2009 Chevrolet Trucks Official Changes

[Tiger]

Thank you GM!

Stabilitrak w/ traction control, a 5.3L V8, new wheels & tires, std bedliner, and a killer blue for the Colorado...all in the same year!

Am pumped to see the 6 spd transmissions in the full sizers as well!

[cc1999]

Originally Posted by smith7629

That's great news. I will order my 6.2L flex fuel suburban LTZ this summer. I have 3 E85 stations w/in 10 minutes of the house. I was skeptical of using E85 because of the demand it would put on the environment, but thanks to GMI articles on improvments with bio fuel production, I think we're moving in the right direction. I will definitely fill up with made in the USA fuel.

When I went through the Order Guide for the Suburban, I did not see a 6.2 option. The Tahoe got one for its LTZ model but the suburban did not. I know it makes no sense at all that the smaller Tahoe gets a 6.2 option and the suburan does not. I have an 07 that will coming off lease next spring and will get replaced with an 09' and I too planned to get the 6.2 this time. But for what ever reason the suburban does not get the 6.2L.

I also love looks of the Z71 pkg that I have on my 07' Suburban. Whats really odd is that to get a 6.2 in the pickup you have to get the Z71 pkg, but you can't get more than a 5.3L with the Z71 pkg on a Suburban or Tahoe??? The only way to get a larger motor in a Suburban or tahoe is to get the LTZ pkg, and other than wheels they look just like the average LT model, where the Z's get the wheel flares and good looking 18s with decent AT tires. I just do not understand GMs packaging.

[member12]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I thought this was the last year for the GMT-360s?

I've read recently that they might be getting a new lease on life with a possible update coordinated with the new T370 world trucks and SUVs, but that is 2 years away.

Not sure if it stays at Moraine, though since the heavy investment to build these trucks recently in Shreveport (USA) and South Africa.

I was in Moraine about 6 months back. That Trailblazer plant is pretty huge, and I don't see GM leaving it completely.

[MAK]

The Z71 is now a suspension package instead of an off-road package, and the G80 auto locking diff is no longer included. What's with that? Hopefully,a real off-road package is on the way, with a lift, e-lockers and at least 285s.

[fenderbender]

Originally Posted by MAK

The Z71 is now a suspension package instead of an off-road package, and the G80 auto locking diff is no longer included. What's with that? Hopefully,a real off-road package is on the way, with a lift, e-lockers and at least 285s.

The eaton locking rear is now standard I belive. And don't get your hopes up about a true offroad package, oh but I would love to see the return of a ZR-2.

[MAK]

How about an interior upgrade like the gear shift in the center console like EVERYBODY else who makes a full size truck.

[NfamousZ24]

Originally Posted by member12

I've read recently that they might be getting a new lease on life with a possible update coordinated with the new T370 world trucks and SUVs, but that is 2 years away.

Not sure if it stays at Moraine, though since the heavy investment to build these trucks recently in Shreveport (USA) and South Africa.

I was in Moraine about 6 months back. That Trailblazer plant is pretty huge, and I don't see GM leaving it completely.

You didn't see 1/10th of the plant and 1/50th of the land. lol I am not joking.

GMT 360 isn't slated to end production until Sept. '09 So the '09 model year is the last year.

I rather Moraine Assembly get something like the Volt ( I know it isn't slated for our plant, But how many plants does GM have with the capacity to build 350,000+ units a year?) Or another smaller line of vehicles like Alpha. I just want to get away from trucks honestly, But I doubt it.

[KIDDIESEL79]

Any idea when the 09 Silverado rolls out? My dad is looking to get one soon and I'm trying to get him to wait. What does it take to get rear disc now?

[member12]

Originally Posted by NfamousZ24

You didn't see 1/10th of the plant and 1/50th of the land. lol I am not joking.

GMT 360 isn't slated to end production until Sept. '09 So the '09 model year is the last year.

I rather Moraine Assembly get something like the Volt ( I know it isn't slated for our plant, But how many plants does GM have with the capacity to build 350,000+ units a year?) Or another smaller line of vehicles like Alpha. I just want to get away from trucks honestly, But I doubt it.

The world will need good "real" trucks. Right now, Toyota builds them, but I see no problem with GM making them and selling them worldwide.

[98z28camaro]

Wow, I hope I'm not reading this right... the change in gear ratio gives the Avalanche a 5,600# tow rating with the heavy duty trailering option. If so, that really sucks!

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by 98z28camaro

Wow, I hope I'm not reading this right... the change in gear ratio gives the Avalanche a 5,600# tow rating with the heavy duty trailering option. If so, that really sucks!

Actually, you are reading it wrong. The standard gas-only 5.3L is rated for 8,000lbs., the iron-block flex-fuel 5.3L is rated for 8,100lbs., the aluminum-block 5.3L 4x4 is rated at 7,900lbs. and the 6.0L 2WD is rated at 8,100lbs., all with the tow package. The least it can tow is 5,000lbs. with the gas-only 5.3L and 3.08 gears.

[98z28camaro]

Thanks Andrew, I appreciate the explanation.

[demonspeed]

Why oh why does the Equinox not come with the 3.5?

I do like that they are finally moving the window switches to the doors in the HHR.

[RSW]

Dang, desert brown metallic was by far my favorite color on Silverados and now it's been deleted. But since I see so few driving around in this color it must be a slow seller and therefore deleting it was probably the right call.

[smith7629]

Yep I misread the guide. An 09 suburban will get the 6 speed but still gets the 5.3L and 6.0L, but no 6.2L. I really wish I could get the 6.2L flex fuel in the LTZ. I really don't understand why its available in the Tahoe but not suburban. Just plain dumb. I'd like to hear from anyone who gets a chance to drive a 5.3L with the 6 speed auto, whether it be silverado, avalanche, tahoe or suburban. I'm hoping it will be more peppy than the 4 speed auto w/ b.s. torque management software.