New Guy..

Kon Man · October 17, 2009

Hey All, just returned to the world of GM trucks. After a 3-year stint in an 07 Tundra, I decided to come back to GMC. Not because it was a better truck, cause I couldn't get as good a deal on a crewmax. So this was option 2, but I am pleased so far. I bought a 09 Sierra 1500 CC Z-71 4wd, in the gorgeous Stealth Gray, with the Lintbrush interior option. Gray interior wasn't a viable option with a 2 year old. So far I've de-badged her, done a full clay/polish/wax job and had the windows tinted as dark as I legally could get.

Have a couple questions: 1) Looking into the 3" Rough Country kit w/o the Upper control arms. Anyone that has this lift, please chime in.

2) Is the factory

Kon Man · October 17, 2009

Hey All, just returned to the world of GM trucks. After a 3-year stint in an 07 Tundra, I decided to come back to GMC. Not because it was a better truck, cause I couldn't get as good a deal on a crewmax. So this was option 2, but I am pleased so far. I bought a 09 Sierra 1500 CC Z-71 4wd, in the gorgeous Stealth Gray, with the Lintbrush interior option. Gray interior wasn't a viable option with a 2 year old. So far I've de-badged her, done a full clay/polish/wax job and had the windows tinted as dark as I legally could get.

Have a couple questions: 1) Looking into the 3" Rough Country kit w/o the Upper control arms. Anyone that has this lift, please chime in.

2) Is the factory Trailer Brake Controller a plug and play??

3) I have searched for info on the H11 to H9 bulb uprgrade with no luck. Can someone point me in that direction??

Thanks and this looks like THE GM forum anymore.

txab · October 17, 2009

Welcome

gsp041 · October 17, 2009

Hey All, just returned to the world of GM trucks. After a 3-year stint in an 07 Tundra, I decided to come back to GMC. Not because it was a better truck, cause I couldn't get as good a deal on a crewmax. So this was option 2, but I am pleased so far. I bought a 09 Sierra 1500 CC Z-71 4wd, in the gorgeous Stealth Gray, with the Lintbrush interior option. Gray interior wasn't a viable option with a 2 year old. So far I've de-badged her, done a full clay/polish/wax job and had the windows tinted as dark as I legally could get.

Have a couple questions: 1) Looking into the 3" Rough Country kit w/o the Upper control arms. Anyone that has this lift, please chime in.

2) Is the factory Trailer Brake Controller a plug and play??

Can't help you with lift kit but the TBC is a factory only install. Asked about adding one to my 09 Sierra and was told that it could not be added.

Kon Man · October 17, 2009

Thank you sir. I'm gonna do some looking under the dash.

dlstewart01 · October 17, 2009

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...brake+controler

Stevens03 · October 17, 2009

Welcome to the site!

Irv · October 18, 2009

Welcome to the site

Post up some pics when you get the chance, we love to see pics!

Zembonez · October 18, 2009

Welcome!

pwall · October 18, 2009

Welcome!

music · October 18, 2009

Welcome!

The Tundra 5.7 has a torque/power advantage over the stock 5.3, but the GM 6.0 and 6.2 are similar. For all-around use (daily economy, smooth/quiet operation, power when you need it, etc.), the 5.3 is very hard to beat.

The 5.3 doesn't have the same (stock) "umph" of the Tundra 5.7, but you gained quite a few benefits with GM (IMHO): auto-4wd, locking diff, great ride/handling, quieter power-train, (mucho) better sound system, (way) better tailgate , boxed frame, and much better aftermarket support. Each have their strong points, and I'm not ragging on the Tundra (I like 'em and have considered one myself), but GM and Toyota put their money in different places.

All of that said, I'd be interested to hear your feedback after driving your new truck for a while and how it compares to your previous experience.

music · October 18, 2009

2) Is the factory Trailer Brake Controller a plug and play??

The brake controller isn't exactly "plug and play", but it's close. Here's some instructions with some extra info for a "special bracket" that the guy made for mounting a particular way, but you can ignore that part. Just look at the wiring/fuse install parts.

GMT900 Prodigy Controller Install

chev1guy · October 18, 2009

Welcome

blackout07 · October 18, 2009

Have a couple questions: 1) Looking into the 3" Rough Country kit w/o the Upper control arms. Anyone that has this lift, please chime in.

Thanks and this looks like THE GM forum anymore.

Welcome to the site. I, along with others on this site, have used the RC 3" kit. It's crap... or at least it was. The replacement ball joints that came with the new upper arms were junk and required drilling of the stock spindle. I know you said w/o uca's, but that will cause the factory uca's to sit on the bumpstops, which with severly harshen the ride. I think RC's genious answer to this, is to cut off your factory bumpstops. Short story...don't do it. Search the suspension forum for more.

Kon Man · October 18, 2009

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...brake+controler

That is the info I needed. Thanks for the link.

I know a few guys around town that have the RC kit, and they haven't had any complaints so far, and I have a RC coil kit on my JK wrangler. The springs have sagged more than they should have for the amount of time/mileage that is on it. I won't be considering a "real" lift, I finally made enough room to get the truck in my garage, and have about 4" total clearance above it now, so a 2.5" with the 33" tires will be close. It also makes it too difficult to load the kiddo in the car seat with too much lift. Just not practical for me. Thanks for your opinion BLACKOUT. I will do more research.

QUOTE (Kon Man @ Oct 17 2009, 05:26 PM) 2) Is the factory Trailer Brake Controller a plug and play??

The brake controller isn't exactly "plug and play", but it's close. Here's some instructions with some extra info for a "special bracket" that the guy made for mounting a particular way, but you can ignore that part. Just look at the wiring/fuse install parts.

GMT900 Prodigy Controller Install

I don't need one bad enough to use an aftermarket unit. I have the panel with the ITBC available to me for FREE, and since it is such a clean look, I was going to that if I could have. I have installed many BC's in the past, I did 5 years at a busy accesorry shop in TX, but thanks for the link to the install.

Also MUSIC, I will agree with the stereo being much better in the GM than the Toyota. I do like the A4wd, and the frame does seem to have less tail section bounce. I have had 2 GMT900 work trucks, and I know they are well built and they do ride good, fairly quiet too. But after 3 years in the Toy, the interior and powertrain (4.7L/5-sp auto) are very quiet . I like the seating position in the GM better, and the seats, and I like the tilt better as well. I miss my floor console and the acceleration of the Toy as well. The GMC just doesn't have the get-up from a stop, and I know a tune will fix that. I do LOVE the aftermarket support for the GM trucks though, cheaper and more options. To sum up, I've got 75K behind the wheels of the gmt900 trucks in the last year and a half, and I know the punishment I put them through every day, they remain tight and reliable, so I figured one for personal use would last till the cows come home.

As for pics, I need to empty the memory card on my camera, then I will upload some pics, while it is still clean.

Thanks for the Welcome guys.