ArrowsmithPML

I made a lot of progress today but right now the truck cab is a disaster. I have placed the 2 switches where the up fitter stuff would go and I am placing the other 6 on the trim under the centre console.

Ok so this is greatly appreciated. On my 21 3500, the knee panel doesn't come out that easy at all. I have a bank of 8 Cole Hearse type switches to install and I need some room. I spent 2 hours trying to get things apart enough and I then abandoned the idea (for now) and I am wondering what is behind this flat surface on the centre console? This would work ok for me so I'm just wondering if anyone has actually pulled that?

Ok, so finally took ownership of the 3500 AT4 DMAX on Thursday and boy is this an awesome truck! First box shorter than 8ft in 22 years so that's a bit strange but I will sort it out. What gets me is how heavy the truck is. Anyone else in British Columbia have issues with them being so heavy amd now having to get a NSC # because of it? This is a pain in a rear end.

Funny how those very detailed instructions say nothing of the sort. Maybe I'm wrong but it doesn't look all that difficult - time consuming yet but not something that would need programming from the factory. Seems like I was supplied an excuse.

Redwngr, I bought a new 3500 AT4 - pick it up Friday. No switches. What I found is somewhat disturbing and I thought I would ask you if you knew why - the switches can be ordered but apparently they can't installed as there is a BCM that must be set a certain way at the factory for these to work as intended. That to me seems very odd as to why they are even connected to the computer at all but I don't know enough about it. Short story is that it looks like if I try it without this BCM flashed a particular way, the warranty goes out the window. What I said to the parts manager was that due to my going back to work we would work on this later and he suggested that the knee bolster, the switches / bezel and the wiring harness could be ordered (but not returnable) and I would then be able to wire the end of the harness to power the simple 12V items I want. Seems very logical. Thoughts?

That isn't something I want to hear.

Exactly, anything below -30 and all sorts of weird stuff can and will happen. Take for example by simple circuit overhead beacon on the existing truck; in -45 it wasn't working, now in -15 it is working as normal. Goodness knows if you add a computer to the mix what would happen.

No kidding. You've got bad injectors or a buggered computer that is doing something horrible for consumption.

I laugh about warming up in -50C. My truck took 45 minutes and 50km of driving and it barely hit 95 (middle of the gauge).

Wow! Idling my '12 Cummins RAM all day and I was only showing 31L/100km but that was just the display not the actual burn of fuel as that barely moved. So, if you are saying it was warm and got that actually driving, that's pathetic. I can see why you would be complaining. Perhaps there is something wrong with it? have you had it scanned?

You have a tier 4 diesel that sees less than 13L/100km and you are concerned? What is the new one getting? It won't get anywhere close to that on the computer in -30 or lower so I guess, please clarify. Cheers,

that is a sharp looking bumper

I'm thinking the same way. Although a tad pricy I think I'm going for a BDS because of the warranty it offers. I'm not interested in blocks, pucks or other light duty junk. Thinking the BDS 3" or 5" to run a decent 35" tread offroad with no rubbing...

Hard to say but the upfitter switch option in the knee bolster is very valid.

That is a spectacular write-up. Greatly appreciated. Honestly, I would have thought that this would have been plug and play but as it isn't I will review once it is time. My switches will power a forward light bar, a head ache rack mounted rotating beacon, a reversing squawk box which will be engaged from the reversing trigger, but switched here so it isn't on all the time, large backup / aux lamps and lastly either some sideways facing aux lamps or i will just run the wire through the dash and terminate it so that I won't need to mess with all the dash again. Again, excellent write-up. Cheers,

Fair enough. Funny thing is that they aren't ordered at all down south but are on every truck up north. It doesn't matter really as I need them there so I need to get that done either by them or myself (assuming it is plug and play). By chance do you have any other recommended GMC add-ons that one should consider? Cheers,

I've seen the factory ordered switches on trucks without any dealer input a whopping $175 option. However, in this case, I will be buying all the GM parts from GM and following said directions as it doesn't look all that difficult. Regardless of who is correct, the point is I need them in there to make the truck work for what I need it to be. Anyway, my old truck is falling apart and isn't worth trading in so I likely just use it as a farm truck or something (not sure). I will have to do something soon though. Thanks for everyone's assistance here though. It has been greatly appreciated.

I figured as much so the question is would I be able to get them to do that prior to delivery / ownership? Around these parts stock is very limited and there are no deals to be had due to said shortage. As well has anyone bought the parts from GM Upfitter to do the optional aux switches? None of the dealers around here seem to order as such but these are extremely useful for work trucks.

Thanks. I've got a Cummins RAM and it has proven to less than reliable as of late and it is time for a new truck. So, the 3500 GMC DMAX is the truck. I just wanted to make sure that it would "work" in the bitter cold that we have recently experienced. Yes, that isn't too often and is likely over for the year but... Does the new off the lot truck require a switch to full synthetic 5W40? Thanks,

So anyone with a 2020 or 2021 dmax that has had any issues with bitter cold winter starts? Meaning, today it was -50C and trucks would obviously be plugged in. But does a GMC get the DEF tank frozen? What about high idles and running / idling for long periods. Any issues?

So anyone with a 2020 or 2021 dmax that has had any issues with bitter cold winter starts? Meaning, today it was -50C and trucks would obviously be plugged in. But does a GMC get the DEF tank frozen? What about high idles and running / idling for long periods. Any issues?

Yes. Summer #2 is good to -7C where it starts to cloud. Winter is a mix of #1 and #2 or start up #1 depending on where you are (how cold and how north) and it clouds at around -40C. The mileage varies about 5 to 20% and is also impacted by running heavier weighted oils (15W/30 vs 5W/40) for example. Cheers,

So last thing, I promise... Does someone who doesn't really need another big truck look at a 1500 - either the 6.2L or the baby DMAX? My concern there is that the truck may not see 400,000 km before a significant maintenance bill. I don't know - I haven't owned a half ton for year almost 30 years now. A fully loaded 1500 AT4 sits in at around $80K MSRP so I might be able to get 10% less. Less money to level or lift and in some cases, more parts would be considered throw away instead of maintain. Any opinions here? Cheers,

Agreed. There is a lot of numbers that with legalities of towing and such you need to be careful.

I think the GM is the heaviest of the lot. My '12 RAM has a GVWR of 10,100 pounds and a GCWR of 21,000. Payload is only 2860 pounds. So in general terms I always say I'm 7800 pounds unloaded but that isn't scientific at all.