Slo-Mo-Shun

iTrader: (2)

I started looking around for another vehicle right at Thanksgiving this past year. I did not expect anything near what I ended up with. My main interests were; stock heigth 4x4, possible aftermarket wheels and tires, can not be red or have ugly interior. (burgundy red, ect.) I started searching on autotrader. I drove to Dallas and looked at 2 different '97 2 door Tahoes. Both were 4x4. One had a bent frame at the rear bumper and the other was nice, until I drove it! I went back home disappointed that the two really clean 4x4 Tahoes I found on autotrader turned out to be trash! My brother decided to look on Craigslist. He found a couple of Z71 pickups around the area for a decent price, but they had really high mileage. I decided to take a look myself. I scrolled through the current page and selected the next page. What I found was a listing for a 2003 Duramax pickup with 55k miles, priced insanely low, well....I picked it up on December 5, 2008. Obviously I haven't owned it for long. Although I have learned a lot about it so far. My truck is quite unique, in that it is part of the General Motors Defense Enhanced Mobility Package. (See link for parts PDF file.) This package includes military grade jounce shocks (in addition to regular shocks) front and rear, heavy duty skid plates, rear shock protection covers, 16x8 bead lock wheels, 285/75R16 tires, tire pressure monitoring, front and rear axle and transfer case vent filters, heavy duty front and rear bumpers, rear caliper covers, ect... Some of these options were left on it when I bought it and some were removed. I've taken some pics of the exterior and one pic of the vehicle data plate. This is what I saw at the used car lot.

Riveted to the door panel on drivers side.













I have learned that it had a huge camper mounted in the bed on the backets with bushings that you can see in the pictures. The heater hoses had "Y" fittings in them so that they could run heat into the camper. It is also written in permanent marker on the firewall that the a/c system is suppose to hold 3 lbs 8oz freon. I've read on other GM Defense vehicles that a second alternator is installed. My truck has 2 alternators as well... How commen is this on Duramax's? Is that a stock option? Anyway, what do you guys think? Thanks in advance...

P.S. I have not gotten the chance to take pictures of the suspension yet... stay tuned.

ElkySS

iTrader: (6)

idk much about these government vehicles, but i can tell you that u might wanna relocate those batteries. exposed batteries are real easy to steal. and alot of people like optimas

Driftunit

iTrader: (5)

elkyss is right, and it looks like you have one hell of a find there. sounds pretty rare to me.

y2kfrc

iTrader: (3)

cool lookin truck man! Move those batteries though, they'll get jacked real fast

Sarge_13

iTrader: (1)

Thats pretty cool. Clean truck

enigmah

iTrader: (1)

Haha first thing that went into my mind... hmm two 350 dollar batterys on the back of the truck... easy 700 dollars! Might wana move em

Slo-Mo-Shun

iTrader: (2)

I relocated the batteries back to their stock location the following moring after picking up the truck. I still need to get a tailgate for it though. When I was looking at it on the used car lot I noticed that the rear seat did not have seat belts. I've got a friend who works for GM and had him run the VIN for past work history and build codes. Apparently from the factory the truck was built without a back seat, center console, and spare wheel and tire. So the used car lot installed the rear seat and center console. I went to a local salvage yard and picked up all of the rear seat belts. Upon installing them I had to buy a tap so that the treads could be made in the exhisting holes to secure them...but now all is good. I'm guessing that this truck was used for border patrol, based upon the camper.

OhOneWS6

iTrader: (11)

Cool find. I think you should re-install the toilet on that flange in the bed. I'm just curious, What did you pay for it?

TRANSdAMn 2k

iTrader: (1)

That's pretty sweet. ^ How much did you pay?

Slo-Mo-Shun

iTrader: (2)

My dad said that the toilet flange might have been for the heater hoses to enter the camper without having holes rubbed in them? I would think they would've used a simple grommet for that though. Dunno...lol... Could be wrong. When I looked it up the blue book retail value was $19,900. It was advertised for $9,650 on autotrader. With TTL it came to $10,357.31...

highheat99

iTrader: (28)

those wheels are 16's? sure dont look like it

Slo-Mo-Shun

iTrader: (2)

.... Their 16's, I just keem em clean!.... Nah, the used car lot installed those to help promote the sale...(it worked, 33-12.5-20's) The military grade beadlock wheels were removed before the truck was sold at auction to the used car lot..

OhOneWS6

iTrader: (11)

Sounds like a good deal to me.

tigertank

border customs or atf fbi and other like those trucks with campers for extended stay stake outs

RickyMartinZ28

iTrader: (5)

What kinda gas mileage you getting Chris??? I heard it's fantastic!

...

842ta

iTrader: (1)

In the 6th pic that looks like a toilet flange in the bed or is it just me???

EDIT I would help if I read that woops

OhOneWS6

iTrader: (11)

It's not just you. See post #8 & #10

RickyMartinZ28

iTrader: (5)

Is that a toilet flange?

RickyMartinZ28

iTrader: (5)

Its a clean truck... seriously. I like it.

I'd do it.

A_W_O_L

iTrader: (2)

I say we install a toilet one morning while he's sleeping in... We could suction cup a toilet paper holder to the back glass... That should put a stop to tailgaters...