Video: 2008 GMC Sierra All Terrain

[skylark68]

Originally Posted by tgagneguam

Nope, GMC's website points out that the 6.2 Liter V-8 in the Denali produces 403 horses.

See: Sierra website. Check out the last column.

Seems like he may have done his research on that point.

I think last year the GMC website stated the Denali produced "only" 380 hp. I guess this year GM magically made the Denali equal to the Escalade in HP. I think it was all on paper anyways. Do you think GM would really spend the time or cash to "detune" the Denali?

If I had the cash and wanted that type of vehicle, I'd have to go with the Denali since it isn't as bling bling as the Escalade. I like both though for what they are. These vehicles are in a class of their own.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by skylark68

I think last year the GMC website stated the Denali produced "only" 380 hp. I guess this year GM magically made the Denali equal to the Escalade in HP. I think it was all on paper anyways. Do you think GM would really spend the time or cash to "detune" the Denali?

If I had the cash and wanted that type of vehicle, I'd have to go with the Denali since it isn't as bling bling as the Escalade. I like both though for what they are. These vehicles are in a class of their own.

I never understood the purpose of wasting the effort detuning the engines of certain vehicles based on the badge on the hood. Would most consumers really appreciate the difference between 380-hp and 403-hp? Do most consumers even know what engine is under the hood? I think on this site most posters would know in a heartbeat, but I also don't think this site is representative of the general car-buying public.

[ctaylorzl1]

Originally Posted by Elk

but I was really hoping that it would be more of an off-road package.

Come on now, you should know better than that! This is a GM truck equiped with the "legendary" Z71 off-road package, like they would every make competitive with the likes of FX4! Duh, GM says no to real off-road pkgs!

[gm world]

Originally Posted by 01IntrigueGX

The journalist mentions how the Denali line has the 403 horsepower 6.2 liter V8. In fact, the detuned 380 horsepower version is featured in the Denali. He really should have done some research.

Check your info, the Sierra Denali is 403hp, I worked on the pilots when they first started. They were always 403hp on the GMT 900's.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

Come on now, you should know better than that! This is a GM truck equiped with the "legendary" Z71 off-road package, like they would every make competitive with the likes of FX4! Duh, GM says no to real off-road pkgs!

What is so special about the FX4? FX4 is an appearance package with different shocks, skid plates and LSD. It's the same as Z71 except Z71 doesn't change the appearance of the truck.

[camaro75]

Where do they get these Nervous Nerds to do their reviews? This guy acts like its his first one. The one who did the
malibu review was just as bad.

[ctaylorzl1]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

What is so special about the FX4?

Ride height! GM's specs for off road pkg. consit of 1) Standard 2WD ride height and 2) 30inch tires. Where as the FX4 has increased ride height and 32 inch tires! Yeah FX4 may be pretty much a apperance package like the Z71's, but the FX4's look much more "off roadish" due to the increased ride height. A friend of mine has a regular cab FX4 with the front spacers and 305's on the factory 18's, and it looks freakin sweet! The ride height is the only real problem I have with the Z71 (and GMT's in general). (That is one of the reasons I got rid of my 98 2500 4x4.)

[titanguy]

This is getting really old. Z-71 is nothing more than a decal. I guess every one at GM thinks that they can fool the average truck buyer with this "off road" truck. Well, when the front end barely clears a curb it's not an off road truck. Maybe it's not even a truck.... It looks great and is a very nice package but give us some utility!
There is a great column from the editor in the latest issue of Truck Trend. It basically blames the Ridgeline for manufacturers current infatuation with making trucks cars and catering to people who have never owned trucks before. GM, Ford and Dodge all have concepts that are Ridgeline clones.
Gm's current truck lineup is by far the most car like. Lowest ride height of any manufacturer. I assume this translates to the lowest ground clearance as well. Did somebody at GM's production line screw up and put the Cobalt's rim/tire combination on the new HD's?
I have only owned 4 vehicles in my relatively young driving career. 88 Jeep Cherokee, 96 Sierra Z-71, 2003 Sierra Z-71 and my current ride a 2005 Nissan Titan. The Titan is the most capable half ton off road. It has a real off road package. The problem is I would rather own a GM truck because of the better warranty, more options and in my personal experience with the Titan so far, better quality.
At this point I have pretty much given up hope that GM will actually make a true Z-71 package. A vehicle that does not have at least 10 inches of ground clearance is a car with a bed, not a truck. This is really depressing...

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by ctaylorzl1

Ride height! GM's specs for off road pkg. consit of 1) Standard 2WD ride height and 2) 30inch tires. Where as the FX4 has increased ride height and 32 inch tires! Yeah FX4 may be pretty much a apperance package like the Z71's, but the FX4's look much more "off roadish" due to the increased ride height. A friend of mine has a regular cab FX4 with the front spacers and 305's on the factory 18's, and it looks freakin sweet! The ride height is the only real problem I have with the Z71 (and GMT's in general). (That is one of the reasons I got rid of my 98 2500 4x4.)

Depending on cab and bed configurations, the ride height varies between 1.2in. higher and level to the 2WD equivalent, but the 2WD GM trucks have more clearance than the 2WD trucks from everyone else. The standard tires on half-ton Z71s are 31.7in. in diameter.

If you want to add 2in. more clearance and level out a GMT-900 all you have to buy is a $130 set of spacers which also allow for 33"s.

Originally Posted by titanguy

This is getting really old. Z-71 is nothing more than a decal. I guess every one at GM thinks that they can fool the average truck buyer with this "off road" truck. Well, when the front end barely clears a curb it's not an off road truck. Maybe it's not even a truck.... It looks great and is a very nice package but give us some utility!
There is a great column from the editor in the latest issue of Truck Trend. It basically blames the Ridgeline for manufacturers current infatuation with making trucks cars and catering to people who have never owned trucks before. GM, Ford and Dodge all have concepts that are Ridgeline clones.
Gm's current truck lineup is by far the most car like. Lowest ride height of any manufacturer. I assume this translates to the lowest ground clearance as well. Did somebody at GM's production line screw up and put the Cobalt's rim/tire combination on the new HD's?
I have only owned 4 vehicles in my relatively young driving career. 88 Jeep Cherokee, 96 Sierra Z-71, 2003 Sierra Z-71 and my current ride a 2005 Nissan Titan. The Titan is the most capable half ton off road. It has a real off road package. The problem is I would rather own a GM truck because of the better warranty, more options and in my personal experience with the Titan so far, better quality.
At this point I have pretty much given up hope that GM will actually make a true Z-71 package. A vehicle that does not have at least 10 inches of ground clearance is a car with a bed, not a truck. This is really depressing...

I actually agree. I wish GM would make the 2WD trucks a little lower in the rear (the front is low enough) and make the 4WD trucks a little higher. I think the Z71 package should increase the front-end height to be level with the rear (and to 4WD overall height on 2WD Z71s) and come with an ultra-short airdam as well as the off-road shocks, skid plates, etc.

Factory ride height isn't that big a deal to me as there are great suspension upgrades available, but it would be nice if GM were competitive on clearance.