Putting My Truck to Bed

[Stewart G Griffin]

But back to the engine;   i know it was a small block, but was it reman or new?   If reman, what brand?

It was a reman, it's an ATK Performance short block. It was actually a vary nice unit.

i have heard that ATK's performance division is totally separate from their stock replacement division.  Nevertheless i have seen TOO MANY negative reviews regarding ATK, at least concerning the stock engines, and that's the main reason i didn't go with them.  Also Jasper has been getting WAY TOO MANY bad reviews also lately----i was actually seriously considering putting a 229 v-6 or even a 200 v-6 in the truck!   So no Jasper either.  That was and is sad.

i'm pleased as punch with the Chevrolet Performance 4.3.  Runs really smooth.  i have a hunch that these GM remans are remanufactured by Mercury Marine based on the way they are painted.   But that's fine.  It's a quality product.

[LTZ C20]

If the stupid thing hadn't over heated and cracked the block it would still be going strong. I didn't have any issues with the ATK block.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Ok, so you think it was the overheating that did it;

So i guess what they (ATK) was saying is generally correct---that their hi-performance division is totally separate from the stock replacement division.

[LTZ C20]

Ok, so you think it was the overheating that did it;

So i guess what they (ATK) was saying is generally correct---that their hi-performance division is totally separate from the stock replacement division.

Oh I know for a fact that's what did it. I fully inspected this block before I put the top end together and put it in the truck. It was flawless. As silly as it sounds, I kinda wish it had cracked one of my aluminum heads instead, that would have been easier to fix and I would still get to drive my truck but I think it was about time I put her to rest for awhile. My current life situation demands reliable transportation and so far I'm really enjoying the new truck. I think I really found a good one, I'm really really happy with it.

The whole situation is bitter sweet. It's exciting with the new truck, trying for a new career, all that but also saddening that I won't be driving the old girl anymore.

[LTZ C20]

So ya'll remember when I said I was going to get the telescoping tow mirrors? Well the other day I folded the mirrors in to go thru the car wash and the retainer ring in the passenger side mirror came off and the mirror went floppy, so dead weight and the wiring is the only thing holding the mirror the base. I took the mirror apart to try and pop the retainer ring back on, that was a no go, you need a press as the spring is very tight and the mirror has to be fully disassembled off the truck. I wasn't going to bother with that. Now, mind you, I've taken multiple mirrors apart for customers to fix them or put new glass on. Well for the first time, on my own truck, I CRACKED the glass when I popped it off. So now I have a floppy mirror and cracked glass. I just ordered the tow mirrors off Amazon and I did the free 30-day Prime trial so they should be here Monday.

For 99-02 trucks, heated and power. SEXY.

[philo_beddoe]

Or you could revert back to original factory application.

[LTZ C20]

Or you could revert back to original factory application.

Technically, these are factory. These were offered factory after the 99-02 trucks. A few companies over the same design for 99-02 trucks, they have the correct pigtail connector and mounts for 99-02 models. 03 and up model trucks have different mounts and connectors. They are also offered on 07-13 models and early 14-15 models. So, they aren't factory but really they are. They are even power and heated like my factory mirrors. The only two mirror styles from 99-02 are the standard design which I currently have and the manual telescoping camper mirrors with built in blindspot mirror which were never power adjusting or heated. After 02, the standard style and manual camper style were available ALONG with two new styles. 1 being the power adjusting, heated, manual telescoping with turn signal and seperate manual adjustable style I posted and 2 being a power adjusting, heated, turn signal with power telescoping model but no blind spot of any kind. All 4 designs were completely different in shape, size, features and price.

[Engineer]

My wife's truck came with tow mirrors and I took them off to put the factory bel (below eye line) mirrors on it. The only trailer we have right now is a flat bed gooseneck so tow mirrors aren't a big deal. That, and I don't have to worry about her whacking them on our garage door opening.

[LTZ C20]

The standard mirrors were fine on my Tahoe, but on the 25 & 3500 trucks, they look to small to me. I really like having the separate adjustable blind spot mirrors. I use them more then the big mirror.

[LTZ C20]

Philo, this is for you.

Standard style mirror, possible features:
-manual or power adjusting
-turn signal or not
-manual or power fold away
-heated or not
-black, chrome or body color caps


Camper style mirror, possible features:
-manual only adjustments
-no turn signal
-no heat
-no chrome or body color option
-manual fold away
-blind spot built into main glass
-manual telescoping


Towing style mirror, possible features:
-manual or power adjustments
-heated
-turn signal
-power telescoping
-no blind spot
-manual fold away
-no chrome or body color option


Towing style mirror, possible options:
(Also referred to as D-max mirrors)
-manual or power adjust for main mirror
-turn signal
-heated main mirror
-lower blind spot mirror
-manual adjustment for lower mirror
-manual telescoping
-manual fold away
-no chrome or body color option


I prefer either style of towing mirror on 2500 and 3500 trucks. Not a fan of the camper mirror and the standard mirror only belongs on 1500 and Tahoe and Suburban models.

[philo_beddoe]

So many options and configurations. Not like the 70's. Sport, dumbo or trailer.
The body shop said i could easily switch to the small sporty mirrors, and ditch the dumbos. However, not a big concern for me right now.

[LTZ C20]

So many options and configurations. Not like the 70's. Sport, dumbo or trailer.
The body shop said i could easily switch to the small sporty mirrors, and ditch the dumbos. However, not a big concern for me right now.

Sport mirrors are pointless on trucks, they belong on cars, not trucks. I hate em.

[Stewart G Griffin]

The small mirror is ok on the driver's side, but on the passenger side it really doesn't work well;  i have to rely mostly on the windshield mounted mirror for anything on the right side.   If i carry a load that blocks this center mirror then i'm in trouble.

One good thing about the small mirrors is i think they are better for aerodynamics.

[LTZ C20]

The small mirror is ok on the driver's side, but on the passenger side it really doesn't work well;  i have to rely mostly on the windshield mounted mirror for anything on the right side.   If i carry a load that blocks this center mirror then i'm in trouble.

One good thing about the small mirrors is i think they are better for aerodynamics.

These trucks have the aerodynamic properties of a cinder block. The shape of the mirror does NOTHING to improve that.

[LTZ C20]

Used the truck to tote the shop trailer around last night to move some large furniture for my girlfriend's sister. Truck never even blinked.