Decisions, Decisions!

[06Envoy]

I drove my wife's truck to one of the kids school functions last Monday night and I noticed that her truck sounded awefull.
I heard an exhaust leak, and what sounded like a wheel bearing going out (grinding and growling at speeds less than 70kph), and an awefull squel when breaking. Understand that I maintain my vehicles to better than safety standards. And a couple of months ago, it went in for its annual 'fix what's wrong with it, spent over $3k doing repairs event'.
That night, I booked her truck into our garage for Tuesday(Yesterday).

Here is what happened yesterday;
- Found rear brake caliper stuck. Garage replaced both rear rotors and pads, and repaired/cleaned up e-brakes.
- As both front wheel bearings were just replaced a couple of months ago, that is not causing the grinding. They told me it was the front diff going out. Great.
- Exhaust leak is due to a cracked manifold.


So. Now I have to decide what to do with her truck.
It has 245k kms on it. She puts on somewhere around 40-50k kms per year. In about a year or so, the truck will have over 300k kms on it.
At what point should I dump it and buy something else. Sigh. I hate these kinds of questions.....
She does want another vehicle. She's been bouncing around between a Chrylser Town and Country mini-van, and the stupid Ford Fusion. (Wierd or what?)
However, I figure a new front diff, headers and full Borla cat back exhaust will be cheaper than a new vehicle for her.


But wait! There's more!
There is a '78 Camaro Z28 in my families auto garage that is in the process of being fully restored. I mean fully. New interiour, including headliner, door panels, dash gauges, etc. New rubber bushings, new body frame mounts, motor mounts, new rubber everything. New gas/brake lines, new gas tank, new everything. Body work is being done to it right now. I get to pick the color of the paint. The engine has had some work done to it including cam, valves, head work, long tube headers, etc. True dual exhaust, xpipe, electric cutouts, etc. I've been saving my pennies and picking up beer bottles to buy it and keep it as my summer toy.

However. I've been noticing that with the price of gas these days, there are alot of TBSS's for sale. Alot! I can pick up a 2006 TBSS for about $10k. What if I bought one of those for a summer toy? I can buy a TBSS for less $ than my precious Z28 Camaro. That is sooooo tempting....



Here is the cruxt of my problem. I'm not a money tree, I've only saved up enough $ for one of these. So if I buy my wife a new vehicle, then I wouldn't be able to buy myself a toy. And if I do decide to buy myself a toy, which would it be? Z28 or TBSS?

Gawrsh! I really really really hate making these kinds of decisions.
I wish I had a money tree, then I could buy all three vehicles!

I guess I could always sell my Grader...nawwww!

 

[Denali n DOO]

So you only have 1 repair, the front dif. Then start a thread on the exhausts and call that a mod so it's more fun. Buy the Camaro, if it's family borrow from their money tree until yours gets bigger. Definetly keep the Grader, with the threat of a Ford or Chysler being in the driveway you could always use it to make her a seperate driveway...

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Find a front diff for a couple hundred and drop it in. I would be bitching at whoever serviced it for $3K if it is not full of new fluid as it should be. Just get a local shop to put a basic exhaust on. I got a nice hooker muffler, nice tip and all new pipe for under $200 vs far more for a catback.

I am a f-body guy, but the TB SS is a far better investment and is far more usable. I keep trying to justify another F-body but just cant do it when you can get more spacious and luxurious rides like a TB SS and still have the HP and rwd to play with.

 

[Mooseman]

Ah man! I'm envious. I used to have a 78 Z28 4 speed a long time ago and miss it dearly. It was white, 350 with the q-jet, cammed, Holley street dominator, dual with headers and turbo mufflers. I had added rear disks from trans-ams of those years too and probably one of the first modders to add efans back then.

I say fix the truck you have now. As someone once told me " it's cheaper than a car payment". For the choice between the Z28 and SS, that is tough to decide. I already have a truck so I might lean towards the Z but those SS are nice.

 

[strat81]

Are you sure the front diff is dying? Any chance it could be bad wheel bearings?

Pull the front driver's side wheel off and pop the fill bolt off the front diff. Stick a finger in there and see how full it is. If it's low, where did that oil go? If it's full, and the diff really is dying, why? Are you frequently driving in 4WD on dry pavement?

 

[Jkust]

I have full service records on my 9-7 down to the smallest little item. Both the front wheel bearings were replaced twice in the first 50,000 miles. Don't know why but they can clearly fail prematurely.

 

[McGMT]

I have full service records on my 9-7 down to the smallest little item. Both the front wheel bearings were replaced twice in the first 50,000 miles. Don't know why but they can clearly fail prematurely.

One thing about all these sealed wheel bearings. When they are installed it is not hard to over-tighten the axle shaft nut, and when you do you put undue pressure on the bearing and it will fail quite quickly. Alot (pretty much all) of part changers and even a great deal of mechanics have no idea about this and think just cranking the nut down is all you do, a torque wrench is a wonderful thing to learn how to use.

 

[jrSS]

Well when I got my SS I wasn't even dreaming about trading in my envoy....with all the shit I had done to it I thought I would never trade it in. BUT there it sat..my dream truck right b4 my eyes as I wiped the drewl off my chin. I just wanted to stop and look at it and my wife convinced me to go for it. Didn't take a lot of convincing(lol). We were just going to the grocery store and I bought a fuckin SS. Saaweeetttt!!! I wish I woulda taken the damn lowering kit off the envoy it was only 3 months old. That's the only thing I kick myself in the ass for. The SS doesn't get that much worse gas mileage than my envoy. I avg 16 city and highway (dic). But really get 17 hway and 15 city. I know I made a good investment.

 

[Jkust]

One thing about all these sealed wheel bearings. When they are installed it is not hard to over-tighten the axle shaft nut, and when you do you put undue pressure on the bearing and it will fail quite quickly. Alot (pretty much all) of part changers and even a great deal of mechanics have no idea about this and think just cranking the nut down is all you do, a torque wrench is a wonderful thing to learn how to use.

Everything was done under b to b warranty before I owened it but the funny thing is I went to buy a torque wrench a couple weeks back and couldn't find one locally to save my life.

 

[strat81]

One thing about all these sealed wheel bearings. When they are installed it is not hard to over-tighten the axle shaft nut, and when you do you put undue pressure on the bearing and it will fail quite quickly. Alot (pretty much all) of part changers and even a great deal of mechanics have no idea about this and think just cranking the nut down is all you do, a torque wrench is a wonderful thing to learn how to use.

What is the torque spec for the front axle retaining nut?

 

[McGMT]

What is the torque spec for the front axle retaining nut?

My manual says 103 lb ft... Thats for the 06 TB but I am sure the rest are probably about the same...

 

[strat81]

My manual says 103 lb ft... Thats for the 06 TB but I am sure the rest are probably about the same...

Cool, thanks!!

 

[Boricua SS]

yea these wheel bearings suck on our platform!!!... i had one go out on my SS at 23k miles... always nice to have a spare laying around

and i think my screen name pretty much sums up what im bias'd to in your decision... TBSS!!!!

 

[ghenny440]

I agree with juan im biasd to the ss also and yeah me and him have had our share of fun with these wheel bearings, we did my mother inlaws and broke a dam craftsman half inch breaker bar trying to get the nut loose on the driver side i ended up haveing to heat it a bit to remove it but it came off, as for the exhaust manifold its not hard we have a world autoparts hear in lorain the manifold with new gaskets and bolt/stud kit is only 160$ thats my next project for HER truck, poor thing sounds like a junkyard refugee right now lmfao

 

[06Envoy]

Wow!
Lots of ideas!

I started pricing out the repairs to her truck.
I got as far as looking for headers.

I can't find anyone who makes actual headers for the 4.2l, long or short.
I did find replacement manifolds, and they are cheap.
I didn't price out the front diff yet. (I didn't diagnose the front diff, our mechanic did.)

I did pick out a new exhaust for her. Borla Cat back. Actually I did it a while ago, and I know that replacing the manifold doesn't mean that I need to replace the rest of the exhaust but it gives me an excuse to upgrade it for her.
Last night I showed her [video=youtube;Z3iIGDPCZEA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3iIGDPCZEA[/video]. She likes it enough to drop asking for that stupid Ford Fusion again.
Depending on the price of that front diff is wether or not she gets the Borla.


As for the Z28 vs TBSS. I am sooo torn.

On the one hand the TBSS is a modern vehicle with modern comforts like AC, power everything, electronic nannys to keep me out of trouble, but with 400HP.
My Envoy is no slouch with 300+hp and then I did a 100%TM removal, efans and air intake. I thought it was a fast truck. I thought it may have been fast enough to keep up somewhat with aTBSS or at least not be embarressed by one.
However, then I got to ride in Harmless at our last mod weekend. (Not drive though ) Holy Sh&t! Ya, ummmm, consider me embarressed.
I don't think it's the HP difference as much as the different rear end gearing. With my 3.42, I can't come close to the TBSS's 4.10's.
Ya, there's that much of a difference. (Don't tell Harmless that I said that though. I told him I'd still keep up with him in a race. )
It was that ride that caused me to at least look into buying one. Then I realized that there are more and more of them for sale everyday.
If I ever wanted one, right now seems to be the time to buy. Autotrader.ca TBSS.

BUT

On the other hand, the raw naked machine of the Z28 appeals to the testerone in me. Wheel spin, rear end stepping out, power slides, man vs machine, etc all apeal to me. And it looks so good.
And because it's being restored, there will be absolutetly nothing wrong with the Z for years to come.
Up until the ride in Harmless, it was the Camaro all the way.


Arggggg!

 

[Short Bus]

Camaro /thread

 

[harmless]

On the one hand the TBSS is a modern vehicle with modern comforts like AC, power everything, electronic nannys to keep me out of trouble, but with 400HP.
My Envoy is no slouch with 300+hp and then I did a 100%TM removal, efans and air intake. I thought it was a fast truck. I thought it may have been fast enough to keep up somewhat with aTBSS or at least not be embarressed by one.
However, then I got to ride in Harmless at our last mod weekend. (Not drive though ) Holy Sh&t! Ya, ummmm, consider me embarressed.
I don't think it's the HP difference as much as the different rear end gearing. With my 3.42, I can't come close to the TBSS's 4.10's.
Ya, there's that much of a difference. (Don't tell Harmless that I said that though. I told him I'd still keep up with him in a race. )
It was that ride that caused me to at least look into buying one. Then I realized that there are more and more of them for sale everyday.
If I ever wanted one, right now seems to be the time to buy. Autotrader.ca TBSS.

BUT

On the other hand, the raw naked machine of the Z28 appeals to the testerone in me. Wheel spin, rear end stepping out, power slides, man vs machine, etc all apeal to me. And it looks so good.
And because it's being restored, there will be absolutetly nothing wrong with the Z for years to come.
Up until the ride in Harmless, it was the Camaro all the way.

I knew I felt someone talking about me and the whip...

Don't you try to blame me for you wanting an SS.

But wait... the guy who, for no apparent reason, goes out and buys a bloody GRADER is having issues splurging on yet another toy?

Keep in mind, you said it yourself - the price of gas is a BIG factor. These SSes don't sip anything - they guzzle.

But I'm still happy I have one!

Spoiler

P.S. If you need any more convincing, we can go for another "ride"...

Edit: I just thought of a way to kill both cravings as once...

Sell the Camaro, the grader and one of the boys.

Buy a CAMARO SS.

 

[06Envoy]

Wow! Big news!
Wouldn't you believe it!
We didn't choose either of those!
Yesterday we ended up bringing home a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportswagon 2.0TDI for her!

Ya I know.. WTF????

Wait, wait! Hear me out!
Her TB is dying a slow horrible death.... Needs more paint work done (rust), cracked manifold repaired, AC is gone, and now it has a rear suspension clunk.
So I put it up on kijiji HERE.



As for the VW?
Ya, I went from a truck that was paid for, but was getting ~17l/100km in fuel economy.
She was costing me ~$1400/month in fuel.
Now with the TDI I expect better than tripple the fuel economy, so 1/3 the fuel costs.
Ya, now I have a payment to make on her car, but the cost of the car payment plus the cost of the fuel she will burn now is still only 2/3 of what she used to spend monthly in gas.
So, she gets a newer car and I save $300 per month! I love math!


AND, here is the best part!
Actually two best parts!

1) I reset her average l/100km trip computer before we left.
When we got home her average fuel cosumption was 5.3l/100km. That's 53mpg! (Imp)
Mine was 13.8l/100km. 20.5mpg. (Imp)
Can't argue with that.



2)
I'm gonna cry now!!!!
Leaving Barrie we did one my famous unofficial 1-100kph runs.
2.0TDI vs 5.3 modded.

Who do you think won????
(Remember, I'm still crying...)

Ya. I got spanked by a car that only has 140hp (but huge gobs of tq).
That 6-speed automatic trans kept the deisel turbo always on and it walked away from me.
And it got three times better fuel economy doing it.


I'm sad.
She's happy again now.

I console myself by telling her that I can tow my toys while she can't.
That and I think I'll find a way to get the Camaro too. The camaro steals my heart.

 

[Mooseman]

I loved this in your ad in fine print:

And if any of you reading this is currently married then be sure to ask her if she really wants to keep her vehicle before you dump thousands into it so you don't end up like me. I just dropped over $3k into this truck two months ago that I'll never get out of it and I'll never see again...sigh.. The joys of being married.

But for wanting a more fuel efficient vehicle, I hear ya.

 

[06Envoy]

I loved this in your ad in fine print:
But for wanting a more fuel efficient vehicle, I hear ya.

Thanks!

I've been married for almost 14 yrs and I have two pre-teen boys.
I have to keep a sense of humor somewhat or I would go insane!

 

[harmless]

2)
I'm gonna cry now!!!!
Leaving Barrie we did one my famous unofficial 1-100kph runs.
2.0TDI vs 5.3 modded.

Who do you think won????
(Remember, I'm still crying...)

Ya. I got spanked by a car that only has 140hp (but huge gobs of tq).
That 6-speed automatic trans kept the deisel turbo always on and it walked away from me.
And it got three times better fuel economy doing it.

Hey Garnet, let me help you with a little math in your apples to oranges comparison there...

Model: Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen 2.0 TDi Year: 2010 Category: Midsize family cars Rating: 55 out of 100. Show full rating and compare with other cars Main features, safety and ecconomy Engine size: 1968 ccm (120.09 cubic inches) Fuel type: Diesel Fuel city driving: 7.8 litres/100 km (30.00 miles per gallon) Fuel mixed driving: 6.9 litres/100 km (33.99 miles per gallon) Fuel highway driving: 5.7 litres/100 km (40.98 miles per gallon) Seats: 5 Drive: Front wheels Transmission: Manual, 6-speed Airbags: 6. 0 Engine and transmission Displacement: 1968 ccm (120.09 cubic inches) Engine type: Inline, 4 cylinder Max power: 142.00 PS (104 kW or 140 HP) at 4000 Rev. per min. Max torque: 320.02 Nm (32.6 kgf-m or 236.0 ft.lbs) at 1750 Rev. per min. Compression: 10.0:1 Bore x stroke: 81.0 x 95.5 mm (3.2 x 3.8 inches) Fuel system: Injection. Electronic fuel injection Valves per cylinder: 4 Fuel control: Double overhead cam (DOHC) Lubrication system: Wet sump Gearbox: Manual, 6-speed Speed and acceleration Top speed: 209.0 km/h (129.9 mph) 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 9.6 seconds Power/weight ratio: 0.0712 PS/kg Exterior and interior Chassis type: Hatchback Max no. of doors: 4 Leg room front: 1050 mm (41.3 inches) Passenger space: 2605 litres (688 gallons) Cargo space: 934 litres (247 gallons) Aerodynamic dragcoefisient: 0.4 Steering, brakes and tires Steering: Traction control Turn circle: 12 m (460.6 inches) Front brakes: Disks Rear brakes: Disks Brake details: Antilocking brake system (ABS) Front tire dimensions: 205/55-HR16 Rear tire dimensions: 205/55-HR16 Dimensions and weight Weight: 1993 kg (4,393.8 pounds) Towing weight: 998 kg (2,200.2 pounds) Overall length: 4560 mm (179.5 inches) Overall width: 1790 mm (70.5 inches) Overall height: 1460 mm (57.5 inches) Ground clearance: 140 mm (5.5 inches) Wheelbase: 2580 mm (101.6 inches) Fuel capacity: 55.0 litres (14.53 gallons) CO2 emissions: 173.0 g/km

Model: GMC Envoy XL Denali 4WD Year: 2006 Category: SUVs Rating: 70.8 out of 100. Show full rating and compare with other cars Main features, safety and ecconomy Engine size: 5358 ccm (326.95 cubic inches) Fuel type: Gasoline Fuel city driving: 15.7 litres/100 km (15.00 miles per gallon) Fuel mixed driving: 13.8 litres/100 km (17.00 miles per gallon) Fuel highway driving: 11.8 litres/100 km (20.00 miles per gallon) Seats: 7 Drive: 4WD Engine and transmission Engine location: Front Displacement: 5358 ccm (326.95 cubic inches) Engine type: V8 Max power: 304.00 PS (224 kW or 300 HP) at 5200 Rev. per min. Max torque: 447.48 Nm (45.6 kgf-m or 330.1 ft.lbs) at 4000 Rev. per min. Compression: 9.5:1 Bore x stroke: 96.0 x 92.0 mm (3.8 x 3.6 inches) Fuel system: Injection Valves per cylinder: 2 Speed and acceleration Power/weight ratio: 0.1248 PS/kg Exterior and interior Max no. of doors: 4 Leg room front: 1060 mm (41.7 inches) Passenger space: 5550 litres (1,466 gallons) Cargo space: 663 litres (175 gallons) Steering, brakes and tires Turn circle: 14 m (547.2 inches) Brake details: Antiblocking system (ABS) Front tire dimensions: 260/70-R17 Rear tire dimensions: Front suspension: Independent Rear suspension: Live aixle Dimensions and weight Weight: 2435 kg (5,368.3 pounds) Towing weight: 2722 kg (6,001.0 pounds) Overall length: 5280 mm (207.9 inches) Overall width: 1900 mm (74.8 inches) Overall height: 1920 mm (75.6 inches) Ground clearance: 210 mm (8.3 inches) Wheelbase: 3280 mm (129.1 inches) Fuel capacity: 95.0 litres (25.10 gallons)

Model: Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS 4WD Year: 2006 Category: SUVs Rating: 63.3 out of 100. Show full rating and compare with other cars Main features, safety and ecconomy Engine size: 5964 ccm (363.92 cubic inches) Fuel city driving: 15.7 litres/100 km (15.00 miles per gallon) Fuel mixed driving: 13.8 litres/100 km (17.00 miles per gallon) Fuel highway driving: 12.4 litres/100 km (19.00 miles per gallon) Seats: 5 Drive: 4WD Engine and transmission Displacement: 5964 ccm (363.92 cubic inches) Max power: 400.00 PS (294 kW or 395 HP) at 5400 Rev. per min. Max torque: 542.40 Nm (55.3 kgf-m or 400.1 ft.lbs) at 4400 Rev. per min. Fuel system: Injection Lubrication system: Wet sump Speed and acceleration Power/weight ratio: 0.3711 PS/kg Exterior and interior Max no. of doors: 4 Leg room front: 1200 mm (47.2 inches) Passenger space: 4730 litres (1,250 gallons) Cargo space: 1237 litres (327 gallons) Optional cargo space: 2269 litres (599 gallons) Aerodynamic dragcoefisient: 1.0 Steering, brakes and tires Steering: Power assisted steering. Turn circle: 12 m (484.3 inches) Brake details: Antiblocking system (ABS) Front tire dimensions: 260/70-R16 Rear tire dimensions: Front suspension: Independent Rear suspension: Live aixle Dimensions and weight Weight: 1078 kg (2,376.6 pounds) Max weight with load: 2084 kg (4,594.4 pounds) Towing weight: 2994 kg (6,600.6 pounds) Overall length: 4880 mm (192.1 inches) Overall width: 1900 mm (74.8 inches) Overall height: 1850 mm (72.8 inches) Ground clearance: 200 mm (7.9 inches) Wheelbase: 2880 mm (113.4 inches) Fuel capacity: 83.0 litres (21.93 gallons)

The highlighted points are of interest. Specially weight, power generated and the power to weight ratio.

That's like comparing a crotch rocket to the TBSS. Apples and oranges man. It'll never be a fair fight.

P.S. If you wanna get your 0 ~ 100 measument outta me, you may want to do it soon. A PCM mod will be forthcoming which may be a game changer for that little mission.

 

[CdnGMan]

I wonder if you'll find a buyer for it considering all the "mods" done to it??
Have you considered parting it out and returning it "back to stock"?

If so, there are a few parts on it that I wouldn't mind swapping out, namely the fog lights, for starters...

 

[06Envoy]

I wonder if you'll find a buyer for it considering all the "mods" done to it??
Have you considered parting it out and returning it "back to stock"?

If so, there are a few parts on it that I wouldn't mind swapping out, namely the fog lights, for starters...

I was thinking some young kid may buy it just for the mods.....but I think I priced it too high.... I got an offer at $4k....not even enough for a magnacharger for my Envoy...

If I do part it out, I will keep GMTN in mind... I'm not in a hurry to sell it. Wifey may still need it in the winter, who knows.

That's like comparing a crotch rocket to the TBSS. Apples and oranges man. It'll never be a fair fight.
P.S. If you wanna get your 0 ~ 100 measument outta me, you may want to do it soon. A PCM mod will be forthcoming which may be a game changer for that little mission.

I thought a TBSS WAS a crotch rocket...

Seriously, I do want to do an unoffcial 0-100: You vs my Envoy vs VW
How about the weekend of Aug 4th? I hear there's a mini meet somewhere in GTA that day.
I will only be able to bring my Envoy though. I'm sending my wife and kids to NFLD for the entire month of August, so I won't have a driver for the VW.

oh! Oh! OH! What about 0-100: You vs THE GRADER!!!!!
That's not a speed test of 0-100kph I'm talking about.
I'm a talking about a 0-100' drag race.
First one to drag the other 100' wins, M'kay......

 

[harmless]

I thought a TBSS WAS a crotch rocket...

Seriously, I do want to do an unoffcial 0-100: You vs my Envoy vs VW
How about the weekend of Aug 4th? I hear there's a mini meet somewhere in GTA that day.
I will only be able to bring my Envoy though. I'm sending my wife and kids to NFLD for the entire month of August, so I won't have a driver for the VW.

oh! Oh! OH! What about 0-100: You vs THE GRADER!!!!!
That's not a speed test of 0-100kph I'm talking about.
I'm a talking about a 0-100' drag race.
First one to drag the other 100' wins, M'kay......

MMMM No.

On all counts.

I'm working the weekend of the 4th.

Besides, if you wanted to do anything with that grader out here, you should have left 3 weeks ago. Just sayin'.

Besides, she's a speed deamon, not a tractor pull rig. Yeesh man!

 

[06Envoy]

Part of me is a little saddened.
Part of me is a little bit happier because I turned the buyer onto the gmtnation and with luck he may join up, and we can still have meets with the TB!
Guess I'm gonna have to update my sig and profile pic now...


Harmless; If I had left back then, I may be at your house by now for the 0-100 pull!
Sorry CdnGMan, the TB got sold with all of the parts...

 

[Black_tb]

whatcha buy ?