Bought a 2014 Silverado Z71

Green Power · Oct 27, 2014

i think it is time for a 7 month update.

RollingsFarms · Oct 27, 2014

Wow has it already been that long?? Doesn't feel like it. I'm still loving the truck, the honeymoon phase hasn't worn off yet. I only have 9,000 miles on it right now(yeah I know, but this thing really is used for farm work and short trips between my two farms so doesn't have many miles put on it). I have had about 3 recalls so far and have to take it in for two more, waiting on my 10,000 mile service to do everything at once. I honestly haven't had a single issue except for the loose front seat that is pretty common I hear. Never had to take it back for any issue that couldn't wait. I'm not experiencing any of the other issues I've read about, just the loose seat and it's not really that loose but you do sorta notice it.

Truck gets awesome gas mileage and also tows like a dream. Best mpg I've gotten was 24 and I usually average about 20/21. Heaviest I've towed is only 4500# though so far. I still plan on putting on a leveling kit and 275/70/18 tires sometime because the stock tires make the truck vibrate.

I'm very happy I bought this truck and would do it again, except maybe get white this time over black.

RollingsFarms · Oct 27, 2014

Oh and also if you are considering one of these trucks be aware of the headlight issue GMC owners are having. They have terrible lighting apparently, thankfully mine isn't affected since its a Silverado and an LT model. Also don't waste your time driving a truck with 3.08 gears, you won't save hardly any fuel and performance suffers greatly. If you leave your trailer hitch in all the time it will rattle and you'll swear it's the truck, it's not, it's the hitch. I've never had a truck do that before and it can be annoying as all heck.

RollingsFarms · Oct 27, 2014

ruffdog · Oct 28, 2014

RollingsFarms said:
Oh and also if you are considering one of these trucks be aware of the headlight issue GMC owners are having. They have terrible lighting apparently, thankfully mine isn't affected since its a Silverado and an LT model. Also don't waste your time driving a truck with 3.08 gears, you won't save hardly any fuel and performance suffers greatly. If you leave your trailer hitch in all the time it will rattle and you'll swear it's the truck, it's not, it's the hitch. I've never had a truck do that before and it can be annoying as all heck.

The newer Ford and GM trucks have a looser receiver than the older trucks. I made a shim from a flattened licence plate because it is the perfect thickness and easy to work with. You must really flatten it, and make a angle piece that is only on 2 sides of the insert. Drill a hole for the pin and your done.

Diamondpilot · Oct 28, 2014

Not to stir the pot but just take the hitch out?

It's really had 5 recalls? I'm glad they are fixing them but that would worry me about long term build quality. I can see 1 or 2, but 5....

Chris

RollingsFarms · Oct 28, 2014

Diamondpilot said:
Not to stir the pot but just take the hitch out? It's really had 5 recalls? I'm glad they are fixing them but that would worry me about long term build quality. I can see 1 or 2, but 5.... Chris

I rarely take it out because the moment I do I'll need it. It doesn't constantly rattle but you can hear it shifting sometimes if you turn or something.

It's had recalls for stupid stuff, I guess because it was one of the early built ones. Things like some line on the transmission might be loose (mine wasn't), some 4wd dash sensor thing (mine wasn't affected either but they still changed it), some airbag sensor that's affecting a lot of cars right now(gotta take it in for that), loose seat recall(has this too), and I forgot what the other one was. There's a website you can type in your vin and see if a recall affects your truck or not theough GM and I've missed most of the main ones. Trust me when I say that by this time I already could tell my 2011 was going to be a pos. This truck seems like it should hold up fine but who knows what lies ahead. Might be famous for bad dashes and ball joints going out prematurely like all the 03-07's.

RollingsFarms · Oct 28, 2014

Oh and I had to have my computer reflashed during a recall because of updates or something. That one reflash took about an hour and a half just for that.

ruffdog · Oct 28, 2014

Diamondpilot said:
Not to stir the pot but just take the hitch out?
Chris

I take the hitch insert out when not in use. The shim is to keep it from clucking when towing.

Panik · Oct 30, 2014

RollingsFarms said:
Oh and also if you are considering one of these trucks be aware of the headlight issue GMC owners are having. They have terrible lighting apparently, thankfully mine isn't affected since its a Silverado and an LT model.

I can't speak for everyone's '14 Sierra, however on mine the headlights were adequate - not great, and not horrible. I swapped the stock HIR-2 55w bulbs for HIR-1 65w bulbs and saw enough of an improvement to be happy with my current setup. I also know of a couple folks who have had to adjust the aim point on their lights up a touch. GM definitely could have done a better job on the Sierra's lights though.

Anyways, glad your still enjoying your truck RollingFarms. Hope the honeymoon phase doesn't wear off. I love mine for what I use it for. It's pretty much become my mobile office.