Quadrasteer Opinions for 1500HD

[jpeterso5915]

Does anyone have any thoughts about the new Quadrasteer option that will be available on the new 2003 1500HDs? Do you really think it is worth the manuverability gains considering the outrageous option price of about $5000?

[TxDoc]

It is like any option.  What are the benefits for your vs the cost. Gas vs diesel, 1/2-ton vs 1-ton.  Some will see absolutely no benefit from it, and others will think it is the best thing since sliced bread.

 

I ordered it as it will make my daily use of my truck much easier and less complicated.  Where I have to go, every day, the parking spaces (as with all land uses), the drive-thru areas, etc., seemed to be designed for imports.  The safety advantages are also a plus for me as with higher speed lane changes.

 

The cost is not just for quadrasteer. Included in the price are:

• Engine: Vortec 5300 SFI V8

8-cylinder engine with 5.3-liter displacement, sequential fuel injection .

• Quadrasteer .

• Autotrac Electronic Transfer Case .

• Roof Marker Lamps .

• Heavy-Duty Rear Limited Slip Differential .

• 145 Amp Alternator .

• Manual Selectable Ride-Control Suspension Package .

• Heavy Duty Trailering Equipment .

• Heavy Duty Air-to-Oil External Transmission Oil Cooler .

• High Capacity Air Cleaner .

• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 6,600 lbs (2993 kg) .

• Includes 4WS mode selector switch on the instrument panel, redesigned pickup bed with flared fenders and marker lamps, 71 in. rear track width and heavy-duty power disc brakes. (I ordered a G80, but will not know until Thursday if the locker is standard or the Dana limited-slip. I have seen it both ways on the pricing sites).

 

From an article on Quadrasteer:

 

"Among Quadrasteer benefits are improved maneuverability, increased trailering capabilities (a 4WS tow mode can be selected) and more-responsive driving control. The electronically activated system features rear wheels that turn, but their direction is dependent on vehicle speed. In low-speed operations -- parking or backing -- rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of front wheels. At high speeds, rear wheels turn in the same direction as front wheels to enhance stability.

 

"Because the rear wheels turn with the front wheels at high speeds, the Sierra Denali is more stable in highway conditions," Mancuso said. "This reduces body sway in lane changes and minimizes oversteer potential."

 

Along with contributing to this full-size pickup's ability to twist through obstacles with the deftness of a compact car, Quadrasteer gives it the turning circle of a small car. Sierra Denali's turning circle of 37.4 feet compares to a 2001 C3's 47.3 feet and a Saturn 3-door coupe's 37.1 feet.

 

Teaming with Quadrasteer to increase stability is a 5-inch-wider rear wheel track that stretches the distance between the tires' outer portions to 82 inches. Adding new rear fender flare increases the measurement to an overall width of 83.5 inches.

 

Along with GMC's best-ever offerings of agility, luxury and stability, Sierra Denali beefs up its workhorse capabilities with significant chassis upgrades. It's fitted with higher-capacity rear axle and spring components that increase the rear axle's gross weight. This stout rear axle pairs with large, twin-piston rear brakes to provide a larger 7,200-pound gross vehicle weight rating and 1,722-pound payload capability. Trailering capacity also gets a major boost from the C3's 8,700 pounds to 10,000 pounds."