GM produced the Chevy Avalanche between 2001 to 2013, with two generations coming and going during that time. When it was released, the Avalanche stood out as a unique fusion between a pickup truck and an SUV, sharing its GMT800 underpinnings with a variety of full-size GM vehicles, including the Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, and Chevy Silverado. The Avalanche’s main draw was in offering the practicality of a truck bed alongside a large, comfortable cabin, making the Avalanche ideal for drivers who needed more utility, but without sacrificing passenger space or comfort. Interestingly, the Chevy Avalanche also offered a sort of “hybrid” off-road / on-road package, also known as the Z66 package.
While many enthusiasts are familiar with the Z71 Off-Road Package, the Z66 Premium On-Road Package is much less known. Offered between 2001 and 2006 for the Avalanche 1500 2WD, the Z66 Premium On-Road Package was designed to deliver on-road comfort and capability, plus a dash of off-roader styling, all without going whole hog with the Z71 package.
To that end, the Z66 included specially tuned springs, self-leveling rear shocks, a locking rear differential, and traction assist. It also featured 17-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in P265/70R17 all-season tires, aggressive floor mats adorned with the Chevy bowtie, and unique Z66 decals on the rear quarters.
Unlike the Z71 package, the Z66 skipped heavy-duty off-road equipment such as skid plates and a premium off-road suspension. Instead, it focused on enhancing the Avalanche’s road manners, offering drivers a well-rounded mix of style, capability, and comfort for more mellow adventures.
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one of the Avalanche’s most iconic features, namely the midgate, a pioneering innovation that allowed the truck to transform its cargo area with a removable panel separating the cab from the bed. By folding down the rear seats and lowering the Midgate, owners could extend the 5-foot, three-inch truck bed into an impressive 8-foot, two-inch space, making it capable of hauling long items like lumber or sporting equipment, adding flexibility for both work and play.
Now, the midgate lives on in modern GM models like the Chevy Silverado EV.
Comments
A very versatile and comfortable vehicle ! A shame to have seen it discontinued.
Good news! You can get it in an EV now, it was just renamed the Silverado EV
I bought a 2004 Avalanche Z66 In December 2003. I have owned numerous GM trucks, El Camino, 2006 2500 diesel, Canyon diesel, and 3.0 Sierra Denali Ultimate. The Avalanches ride, interior comfort and handling was the best. I would still have it, except a drunken driver ran nearly head on and totaled it.
I’m considering the Silverado EV . $$$$
Had 2. Still have 1. Our 2002 is still running strong with over 200K on the odometer. Like the guy above, our 2013 was totaled in an accident. No drunks, just stupid. Have been 6 years and I still wish I had taken a different route that day. Best vehicles we have ever owned. Would buy another one if offered and no I don’t want the EV, even though it has all the right features, except of course the 5.3.
The decision makers at GM have a great ability to take a good and selling vehicle and muck it up! Like when they dropped the Avalanche. I had a 2007 should have never sold it. Sure the EV Silverado has a mid body gate. I will never buy an EV Silverado. Where in the heck is it the regular Silverado with a mid body gate? How about a Silverado Avalanche Edition Mid gate and built in Tonneau cover like the Avalanche had?
I have a 2002 avalanche in my back yard needs someone to weld the frame other than that it’s great like to find a welder outside East Aurora NY 14080
I owned one of the first Z-66 Avalanche’s in this area,I loved it! To bad they jacked the price up and then dropped it! It had a lot of firsts on it unusual for GM! Loved the posi-traction rear end, proof you don’t need four wheel drive, even in Michigan! Now I drive a Silverado LTZ, Texas Edition 2019, it is also rear wheel drive with posi-traction rear end! All I need! I can’t wait to see what the 2027 Silverado looks like!
My dad had an 05 Z66 smooth side for years. He loved it. He just replaced it a couple months ago with a fleet Colorado. Rust and gas prices finally did it in. You don’t see too many of them up here in Canada anymore, the rust belt isn’t kind to the one piece bodies and they tend to rot from the inside out more than a regular pickup.
I own a 2003 avalanche with the z66 package. I have a little over 780 000kms on it and it still runs(original drive train). Best truck ever!! Mind you, it’s really starting to show its age and ready for the bone yard. I would buy another in a sec…
It’s kind of funny reading comments about they need to bring it back. You are the same people saying the Lyric doesn’t sell because it’s an EV. Sales figure for Avalanche in 2009 = 16,432; 2011: 20,088, 2012: 25,789. The Lyric has sold over 20k this year, yet ‘nobody wants that’.
Although currently retired, I was a GM Product Development Engineer at the Milford Proving Grounds. The Avalanche/Escalade, GMT805/806, programs were the most challenging, yet rewarding ones of the many programs I was assigned too. The great ride can be attributed to these trucks being built on the suburban frame and suspension. There was also 2500 series (3/4 ton) and North Face options. Made several trips to the assembly plant in Silao, Mexico for the first builds. Also some of the pilot vehicles were used in the first Matrix movie.