First 2011 On Our Lot

[newdude]

We just got our first 2011 in yesterday, and was up on the lift today. Its an LT 2500hd crew cab, Z71 (9500lbs GVWR). Sticker was 43k, no plow prep, but had the trailering packages.

 

 

Wow, there is quite a difference compared to the 2010's.

 

-Larger hubs. Truck has LT245/75/17 Firestone Transforce HT's with aluminum wheels.

 

-Leaf springs are much wider, and were 4+1. Shackles are much larger as well.

 

-36 gal tank regardless of the cab config.

 

-The boxed frame is impressive. In some press shots, it looks shorter, but is is close to the same height of the old frame. The curve in the frame where the back upper ctrl arm mount has been smoothed way out, and if I remember, there was some re-enforcement behind it as well.

 

-The front differential is redesigned. The case is no longer a split design. It has a cover on the front of it, with a fill hole (didnt look to see a drain plug). Rear diff remains the same.

 

-Lower control arms are much larger, have 2 jounce bumpers. The torsion keys were much larger as well.

 

-Steering gear box is much larger.

 

-All zerks remained, except the ones on the outer end of the centerlink. The upper ball joints zerk is easier to access from the wheel well.

 

-Lower cooler inlet is much larger.

 

-Rotors are bigger. The rear end impressed me. Everything as far as we could see is aluminum (calipers, bracketry, backing plates).

 

-As far as maintinance (oil changes, diff, t-case, shocks, etc), these look easier to service than the current gmt-900's.

 

Driving impressions: The truck had the 6.0 in it. I would say that it works fine, even with the weight gain of the truck. Plenty of power, and it feels a little different with the tweaking they did to it. The truck rides...smoother than the one leaving, but stiffer at the same time. Road bumps are there, but felt less in some instances. Manuvering is very precise for such a large truck, with no slop pretty much anywhere in any direction the wheel moves in.

[Stevens03]

Sounds very impressive.

[Matthias]

wow...thank you for your first impressions....

 

damn...don´t know why but I love the white on trucks...looks so good

[Black02Silverado]

Why doesn't GM go with a larger tire? Just seems to small for the size of the truck.

[hockeypro1411]

Why doesn't GM go with a larger tire? Just seems to small for the size of the truck.

 

Fuel economy?

[Daryl LBZ]

Mmmmm White...

[88K5]

wheels gotta go

[cdn111]

the dealer just ordered those small tires. Most have 265/70r17, 265/70r18 or 265/60r20

[newdude]

Why doesn't GM go with a larger tire? Just seems to small for the size of the truck.

 

 

Really, as much as it is a smaller tire, with all of the new stuff on this truck, and the 17's, I personally would have to say that it has the appearance of the older trucks with 285's on them.

[cdn111]

how about a pic of that front diff

[cdn111]

how about a pic of that front diff

[wurgs]

Thatr sounds awesome! I'm in line to get a new one at work next march and from the sound of it I can't wait.

[newdude]

how about a pic of that front diff

 

 

Sorry, didn't get any pics while it was up on the lift. I will try to get some though.

[2016 Sierra Owner]

Dang those wheels are BUTT ugly!! However I saw a set of aluminums on an 11 GMC HD that were ugly as well.

[JRLZ71]

I thought they put smaller tires on so the truck could pull heavier loads. IDK