2007 Sierra Denali Awd Questions

DanMan_S · April 18, 2007

Once I heard the news that the GMT900's won't be getting the 6 speed transmission until the 2009 model year I did some looking into the Sierra Denali as it'll be the only way for me to get the 6.2L and the 6 speed this year. My big question is in regards to the AWD transfer case.

What the hell is it?

I've heard that the Escalades and the Denali SUV's use an open differential that uses the rear brakes to transfer power to the front but that system scares me and I've heard complaints from owners that really needed the front tires to grab but the torque wouldn't transfer. I had enough traction issues with the AWD system in my Jeep over the winter and really wanted to switch to a vehicle that was more year round drivable.

A GM website said:

Transfer case: all-wheel drive, electronically controlled (standard on 4WD Crew Cab Denali 5SA)

The all-wheel-drive system balances the torque between the front and rear axles using a transfer case that operates similarly to an automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is always activated, so you don't have to fuss with controls to enjoy the benefits of improved handling and control.

Reading that I assume that it's a proper transfer case and simply uses clutches to shift power around but I'm curious if anyone has any more exact answers or part numbers that I could go search up. Is there anyone I can contact that would know?

hockeyfan39 · April 18, 2007

I dont know much of any technical information, but have some experience with it. My dad has an 06 Yukon XL Danali AWD and i think it works great in the winter. Get some pretty icy snow conditions up here in edmonton, alberta and it sticks to the road pretty good. Helps its got a lot more weight in the back then a pickup as well. We put winter tires on my truck couple winters ago and they made a huge difference, so my dad put winters on his and they definatly do help for the ice. Never been offroading with it or anything, but i think it works great on the slippery roads just my 2 cents....oh and it doesn't steer difficult or anything if you think that is going to be an issue...

DanMan_S · April 18, 2007

I dont know much of any technical information, but have some experience with it. My dad has an 06 Yukon XL Danali AWD and i think it works great in the winter. Get some pretty icy snow conditions up here in edmonton, alberta and it sticks to the road pretty good. Helps its got a lot more weight in the back then a pickup as well. We put winter tires on my truck couple winters ago and they made a huge difference, so my dad put winters on his and they definatly do help for the ice. Never been offroading with it or anything, but i think it works great on the slippery roads just my 2 cents....oh and it doesn't steer difficult or anything if you think that is going to be an issue...

Howdy fellow Albertan! I’m in Calgary! Sorry about the Oilers ;)

I'm just worried about traction issues and if it's possible to use the AWD without the stability control.

hockeyfan39 · April 18, 2007

I dont know much of any technical information, but have some experience with it. My dad has an 06 Yukon XL Danali AWD and i think it works great in the winter. Get some pretty icy snow conditions up here in edmonton, alberta and it sticks to the road pretty good. Helps its got a lot more weight in the back then a pickup as well. We put winter tires on my truck couple winters ago and they made a huge difference, so my dad put winters on his and they definatly do help for the ice. Never been offroading with it or anything, but i think it works great on the slippery roads just my 2 cents....oh and it doesn't steer difficult or anything if you think that is going to be an issue...

Howdy fellow Albertan! I’m in Calgary! Sorry about the Oilers ;)

I'm just worried about traction issues and if it's possible to use the AWD without the stability control.

haha sure your sorry about seeing the oilers do horribly. I'm a huge fan and last year was crazy, but was extremely dissapointed with the way the whole season went. We had a lot of potential up front and everyone tanked except for i think smyth had a great season, stoll was good when he was healthy as well. And the way the whole smyth contract was handled was horrible he should of been signed in the summer before the inflated lupal and pisani contracts got done. I guess if we can get a high quality scorer from the ufo's this summer i would be happy but, i just dont see a big name coming here but we'll see i guess. Would of been much happier just to sign smyth he may not be as big of profile as some guys but the effort is allways there and he just brings a lot to your team. You guys are going to have some trouble keeping the team together in the next couple years, got some big contracts coming up igy, kipper...well anyways enough hockey talk to depressing haha. But yeah as far as the traction on the roads i think you would be impressed haven't driven the sierra version but the yukon is solid on the roads....

caddycruiser · April 18, 2007

The Denali has a rear locker in addition to the always on AWD system (if equipped--a 2wd only is also available) and the Stabilitrak. I think the Stabilitrak can be switched off, but works so well--GM has, by far, the best stability systems on the market--there's really no need or desire too in most cases.

It's not a truly heavy duty 4wd system where you can lock it into Low or High range if need be, or just 2wd, but is very well suited to daily use as a full automatic system for those who want it to do all the work and just keep them moving along.

DanMan_S · April 18, 2007

The Denali has a rear locker in addition to the always on AWD system (if equipped--a 2wd only is also available) and the Stabilitrak. I think the Stabilitrak can be switched off, but works so well--GM has, by far, the best stability systems on the market--there's really no need or desire too in most cases.

It's not a truly heavy duty 4wd system where you can lock it into Low or High range if need be, or just 2wd, but is very well suited to daily use as a full automatic system for those who want it to do all the work and just keep them moving along.

I was just mainly curious if the transfer case was a AWD drive transfer case with a clutch/viscous coupling like the SS Silverado or a open differential like the SUV's used.

DanMan_S · April 18, 2007

haha sure your sorry about seeing the oilers do horribly. I'm a huge fan and last year was crazy, but was extremely dissapointed with the way the whole season went. We had a lot of potential up front and everyone tanked except for i think smyth had a great season, stoll was good when he was healthy as well. And the way the whole smyth contract was handled was horrible he should of been signed in the summer before the inflated lupal and pisani contracts got done. I guess if we can get a high quality scorer from the ufo's this summer i would be happy but, i just dont see a big name coming here but we'll see i guess. Would of been much happier just to sign smyth he may not be as big of profile as some guys but the effort is allways there and he just brings a lot to your team. You guys are going to have some trouble keeping the team together in the next couple years, got some big contracts coming up igy, kipper...well anyways enough hockey talk to depressing haha. But yeah as far as the traction on the roads i think you would be impressed haven't driven the sierra version but the yukon is solid on the roads....

Hahaha, talk about depressing, we're all stressed out about the playoffs. The freaking Calgary Kiprusoffs's gave us way too much drama for the first 2 games. Luckily we nailed the home game last night, hopefully they can do the same on thursday!

hockeyfan39 · April 18, 2007

haha sure your sorry about seeing the oilers do horribly. I'm a huge fan and last year was crazy, but was extremely dissapointed with the way the whole season went. We had a lot of potential up front and everyone tanked except for i think smyth had a great season, stoll was good when he was healthy as well. And the way the whole smyth contract was handled was horrible he should of been signed in the summer before the inflated lupal and pisani contracts got done. I guess if we can get a high quality scorer from the ufo's this summer i would be happy but, i just dont see a big name coming here but we'll see i guess. Would of been much happier just to sign smyth he may not be as big of profile as some guys but the effort is allways there and he just brings a lot to your team. You guys are going to have some trouble keeping the team together in the next couple years, got some big contracts coming up igy, kipper...well anyways enough hockey talk to depressing haha. But yeah as far as the traction on the roads i think you would be impressed haven't driven the sierra version but the yukon is solid on the roads....

Hahaha, talk about depressing, we're all stressed out about the playoffs. The freaking Calgary Kiprusoffs's gave us way too much drama for the first 2 games. Luckily we nailed the home game last night, hopefully they can do the same on thursday!

Yeah they seem to be playing a lot better at home this year. One thing i do think is cool about calgary is playoffs the solid sea of red in the building. Wish edmonton did that last year with blue, but lots of guys have the white jerseys and never seemed to happen. Yeah should be interesting how detroit reacts, they lost that series a couple years ago after winning the first 2 in 6 games so see how it goes for calgary.

redvett · April 18, 2007

GMT900 is getting the 6L80E in 2008

jbstx · April 18, 2007

Once I heard the news that the GMT900's won't be getting the 6 speed transmission until the 2009 model year I did some looking into the Sierra Denali as it'll be the only way for me to get the 6.2L and the 6 speed this year. My big question is in regards to the AWD transfer case.

What the hell is it?

I've heard that the Escalades and the Denali SUV's use an open differential that uses the rear brakes to transfer power to the front but that system scares me and I've heard complaints from owners that really needed the front tires to grab but the torque wouldn't transfer. I had enough traction issues with the AWD system in my Jeep over the winter and really wanted to switch to a vehicle that was more year round drivable.

A GM website said:

Transfer case: all-wheel drive, electronically controlled (standard on 4WD Crew Cab Denali 5SA)

The all-wheel-drive system balances the torque between the front and rear axles using a transfer case that operates similarly to an automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is always activated, so you don't have to fuss with controls to enjoy the benefits of improved handling and control.

Reading that I assume that it's a proper transfer case and simply uses clutches to shift power around but I'm curious if anyone has any more exact answers or part numbers that I could go search up. Is there anyone I can contact that would know?

jbstx · April 18, 2007

Once I heard the news that the GMT900's won't be getting the 6 speed transmission until the 2009 model year I did some looking into the Sierra Denali as it'll be the only way for me to get the 6.2L and the 6 speed this year. My big question is in regards to the AWD transfer case.

What the hell is it?

I've heard that the Escalades and the Denali SUV's use an open differential that uses the rear brakes to transfer power to the front but that system scares me and I've heard complaints from owners that really needed the front tires to grab but the torque wouldn't transfer. I had enough traction issues with the AWD system in my Jeep over the winter and really wanted to switch to a vehicle that was more year round drivable.

A GM website said:

Transfer case: all-wheel drive, electronically controlled (standard on 4WD Crew Cab Denali 5SA)

The all-wheel-drive system balances the torque between the front and rear axles using a transfer case that operates similarly to an automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is always activated, so you don't have to fuss with controls to enjoy the benefits of improved handling and control.

Reading that I assume that it's a proper transfer case and simply uses clutches to shift power around but I'm curious if anyone has any more exact answers or part numbers that I could go search up. Is there anyone I can contact that would know?

jbstx · April 18, 2007

Where did you hear that GM was not going to offer the 6 speed until 09 ?

I talked to a dealer here in Texas and he told me that "we had a conference call the other day and our Chevrolet rep said they would be available in the 2008 models in the 1st quarter of 2008."

I really would like to find out for sure.

J.S.

DanMan_S · April 23, 2007

Where did you hear that GM was not going to offer the 6 speed until 09 ?
I talked to a dealer here in Texas and he told me that "we had a conference call the other day and our Chevrolet rep said they would be available in the 2008 models in the 1st quarter of 2008."

I really would like to find out for sure.

J.S.

GM's reps at the New York auto show were saying not to expect the 6 speeds until the 2009 model year.

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2007/gmc/s...test/page3.html

Anyhoo, I emailed GM about the Denali transfer case and they told me that the truck is in 2wd by default. As soon as tire slip is detected the transfer case starts moving torque to the front axle.

ChrisNJ · April 23, 2007

Where did you hear that GM was not going to offer the 6 speed until 09 ?
I talked to a dealer here in Texas and he told me that "we had a conference call the other day and our Chevrolet rep said they would be available in the 2008 models in the 1st quarter of 2008."

I really would like to find out for sure.

J.S.

GM's reps at the New York auto show were saying not to expect the 6 speeds until the 2009 model year.

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2007/gmc/s...test/page3.html

Anyhoo, I emailed GM about the Denali transfer case and they told me that the truck is in 2wd by default. As soon as tire slip is detected the transfer case starts moving torque to the front axle.

If that's the way the AWD system works, it just like our existing "Auto 4wd" button in our trucks now, and also then it appears that an aftermarket programing company can come up with a new program that allows us to swith it off if we want?????

VMax2007 · April 23, 2007

Where did you hear that GM was not going to offer the 6 speed until 09 ?
I talked to a dealer here in Texas and he told me that "we had a conference call the other day and our Chevrolet rep said they would be available in the 2008 models in the 1st quarter of 2008."

I really would like to find out for sure.

J.S.

GM's reps at the New York auto show were saying not to expect the 6 speeds until the 2009 model year.

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/2007/gmc/s...test/page3.html

Anyhoo, I emailed GM about the Denali transfer case and they told me that the truck is in 2wd by default. As soon as tire slip is detected the transfer case starts moving torque to the front axle.

If that's the way the AWD system works, it just like our existing "Auto 4wd" button in our trucks now, and also then it appears that an aftermarket programing company can come up with a new program that allows us to swith it off if we want?????

The AWD system in the Sierra Denali is not identical to the Transfer case with the AutoTrac. The transfer case in a 4WD with Autotrac system utilizes an electronic clutch in the front diff to activate four wheel drive. When driving in "Auto 4wd" ,the transfer case is locked in and the front drive shaft is always turning. The engagemant occurs in the front diff. Also, I do know that the AWD system in the Denali is not as robust a a typical 4wd/transfer case system and wieghs much less. This is partially why the towing capacity in the 6.2 Denali is significantly less than a 6.0 VortecMax Sierra. It's designed more for performance than rugged work duty.