Howdy, Folks...

[guitarcoach]

Hello!

 

My first truck was a 1980 Ford F100...got 19 years out of it, but it wasn't much to look at near the end. I replaced that with a 1999 F150XL. Although it was a pretty nice truck, at age 12 it was rusting in all the usual places, needed a ton of brake work, new gas tank, repairs to the frame so the rad wouldn't drop onto the road, repairs to the frame so the box wouldn't fall off, new rad hoses and brake lines, wheel bearings, tie rods, the a/c failed, exhaust was getting iffy...even the windshield had a crack that was starting to spread. Believe it or not, the truck was regularly and religiously serviced. It was time to stop throwing good money after bad.

 

Last week I traded it in on a new 2011 GMC Sierra SLE, regular cab, long box, 5.3 V8, 4x4, Z71, plus a ton of other options. It's onyx black, and pretty sexy. I'll send pics once the add-ons (Rage tonneau, rain visors, bug shield, side steps, mud flaps) are all added on.

 

I'm looking forward to learning more about the world of GMC/Chev trucks, and to contributing what I can to your forums.

 

At the moment I'm browsing around the forums looking for info on dual battery/isolator setups, as I have a long camping trip in 3 weeks, driving all around Maritime Canada. It would be nice to have some extra power to run an inverter, and to also have some piece of mind in Canadian winters. My truck has the trailering package and a second battery tray already installed. I already own a good deep cycle battery. I'm trying to figure out if the wiring harness is already bundled in somewhere, but my dealership doesn't seem to have much experience with dual batts. Even the parts counter scratched their heads, and told me that there is no "kit" to add the auxiliary battery. Hmmm....I'll find a way. I mean, there HAS to be a way to do it, given that GMC installed an empty second battery tray! I just want to make sure I do it right the first time.

 

So far I'm LOVING this new truck!

 

That's it for now...

 

Matthew

[RyanbabZ71]

Welcome!

 

As far as dual batteries check out this thread, it is possible

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...hl=dual+battery

[Black02Silverado]

Welcome to GMT!

[Stevens03]

Congrats and Welcome

[foghorn23]

Sounds like you got many years of good service out of your Fords... hoping you'll be just as happy with the GM. You're definitely in the right place to learn about the trucks. Welcome and congratulations.

[Bravo1]

Guitarcoach, I PM'ed you with the website from GM for the secondary battery,tray assy,harness as well.Do not attempt to install on your own,this harness is a warrenty related issue.Remember any time you splice in to a harness on a new truck you put your warrenty at risk GM makes a secondary battery system for cab-overs and trailer's as well.Have any question please PM. I too am in the process of a secondary battery hook up to the truck as well

[guitarcoach]

Guitarcoach, I PM'ed you with the website from GM for the secondary battery,tray assy,harness as well.Do not attempt to install on your own,this harness is a warrenty related issue.Remember any time you splice in to a harness on a new truck you put your warrenty at risk GM makes a secondary battery system for cab-overs and trailer's as well.Have any question please PM. I too am in the process of a secondary battery hook up to the truck as well

 

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

 

Bravo1, thanks for the info. I tried to find the support battery on the gmpartsdirect.com site, but struck out - I may just not know how to properly navigate the site yet. However, while searching around on the topic of the aux battery dedicated solely to accessories, I found this, which may be what I'm looking for:

 

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssembly.as...hString=battery

 

Well, experts? This looks like all the harness, but I can't tell if this is indeed for a setup where the aux or support battery is "isolated".

 

Thanks in advance. (Maybe this post should be elsewhere on the forum, if so, sorry - I'm new.)

 

Matthew

[guitarcoach]

Well, here she is, for your viewing pleasure....my new baby.

2011 Sierra SLE 1500 Reg Cab Long Box

 

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Onyx Black, Ebony Interior

 

Vortec 5.3L V8 W/VVT

 

6-Speed Automatic Transmission

 

Autotrac Automatic 4WD

 

145 Amp Alternator

 

Oil Life Monitor

 

4 Wheel Antilock Brakes

 

Power Rack and Pinion Steering

 

Stabilitrak Electronic Stability Control System w/ Proactive Roll Avoidance

 

Battery Run Down Protection

 

Preferred Equipment Group 1SB

 

Remote Start, Universal Home Remote, Keyless Entry

 

Cruise Control

 

Electronic Immobilizer

 

Automatic Headlamp Control

 

Air Conditioning

 

Programmable Power Door Locks w/ Lockout Prevention

 

Auto-Dimming Inside Mirror

 

Tilt Steering

 

Driver Information Centre

 

Tire Pressure Monitor

 

Deluxe Roof Console

 

Variable Intermittent Wipers

 

Solar Ray Deep Tinted Rear Glass

 

Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

 

Power Windows, Driver Express Down

 

Sliding Visors w/ Lighted Vanity Mirrors

 

Color Keyed Carpeting w/ Floor Mats

 

40/20/40 Split Bench Front Seat w/ Storage Armrest

 

Lockable Storage Under Center Seat Cushion

 

MP3 Capable CD Player w/ Aux. Jack and 4-Speaker System

 

Bluetooth For Phone and Steering Wheel Audio Controls

 

OnStar Directions & Connections, Auto. Crash Response, Turn-by-Turn Navigation

 

Power Heated Mirrors

 

Body Side Mouldings

 

Chrome Surround Grille

 

Front Fog Lamps

 

Cargo Box Illumination

 

17" Aluminum Wheels

 

P265/70R17 Goodyear Wrangler AT/S On/Off Road, White Outline Letter Tires

 

Spare Tire Lock

 

H.D. Trailering Equipment

 

4" Draw Bar w/ 2" Class 3 Trailer Ball

 

H.D. Cooling Equipment

 

Locking Rear Differential

 

3.42 Rear Axle Ratio

 

Front Recovery Hooks

 

Rear Chrome Bumper w/ Step Pad

 

Line-X Cargo Bed Protection

 

Jason "Rage" Tonneau Cover

 

Vent Visors & Front Bug Deflector

 

Lovin' it!

 

Matthew

[Bravo1]

GuitarCoach,here you go your first lesson step by step, first finger here at ELECTRICAL-then second finger here at-BATTERY,then last finger at SUPPORT. Keep me posted on your lesson on GM parts and service manual's.GMC Sierra 1/2 ton lists there battery as R/H and L/H facing forward sitting in the driver seat.PM again if you get lost on the music sheet.Did parts deptment,run your VIN to see the build sheet? Was this off the lot, or did you order this truck?.If off the lot,then they will have a build sheet some where...

[Mckenzie]

Nice truck! You don't see many new regular cab 4x4's anymore!