2016 Denali 3500 Update

Ken Rutyna · July 2, 2016

I bought my truck in October 2015 (custom build in august to be the first run of the 2016's) had to ditch this POS F250 GASSER

the truck was perfect... and ran perfectly...

after about 4K first issue torque converter seal to trans had a leak... 2 days fixed... no more leak.

I filled the DEF (only buy from GM so if there are any issues i can show i only use their DEF) at 5K. and I get it serviced per the report.

absolutley no issues till about 7K

Shark antenna starts to leak in the cab.... now this issue goes back to 2014... CMON GM you knew it was an issue you couldn't fix it... at the factory...

they have the truck a week weighting for the part (GM can't get the parts in time because others are having the same issue)

comes in, fixed in 30 minutes i pick up go on my way... all is good...

May I haul across state and back on single tank for gas (very nice) my trailer is 10K pds hauls like nothing I have used before. I did around town ahul my trailer but had yet to long haul it. it was like butter... and the easiest thing to drive...

get to about 8k and June so had it 8 months... and I always take my truck to get detailed 2x's per year once before summer and once before the harsh winter in Mich.

Runing boards are pitted to hell... and I mean from the top down and every which way... (sounds like defective boards to me) take to dealer they take pics and make claim, GM replaces next day... (PERFECT all I wanted, A Denali only 8 months old should not have pitted boards)

I now haul to Austin from Detroit and back for a racing event... towing my 10K trailer

100% flawless (ran low on def at 9500 so in little rock went to dealer and bought a case of DEF and loaded it up...no more DEF issues)

with over 3100 miles on the trip I average 12.1 hauling at 72Mph. The truck was solid and the most conforatable ride there and back. I was never tired of driving... in my former POS F250 I was dieing to get out of it after 4 hours....

after 18.5 hours straight to get home in a hurry after the event hauling and minus being tired from driving that long the truck never stopped never had one issue and could have keep on going...

i will top off the DEF when i get back home from vacation... get the service again (its getting to be time after all the driving and near 14K now) should be good for the summer and the next trip to Montreal.

I hope this helps others seeing my issues and how solid this truck has been for me...

Things i have done to the truck:

PUTCO LED FOG LIGHTS (LOVE THESE) Factory should make them LED from the begining today)

PUTCO Honeycomb black grill in the middle of the bumper (that big hole looks dumb)

American Brothers Billeted aluminum Black GMC logo's on the front and back (removing the RED ones)

Backflip Revlover 2x with teh Back Box in the bed (these have been the best ones i have ever used or seen been on all my trucks)

that is it... the Truck is Summit White... as time goes on i will update this posting...

Skeld · July 2, 2016

Do you have a link to this piece to fill in the bumper hole?

Edit: Found it. Does yours have the light bar and if so what does wiring it consist of?

'01LS1 · July 2, 2016

Good post with a lot of details. The sort of thing I would want to read if in the market today.

You should post a photo of truck/trailer if you get a chance.

Ken Rutyna · July 2, 2016

Do you have a link to this piece to fill in the bumper hole?

Edit: Found it. Does yours have the light bar and if so what does wiring it consist of?

No i just got the honeycomb one... no led lights... with teh putco led fogs you really don't need anything else... they are almost as bright as the HID's... 2400 lumens the HID's are 3500.

so I was happy with just the new fogs.

Ken Rutyna · July 2, 2016

Good post with a lot of details. The sort of thing I would want to read if in the market today.

You should post a photo of truck/trailer if you get a chance.

yeah next time i will post a few pics... i have no current ones i have ones with my 1500 and the trailer... but not the new denali...

it's a bumper pull 24' Enclosed trailer for my EVO VIII which you see my motor in my profile pic...

the trialer is 5K dry then add a 3059pds car and then tools and gas and all the camping gear... 2 sets of tires it adds up quickly to about 10k.

next time i get it i will snap some shots... i did post the truck STOCK on a post here the day i picked it up...