Jump to content

'19 vs '21 comparison. 8spd vs 10spd

TeamSaris
 Share

Recommended Posts

TeamSaris Enthusiast

TeamSaris

Posted
Posted

Finally picked up my new truck last night. 21 Elevation Double Cab 5.3 10 Speed.

I traded my 19 Elevation DC 5.3 8 Speed for it. It had 23k on it. I hauled a 5700lb boat/trailer with it. It never let me down. I loved that truck. 

First impressions on the comparison?

My old truck was Satin Steel, I think I like that color a little better on the Elevation. But I like the blue more and more.

The 10 speed is WAY smoother than my old 8, even after the TSB was done (which did help it a lot).

The fit and finish is better on the 21.

The bose stereo in the 21 is absolutely worth the money. I thought the old truck sounded good but theres no comparison. 

The 21 rides stiffer than the 19. Not in a good way. 

The 21 has more info on the dash, useful stuff that I like. 

Other than crossing my fingers about the sliding rear window, Im very happy with it so far. (50 miles on the clock)

I really did love my old truck, I wouldnt have traded it for anything other than a 10 Speed truck. The 21 has more options too. Trailer Brakes, Sirius, stuff I wish my 19 had.

Ill do another comparison after a few thousand miles. 

IMG_1708.jpeg

  • Like 1
AdamAT4 Enthusiast

AdamAT4

Posted
Posted

10 speed is awesome [emoji108] can't believe Ram don't have one yet.

I'll probably have my AT4 for many years to come

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk

kmeleon Enthusiast

kmeleon

Posted
Posted

I have a 21 Satin Steel Crew cab Elevation w/X31. Love the truck, I agree with pretty much everything you wrote above. Question for you on the 10 spd....mine is pretty smooth as well. The only thing I've noticed is the 1-2 shift can sometimes be just a tad unsmooth. Like it holds the gear for just a few 100 more rpm's and sort of dogs once shifted. Maybe just a gear ratio thing on those two gears? You guys ever notice that? I have 800 miles on the clock. Highway driving is amazing with this trans.   

f8l vnm Senior Enthusiast

f8l vnm

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, AdamAT4 said:

10 speed is awesome emoji108.png can't believe Ram don't have one yet.

I'll probably have my AT4 for many years to come

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk
 

Money and money . I'm sure if it was cost effective they would have a 10 speed already .

At least they are not playing with 3 different transmissions like GM is . 

BluegrassMotorsport Enthusiast

BluegrassMotorsport

Posted
Posted (edited)
27 minutes ago, f8l vnm said:

At least they are not playing with 3 different transmissions like GM is . 

Yeah this is silly. Every single 2021 Tahoe/Yukon sold has the 10spd, no matter what trim or engine. I don't know why GM doesn't do this with the trucks. In fact, they took away the 10spd from some Sierra trims for 2021 and went back to the 8spd. Very odd. I'm sure there's a bean counter explanation but it seems like it would be cheaper to put the same trans in everything. 

 

Anyways, congrats @TeamSaris! That's a pretty truck. I went back and forth between the Silverado RST and Sierra Elevation for a little while. You're right - the Bose system is really nice. I love mine. 

Edited by BluegrassMotorsport
AdamAT4 Enthusiast

AdamAT4

Posted
Posted

Would be smart on GMs behalf to offer 10 speed on all trims/ engines and maybe just have a few low trim level 8 speed to compete with the ram classic which has been a hot seller because of pricing. If I didn't mind a jump seat and cloth interior I would of got one.. could of got 2 for the price of my AT4.

Ford i belive only has the 10 speed now or at least XLT and up does.

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk

TeamSaris Enthusiast

TeamSaris

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, kmeleon said:

I have a 21 Satin Steel Crew cab Elevation w/X31. Love the truck, I agree with pretty much everything you wrote above. Question for you on the 10 spd....mine is pretty smooth as well. The only thing I've noticed is the 1-2 shift can sometimes be just a tad unsmooth. Like it holds the gear for just a few 100 more rpm's and sort of dogs once shifted. Maybe just a gear ratio thing on those two gears? You guys ever notice that? I have 800 miles on the clock. Highway driving is amazing with this trans.   

My 8 speed had a bad pitch between 1st and 2nd. Didn’t bother me at first. But it wore on me. It got worse too. I had a TSB done about it which helped a lot but wasn’t a real fix. So far the 10 has been butter. 

DSW1519 Enthusiast

DSW1519

Posted
Posted

I had an 8spd in a canyon I owned. That 8 spd was awful. Hard shifts, hunting for gears and also had the reverse slipping/lag.

Have the 10 spd in my sierra. Super smooth and is really a great combo with the 5.3. I'm very happy with the 10spd.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

OliverDennis52 Enthusiast

OliverDennis52

Posted
Posted (edited)

All the SLTs and Elevations in my area had the 8 speed, but that was a non starter for me.  Had to have a 10 speed after dealing with the 8 speed issues on my previous vehicles.  Wonder if they are simply trying to use up production inventory, but they're only offering a $200 "discount" on those that have the 8 speed  No brainer.  Got an AT4 with the 3.0 paired with the 10 speed and it's definitely the way to go.

Edited by OliverDennis52
  • Like 1
antoin3 New Member

antoin3

Posted
Posted



The only thing I've noticed is the 1-2 shift can sometimes be just a tad unsmooth. Like it holds the gear for just a few 100 more rpm's and sort of dogs once shifted. Maybe just a gear ratio thing on those two gears? You guys ever notice that? I have 800 miles on the clock. Highway driving is amazing with this trans.   


Mine does the same thing. All other gears are super smooth! It's not that bad but you feel it sometimes.

Nice truck OP, Enjoy ;)

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

TNTSierra Senior Enthusiast

TNTSierra

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, BluegrassMotorsport said:

Yeah this is silly. Every single 2021 Tahoe/Yukon sold has the 10spd, no matter what trim or engine. I don't know why GM doesn't do this with the trucks. In fact, they took away the 10spd from some Sierra trims for 2021 and went back to the 8spd. Very odd. I'm sure there's a bean counter explanation but it seems like it would be cheaper to put the same trans in everything. 

 

Anyways, congrats @TeamSaris! That's a pretty truck. I went back and forth between the Silverado RST and Sierra Elevation for a little while. You're right - the Bose system is really nice. I love mine. 

I’m wondering if they are getting rid of the 8 spds in the truck, while keeping supplies up in the 10 spd for the Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, and XL Yukon. Those are GMs cash cows! They make a ton of money on those overpriced beasts!!

 

The refresh next year needs to have hp/tq upgrades and 10 spd across the board, no matter what engine or trim level one chooses. No excuses GM. 

BluegrassMotorsport Enthusiast

BluegrassMotorsport

Posted
Posted
27 minutes ago, TNTSilverado said:

I’m wondering if they are getting rid of the 8 spds in the truck, while keeping supplies up in the 10 spd for the Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, and XL Yukon. Those are GMs cash cows! They make a ton of money on those overpriced beasts!!

 

The refresh next year needs to have hp/tq upgrades and 10 spd across the board, no matter what engine or trim level one chooses. No excuses GM. 

Yeah I'd say you're right here. A GM rep told me at one time the Escalade Platinum was selling at 100k with about 32k of parts in it haha. Crazy profit margins and they own that space. Gotta keep the those buyers happy. But the truck market isn't far behind. Although, it amazes me how many people aren't aware of the 8spd shortcomings even after all these years. A buddy of mine bought a '20 RST a few months before me. His is the 5.3/8spd. I tried to talk him into the 6.2 or a higher trim level to get the 10spd and he looked at me like I had three eyes in my head. They still sell tons of them. 

TeamSaris Enthusiast

TeamSaris

Posted
  • Author
Posted
10 hours ago, BluegrassMotorsport said:

Yeah I'd say you're right here. A GM rep told me at one time the Escalade Platinum was selling at 100k with about 32k of parts in it haha. Crazy profit margins and they own that space. Gotta keep the those buyers happy. But the truck market isn't far behind. Although, it amazes me how many people aren't aware of the 8spd shortcomings even after all these years. A buddy of mine bought a '20 RST a few months before me. His is the 5.3/8spd. I tried to talk him into the 6.2 or a higher trim level to get the 10spd and he looked at me like I had three eyes in my head. They still sell tons of them. 

Love your truck, Bluegrass! Really cool double cab. Especially with the 6.2.

You're right though. Your average customer has no clue what trans is in it. Good for GM...I guess

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,760
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    MASONV88888888
    Newest Member
    MASONV88888888
    Joined

  • Who's Online   0 Members, 0 Anonymous, 1,693 Guests (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Coastie05
      Replacing 2.7L on 2021 Silverado with 2023 2.7L

      By Coastie05 · Posted

      I’m definitely interested to hear the end result here. 
    • MASONV88888888
      Another 6.2L engine failure!

      By MASONV88888888 · Posted

      My 2025 Silverado 1500 had to receive a brand-new engine (long block) under warranty last month at only around 16,500 miles. Before the replacement, the truck repeatedly displayed "Engine Oil Level Low" warnings, even though the Oil Life Monitor still showed around 50% remaining after about 6,000 miles since my last oil change. After seeing the warning several times, I checked the dipstick with the engine cold, and the oil level was completely normal. The next day, the message escalated to "Add Engine Oil." At first, I assumed it was just a faulty oil level sensor, so I brought the truck to the dealership. After inspecting the engine, they found internal cylinder wall scoring and ultimately replaced the entire long block under warranty. Before this happened, I was planning to install a 4-inch lift and suspension upgrade on my truck. After needing a new engine at just 16,500 miles, I honestly don't see the point anymore. I also contacted GM to ask whether my vehicle qualified for a buyback, but I was informed that it does not at this time. Anyway, this experience has left me with serious concerns about the long-term reliability of this engine. I sincerely hope NHTSA expands the current investigation or recall to include 2025 model and performs a thorough inspection of affected vehicles. My biggest concern is that these engines may fail shortly after the powertrain warranty expires. If GM truly stands behind this engine, then at the very least, please consider extending the powertrain warranty to 10 years for affected owners. That would go a long way toward restoring customer confidence.
    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Without exception but then I'm the odd duck, right? I know what goes into that test, how it is calculated and thus how to beat it. But EPA values are often not beaten by the general public and the government has in past years adjusted the means and methods to come to those values to more closely approximate "Joe Average".    The only real trick to beating that EPA average is don't drive like "Joe Average".    It's the same method you used to profit from "Economic Migration" and in doing so beat the 'stats'. But you, like me, are not "Joe Average".     The thing you don't seem to grasp is this "Purchasing Power Index" isn't forward looking. It doesn't predict what it going to be but looks backward and states what it was. They are not telling us what the THINK, they are telling us what they MEASURED. Example:    Wife says "I'm going to lose 40 pounds by Christmas". May she does, maybe she doesn't but the doctors office who weighed her when she made that statement and again at Christmas only REPORTS what the RESULT was. You and I can banter about what was possible and what aunt Tilly did till the cows come home but the result is the result. Arguing otherwise is.....irrational. That's all I'm saying. This isn't about:      What you are calling a 'Statistic' is a RESULT not a CALCUATION and as a result the RULE. Like gravity as a rule, it can not be broken. 
    • MASONV88888888
      Rattle in the rear!

      By MASONV88888888 · Posted

      Just wanted to say thank you for posting this. Years later, your thread is still helping Silverado owners.   I bought my 2025 Silverado 1500 in January 2025, and I've had what feels like the exact same rattle since day one. After reading your findings, I believe my truck has the same issue with the cable carrier contacting the rear sliding window. To be honest, I had pretty much given up on pursuing the issue. It wasn't until I recently drove another brand's pickup that I realized just how quiet their cabin was—and how noisy mine has been all along. On my truck, the rattle happens on almost any paved road, gets even worse on rougher pavement, and I can even hear it during braking and acceleration.   I actually referenced your thread when submitting my case to GM, hoping they'll recognize this as a recurring issue instead of treating it as an isolated incident. The reason I reached out to GM first is because my dealership told me they would need to keep the truck for at least two days just to diagnose the problem. I was concerned that even after two days, they still might not be able to identify the source of the rattle before giving the truck back to me. I had also asked a few dealerships about this issue during previous service visits, but none of them seemed to know what was causing it or had a solution. That's why I decided to contact GM directly first, hoping they might already have an official repair procedure or guidance for this issue.   I also hope GM eventually comes up with an official fix for this problem. I have a feeling there are many Silverado owners experiencing the same rattle, but most either choose to live with it or simply don't know what the cause is.   Really appreciate you taking the time to document your diagnosis. Your post is still making a difference years later.
    • Buckwild27
      Gas Prices

      By Buckwild27 · Posted

      I have 2 choices. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...