pancepance

As far as my issue goes I'm nowhere and things are getting even stranger. The new dealer I made an appt. for is taking the truck in Tuesday. It snowed a week ago and I tried just to make sure I wasn't insane using Auto and 4Hi. Both had significantly loud mechanical noises when engaged. Similar to a tire with deep tread and the sound it makes on a highway that increases and decreases with the speed of the vehicle. That's the closest I can describe. The heated seat is still broken the cruise control doesn't work and out of the blue today an entirely new issue. I got out of the truck and closed the door and the horn went off. Not a chirp similar to double pushing the lock button but constant. Tried each button on the remote to no avail. started the truck just stayed on. Couldn't get it off. It sounded for about 10 minutes in the driveway while I was inside online trying to look for info. Then it went off. Few minutes later it came back on. All the while I was inside. It stayed off an hour and I took a ride. 20 min into the trip on the highway it came on again. Stayed on for about 15 minutes. Its as though its possessed. I cannot figure out what triggers it. I went 45 min on the highway without a peep and when I got to my exit and came to a stop at the light it came back on and stayed on from there to my house where I was able to reach in and yank the plug to the horns. Talk about freakshow. I'm starting to really hate this truck. Talk about strange. I have have 4wd issue, heated seat, cruise control, squeaking springs and constant horn on my list.

Yes, I get a noise during the switch from one position to another. My concern is a constant mechanical gear/gear type noise. Similar to a rear end as its starting to go. This noise will increase/decrease with speed and is only apparent out of 2wd. I rode in a '14 Silverado today that had no noticeable noise when operating in auto or 4hi. Compared to mine its a night and day difference. I also noticed today that when in auto if I come to a complete stop and reverse there is a clunk as a start in the other direction. Then if I stop and go the opposite direction it clunks again. Similar to the sound a bad U-joint can make when starting from a standstill. This is new and I hadn't noticed prior but it does it consistently each time. Just one time from standing start at regular pace. Not any type of power takeoff, just as if you were making a 3-point turn in a parking lot. Each time I change direction there's a clunk and then not again till I've come to a complete stop and restart motion.

I am fairly familiar with 4x4 trucks having owned them for many years. This one has got me wondering though. Especially after I compared it to my '12 Yukon with a similar 2wd, auto, 4hi, 4lo selector. Theres no noticeable difference between the 2wd and auto in the Yukon. on the same roads in same conditions. The Sierra absolutely has a noticeable mechanical constant noise. I realize the transfer case would be engaged in some form or the hubs would be locked but in a situation where there would be no need for power to be applied to the front gears I would expect not to hear it as though it were in 4hi. When switched to 4hi it makes the same noise. I would expect a change in noise if using 4hi but the auto has me wondering. It almost as though the "auto" part of it is not working and its just in 4hi. Something is definitely turning constantly and making noticeable sound when doing so. It doesn't go away from auto to 4hi. Only gone in 2wd. Time to visit the dealer and play the "its supposed to sound that way" game. I looked on the lot today and see a very similar '14 for sale so at least I can have them demonstrate how it will happen in that truck I suppose. Just seemed odd to be making that much noise even for 4hi. Will update on findings as they progress. Thanks for the comments

Wondering if someone can confirm of deny something for me please. When using the "auto 4wd" position of the selector if there any noticeable rotational noise difference? I am noticing that when in the auto position there is a noticeable noise happening. I would expect some noise change in the full 4wd position but in my Yukon when auto 4wd is selected there is no noticeable sound difference. I am well aware of how a 4wd system works and when to use and not use it. During the recent snows I was using the auto and realized that when its selected it sounds as though the transfer case is engaged and has a gear-gear noise. I haven't heard this on any of my other GM's with the auto option. Before I go tot the dealer I figured I would see if everyone has a noticeable noise whenever using the auto mode? Truck is a '14 gmc sierra. Thanks

Check with some vette forums. I know I heard people asking the same question there a few years ago when the c6's came out with mag-ride. I'm sure if someone figured it out it would be there. At least a starting point for you to see if its possible. Since they've been out longer there's been more time for people to try things. It was a fairly popular request a few years ago. Not sure if anyone actually did it but its worth looking into. On the trucks its so new theres not gonna be much info out there yet but on other models that have had it there may be more. Just a thought.

Thanks All comments appreciated. Overall the outcome was close enough to what I had pictured in my head that I'll be able to live with it. Never been a huge fan of shiny chrome. Most of the big stuff is now gone but I still have the small shiny parts to get rid of. I haven't decided if I'm just going to remove the rest or maybe have them redone color matched. BDS has a smaller rear block I may try which would get rid of the rake but I fear it may be too much as the block is a full 1" lower than I have now. I am probably going to get a second pair of 4" blocks and have them machined down 1/4" at a time and see where I want it to be. I did some measuring by loading the rear to drop it down and I think somewhere around 1/2-3/4 lower is where I want it to be. Will probably take me a few attempts to get the exact height I want but its not that bad. We will machine some off, re-install, see how it looks and then do some more until its where I want it. First real test of the lift under full load will be this weekend as I have my big trailer to move.. It will be close to the max on weight so I'm interested to see how it does. I have the option of a few routes so if I don't like the feel on interstate I can jump off and do local streets. Its not far but enough to test how it will do overall. I'm counting the minutes till a charger is available but its looking like a few more months at this point. Gives me time to work out all the other little things.

I don't have any issue with rubbing. I did not have to trim or cut anything. The ride is noticeably different. The first difference is due to the raised CG which gives a bit more of a boat in the ocean feel. Nothing major but with any lifted truck on 30+" tires you're bound to get that type of feel. I'd say with the lift it rides similar to how my last 2500 ram did. You feel bumps in the back now. When there is cargo or a trailer its less noticeable but unloaded on the highway it feels stiffer. The rear feels a bit jumpy over rough surfaces. It doesn't get out of hand. Its not as bad as a 3/4 or 1 ton unloaded truck would be but its not the stock soft fee. I've been wondering why because from what I figure it really isn't any stiffer in the rear because the spring rates are the same but it doesn't have the Cadillac type ride it did before the kit. I do not feel any noticeable axle wrap. I didn't watch it from below but I've had trucks with it pretty bad so I know what it feels like. I am not sure if the optional rear spring pack would be worth doing for the amount of time I drive without any trailer or cargo. The springs will make it stiffer for sure and given how it feels now I'm leaving it alone. I had discussed the springs with BDS and I'm pretty sure as of now I'm not going to get them. When towing I have the airbags with stabilizes the ride. I did order some hellwig bars which I haven't received yet. I think that will reduce the roll to a level I'm comfortable with. If it doesn't I'll just remove so its not a big deal for me to try them. I am getting a little more used to the look of the truck now. I may still do a few small things to try to make it look the way I envision it should but for the most part I'm good with the project overall and even if I make no other visual changes I'd be fine with it as it sits now. I have so many other things (non-lift related) that I still have to do so I may take a break from the lift and move on to the other projects and then when those are complete I'll revisit the stance and lift.

Its the BDS 4" kit with the fox rears. I did not get the optional rear spring pack but may still do that. The tires are 275/65/20 I think they look OK. I wasn't really looking for a super aggressive tire. I also do a ton of highway miles so didn't want the excessive noise you get from big blocky tires as well as not wanting to have to replace every 6 months from wear. I don't know exactly how much rake there is. I will try to get a better pic of the truck on flat ground to show. Its not a lot and I think its less than it was originally but its still there. I may try a smaller rear block. I also spoke to BDS about the rear springs. I may try those just to see how the ride and towing is with and without them.

Finally got them shiny side up. I'm not 100% satisfied with the outcome. I just don't know exactly why just yet. Hoping that in a few days I will figure out what I want to do different but overall I like it. Just not sure I consider it "done" yet. Opinions are appreciated. Maybe someone will hit on what I am not seeing. Might be wheels, tires, rake, etc. Its just something.

Finally got a couple of photos to post but when I tried to do it they were all upside down. When I view them on my computer they are correct but when I pick them to download to post they are all upside down. Anyone know how to fix that?

Not sure if its just me or if similar situation with all of them. I did a HID swap for the lights and fogs. Prior to switching I did have the opportunity to see what the stock output of each was. I was very disappointed in the stock stuff but was aware of its poor output months ago from reviews here. I did a good kit with 35w ballasts. The lights are very good. I use them in my other truck and their improvement is incredible. In the Sierra I am very unimpressed. Its a bummer to me. The only good thing I have are the fogs which I now consider the primary light source for driving. The lows w/o fogs on even with the HID's are absolutely horrific. When switched to HI the light is way off target. I get a decent view of the trees but not much else. I've adjusted the lights and they are aimed correctly. The "projector" system sucks in my opinion. Now I have to look for a new full replacement option. I hate tearing up brand new stuff but I need light when I drive. Its a personal thing. I will say though there is some improvement with the HID's but nowhere near what I was expecting. The whole system they use is garbage in my opinion. For the cost of the truck and "trim level" they advertise I would have expected that the stock stuff would have at least been decent. I'll start looking for full conversions. Anyone who has done one on a sierra please let me know your thoughts and opinions on how it went. Luckily it doesn't get dark until 8 or so. I have time before winter but I have to do something.

I don't have any pics of the truck yet. When I do I will provide them. Right now I'm waiting on its completion. Supposed to be tomorrow or Saturday but who knows. I have the leaf springs and airbags in to the rear. I suppose I should say that those things as well as the lift and every other thing I ordered for the truck will be on it hopefully by the weekend. They started a few days ago. List wasn't too long. I tried to find pics on line of someone with a 20" wheel setup lifted more than 2.5 or 3 but had no luck. Most I saw had smaller aftermarket wheels. I figured I'd take a shot with the wheels I liked the best (happened to wind up being GMC wheels). If I don't like the set up I'll start looking for another set. Buying wheels gets expensive so I'm hoping it works on these second set. I really don't want to have 3 sets of wheels.

I have a bds 4" lift and stock wheels. Spoke to bds about wheels several times. Not sure how it applies to the smaller rims but stock 20's work with the 4" kit. Not sure about anything bigger but no issues with mine. If anyone has info to the contrary regarding compatible wheel sizes please share as I was told several times the stock 20's would cause no issues. They even gave me optional tire sizes for the stock rims. I will also second the quality of BDS customer service. They were extremely attentive, responsive, helpful, and patient. Always answered emails in detail and never seemed to rush me off the phone. I have no doubt that regardless of a $3,000 kit or a $300 kit the service would be the same.

Did a test drive and inspection yesterday. The control arms on mine are Steel. Not sure how that plays into all the others but for the record. This denali at least, has steel.

Im going up to the dealer in a few to look for myself since the truck arrived the other day. I will certainly provide whatever info I can get from my specific truck. Maybe at some point we will be able to determine the exact style/options that get which parts. The ppl. at bds were super cool. They were going to let me get one complete kit and then also get the other type of knuckles/arms so that when the truck arrived I'd have the parts I needed either way and I could return the ones I didn't need and not pay any fees or shipping charges. I figure that was more than fair offer. Only thing left to do is decide if I want the truck or not. I'm really soured by the way the incentives and pricing issue is being advertised. Spent 3 days trying to get straight answers and still unable to. Its to the point of principle. The plan is to go see the truck in person today. If they can explain to me all the details of advertised prices, incentives, etc. I'll buy the truck. If I don't get a good feeling from their explanation I'm going to say thank you for your time, and get something else. I don't like being treated like a fool. I especially don't like when someone tries to bait and switch me. If that's what I come away with I'm walking for sure. Either way. I'll check knuckles and arms before I do.