G80 locking differential

[Dnt]

Anyone that really uses their truck needs to understand the working mechanism in order to make it work under certain conditions. Plus that will keep them from getting SKEERED when it makes funny noises and jumps and jerks. It is a mechanical system and works great for its intended purpose but it is not silent and is not smooth like a lot of people expect.from a modern super expensive vehicle.

[Bikemobile]

Anyone that really uses their truck needs to understand the working mechanism in order to make it work under certain conditions. Plus that will keep them from getting SKEERED when it makes funny noises and jumps and jerks. It is a mechanical system and works great for its intended purpose but it is not silent and is not smooth like a lot of people expect.from a modern super expensive vehicle.

Good Point. It is also important to know what will break your G80.

 

 

[dasimmon]

If you have the built in brake control is that the better tow package or standard?

if u have trailer brakes u have max tow.. i think?

[Bikemobile]

if u have trailer brakes u have max tow

I dont think so. I have trailer brakes on an SLT. No max tow. 3:42 and standard mirrors. It seems like tow mirrors would be the clue for max tow?

[dasimmon]

I dont think so. I have trailer brakes on an SLT. No max tow. 3:42 and standard mirrors. It seems like tow mirrors would be the clue for max tow?

i thought i had seen max tow w/o tow mirrors...but i could be wrong. now im confused

[jono20]

I dont think so. I have trailer brakes on an SLT. No max tow. 3:42 and standard mirrors. It seems like tow mirrors would be the clue for max tow?

 

Same with mine. I have the brake controller and locking diff but with a 3.42 rear end and normal mirrors.

[SirenRed16]

if u have trailer brakes u have max tow.. i think?

I have a trailer brake, locking diff and 3.42 on a 2016 Silverado regular cab. Definitely no max tow here.

 

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[Sierra706]

Trailer brake is a separate option

 

 

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[amxguy1970]

IMO, Better off to get the truck without the G80 and install a TrueTrac. G80's work ok sometimes, but they can leave ya hanging. They also can explode, which ends your day instantly. It's a neat design on paper, but horrible for real life in varied conditions.

 

Yeah that just isn't true. Some early examples were weaker and had some known failures but like anything if abused (regular full throttle trips over terrain that is constantly lifting a wheel) they will fail it is just physics. But they work as advertised, have a low failure rate and certainly won't leave you hanging like an open diff will. We have had many trucks with them over the past 20+ years without a single failure. I can't even remember the last time I have seen a failure on this site or the colorado forums. The true trac is no doubt better in many instances and most likely stronger but for 99% of the population that have this truck a G80 will be useful and trouble free. For the other 1% once/if it fails then upgrade, pretty simple...

 

Tyler

[Nanotech Environmental]

 

Yeah that just isn't true. Some early examples were weaker and had some known failures but like anything if abused (regular full throttle trips over terrain that is constantly lifting a wheel) they will fail it is just physics. But they work as advertised, have a low failure rate and certainly won't leave you hanging like an open diff will. We have had many trucks with them over the past 20+ years without a single failure. I can't even remember the last time I have seen a failure on this site or the colorado forums. The true trac is no doubt better in many instances and most likely stronger but for 99% of the population that have this truck a G80 will be useful and trouble free. For the other 1% once/if it fails then upgrade, pretty simple...

 

Tyler

Except that it is true & if you do a search on here, you will find a number of threads just in the last few years about problems with the G80. Same with any of the other forums as well as YT. I'm also speaking from personal experience. Mine didn't grenade. It just stopped working properly and the dealer couldn't fix it. It eventually started locking up on its own, no matter the conditions. I removed it 80,000 km ago, put in a Truetrac and haven't looked back. Oh and BTW, I don't abuse or misuse my truck.

The G80's aren't foolproof and the inherent design is quite flawed. Any design that requires small parts to crash together at high speeds, under shock loads & is put in consumers hands is bound to cause problems. It's kind of a cool design on paper, but that's where it should have stayed.

The Truetrac has none of these issues, is incredibly simple, reliable and clever, and is also quite affordable to buy in comparison to this and the other choices out there.

 

[Mark Diedrich]

i thought i had seen max tow w/o tow mirrors...but i could be wrong. now im confused

[Mark Diedrich]

You may have seen a max tow with out the tow mirrors, I've seen several.... My brother owns a 14' max tow w/ standard mirrors

[tnchevy]

My company trucks have had G80 rear diffs for as long as I have been working for them and we abuse our trucks and take them places most wouldn't dare for fear of scratching or denting something and have never had a G80 rear go bad. Those who have were doing some really bad things to their truck for them to "explode".

[redwngr]

Trailer brake is a separate option

 

 

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This is correct,

JL1 trailer brake control is a separate option, but it is included with several packages.

 

 

Below is for 1500 sierra, but silvy is similar: (and it's different for 2500/3500's)

 

JL1 Trailer brake controller, integrated

base truck - Requires (Z82) Trailering equipment. Available as a free flow option on Regular Cab when (ZW9) pickup box delete is ordered.

On SLE - Requires (Z82) Trailering equipment. Included with (NHT) Max Trailering Package. Available as a free flow option on Regular Cab when (ZW9) pickup box delete is ordered.

On SLT - Included with (NHT) Max Trailering Package and (PDT) SLT Crew Cab Premium Plus Package.

So, if you want the JL1 you must also get one of the trailering packages, but you can get some trailering packages without it.

Z82 Trailering equipment, includes trailer hitch, 7-pin and 4-pin connectors

Base truck - Includes (G80) locking rear differential.

SLE - Includes (G80) locking rear differential on 2WD models. Included with (NHT) Max Trailering Package, (PDA) Texas SLE Value Package or (PDU) SLE Value Package.

Std on SLT

NHT, Max trailering, includes tow mirrors (max tow not available on base level, and for base level mirrors can be ordered separately). There are also accessory kits available to add the tow mirrors by dealer.

NHT Max Trailering Package, includes 9.76" rear axle, 8-speed transmission with 3.42 or 6-speed transmission with 3.73, (JL1) trailer brake controller, enhanced cooling radiator, revised shock tuning for increased control, heavier duty rear springs and increased RGAWR

Not available on base truck

On SLE - Requires a Crew Cab or Double Cab model. Includes (G80) heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential on 2WD models (already standard on 4WD models) and Z82 Trailering Package. Requires (L83) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine and (DPN) power camper mirrors. Not available with (Z71) Off-Road Suspension Package. Includes (UHN) 18" X 8.5" bright-machined aluminum wheels. Requires (RKX) 18" tires or may upgrade to (RD3) 20" bright machined aluminum wheels with either (RC7) or (QSS) 20" tires.

On SLT - Requires (RKX) 18" tires or may upgrade to (RD5) 20" chrome wheels with either (RC7) or (QSS) 20" tires. With (L86) 6.2L engine, requires (RD5) 20" wheels with (QSS) 20" tires. Requires (DQS) power adjustable, power folding camper mirrors. Not available with (GAT) All Terrain Package and (Z71) Off-Road Suspension Package.

 

 

These are the all black tow mirrors:

 

DPN Mirrors, outside heated power-adjustable vertical trailering, upper glass, manual-folding and extending, Black; includes integrated turn signal indicators consisting of 51 square inch flat mirror surface positioned over a 24.5 square inch convex mirror surface with a common head and lower convex spotter glass (convex glass is not heated and not power adjustable) and addition of auxiliary cargo lamp for backing up (helps to see trailer when backing up with a trailer) and amber auxiliary clearance lamp

base truck - Requires (PDD) Sierra Convenience Package, Regular Cab model and (Z82) Trailering Package or (ZW9) pickup box delete. Includes (DD8) auto-dimming inside rearview mirror.

SLE - For Crew Cab and Double Cab models required and only available with (NHT) Max Trailering Package. For Regular Cab model requires (Z82) Trailering Package or (ZW9) pickup box delete. Includes (DD8) auto-dimming inside rearview mirror on all models.

The chrome top mirrors are DQS (only available on SLT)

DQS Mirrors, outside heated power-adjustable vertical trailering, memory-equipped, upper glass, power-folding and manual extending, chrome; includes integrated turn signal indicators, consisting of 51 square inch flat mirror surface positioned over a 24.5 square inch convex mirror surface with a common head and lower convex spotter glass (convex glass is not heated and not power adjustable) and addition of auxiliary cargo lamp for backing up (helps to see trailer when backing up with a trailer) and amber auxiliary clearance lamp

On SLT - Required and only available with (NHT) Max Trailering Package.