HD 900's

Shawn T · February 25, 2007

We have a few new 900 HD's on our local GMC lot and I got a chance to inspect it side by side with my 06. The frame and supsension components are identical to the 800's. It looks like they just retrofited the new body to the old frame (kind of like the 2500 suburbans and yukon xls). I have heard rumors of a half-cocked redesign on the HD's, and I am starting to believe it after seeing the new ones. Are they going to to add a new frame and front suspension like they did with the half tons, or is this it. GM is famous for this sheep skinned crap. I have built a new 900 on the Chevrolet website and it is $54,000 and some change for a comprable equipped truck to my 06 (loaded to the gills MSRP $49,200). There is not another $5000 in improvements in my mind. Once again this "new" truck will please the soccer moms and novices, but us truck guys are still left unheard.

N900WM · February 25, 2007

I concur.

WTF GM?

Chris97K1500 · February 25, 2007

There are options on an LTZ or SLT that you cannot get in the Classic model, I've looked at a couple 900HD's on local lots, they are a much improved interior, other than that, yeah, not much different. But just to stop the internet rumors, the 900HD is NOT IDENTICAL to the 800HD platform, they do have some similarities, but they are indeed different. Besides, what's wrong with the 800HD platform, I'd say nothing. I'll find the GM press release where the frame is discussed on the improvements to the 900HD's. Chris

PS, I'd like to find some truck guys that aren't pleased with 365hp and 660ft/lbs of torque!

Here's the press release, again, similar, but better frame with the 900HD's http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en/news/press_ki...sis%20Ride.html

ZZ327 · February 25, 2007

in previous bodystyle changes the whole 3/4 ton line and up were post poned a year or 2. this time theyve put the new bodies on the modified old chassis until theyre ready.

IE you can go out and buy a 2000 GMC 2500 pickup that is the 88-98 bodystyle, with the new style wheels. And it isnt a sierra classic

Monte · February 25, 2007

Man, I could not agree with you more! You described it perfectly. In my opinion, GM finally has an awesome diesel engine and an awesome tranny, now it is time to for them to make the rest of the truck the same.

Shawn T · February 26, 2007

There are options on an LTZ or SLT that you cannot get in the Classic model, I've looked at a couple 900HD's on local lots, they are a much improved interior, other than that, yeah, not much different. But just to stop the internet rumors, the 900HD is NOT IDENTICAL to the 800HD platform, they do have some similarities, but they are indeed different. Besides, what's wrong with the 800HD platform, I'd say nothing. I'll find the GM press release where the frame is discussed on the improvements to the 900HD's. Chris

PS, I'd like to find some truck guys that aren't pleased with 365hp and 660ft/lbs of torque!

Here's the press release, again, similar, but better frame with the 900HD's http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en/news/press_ki...sis%20Ride.html

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bagging on my truck. I love it. But it is time for some frame and suspension changes. I read the article, the "robust" frame is just explaining what the 800's already have, it is nothing new. Hydroformed front portion with ladder on the rest. A bigger trailer hitch and integrated brake controllers are just add ons. When I was talking about a big price difference, there are not enough new bells and whistles in the world to add up to that much (int brake controller, nav, backup sens, rainsense wipers, etc). I assume alot of it is the new emmissions on the DMax. I do like them, but I just have a gut feeling that they will make some changes within the frame of the truck in the near future. 17" wheels are an option and you probably will only see them on LTZ's and SLT's because they are the top line wheel in machined aluminum. All of the trucks on our lots have the old style wheels in 16". I said nothing about displeasement with power. I drive an LBZ and it is an amimal. I am glad to see that the LMM's are more powerful (mind you it's not enough to tell). I think the particulate filter burn-off is going to hurt the fuel mileage more than people think. Then all of the "diesel justifiers" will have a hayday because the gassers will probably be getting comprable fuel mileage. Oh well, we will see.

work'n 8.1 · February 26, 2007

I heard they brought the 900s out early to stay with Ford so they had to slap the new body on the old frame. As mentioned before the HD trucks usually come a year or two after the 1/2 tons. A new frame is coming in a year or two.

whitesnake01 · February 26, 2007

A new frame is coming in a year or two.

Interesting. Did not realize that they played that game with the HDs as well. So it sounds like we'll have to wait until model year 2009 for that. I was actually thinking of holding back my truck upgrade to 09, unaware of the frame issue you mentioned. By then they'll likely be adding a new shot in the arm for the DMAX to drive up sales, since the "newness" of the design would be fading by then. I think this thread has just given me one more reason to hold out until then (besides wanting a backup camera).

If anyone from GM is reading this: please consider bringing out a HD Quadra-steer while you're tinkering with the frame.

cerbomark · February 26, 2007

so , has anyone lined up an 07, 1500 (900) and a 07,2500HD(900) to see the diffenence? I was looking into upgrading to a 2500HD when they hit my dealer, but I don t like what I m reading.

davefr · February 26, 2007

What's so bad about GMT800 HD frames?? Where are the deficiencies?? Eveyone seems to be upset that the HD 800 frames are almost identical to 900 frames but I don't understand why that's such a major problem.

work'n 8.1 · February 26, 2007

I did some searching on the dieselplace.com and found that they may not change the frame after all.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthrea...light=900+frame

GeoHawk · February 26, 2007

Interesting....I just built out a 2500HD on chevy.com to compare to my 1500 that I'll be getting in a week or two. The price difference was only about $150 more for the 2500HD for 4x4 Crew Cab LTZs ($40,994 for the 1500 and $41,144 for the 2500HD). Hmmmm. I could have gotten 1800 lbs. more towing capacity, about 1200 lbs. more payload, and the 6-speed. Oh, the 2500HD still beats out a comparably equiped Tundra Crew Max Limited by over $1000 and smokes it in every category.

cerbomark · February 26, 2007

The point isn t that the 800 frames are bad in any way, but if they advertise a better frame, and you pay for a better frame and the 1500 s have a better frame WTF???

jefftb · February 26, 2007

Interesting....I just built out a 2500HD on chevy.com to compare to my 1500 that I'll be getting in a week or two. The price difference was only about $150 more for the 2500HD for 4x4 Crew Cab LTZs ($40,994 for the 1500 and $41,144 for the 2500HD). Hmmmm. I could have gotten 1800 lbs. more towing capacity, about 1200 lbs. more payload, and the 6-speed. Oh, the 2500HD still beats out a comparably equiped Tundra Crew Max Limited by over $1000 and smokes it in every category.

GeoHawk,

What was your order date on the paperwork?

Chris97K1500 · February 26, 2007

I'll agree sstimothy, I'm REALLY considering an 06'07 LBZ. I get basically the same equipment, less headache with emission cr@p and save $10K or so. I am going to wait, unless I just can't get over the looks of the GMC 900HD's, until the 2010 new emission, that's when the 400hp/800ft lbs Duramax comes out. (hopefully) Probably more emission stuff, but that engine will be utilized for a longer duration than a 2.5 year run with the 6.6 and a DPF. Besides, I don't like the idea of throwing in diesel into the exhaust during a regen and causing insane temps with the exhaust. Sounds like a way to burn your fields in the dry summer! Chris