2015 Sierra Denali Questions

[theriddler07sms]

I've been looking at buying a new pickup for awhile now. It has always been between Ford and GM. After looking and driving both I realized that the GMC Sierra is more of what I am looking for.

 

I do have a couple questions. I will be towing a shorter 19' camper and a 21' wake boat. I've been hearing that you cannot get the 6.2 8sp with max tow package. Is this still the truth even if truck is ordered? **(Has been answered. No Max tow available in Denali)**

 

next question, in my current vehicle I swapped out my whole headlight housing from halogen projectors to HID projectors and noticed a huge difference. Does the Denali come with HID headlights or just Halogen? I already know that you cannot put HID bulbs in a projector housing. **(Answered, Comes with Halogen bulbs and is a forum in the Troubleshooting that details difference in plug and play, retrofit, and stock)**

 

Last question, If you install a lift kit, does it void the warranty?

Im sure I will have more questions as time goes on. **(Answered, will void warranty and should not lift due to Magnetic Suspension on the Denali)

 

- A New question that came up is about the blue color. Stone Blue Metallic I think. Ive only seen one Denali on this forum that is that color. Is it still available? How come more people do not have this color?

[CounterMeasure]

I can cover your headlight question, which the headlights are Halogen Projectors. If you look in the troubleshooting subforum, many find the headlights inadequate, including GM. A HID install is possible with the stock projectors as there are "plug and play" kits. Most people swap the projectors by disassembling the housings to upgrade the stock projector.

[theriddler07sms]

I can cover your headlight question, which the headlights are Halogen Projectors. If you look in the troubleshooting subforum, many find the headlights inadequate, including GM. A HID install is possible with the stock projectors as there are "plug and play" kits. Most people swap the projectors by disassembling the housings to upgrade the stock projector.

 

Knowing that, I would swap out the whole projector. I know people who put HID bulbs in Halogen housings. Even though they are still projectors they do not work as well as HID projectors, as there is still extra light reflecting where it shoudnt.

 

I did my own in my WRX. I bought STI headlights and installed the whole headlights than began to retrofit my WRX ones. I would probably leave it to a professional next time as my skills are still very limited in modifying stock housings.

 

Thank you for that information.

[MNDaveC]

I tow a 21' Hurricane boat with my 5.3 CC... Hardly know its back there. The only time it could use a slight bit more oomph is tight merges at freeway on-ramps where there is also a grade to contend with... but hardly an issue... And the transmission temp barely budges more than 7-10 degrees.

[theriddler07sms]

I tow a 21' Hurricane boat with my 5.3 CC... Hardly know its back there. The only time it could use a slight bit more oomph is tight merges at freeway on-ramps where there is also a grade to contend with... but hardly an issue... And the transmission temp barely budges more than 7-10 degrees.

 

you dont have the tow package? If not, the 6.2 8sp would be just fine with what I would need to tow. I live in North Dakota so there are very few large hills to climb. Would like to take my camper to montana someday.

[Isriam]

i dont think you'd need max tow. also, you dont need a projector swap, the stock ones work well enough unless you are looking to spend hundreds. there is a mod forum post of comparison between fxr retrofit and stock projectors.

[theriddler07sms]

i dont think you'd need max tow. also, you dont need a projector swap, the stock ones work well enough unless you are looking to spend hundreds. there is a mod forum post of comparison between fxr retrofit and stock projectors.

 

Do you have a link to that post? I cant seem to find it. I will probably have mine modded anyway. After my own experience with Halogen vs real HID I would go with HID anyday over my Halogens. You do pay more, probably $1,000+ but with all the night driving I do and the amount of deer in the ditches its almost needed.

[newdude]

Not sure how easy it is or if it is possible to lift a 2015 Denali because it is a Magnetic Ride Control equipped truck. Max tow would put you in an SLT not a Denali as well.

[theriddler07sms]

Not sure how easy it is or if it is possible to lift a 2015 Denali because it is a Magnetic Ride Control equipped truck. Max tow would put you in an SLT not a Denali as well.

 

I forgot all about the Magnetic Ride Control. I would rather have it ride like a caddy than lift it and mess with the magnetic ride.

[Isriam]

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/169512-hid-headlight-shootout-all-three-options-tested/

[theriddler07sms]

Thank you for the link. The retrofitted just confirms my thoughts. Very bright compared to the stock ones.

 

That cutoff line is amazing, the hid kit wasn't too bad either but the light was still scattered.

 

They are right about them not being able to be re-leveled though. Whoever did the retrofit messed it up. They need to be higher and more on level.

 

Thanks again

[nards444]

dont need max tow for things like that, unless they are for some reason way heavier than most things in those lengths.

[hurricanoday]

Skipped most of the responses, but I'm pretty sure you can add hid even with the projectors? I have a 04 SD (different I know) but has projectors and ebay HID kit works great. I plan on finding a kit on ebay when my 15 comes in

[SMiller]

No max tow option on Danali, magnetic ride control means you don't touch or alter it! You can install different/larger bulbs in the stock housings and it will completely fix the crappy lights, cheap easy mod.

[theriddler07sms]

My questions were answered for the most part. I will not lift it because of the magnetic suspension, I will send in my headlights to a pro retrofitter and get a good set of bi-xenon installed.

 

I was on ebay looking for headlight housings I could send in and they advertise 2015 sierra denali HID headlight assemblies. Are these legit hid projectors or hid bulbs placed in halogen housing?