dallas auto show...gm still makes me sad sometimes

[rjfguitar]

you all are missing the point.. i highly doubt anyone walks off any dealership(ford gm dodge) with their new truck and says lets go test this badboy out in moab! regardless of sfa or ifs

You are 200% correct. People that have a fit over IFS and other more road friendly components can't seem to understand why the manufacturers come out with this stuff because it doesn't make sence to them and what they want the truck for.

I've got bad news, you and a few other guys wanting to take it to Moab off the dealer lot makes up about .5% of the consumer. The other 99.5% of the consumers leave the lot and say "wow, the rear of this vehicle with the new IRS rides so nice on our new 2009 Tahoe, lets cruise the coast line."

 

[rjfguitar]

maybe somone like oru will start to offer new trucks with sas conversions already done and somesort of warranty on the stuff they have changed. there are lots of dealers that sell lifted trucks brand new, now we just need one to do sas kits. then I would buy a new gm truck instead of a dodge.

That would likely be too much of a liability problem with someone like ORU or what not, as I would think insurance rates would be stupid expensive.

That, and GM would likely have a fit over a SERIOUS chassis modification being done by a dealer and would likely stop it fairly quick.

I'm glad GM went IFS, because if they wouldn't have I would have bought another GM, but since they have IFS I bought a Dodge instead and have never looked back... I love my Dodge. I bought a DODGE, and got a Cummins with it, not the other way around.

 

[Ben B.]

I have wetdreams about Cummins rams...

 

[runamok151]

That would likely be too much of a liability problem with someone like ORU or what not, as I would think insurance rates would be stupid expensive.

That, and GM would likely have a fit over a SERIOUS chassis modification being done by a dealer and would likely stop it fairly quick.

I'm glad GM went IFS, because if they wouldn't have I would have bought another GM, but since they have IFS I bought a Dodge instead and have never looked back... I love my Dodge. I bought a DODGE, and got a Cummins with it, not the other way around.

not really, they do it already. there are dealers lifting new trucks and selling them. they are in house buildups that the dealers are waranteeing like they did w/ modified muscle cars in the '60s (yanko camaros?) you can order a quigley 4x4 conversion van new from any ford or chevy dealer. and aev conversions offer warranties that cover parts and installations that the factory warantee doesn't cover on their jeeps.

 

[txfiremank5]

you all are missing the point.. i highly doubt anyone walks off any dealership(ford gm dodge) with their new truck and says lets go test this badboy out in moab! regardless of sfa or ifs

That's because even the most average buyer knows it won't tackle it. Perhaps if they made something that stood a fighting chance, then more and more buyers would leave the lot thinking that.

Case in point: I stop into some Hummer forums from time to time... many of the owners are very interested in knowing, or finding out how their H3 will do on the trail. So, it has basically taken some non-off roaders, and made them into novice off roader newbies. If you provide a vehicle that is capable, sooner or later, the new owner is going to want to find out how well it will actually perform. After all, they bought it for some reason, if nothing more than looks.. but eventually they want to see how it will actually do. It's like the excitment of the new vehicle makes them more interested in it's capabilities.

 

[trailblazr81]

Chevy needs to do like Dodge and Jeep and make a "off-road" model. Make another K5 body style. Give it 3/4 ton axles, switchable limited slip/lockers, 4.56 gears, d/c sway bar, 315/70/17 (35x12.5) M/T tires with a coil spring or coil over front. A 9000-12000lb Warn winch would be nice too. Maybe vinyl seats, rubberized flooring like from the work trucks. Give it the 6.0 or I'd prefer the Duramax.
The Jeep Rubicon and FJ cruiser ae very capable rigs and come with 32" tires with a real locker.

 

[fireplug]

Honestly I think the last thing we need, is an off the lot trail worthy rig.

Maybe it was okay in the 70's when the population was smaller, and we weren't encroaching on our wilderness with condos, and housing developments, and everyone wasn't looking for a free ride in life with a lawsuit, it would be alright.

As it stands now, you have to have SOME skill, and knowledge, and common sense to take a 30 year old truck, keep it driveable, and modify it to conquer and return from the wilderness.

The easier it is for masses to hit the trail, the sooner we will all be kicked off of them.

 

[trailblazr81]

Honestly I think the last thing we need, is an off the lot trail worthy rig.

Maybe it was okay in the 70's when the population was smaller, and we weren't encroaching on our wilderness with condos, and housing developments, and everyone wasn't looking for a free ride in life with a lawsuit, it would be alright.

As it stands now, you have to have SOME skill, and knowledge, and common sense to take a 30 year old truck, keep it driveable, and modify it to conquer and return from the wilderness.

The easier it is for masses to hit the trail, the sooner we will all be kicked off of them.

You can say the same about a new 400hp 6 spd car for $40k or a 500HP car for under $70K...

 

[Chevy305]

Are they dropping the Monte Carlo? Damn that car would be SO much better with rear drive. I was drooling over the fact that it has a V8 again!

I just really wish they would keep making the SSR because I want one so bad! 405hp and T56 6speed rear drive

I do like the new trucks from GM but I really don't like how the front bumper hangs WAY too low and wont clear most speed bumps and as far as i know they don't offer it with a standard transmission.

I am a huge advocate for standard transmissions. They are so much more fun to drive, they are more engaging and actually when used with the same gearing and driven propperly, save gas. Plus they are WAY more reliable than most autos. I think every car produced should have a stick for at least an option.

 

[Drey]

Id love to just see a real 1/2 ton work truck from Chevy again. These piles may as well be be registered as cars. Same goes for Ford. There are a few floating around our company. And my god what a joke. Theirs about ZERO ground clearance and even on the Z71 or FX-4s they dont put a meaty tire on, I know its to keep the price down. But Id rather pay a little more for a truck, then have a set of tires taht are gonna get taken off and sit in a shed.

If I bought a new truck, Id end up going Cummins Ram, Reg Cab Long Box 3/4 prolly. Or Chevy/GMC Reg Cab Long Box 6.0 1 Ton, and the first that would come off is that god awful front bumper.

 

[txfiremank5]

The easier it is for masses to hit the trail, the sooner we will all be kicked off of them.

I disagree, I think the more people on the trail, the bigger the majority that votes to set aside public lands for wheeling.. vs. too many who know nothing about it, and would like to keep us out. Once you drag Mr & Mrs Doe out onto the trail, and they have fun, then they'll want more trails open to enjoy.

 

[stout87k5]

i heard that hummer was going to make a h3 truck version and the h4 maybe it was the h5 was going to be built to compete with the rubi.anyone else hear that?

 

[vortec]

Are you guys missing the fact that GM owns Hummer? lol

no. the exact opposite. i'm well aware of that, and it bugs the crap out of me that they are trying to make the hummer a glorified minivan. at a light, the other day, i saw a muddy h2 with 6" of lift, super swampers with missing tread and rockrash (didn't see what size) and a huge dent/scrape in the side. i actually rolled down the window and thanked the guy for using it like a real 4x4. the h2 and h3 aren't bad vehicles. they some real potential. the h3 just needs sfa, and a stronger engine. the h2 has plenty of power, but needs sfa and much better visibility for the trail.

also, i know most people don't drive from the lot to moab, but my k5 was brand new once. where are people going to get good old 4x4s in 10 or 20 years if nobody made any? don't say jeep. not to be pessimistic, but 40-50 years is a lot to ask of a 4x4 or any vehicle. mine is 25 years old, and i have too much sense to expect another 25 from it with real use.

 

[roadnotca]

Hmmm. Are we way off on a tangent?
It's the driver stupid.
Sorry Guys. I bought a 2006 H3 with Adventure, and drove it through Miller Jeep Trail (local 7 with rock) with 200 miles on the clock.
It worked. I like my K10 Burb better for the trail, but as far as putting out a product like that and willing to back it up with warranty, pretty straight in my book.
So now I'm ordering up a 2500HD 4X4.
You can build a dumb fine rig if you'll do the homework.

 

[rjfguitar]

That's because even the most average buyer knows it won't tackle it. Perhaps if they made something that stood a fighting chance, then more and more buyers would leave the lot thinking that. (to go offroading or Moab)

I disagree, most people don't know what Moab even is. Much less interested in actually driving anything off more than a gravel driveway. The few people that would be half interested in wheeling.... are just looky-loos. Meaning, they may talk about "I wonder what it could do offroad" but never think about it again nor ever actually hit a trail of some sort.

I disagree, I think the more people on the trail, the bigger the majority that votes to set aside public lands for wheeling.. vs. too many who know nothing about it, and would like to keep us out. Once you drag Mr & Mrs Doe out onto the trail, and they have fun, then they'll want more trails open to enjoy.

Once again, I disagree. I'm not into the 4wheeling thing much, but am I HUGE snowmobiler. We get hassled just as bad, if not worse than 4 wheelers when it comes to the greenies and closing down wilderness for two reasons.

1. Most snowmobiles are 2 stroke and this just pisses off the greenies.

2. When you talk about wilderness and back country.... no one can get to where we go on snowmobiles. No 4wheeler, dirt bike, or 4x4 can get even close to the places sleds can reach in the snow months. Only a pro hiker or helicopter could get to some of these places during the summer.
This really pisses off the greenies, regardless to the fact that our tracks melt away with the spring warmth and leave an untouched summer wilderness.....

My point is it's only gotten bad for us in the last 10 years, as snowmobiling popularity has multiplied like rabbits. The more people doing something, the more noticeable and the more of an uprise against what said people are doing because there are more people making an impact.

I say keep as many people out of the sport as you can anyway. What the greenies don't know doesn't hurt them.

 

[stoney126]

I would think that even if the truck came with a sfa, im not sure I would want to take my $20-30K truck out and bang it against rocks?

 

[rjfguitar]

I would think that even if the truck came with a sfa, im not sure I would want to take my $20-30K truck out and bang it against rocks?

Bingo.

 

[SkysTheLimit]

Regardless of whether or not someone would drive a new truck from the lot to the trails, GM isn't making what people want and that combined with horrific overhead costs is why they are in the spot they're in.

As little as 6 months ago, I would have NEVER thought of buying an import truck but I gotta say, those new Tundras are pretty bad a$$. They're building what people want. 380+ hp/400+ ft lb in stock trim is pretty darn impressive in my book.

I would bet a paycheck if GM put out a 1/2 ton truck with a diesel in it again and hired the body designers from Dodge, they'd be hard pressed to meet demand.

 

[K5Greek]

Regardless of whether or not someone would drive a new truck from the lot to the trails, GM isn't making what people want and that combined with horrific overhead costs is why they are in the spot they're in.

As little as 6 months ago, I would have NEVER thought of buying an import truck but I gotta say, those new Tundras are pretty bad a$$. They're building what people want. 380+ hp/400+ ft lb in stock trim is pretty darn impressive in my book.

I would bet a paycheck if GM put out a 1/2 ton truck with a diesel in it again and hired the body designers from Dodge, they'd be hard pressed to meet demand.

so because gm isnt making what people want is leading them to possibly overtaking f150 this year? they already sell more full size pickups(counting platform) but ford has a better selling name.. i have to disagree. gm is making what people want. i bet you more than 50% of people who buy dodges and fords dont even know the difference between sfa and ifs

i hope gm never hires any designers from dodge...every new model that comes out keeps getting uglier and uglier

 

[K5Greek]

I would think that even if the truck came with a sfa, im not sure I would want to take my $20-30K truck out and bang it against rocks?

and 20-30k isnt even close to top of the line.. many of the newer trucks push mid to high 50's fully optioned