and push the button if i got time, otherwise i just push the button and dont touch the gas til its in

 

[The 'ER]

well with the electronic 4wd, you can just push the button while driving, but it wont engage unless all wheels are moving the same speed (make sure wheels are going same speed when clicking it)

usually i flip it into neutral, and push the button if i got time, otherwise i just push the button and dont touch the gas til its in

I know they say you can do it but I remember the Ford Expedition having many problems associated the on the fly 4 wheel drive. Like I said old school is still best bet to protect your transfer case. Backing up allows the gears to engage and disengage. I know on our shop trucks (all 7.3 power strokes) we have turn in locks up front and we have to back up when engaging or disengaging.