Leap of faith, guys...

[Boardmember]

I'm a long time Toyota driver, currently with three 4Runners in my family fleet ('09' '12 & '15). With 148k miles (tho no issues) I traded my '11 Tundra for a '16 Sierra SLT 5.3 8sp Z71. Beautiful truck. At 500 miles I've learned to feather the throttle to avoid the hard downshifts (seems 3 to 1). Please tell me I'll be able to reliably drive this rig for 5 generally trouble-free years. Another initial note, the bed is mounted unevenly. It sticks out about .75" on the drivers side. And yes, I can see it in the rear view. It can easily be fixed I understand. How'd that pass QC?

[barry G]

check angle of rubbers at the cab.

 

the bed is hard mounted, usually right on the money.

 

longest running misalignment I know of...the rubber materials.

my 96 may be the last years of different panels on the bed, really silly. Down low.. right side is tucked, driver side is different, near gas tank.

a company called energy suspension finally fixed the cab mounts.. the very rear ones were taller than the rest.

my truck was built all equal by factory. Pinstripes were off by almost an inch to the bed...

20 years later I finally tackled it.

 

I also found washers, driver side..front cab mount. Not sure why factory did that. someone told me the weight of the steering column squashes that mount more, and that is there cheap way of making up for it.

 

they do not change as much as most might think..

I'd be all over it, looking for little things.

 

in extremes, no answer.. check ubolts, rear springs. that does amazing things.

Also right side rocker will reveal a move if there is a side movement. Driver side stays tougher...

 

others have good tips, I hope they chime in.

 

..and nice truck.

[waumo1]

OP - Just wondering what made you switch brands after such exceptional experience with Toyota?

 

Normally if I have great success with a particular product I stick with it unless I have some overriding reason to switch.

[Boardmember]

Waumo1 - it was time for a new truck. About the only thing Toyota offered was generally proven reliability. The 2016 was - with the exception of some shallow cosmetic updates - exactly what I had in my 2011. Factor in the GMC looks and reported MPG increases, there was the decision.

 

Now, in full disclosure, i traded my '08 4R in 2010 for a nice F150. My FIRST IN MANY YEARS foray back to a domestic manufacturer. Liked it. For 11 months. Then they had to pull the engine for a "cam phaser" failure. After repair, the service ticket noted that the sound "could no longer be heard from inside the cabin." Really? Immediately, I purchased the 2011 Tundra (my third).