Can someone shed some light on what I found on my window sticker?

crushNchowda · December 9, 2013

Sorry man I feel your pain. I was originally in a 3.08 equipped SLT Sierra just like yours and it was an expensive ($5000) mistake for me. I ultimately ended up trading it back to the dealer for a 3.42 equipped All Terrain model after putting 5,200 miles on the 3.08 truck. The 3.08/5.3 combo w/ the 6 speed tranny is just brutal, constantly looking for the right gear partiularly in hilly freeway driving, you need to MASH on the pedal to get some oomph from a dead stop, and I got a "clunky" feeling from the tranny when i would engage the gas pedal from coasting or at low speed, hard to explain but for whatever reason that characteristic is gone w/ the 3.42s

In regards to your other question, I THINK whether you have 18, 20, or 22" wheels the overall height of the wheel/tire combo is pretty damn close between all of them in OEM configuration, so I don't think running 20's is an issue w/ 3.08 gears, in fact I'm pretty sure you can order that combo from GM.

roadblock · December 9, 2013

Roadblock, did you check your glove box for axle code? (some salesmen aren't 'truck guys')

Your sticker could be like Pardo714's (post #11) above.

Yes I did, confirmed 3.08 though

Sorry man I feel your pain. I was originally in a 3.08 equipped SLT Sierra just like yours and it was an expensive ($5000) mistake for me. I ultimately ended up trading it back to the dealer for a 3.42 equipped All Terrain model after putting 5,200 miles on the 3.08 truck. The 3.08/5.3 combo w/ the 6 speed tranny is just brutal, constantly looking for the right gear partiularly in hilly freeway driving, you need to MASH on the pedal to get some oomph from a dead stop, and I got a "clunky" feeling from the tranny when i would engage the gas pedal from coasting or at low speed, hard to explain but for whatever reason that characteristic is gone w/ the 3.42s

In regards to your other question, I THINK whether you have 18, 20, or 22" wheels the overall height of the wheel/tire combo is pretty damn close between all of them in OEM configuration, so I don't think running 20's is an issue w/ 3.08 gears, in fact I'm pretty sure you can order that combo from GM.

Ya I got the idea from your post, could have done the same trade for $5500. Decided I'm just gonna stick with it and put the money towards my new house though. It's really still a quick/powerful vehicle compared to most and by no means are the 3.08s bad. Just kind of wanted everything 100% the way i wanted it, know what i mean?

Maybe down the road I'll get the gears swapped. If I remember correctly crushN, you had a few other issues as well?

redwngr · December 10, 2013

From the ordering guide:

GU4 Rear axle, 3.08 ratio
1 - Standard and only available on (L83) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine. Not available with (RD3) 20" ultra bright machined aluminum wheels or (NZM) 20" chrome aluminum wheels.

Not sure if there re other 20's that it can be ordered with.

crushNchowda · December 10, 2013

Yes I did, confirmed 3.08 though

Ya I got the idea from your post, could have done the same trade for $5500. Decided I'm just gonna stick with it and put the money towards my new house though. It's really still a quick/powerful vehicle compared to most and by no means are the 3.08s bad. Just kind of wanted everything 100% the way i wanted it, know what i mean?

Maybe down the road I'll get the gears swapped. If I remember correctly crushN, you had a few other issues as well?

I'm indecisive as it is. I like the 3.42 truck (particularly in all terrain trim and black on black) better, but I actually miss driving a car and wish I picked up the '13 acura TL SH-AWD w/ manual tranny instead of the truck to begin w/, however after spending the money on the downpayment for the 3.08 truck PLUS the extra $5,000 for the new 3.42 AT I'm going to eat my buyer's remorse and just be happy w/ what I've got!

roadblock · December 10, 2013

Haha, I know what you mean, I kind of miss a car sometimes too. Guess we just gotta chalk it up to 1st world problems hey! On a side not i got a crack in my windshield today, Dammit!

Joe_K · December 10, 2013

In October of 2013, I purchased a 2014 silverado 1500 crew cab. It has the 5.3L motor and the 3.08 final gear (GU4) with the 20" aluminum wheels (RD4). So far I am not very happy with the gearing of this truck, I feel like the trans is constantly searching for the right gear and it gives me a vibration when it jam on it from a dead stop and at 75-80 mph. The vibration reminds me of my old jeep wrangler that i put bigger tires on but never regeared.

Today I was looking at the window sticker and found the following. The window sticker clearly states, "rear axle , 3.08 ratio (requires (l83) 5.3L ecotec3 v8 engine. Not available with (RD2) chrome wheels or (RD4) 20" polished aluminum wheels.). Was this wheel and gear combo mistakingly put on my truck?

I then went to build my exact truck on Chevys website and was unable to do so. When I went to put in the 20" wheel option, it made me choose either the max trailering package OR the high performance suspension, which my truck does have (Z60). I then went to put in the 3.08 gear option and I was unable to do so. Will it not let me add the 3.08 option because of what I found on the window sticker that stated the 3.08 is not available with the 20" wheels.

Anyone else see what I'm talking about? Can someone shed some light on this for me? I attached a photo of my build codes taken from the glove box. I know alot of people are having vibration issues including myself. I wonder if this combo has anything to do with it???

Hey Arnold, I have a CC 4wd LT with the 18" wheels and the 5.3/3.08 combo. It does not feel sluggish or bang the transmission in lower gears, or have any vibrations. I even towed a trailer for the neighbor over the weekend and it performed flawlessly using tow/haul mode. When I was truck shopping, another dealer had a 2014 White Diamond LTZ with 20" wheels and 5.3 3.08's. That truck did feel sluggish and didn't ride quite as nice as mine. Even though the tire diameter is the same on the 18's and 20's I believe there is something to the unsprung weight, as I could tell the difference.

Arnoldthepig · December 10, 2013

I got a call back from GM yesterday. The guy told me that I was not supposed to have a full console with the 20" wheels....after I snapped on the guy and told him that my question was about the 20" wheel and 3.08 gearset combo, he told me he would contact their research department again. My truck doesn't have a full console nor did I even ask about it, but thats another story. Anyway I received another call back advising that the 20" wheel and 3.08 combo is acceptable however I should still take it to the dealer to confirm this. This is a copy of the email response.

"As you have requested this, I have processed the information on your 2014 Chevrolet Silverado using the vehicle identification number (xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) about the inquiry if the 20 inch Aluminum wheels equipped to your vehicle, whether or not this is accepted as an option.

I have consulted our research department with regard to this inquiry and this is the information they have provided me:

We show the 1LT model has the 3.08 option as an available option. The PEB option is also an available option for trim level 1LT and shows it includes Z82-Trailering equipment, G80 locking differential, and RD4-20 inch aluminum wheels which customer has equipped on vehicle.

Again for confirmation and clarification with regard to technical aspect of your inquiry, we strongly suggest consulting your dealership or any GM Dealership since they are our technically trained specialist that would be in the best position to answer this inquiry."

So basically they have no idea if the vehicle that THEY built is properly equipped, therefore I would have to go to my dealer to reaffirm their answer. Whatever I give up, the truck looks great just drives really bad....

Arnoldthepig · December 10, 2013

Just to clarify I found this information on the dealers website where it says view window sticker. It wasn't on my physical window sticker. Sorry for the confusion. Attached is the pic of the information.

roadblock · December 11, 2013

Arnold - Thats why I am confused as well. There are trucks out there with our setup, however it clearly says on a lot of things (like the picture you posted) that 3.08 is not available with 20" wheels.

redwngr · December 12, 2013

Just to clarify I found this information on the dealers website where it says view window sticker. It wasn't on my physical window sticker. Sorry for the confusion. Attached is the pic of the information.

Sure looks like the 'standard equipment' part of a window sticker.

If it has one of the optional rear ends it will show on the 'installed options' section of the sticker.

After GM learns about computers they will be able to make a sticker that only lists the installed equipment.

The glove box decal will have the 'as built' codes for the vehicle.

dagwood2001 · December 12, 2013

Arnold - Thats why I am confused as well. There are trucks out there with our setup, however it clearly says on a lot of things (like the picture you posted) that 3.08 is not available with 20" wheels.

I have posted this at least twice-I have 20" wheels with the 3.08, 5.3L V-8. Unless it's a misprint on my sticker and glove box codes. And before someone asks, no I have not jacked up the truck to mark the tires and measure the ratio. but the tires are def. 20 inch.

mzodarg · December 12, 2013

My truck was initial shipped with 20" wheels and a 3.42 differential. On the sticker it say's 3.08 on the left but under installed options it reads 3.42 differential. RPO codes in glove match also verify 3.42.

Mike

redwngr · December 12, 2013

I have posted this at least twice-I have 20" wheels with the 3.08, 5.3L V-8. Unless it's a misprint on my sticker and glove box codes. And before someone asks, no I have not jacked up the truck to mark the tires and measure the ratio. but the tires are def. 20 inch.

Any chance the dealer changed the wheels?

Do you know the build date? (it's possible gm has changed the availability)

dagwood2001 · December 12, 2013

Any chance the dealer changed the wheels?

Do you know the build date? (it's possible gm has changed the availability)

5/13, I assume one of the first runs built? I have had zero.zero problems with this truck, except for some subpar gas mileage so far-ironic.....I am going to run my VIN and see what comes up.

dagwood2001 · December 15, 2013

Any chance the dealer changed the wheels?

Do you know the build date? (it's possible gm has changed the availability)

OK-got the build sheet from the dealer. My truck was built on 6/20/13 in Silao, Mexico. It was built with the 20" Polished Aluminum Wheels, and has the 3.08 rear axel ratio. So it does appear GM has indeed changed the availability of this combo at some point since June 20th.