I have recently driven in toyota and chev hybrids.  the silverado hybrid 
that I tested today sucks bad - but only because it would work better 
without the hybrid stuff. Still the same great truck otherwise!
I am thinking that I should trade in my 01 silverado LS for this thing - 
  no toyota is even on my radar screen since my son bought a 4cyl Tacoma 
(for more than I paid) and that: gets the same highway mileage as my 
4.8,  doesn't carry a proper load,  and won't carry the missus and me 
and our two malamutes in the 'comfort' of the chev.
The only thing holding me back is the certainty that GM has already 
abandoned this technological "dead-end" - leaving any owners with no 
viable exit strategy other than to take your lumps.  Kinda like the Olds 
diesels of the '80's (had two: one died, one didn't) or the big Canadian 
government incentive program (to the big 3)that had contractors from 
coast to coast with whole fleets of propane powered trucks that suffered 
engine failure at 60,000 kms
Can anyone on this forum speak with knowledge to the subject of a 
hybrid-ectomy for an otherwise useful vehicle.
Ron
thats not hard to believe...
did that analysis calculate the cost to replace the batteries when they 
die just after the warranty gives out?
The friggin things only get about 2mpg better in the city anyway... and 
the same highway mileage
i wouldn't touch a hybrid chev truck... they are just about as useless 
as the OP's sons toyota... (maybe not as reliable, but about as useless
;))
"Picasso" <Pic...@gmail.com> wrote in message 
news:479e8852$0$4029$9a56...@news.aliant.net...
It only gets a little better because its a mild hybrid.  GM sells a lot of
vehicles so their idea is by making a small improvement to a lot of
vehicles gives the same benefit as making a larger improvement to a small
number of vehicles.
GM has not abandoned the hybrid truck, its still available and the
technology is going into the suv's in the next model year.
To remove it you would need to replace the starter/generator with a
traditional starter and replace or reprogram the engine controller to not
shut off the truck and remove the batteries and extra electronics.  Then
replace the electric engine accessories like power steering pump with
traditional belt driven ones,  Since its a 'mild' hybrid there isn't that
much difference.  
I'd swap you parts with those from my 04 if your near Ohio.
Since its just a 'mild' hybrid there are not nearly as many batteries so
replacement won't be very expensive.  IIRC its only like 4 higher end car
batteries.
this is exactly what happened to the olds diesels that came through the 
dealers doors here - dealer staff sold customers 'away' from the cars - 
and discounted the early turn-ins so that they all were devalued - just 
like this 06 hybrid they are showing to me this time around.
(I bought a diesel cutlass brougham for well under half the price that 
it had come off the showroom floor for only 10 months previously,drove 
it for 200k and sold it running fine. I kept a spare engine on a stand - 
just-in-case, but never needed it)
re parts swap   - a real nice offer -  - I live in the maritimes   == it 
would be a a tough few days to changeout all of this stuff.
I probably won't be buying a new truck, hybrid or not, as gas prices are 
so high.  Maybe I'll rebuild the 01 and get a car for most of my light 
transportation needs.  I used to do this 'til the insurance companys 
here started to really whack us for each vehicle in the driveway as if 
we can drive all of them at once  - (not much competition in the 
insurance industry in these parts). The price of gas may put that option 
  back on the table - even at high premium rates for the vehicle that 
sits at home.