CAtaylor

Thanks, yea I had an 03 1/2 ton and it was problem free for ~90k miles other than a window switch. We'll see how it goes

Well fellas, I traded in the Duramax last week and picked up a new Cummins. The 15.5 was getting on up in miles and as much as I am on the road I wanted something with a warranty and figured I would give the Cummins a try. It is going to take a bit to get used to the trans coming from the Allison but overall the the way the truck dives and handles is pretty impressive. I am a base model truck kind of guy so the Tradesman was right up my alley. They transferred my tires and tool box over, threw in factory leather seats, wheel to wheel steps, spray in bed liner and a hood bug shield; still have some of that to get put on when I get back in from offshore. I am a guy of opportunity and not necessarily brand loyal so I am sure I will be back in a GM in ~4 yrs, lol. Edit: And I now understand why most Ram HD drivers drive with their mirrors flipped up. They really suck with them down since the blind spot mirror is on the outside of the mirror when down. I have not reverted to that yet but....

I understand the above but don't agree that the cruising gears are not as important. That is where these trucks "should" spend the majority of their time unless you live in a city and spend the majority of your day stop and go. As I mentioned, GM shouldn't have to account for us small percentage that need the heavier, larger diameter tires but the option to have the gears from the factory would be nice. I havent looked into it since I regeard my 14 1500 but at that time no one made direct drop in replacements and it was one heck of a headache getting it right. It isn't even an option on their off road oriented trucks and I think that is what originally got this thread started. The number of these trucks that will be used for rock climbing is dramatically lower than the number that will be used for towing on the highway or cruising down the highway unloaded. If they want it for rock climbing the reduction on the bottom side is there, it's enough to pull a house off its foundation turning 40" tires if the truck could get traction; just don't plan on daily driving it to work or you might as well lock out the cruising gears to save the tranny

Except for 7th and 8th. If the trans has 8 gears it isn't going to try and stay in 1-6.. I understand all of the advantages and the gripes. If I wind up with a 10 speed I will still regear the truck because it will not handle the highway or towing with a heavier aftermarket wheel and tire setup. No doubt it will do better than previous years but it still won't perform where 99% of these trucks get used daily. Should GM have to account for us 1%; absolutely not but it isn't for us. Just hope the aftermarket catches up sooner than later. Edit: I currently have a duramax and with 35's it could have used 4:10's; when those wore out I put 33's on it instead of the gearing headache again. Maybe the Allison needs 8 gears not sure.

I am still waiting on the new powertrain options, assuming they are actually coming. I like the GMC but i am still holding out to see if i can get the options i want in SLE trim. I need 6 seats and all of the extra goodies arent needed or wanted on my end. The new tailgate is also pretty useless for my needs. I have a 1 1/2 years of powertrain warranty left so i have some time before i make a move.

Not for hours. Not sure what that could be

SDP is building a compound setup on one now. They haven't released any numbers as of yet though.

4.88 minimum with 37's. 4.56 was perfect for much lighter 35's.

Edit: disregard, saw in other thread. Looks good.

The Maxima I bought my wife would smoke the tires from a launch, CVT. Was a weird feeling with it at redline from the time you stomped it till you let out though, got rid of it not long after buying.

The stock keys won't make it ride any better than the leveling keys; they are just a lever. Best bet is to see how far you can lower it with the lift keys in. You might be able to get it low enough to get your ride back without buying additional keys.

Man I love this truck, I think I am going to buy a regular cab and do this. Just tell the wife it is for my son and he can have it when he gets his license in 2 yrs.

I just used the factory keys without the shock extenders and have no noise. Good luck tracking it down.

There really isn't a whole lot up there to make noise. Like SMiller said, if you added the shock extenders without the control arms the UCA's are going to be riding on the Frame Stops. They are the ones under the upper control arms. They are not the rubber bumpers that used to contact the lower control arms. If it isn't that making the noise it is in the shocks. You could lower it back down with the torsion bolts and make a quick run around the parking lot, if the noise is still there it is in the shocks. Could be as easy as one shock not being tightened correctly also letting it move around a bit.

My new Honda Pioneer 700-4. Not many miles on it so far but I think it will be around for a very long time.