Off-Road Chevy Silverado in the Works?

[PHAT-JAY]

I'd rather see a SS version, but still then new Silverado is a let down.

[FanOfDurant]

It's about time Chevrolet got serious about taking on Ford's truck empire. Dodge has been at it with their Power Wagon and Ram Runner for awhile now. I want to see not only a long travel IFS truck (like the Raptor and Ram Runner), I want to see a SFA truck like the Power Wagon and Super Duty as well. Enough of these drop frame pavement pounders we've had to take or leave for the last 25 years. Chevrolet used to dominate all things on road And off.

[ZR2BlaZeR2]

It's about time Chevrolet got serious about taking on Ford's truck empire. Dodge has been at it with their Power Wagon and Ram Runner for awhile now. I want to see not only a long travel IFS truck (like the Raptor and Ram Runner), I want to see a SFA truck like the Power Wagon and Super Duty as well. Enough of these drop frame pavement pounders we've had to take or leave for the last 25 years. Chevrolet used to dominate all things on road And off.

If they want to get serious they should start with a re-think of the new trucks. They didn't go far enough with the updates. I see the thought and care that went into the new Vette and have to wonder why the trucks don't get the same treatment. I think GM will see more loss of market share with the latest version of full sized pickups.

They should worry about that then offer a legitimate aftermarket program for owners to outfit their trucks either off-road or SS.

[FanOfDurant]

Don't forget ZR2 was also plastered on the Tracker...

Also, while watching Mecum this weekend, there was a ZR2 Corvette...

Sad days those were... Yet another round of meaningless stickers plastered on everything. Just despicable and downright laughable. I still want to know if Any of those "Z" formulas mean anything real. Or did some marketing dork just think it 'sounded cool'. If I was a betting man I'd be betting on the second. I hate gimmicks..

[usa1]

Might as well show up to the party, even if it is when everyone is leaving.
How many years has the PowerWagon been out?
Raptor has been a cash cow for Ford, far exceeded their expectations.

If GM does something, it needs to look distinctive from the regular Silverado. The Raptor is 90% about looks and it looks great next to a base F150. Who really uses its capabilities? Not many.

GM could very well make a better truck than the Raptor, but unless it looks good, it won't sell.

[demonspeed]

GM could very well make a better truck than the Raptor, but unless it looks good, it won't sell.

Sad but true.

[Al465]

If they want to get serious they should start with a re-think of the new trucks. They didn't go far enough with the updates. I see the thought and care that went into the new Vette and have to wonder why the trucks don't get the same treatment. I think GM will see more loss of market share with the latest version of full sized pickups.

They should worry about that then offer a legitimate aftermarket program for owners to outfit their trucks either off-road or SS.

GM has put their money, in the new Silverado truck, where it will count the most. We know the style did not change much, but that does not mean it's not a great looking truck. The mechanicals is where this truck is going to shine. People who buy trucks look at what it offers in terms of mechanicals. The Fords don't look as good as the Silverado or the GMC.

[Extreme4x4]

If GM does something, it needs to look distinctive from the regular Silverado. The Raptor is 90% about looks and it looks great next to a base F150. Who really uses its capabilities? Not many.

GM could very well make a better truck than the Raptor, but unless it looks good, it won't sell.

If the Raptor Roundup comes to a town near you, you should try to attend. They set up a jumping track, which allows normal Joes to drive brand new Raptors, jumping them. It is fabulous fun, and you gain alot of respect for what these stock trucks can do.

Owners can take their Raptors on the track, at higher speeds for bigger jumps. They also put together an off-road run for owners, to show them the capabilities of their trucks.

Out here in the West, there are alot of folks who buy these trucks, and use them hard. However, it is not much different from those who buy sports cars and never track/race them.

[Lowboy]

Who really uses its capabilities? Not many.

Are we talking about the Corvette or Raptor?

[wescoent]

Now, what would be interesting, would be if Chevy took the next-gen Tahoe, shortened the wheelbase, made it a two-door, then applied Raptor-style offroad bits.

[JimmyDiablo]

I thought the Sierra All-terrain HD was supposed to be the Raptor killer....whatever happened to that? They were ready to crash test it and send it to the showrooms when they showed it off!?

[demonspeed]

Now, what would be interesting, would be if Chevy took the next-gen Tahoe, shortened the wheelbase, made it a two-door, then applied Raptor-style offroad bits.

Would LOVE to see a new K5!

[FanOfDurant]

I see the thought and care that went into the new Vette and have to wonder why the trucks don't get the same treatment.

There's quite a few new things to be excited about the new truck on. Enough to get me into a new Silverado again and my last new truck was my 98. The quality of the trucks just went down the tubes after that both inside and out. It's completely obvious to me they were flat broke and relying on old Chevy loyalty to pull them through. And it did for awhile... Until they coupled Very poor quality with Extremely poor looks (GMT-900 Silverado). The only good thing about a Chevy truck for a Long time now has been the drivetrain. They've now brought back the rockers (time will tell if they're rust prone like the 800's), a strong bed again, a real single piece bumper, the entire bed isn't flared, 4 wheel disc brakes and got the interior quality up to par with what Ford and Dodge offer. Minus King Ranch, Platinum, Limited fighters and so forth which have not been shown. Really, I look at this truck as the proper successor to my 98. We're where Ford has been for years now. A quality built truck with a durable body, a proper bumper and proper quality interior. Even Dodge to a lesser extent.

Now is it enough to just be on par with the competition again? I don't know. It may be too little too late for many. For me personally it's enough to get me into a new truck again but I'm a Chevrolet man at heart. I just wanted them to be as good as the Ford across the road again before I dropped a dime on their new truck. For others, I'm sure they didn't go far enough. They were looking for that over the top new Silverado. I was too for awhile but gave up. I agree with your Corvette comment. It's obvious that car was developed with a 'Total Domination' mindset. The Silverado on the other hand appears to have been developed with an MCE mindset to fix all mistakes of the current truck. Now that those things have been fixed however, we have a solid base again from which to build. For that reason alone I'll support them with a purchase and even have a little hope.

Might as well show up to the party, even if it is when everyone is leaving.
How many years has the PowerWagon been out?
Raptor has been a cash cow for Ford, far exceeded their expectations.

Our last true off road capable truck was in 1987 in my book. Go out on some trails sometime. We owned the less traveled path for decades. Most off road trucks that are old are 67-87 Chevy's. Why Chevrolet/GM just threw that away? Who knows. I was told years ago it was because of money and consolidation. I don't know what really happened... This goes to the point of the thread though. They just left a huge customer base out there for Ford to come over and take. And take they did. Ford started designing the dedicated Super Duty shortly after and never looked back. I also just look at how long the King Ranch has been out. In 14 years Chevrolet couldn't one up them there? Let alone have an equivalent? Who knows my friend. I just shake my head.

Ford has learned wisely that Ford trucks sell Ford cars and create overall Ford brand loyalty. Trucks should be priority #1.. Chevrolet is still climbing that hill.

[sfbreh]

The Ford dealer nearest me doesn't keep their Raptors very long.

[FanOfDurant]

I thought the Sierra All-terrain HD was supposed to be the Raptor killer....whatever happened to that? They were ready to crash test it and send it to the showrooms when they showed it off!?

That thing was a big bulky glorified mall crawler. It wouldn't see well against a Super Duty let alone a Raptor. The thought of that truck attempting to take jumps in excess of 50 mph is laughable. Really, a Raptor fighter should come from the smaller Colorado IMO.