GM introduces Diesel off road pickup

[RobertN]

The straight axles is generally stronger. Off-road, the straight axle has better overall clearance and much better articulation. Better suspension travel.

The IFS makes your truck ride like a Caddy. That is great on-road. That, also depends on what you consider off-road... IFS works fine for easier stuff.

The straight axle is generally stronger. But, it does not ride as well. But, off-road, the straight axle has better overall clearance and much better articulation. Better suspension travel. Look at Jeep CJ, Wrangler, Rubicon, Grand Cherokee. Straight axle. And, very capable off road.

The Hummer is IFS/IRS, but it is not a "typical" off-roader. It's suspension is a lot different than an IFS pickup.

What do you guys have against the torsion bar suspension? I have the 04 GM Dmax and am still crazy about it. I drove my buddy's 06 F 350 the other day and you couldn't give me that thing because of how it steers and handles.. mine drives like a Caddy compared to it. And what's the advantage of having to push a button over a diff-lock that works automatically after a rotation and a half? I don't make a study of this stuff but sure like the way mine's performing like new at 130K miles. The gov bailing out the union's pensions is the only thing I don't like about it.

 

[jake98]

Yeah, my off-roading is around construction sites with a load of stuff on the racks.. not very high speed..

 

[crazyal]

Terrible Herbst may disagree that a solid axle is the only way to go fast off road.

 

[coobie]

What is too funny is the "pot" calling the "kettle" black. Read your post from another thread....

[NO, Ford is good at building the best trucks and best selling trucks for some 30 years now. They are the most innovative, have the best creature comforts, best tow capacities, nicest interiors, and are second to none.

Story over.

Chris]

Ford blind

I agree.My last truck was a 2004 dodge(5.9) cummins that was a very good truck and pulled great.My new 2011 Ford F-250 super duty with the 6.2 gasser pulls every bit as good as my dodge pulling the same trailers and equipment.I don,t agree with the ford blind comment.I am not brand loyal and try to buy the Truck that fits my needs.coobie

 

[Diamondpilot]

What do you guys have against the torsion bar suspension? I have the 04 GM Dmax and am still crazy about it. I drove my buddy's 06 F 350 the other day and you couldn't give me that thing because of how it steers and handles.. mine drives like a Caddy compared to it. And what's the advantage of having to push a button over a diff-lock that works automatically after a rotation and a half? I don't make a study of this stuff but sure like the way mine's performing like new at 130K miles. The gov bailing out the union's pensions is the only thing I don't like about it.

Biggest issue I have with a IFS on a HD truck is putting a Snow Plow on it. Most guys around here run Fords and Dodges because the GM will not handle a 9' Boss V plow or similar. There are kits to fix the front ends of GM trucks for plows but that ruins the ride. You can run without a fix kit but it will eat tires.

As for the Ford the 03 you drove had the old leaf spring front end. The 05 and later have a Coil Over and it rides much better and has 18 deg more steering besting any manufacture in maneuvering.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

Ah yes, Grasshopper. For a specialized application. Note the extreme long-arm suspension.

Fast in many off-road applications is invitation to disaster...

Terrible Herbst may disagree that a solid axle is the only way to go fast off road.

 

[Ryan03]

Ok, so the big 3 finaly figured out that there is some market for a off road capable specialty truck. I hope that they also figure out that there is an even bigger market for electric front lockers, 4.56 gears, and decent all terrain factory installed tires. I would definately check off an electric front locker and bfg tires on the order sheet for my next 3/4 ton, as long as I did not have to buy a 7k option package full of crap I would never use to get the two features I would use.

 

[crazyal]

Ah yes, Grasshopper. For a specialized application. Note the extreme long-arm suspension.

Fast in many off-road applications is invitation to disaster...

All I know is I got to post a picture of a Ford in a GMC thread. :laughing:

 

[Diamondpilot]

I hear you Ryan. I love the Front and Rear Detroit Lockers in my Titan. It will pull like there is no tomorrow when engaged and in 4 Low with the 33" Hankook MT Tires on it.

I used it just 2 days ago to pull out a phone company boom truck that was buried in the snow and and then mud so deep the rear bumper was on the ground. He made it about 200' behind a Kentucky Fried Chicken down a dirt lane before burring it. I stopped for lunch and seen him on his hands and knees trying to dig it out in the snow and 17 deg temps with the wind blowing about 20. I tried just pulling but no go so I pulled forward about 2 feet and gave it a good tug in reverse and yanked it right out. No way my F-250 or F-350 would have gotten it out even though they are 2,000# heavier.

Chris

 

[Ryan03]

Yes indeed, 4wd is much more capable than 3wd. I years ago installed an aftermarket mild clutch type posi unit in the front of my k-5 blazer,and due to the poor handling characteristics while driving on plowed roads in 4x4 high range, felt it was not worth the compromise in handling for the extra traction.

A factory installed E locker in the front diff would give the best of both worlds , with predictable handling on snow covered interstates and county roads in open mode, and offer maximum available traction in locked mode.

My friends and I ride atv's occasionaly. I own a suzuki king quad with a selectable front locker, my buds mostly ride Honda's with open front diffs [3wd]. For the most part the machines have relatively equal capability, as far as your average mud pit that swallows all 4 wheels and a typical hill climb. However on that occasion when the going gets rough crossing a ditch, climbing up a off camber creek bank, or getting unstuck from a deep mud pit, the 4wd suzuki will get out under its own power almost every time, and the 3wd hondas have to unspool their winch cables.