Denali Questions

shakazulu12 · January 2, 2007

Been browsing a bit on this forum, its pretty amazing. My search for a long trip/snowboard vehicle has led me to the Denali.

Use of this truck is going to be almost exclusively getting to the mountains. As such, all I really care about is grip on hardpack and ice. Obviously studs are going on since they are legal in my state.

I have some questions on the AWD system on the Denali though. I can't seem to figure it out. It appears that the setup from 2001-2002 would provide for better grip as it appears that it can direct infinite amounts of torque or power to each wheel. It appears that the setup from 03 on has an open differential and simply uses the ABS. In my mind this is inferior though?

Am I on track here? Is there an option to lock the center diff or a rear differential? A few of the ebay listings I saw mentioned locking rears on some of the 03's in the adds, but I can't seem to find independant verification that it has it, and I don't see anywhere in the cockpit where there is a switch or lever to lock the diff.

Ideally I would want AWD since it is more consistent on ice than 4HI, but I would like the option in case I get stuck somewhere to lock one of the axles, or just the center.

The Navigator's of the same era seem to offer this feature, but I would really rather have the Denali if possible, I trust GM V8's a lot more than ford ones.

Butch 02 Denali · January 2, 2007

The NVG149 AWD that you are talking about is excellent in all situations other than SEVERE off roading. It does have the ability to shift 0-100% of torque as needed to the front or the back instantly. It is used in the 01 GMC C3, ALL Sierra Denali's from 02-07 (Classic), the Yukon Denali's 01 and 02, all the AWD Escalades and the Chevy SS pickup. What are you thinking of, a Sierra Denali or a Yukon Denali?

shakazulu12 · January 2, 2007

The NVG149 AWD that you are talking about is excellent in all situations other than SEVERE off roading. It does have the ability to shift 0-100% of torque as needed to the front or the back instantly. It is used in the 01 GMC C3, ALL Sierra Denali's from 02-07 (Classic), the Yukon Denali's 01 and 02, all the AWD Escalades and the Chevy SS pickup. What are you thinking of, a Sierra Denali or a Yukon Denali?

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I was thinking of the Yukon Denali specifically. Is there also any type of driver aid or traction control system with the NVG149? I won't be doing any severe off-roading at all, so that isn't a concern, otherwise I would look at the traditional setups. However i have found that 4HI in most vehicles causes the front to push in corners when driving on ice, which is where I will be using this the most. otherwise it will just be for long trips with the back full of gear and a roof rack full of boards on top.

So if I get this straight, the newer system is less adept on slippery surfaces?

deadringer · January 3, 2007

This may be helpful:

http://www.denalitrucks.com/documents/TL_Jan03.pdf

shakazulu12 · January 3, 2007

This may be helpful:

http://www.denalitrucks.com/documents/TL_Jan03.pdf

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Interesting that the Hummer appears to use the newer system as well which has open diff's, just that it has 2 speed traction control and the ability to lock into 4HI and 4LO.....Perhaps the open diff system is not as inferior as would seem, though the thought of using the ABS to send the power to the other wheel as opposed to a mechanical setup doesn't seem like it would be more effective.

Would it be possible to put the NVG149 transfer case onto a newer rig and get the best of both worlds? It doesn't seem like it would be that difficult or cost much as I think I have seen those on ebay for not much money.