Looking to buy a 2006 Tahoe. I always thought that z71 meant it was 4 wheel drive. But this is not. I know z71 is an off-road package. Is there anything about the z71 that will make it tow better. I did some internet research but could not find much on what made a z71 a z71. Know what I mean. Anyone towing with one?

All 2006 tahoes with the Z71 package should be standard 4wd. To my knowledge the only vehicle of that year you could get with a Z71 package in 2 wheel drive was the avalanche.

Usually all you're paying for with a Z71 package is upgraded shocks, a skid plate and stickers. <BR> <BR>Most should also have a LSD rear end as well as slightly different tires from a standard 4x4 <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by bac on February 09, 2010)

Some Colorado's were Z71 look-alike as well.

It's basically some Bilstien shocks, skid plates, a couple other goodies, and of course, the stickers on the side. <BR> <BR> Go on chevy's website and "build" a new truck, this will tell you exactly what's included when the option comes up. IIRC, when ordering a Z-71 package, it requires deleting the heavy duty towing package.

<a href="http://www.z71tahoe-suburban.com/" target="_blank">http://www.z71tahoe-suburban.com/</a> <BR> <BR>From what I can tell, mainly appearance, although I think it also includes bigger tires and better shocks... <BR> <BR>(Message edited by tailgate on February 09, 2010)

Well there you go. Thanks tailgate. That site explained it perfectly even with pictures. I knew I could get good answers here.

Yep, just went on Chevy's website, Z71 is available on 2WD, and if you order the 7,000Lb GVW package, it deletes the Z-71 option. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by rio_sanger on February 09, 2010)

Z71 is the "off-road" package. This includes off-road suspension, skid plate, appearance differences such as bigger fender flares, color matched rear bumper and front bumper and grill, different fog lights, different roof rack (from 02-06), different wheels and all terrain tires. also, different rear differential. It wasn't until 05 that they started adding the 4wd as an option and not the standard on z71's. The 2wd will come equipped the same exact way except it'll be 2wd. Go to z71tahoe-suburban.com if you have any more questions or send me an email.

^^^Dito...and 17" tires only. You have to do a wheel swap to get dif tires. If you want 20's gotta go with jus the 4x4. Atleast thats the case in Pickups.

you can get 18" wheels on the Z71 also. <BR> <BR>and i'm pretty sure my 2008 Z71 Silverado has the towing package on it - not sure if that is different from the "heavy duty" towing package though.

Z71 is an option code. Look in the glovebox for the decal with all the option codes. The list of options in that package has varied, but like the others said, it has typically been Bilstein shocks, a skid plate, some decals/trim, and some kind of rims. <BR> <BR>Z66 used to be the equivalent code on the 2wd trucks. But I guess they combined the two a few years ago. <BR> <BR>The option code for the tow package is Z82. <BR> <BR>The option code for 4 wheel drive is NP8. <BR> <BR>I stripped the stupid decals off my Z71 Av. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by bill_airjunky on February 09, 2010)

Z71 is just the little code that GM uses to show a packaged group of options and features. If you look on the white label for your vehicle it has many alphanumeric codes. If you get the entertainment package it has a code, as does the light package you might order. Chevy used to make a nice group on the Camaro with the designation of Z28. The Pontiac Trans Am had a code that designated it (WS4 from '76-'88) but nobody every marketed the code like they do the Z71. <BR>For example A44 means that all your windows are tinted. and CA4 means you have a special package for a vehicle in the Arab Emerates. <BR>Yes, this is actually pretty useless trivia, but you can look up all the options on your GM. <BR> <BR>Edit: Bill types faster than me <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/sad.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by rallyart on February 09, 2010)

I have an 07 Z71, looks cool to have the fenders and the carbon fiber dash, but I wouldn't pay for it again... no real advantage for what we use them for. <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/774458.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/774459.jpg" alt="Upload">