I am currently looking to get the 2008 chevy silverado LT1 4x4.

in anyones opinion, is it better to just get the 4x4 or is a z71 package better?

the main differences ive seen with the two packages are:

shocks
suspension
locking differential in back
wheels
skid plate

i also know that the 4x4 is a bit better on the road but sways in turns, the z71 is a stiff ride but better control on turns


i was told by the dealer, its just as easy to get the 4x4 and then buy a few of those parts seperate and change them out, rather than buying the z71


any opinions or anything i might need to think of?

2/28/2008 10:11:33 PM

The only time it'll ever matter is when you are staring at your truck as you walk across the parking lot.

The locker is a nice addition, but it's doubtful that it'll ever make that much of a difference on a DD unless you have to hit the mud, tow up a steep boat ramp, or something similar. More than likely you can manage without it anyway.

2/28/2008 10:33:09 PM

what do you want to do with the truck?

run people over? get the 4X4 edition.

2/28/2008 10:34:03 PM

^hahah

2/29/2008 12:27:16 AM

basically though, out of the two..........z71 is just an upgraded 4x4

2/29/2008 1:24:10 AM

its a status thing. personally i'd have to get the z71, but that's just me.

2/29/2008 7:47:02 AM

Cause you' know he's mr king ranch... gotta have the baller truck!.

2/29/2008 8:37:53 AM

i'm toby keith tough, what can i say?

2/29/2008 9:25:43 AM

Ohh god... what an awesome idol to have

2/29/2008 1:45:01 PM

im just wondering if its worth the extra money to get the z71 package or just upgrade a few things on the 4x4 like the shocks and suspension, locking diff. and the skid plate

2/29/2008 6:44:25 PM

waste of money unless you're going to be 4 wheeling it much. even then, you can get better stuff from the aftermarket.

2/29/2008 6:59:21 PM

i'd get the z71 option just because it comes with the eaton locker. the z71 option used to include upgraded bilstein shocks but now there's no difference in shocks. the other upgrades include larger wheels, skid plates, and a 46mm sway bar vs. the standard 44mm.
what is the price difference anyway?

2/29/2008 8:09:38 PM

the eaton gov-lok/g80 is one of the biggest pieces of shit ever made. great idea in theory, terrible in execution.

2/29/2008 8:33:16 PM

from what i've read eaton redesigned it a few years back and it made quite an improvement. no, it's not a locker for rock crawling but for everyday street use it's perfect and a hell of a lot better than a limited-slip

2/29/2008 8:37:01 PM

^ its a total peice of shit though when it comes to doing burnouts in the edwards mill parking lot

2/29/2008 8:56:20 PM

^^when it's locked, yes it's better. however, it takes about a 100rpm wheel speed difference before it does anything. until then, it's just an open diff. the trouble is, when you get one wheel spinning 100+rpm and it tries to lock... BOOM. not to mention by the time it decides to lock you're already stuck, already doing a one wheel peel down the track, whatever... they've made it a little better in recent years, but it's still junk. the only reason they survive everyday use is because most people rarely if ever put it in a situation where it engages.

^lol

2/29/2008 9:12:18 PM

^i haven't experience any issues like that in the 3 i've owned (the original one that came in my last truck, the new one i installed in my last truck, and the one in my current truck). maybe it's because i pre-load it when i know i might be in a low-traction situation. who knows. but it works great for me. you're just biased, that's all.

[Edited on February 29, 2008 at 9:47 PM. Reason : -]

2/29/2008 9:47:18 PM

i have an 04 z71 and my dad has the 05 2500hd 4x4- i like driving mine around town better, but his is more functional (like when i was towing a pig cooker, and the cab and bed were filled with drunken friends on the way to the tailgate, i was waaaaaay overloaded, but with my dads truck, you can barely even tell you are hauling anything). That could be the difference between the 2500 and 1500, but in terms of the daily driving practicality, i prefer the z71

3/1/2008 1:49:39 PM