New Guy with a Few Questions

TXGREEK · January 4, 2019

the transmissions in these trucks are nothing short of garbage. The tuning, the torque converter its all crap. Dealer will tell you it is "learning" your driving style. goodluck haha I don't think you are going to like this truck after owning a Toyota.

You say it shifts crappy and rides crappy, did you test drive it before buying?

I did a 2" body lift, the norcal fender mod, and a ebay block front and rear to fit my 35x12.5" tires

Now a days, Every manufacturer has either motor or transmission issues. Ive got an 18 6.2 with an 8speed, drives excellent, no issues and the 5.3 6 speed has had great success as well. Some good and some not so good. I’ve had a few Fords that were junk and recently, my sister-in-law just finished her second separate buy backs on two new $100K Lincoln Navigators. Every manufacturer has something.

Sent from above

damnthetorpedoes · January 4, 2019

On 1/2/2019 at 1:46 PM, Cupton said:

Just to touch on this, there's a thread out there on completely removing or modifying the front air dam by trimming. Is this the piece you are referring to? I didnt want to remove mine so I went ahead and trimmed it. I love the way it came out! There's some info and pic's in the thread showing both options. If this helps you at all.

The Chevy's have a two piece air dam. You can remove just the lower part, which gives you about an inch in the center and 2" in front of the wheels - making it flat across the front. It looks better that way to me.

crepitus · January 4, 2019

I came from a 08 Sierra and I would h ave to say the ride was much better in that truck. I have had my 18 about 6 months now and nave gotten use to the stiffer suspension. I am thinking the tires might have a big role in the ride. My last truck have 20" Michelin's and was so smooth. I put 18" winter tires on it about a month ago and it have noticed a bit of a better ride.

jp54 · January 5, 2019

14 hours ago, njk4o5 said:

the transmissions in these trucks are nothing short of garbage. The tuning, the torque converter its all crap. Dealer will tell you it is "learning" your driving style. goodluck haha I don't think you are going to like this truck after owning a Toyota.

You say it shifts crappy and rides crappy, did you test drive it before buying?

I did a 2" body lift, the norcal fender mod, and a ebay block front and rear to fit my 35x12.5" tires

That's reassuring. During the test drive I did not notice anything with the ride quality or shifting. That was a test drive on a fairly wide open 4 lane highway that the dealer was located on. I notice the hesitance in the transmission shifting up and down mostly from maybe 25 to 45 mph. Sometimes it's seamless from gear to gear, sometimes it's revving up instead of changing gears. I am beginning to wonder if it's something to do with the v4/v8 mode. What I am noticing now, in that bracketed mph range is in town, so in 25 - 45 mph zones, cruising through town, stop and go between redlights/stop signs. It seems to have a hard time deciding what gear to use under those circumstances. As stated on the test drive it was mainly a wide open four lane with a few redlights, so this didn't really present itself. What's crazy is if I really get down on it/accelerate hard from a stop (stay in v8), I do not really see the issues. That's why I'm getting suspicious of the whole v4/v8/v4 mode when you're in slow, stop and go traffic. It's not such a hard shift that you hear metal on metal clunk, grinding, or jolting the whole truck, but enough that the rpms get up for a few seconds, then it finally catches and lunges a little. Again, the ride quality isn't beating me up, it just doesn't scream "now that's how a $50,000 sticker price truck rides." Also I was test driving on a freshly paved highway with few imperfections. My daily drive around town, the roads are not as well maintained.

On top of that I was obviously probably a little overwhelmed and excited in the test drive. Being that it's my first new vehicle ever, coming out of an '06 Tacoma, this thing is like a spaceship with all the new technology. So I am sure I was a little awe struck and not catching every little thing.

10 hours ago, TXGREEK said:

Now a days, Every manufacturer has either motor or transmission issues. Ive got an 18 6.2 with an 8speed, drives excellent, no issues and the 5.3 6 speed has had great success as well. Some good and some not so good. I’ve had a few Fords that were junk and recently, my sister-in-law just finished her second separate buy backs on two new $100K Lincoln Navigators. Every manufacturer has something.

Sent from above

I get that, there's something with all of them. It's common, but shouldn't be considered normal.

9 hours ago, crepitus said:

I came from a 08 Sierra and I would h ave to say the ride was much better in that truck. I have had my 18 about 6 months now and nave gotten use to the stiffer suspension. I am thinking the tires might have a big role in the ride. My last truck have 20" Michelin's and was so smooth. I put 18" winter tires on it about a month ago and it have noticed a bit of a better ride.

Yeah I mean it's not killing me or beating my teeth out. I just kind of thought a $50k sticker price truck would be a little softer ride. Nothing I can't fix with better suspension parts, or just get used to, but you'd expect more for the price.

Overall, I think I will drive it a week more to see if anything improves. There's claims that the transmission has a break in "learning" period. I don't know if I buy that or if it's a bogus dealer excuse to get you out of there. But if things persist then I will see about setting up a service check at the dealer. I'm just not looking forward to the run around by the service guys. They always want to claim they find no issue, couldn't replicate what you're describing, etc. I guess I've got 60k miles for it to improve, them to fix it, or me to trash this tranny and they have to fix it.

njk4o5 · January 5, 2019

3 minutes ago, jp54 said:

That's reassuring. During the test drive I did not notice anything with the ride quality or shifting. That was a test drive on a fairly wide open 4 lane highway that the dealer was located on. I notice the hesitance in the transmission shifting up and down mostly from maybe 25 to 45 mph. Sometimes it's seamless from gear to gear, sometimes it's revving up instead of changing gears. I am beginning to wonder if it's something to do with the v4/v8 mode. What I am noticing now, in that bracketed mph range is in town, so in 25 - 45 mph zones, cruising through town, stop and go between redlights/stop signs. It seems to have a hard time deciding what gear to use under those circumstances. As stated on the test drive it was mainly a wide open four lane with a few redlights, so this didn't really present itself. What's crazy is if I really get down on it/accelerate hard from a stop, I do not really see the issues. That's why I'm getting suspicious of the whole v4/v8/v4 mode when you're in slow, stop and go traffic. It's not such a hard shift that you hear metal on metal clunk, grinding, or jolting the whole truck, but enough that the rpms get up for a few seconds, then it finally catches and lunges a little. Again, the ride quality isn't beating me up, it just doesn't scream "now that's how a $50,000 sticker price truck rides." Also I was test driving on a freshly paved highway with few imperfections. My daily drive around town, the roads are not as well maintained.

On top of that I was obviously probably a little overwhelmed and excited in the test drive. Being that it's my first new vehicle ever, coming out of an '06 Tacoma, this thing is like a spaceship with all the new technology. So I am sure I was a little awe struck and not catching every little thing.

I get that, there's something with all of them. It's common, but shouldn't be considered normal.

Yeah I mean it's not killing me or beating my teeth out. I just kind of thought a $50k sticker price truck would be a little softer ride. Nothing I can't fix with better suspension parts, or just get used to, but you'd expect more for the price.

No doubt its hard to notice the terrible trans tuning in one single test ride - thats how chevy makes their money along with the great looks of these trucks.

i alao came from an older tacoma; a 2002 4 cyl. I truthfully wish i just put an apple carplay stereo in it & leather seats lol it would be better than my ‘14 high country anyday

jp54 · January 5, 2019

3 minutes ago, njk4o5 said:

No doubt its hard to notice the terrible trans tuning in one single test ride - thats how chevy makes their money along with the great looks of these trucks.

i alao came from an older tacoma; a 2002 4 cyl. I truthfully wish i just put an apple carplay stereo in it & leather seats lol it would be better than my ‘14 high country anyday

Yeah those Toyotas are very cut and dry, no fancy bells and whistles, but easy to work on. I'm sure the new ones are more prone to these kinds of issues with all the technology. Loved that truck but more and more expensive parts were going out, and more often. Figured it was a good time to get out from under it while it still had some value. Then jump into this situation immediately lol. I hate it because other than the transmission stuff kind of scaring me, the truck is great. Awesome looking truck, good gas mileage, more buttons and technology than I have been able to figure out in the past week, you name it. But I definitely want to figure out this transmission well before I even think any more about lift, tires, gears, etc. Because I know if I do pull in to the dealer with a blown tranny with a lift, bigger tires, regeared, etc. They're going to say I've voided the warranty and what I've done to the truck caused it. It seems like tuners might can help me with the shifting if I get the run around from chevy. I really like the truck but man this is unacceptable. Shouldn't have to spend hundreds on a tuner because the dealer won't make things right. I think I'm going to bring it in to the dealer first of next week to give them a chance, but continue to do tuner research because I don't expect much help from chevy.

jenningsbt · January 28, 2019

On 1/1/2019 at 11:21 PM, jp54 said:

This past Friday I picked up a new 2018 Silverado 1500 5.3 6spd Z71 4x4 Crew Cab Short Bed on a good year end deal. I previously had a 2006 Toyota Tacoma for almost 10 years. I am familiar with aftermarket modifications, as I had moderately modified the Tacoma. However, these are totally different trucks and I am totally clueless after knowing the Tacoma inside and out. I've lurked pretty heavily on this site over the past few days since I got the truck and have a few questions/concerns.

The truck seems to do a hard shift between first and second gear; both upon acceleration from first to second and braking from second to first. Is this common or normal? Is it that the transmission needs a "learning" period to figure out my driving style?

On a similar note, the ride is not as smooth as I expected from a new unmodified truck. It's not awful. But you can definitely feel minor potholes, imperfections, and repair strips in the road. I just got out of a very light Tacoma with a 3.5" lift on 295/75/16 10 ply load range E tires for reference. This doesn't feel a whole lot smoother of a ride. I know, I know, I know, "it's a truck, it's supposed to ride like that; if you wanted a plush ride you should have got a car," etc. I don't expect it to ride like a cloud but I just expected a little more. I have found that some are saying the Z71 Rancho shocks may be to blame.

This leads me into my next question. Like any other red blooded American man, I would not mind a leveling/mild lift kit for this truck. Really nothing more than something to make it not look like such a grocery getter. I don't plan on anything crazy, just to be able to fit a 33x11 or 11.5 on stock wheels. But obviously getting suspension geometry out of whack can give rise to issues later. I dealt with that on the Tacoma (driveline vibrations, replacing wheel bearings, ball joints, etc.) and really just want avoid that as much as possible. Keeping it stock would be the captain obvious answer. But there has to be a crossroads of keeping decent angles, not over stressing components, ride quality, and price. Is there an ideal height or middle of the road kit that avoids issues later on? I see these little spacer kits for pretty cheap (some top mount, some bottom mount, some a combination). Most people report no change in ride quality but I don't see how that can be. There has to be some reduction in travel or preload on the coils. Same thing with adjustable Bilstein shocks. I know a fancy Fox or King set of coilovers is ideal, but the most action this truck will get is a few hunting trails/logging roads. I can't see the justification of spending thousands for a pavement princess. Is there any kit that is affordable, rides ok, and won't come back to bite me later in replacing parts more expensive than the kit? (To fit a 33x11 on stock 18" wheels)

The lower valence on the front bumper. That thing is ridiculous. I know...aerodynamics/fuel economy. But it's crazy, I have a v8 4x4 truck with like 6" of ground clearance. On other generations of this truck and the GMC models, you can remove the whole thing and it looks fine. But on this truck if you remove it the actual metal bumper has a cutout where the tow hooks are and just above the chrome piece is. If you remove the whole thing it just leaves a very unfinished looking hole there. I've seen the SDHQ skid plate which is a good option, I just didn't know if there are any other options out there.

Last thing I promise. Seat covers. I have a 3yr old, 1yr old, and one on the way. I can also get in the truck pretty dirty myself. So this is a must. I have found the Coverking Neosupreme covers seem to be a decent middle of the road cover; decent fit, water repellent, UV resistant, and moderate price. Any feedback on those or suggestions of others?

I know this is a heck of a lot of info but I thought I'd ask all at once rather than 10 different threads. If I've broken any forum etiquette, posted in the wrong place or whatever please let me know or move my thread. I'm excited about this new truck and ready to learn as much as I can about it. Also if there are any common issues, recalls, or anything else I need to be on the lookout for with this truck let me know. Thanks in advance for the help.

9

I'm in the same boat you are. Had a 2016 Tacoma lifted, and all the extras. Some girl ran a stop sign and totaled it. I have now purchased a 2018 Silverado 1500 5.3 crew cab. trying to lift it already. but don't know which route to take.

feeling almost every pothole there is, I'm hoping it will help after I get new shocks and tires.

Sierra Dan · January 28, 2019

Life is like a box of GM Transmissions...… Ya Never Know What Your'e Gonna Get!

TXGREEK · January 29, 2019

Life is like a box of GM Transmissions...… Ya Never Know What Your'e Gonna Get!

I got the yummy one I wanted, Yah!

Sent from above

Sierra Dan · January 29, 2019

1 hour ago, TXGREEK said:

I got the yummy one I wanted, Yah!

Sent from above

LOL.... Yes, mine is a soft buttery caramel Maybe a little chewey coconut now and then but I can live with it !

rah7777777 · January 29, 2019

You said its a Z71, is the 4WD knob in "AUTO"?

Mine was in auto for the first 6,000 miles and I would notice a slight clunky-nes sometimes while in parking lots.

Later find out that the "auto" is acting closer to an AWD where it splits the power and NOT like the salesman described it (2WD until it senses a need to go into 4WD high)

I put it in 2WD mode and that clunky-ness was gone.

But when it rains, you can put it back in auto and floor it and she just goes... I love that! haha

(My old 2WD truck would just sit and spin the tires)