Z85?????

[chase2306]

The other day i was driving and i looked up and i saw a late model chevy truck that said Z85 on the side. Is there such thing? If so what's included in that package? Is it better than a Z71??

[Shorts]

Is iot better than a Z71?? no. dih everyone knows the "Z71" sticker on the side adds 50hp to the truck. Its so cool

Anyway, the "Z" prefix in the RPO codes is a designator for the suspension packages. Z85 if I recall off the top of my fuzzy head is a street ride package. All that has to do with in general (again, off the top of my head) is the shocks and leaves.

The Z71 is an offroad package that has changed a bit as far as parts included as the years went by. But the main gist is shocks and skidplates.

If you want to be cool, just buy yourself stickers and put them on. Otherwise, get informed. Back in the late late 80s- early 90s chevrolet began a marketing plan that made them way too much money...putting cool stickers on the side of the bed. A little FYI, early 4x4s with the Z71 option in the RPOs did not come from the factory with Z71 stickers, they came with 4x4 stickers. It was later that they had a grand idea to use "Z71" stickers instead. Viola! We're all rich.

Oh, btw, my "Z71" is for sale, if you wanna be where the action's at, you need this truck [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] I'll even drive it down to Texas for you when I go home for the holidays.

Z85 = Heavy Trailering Package

Probably Heavier torsion bars in the front, another leaf in the rear, and/or heavier duty shocks on all 4 corners.

Z83 = Chassis Package Solid Smooth Ride

[GTRider245]

I always thought the Z85 was like the sport truck version. Never heard of a Z83

I looked up the rpo codes on a table I've got.

I remember building the truck I'd like to own (a few years ago) on GMCs website and seeing the Heavy Trailering Package with the Z85 code in the description.

[Shorts]

Z85 is a heavy duty susp package

[GTRider245]

So why does Chevy have a bedside sticker just to designate a heavy duty suspension package?

The Poop Stright from Chevy about their Z ratings for the lil blazer :

Blazer's ladder-type frame with box rails is the base for a hefty variety of chassis

packages to meet a wide range of driving needs and driver personalities. For example:

Z83, standard on 2-door models, gives a smooth ride and is for light-duty trailering

while ZQ1 is standard on 4-door models (same attributes). The Z 85 Touring package is

optional and is designed for a firm ride and heavy-duty trailering while ZM6 is an

optional Off-Road package for 2-door, 4WD that provides a very firm ride and

heavy-duty trailering applications. The ZW7 Premium package is engineered for a

premium smooth ride and heavy-duty trailering for 4-door, 4WD.

[Shorts]

[ QUOTE ]
So why does Chevy have a bedside sticker just to designate a heavy duty suspension package?

[/ QUOTE ]

$$$$ ---> marketing ploy..ahem, strategy. It was the same with the Z71 when it was introduced. If people see a new sticker, it has to be cool.

Very True