08 Denali 4wd?

[jayjma20]

i was reading on edmonds that the seirra denali for 08 will be 2wd, 4wd, or awd, is that right? i know on gmc.com you have the option to build it as 2wd or 4wd but when you finish it still says awd, any info on this?

[SinisterSS]

No 4WD. The choices are 2WD or AWD.

[jayjma20]

thanks for the input, i know the denali has a tow rating of 8500lbs but with the 3.42 gears whats the biggest trailer you'd want to pull?

[svensk]

In a 2wd the Denali wouldn't be able to keep her back end planted if it had 4.10'.

[ChrisNJ]

I've written a ton about my 07 Sierra Denali AWD and my towing experiences on this forum. Do a search. In a nutshell it does very well towing my 8K trailer, better than I expected, and I was coming off an 8.1L. I wouldn't want to attempt any more than 8K though, at least in hilly country. This is one case where gm's max tow rating seems to be right on. I attribute the success to the 6.2-6sp-3.4 combination. I would like a little gear ratio fine tuning, ie... 5th and 6th are too tall, but I am an anal mechanical engineer. I would also like the 6.2 to be tuned or cammed for better torque numbers sacrificing top HP numbers, but this is probably just me, not most Denali owners.

[Butch 02 Denali]

I've written a ton about my 07 Sierra Denali AWD and my towing experiences on this forum. Do a search. In a nutshell it does very well towing my 8K trailer, better than I expected, and I was coming off an 8.1L. I wouldn't want to attempt any more than 8K though, at least in hilly country. This is one case where gm's max tow rating seems to be right on. I attribute the success to the 6.2-6sp-3.4 combination. I would like a little gear ratio fine tuning, ie... 5th and 6th are too tall, but I am an anal mechanical engineer. I would also like the 6.2 to be tuned or cammed for better torque numbers sacrificing top HP numbers, but this is probably just me, not most Denali owners.

 

A good tune will boost both top-end power and low-end torque, along with much better throttle response AND better gas mileage! It will greatly improve your towing too!

[SinisterSS]

With the new lower gear ratios and wider ratio spread of the 6L80E transmission with the 3.42 gears, it puts more power to the ground than a Vortec Max 6.0 with 4.10 gears.

 

First gear alone the Denali deliveres 5747 lb-ft of torque to the wheels compared to the 6.0L/4.10 combo of 4705 lb-ft. Or another way to say the same thing - the Denali has 22% more grunt.

 

My last truck was a 6.0 w/ 4.10 gears. The Denali flat out spanks it for power, towing and fuel economy.

 

[ChrisNJ]

With the new lower gear ratios and wider ratio spread of the 6L80E transmission with the 3.42 gears, it puts more power to the ground than a Vortec Max 6.0 with 4.10 gears.

 

First gear alone the Denali deliveres 5747 lb-ft of torque to the wheels compared to the 6.0L/4.10 combo of 4705 lb-ft. Or another way to say the same thing - the Denali has 22% more grunt.

 

My last truck was a 6.0 w/ 4.10 gears. The Denali flat out spanks it for power, towing and fuel economy.

 

 

Nice info., thx. And it explains why the 6.2-6sp-3.4, does much better than my old 6.0-4sp-4.1. towing the same trailer, my 6.2 never goes into 6th, performs flat roads ok in 5th, does well up hills in 4th, and can if needed go to 3rd for the toughest hills, all better than the 6.0-4sp, and your graph kinda proves it. i've owned them all, including 8.1-4sp-4.1, which i thought could not be equaled, but the 6.2 holds it's own, granted it can't tow 9-11 like my 8.1 could, but furtunatly i don't need it too. any bigger than 8-9K and you'll need to step up to a diesel HD, in my opinion.

[jayjma20]

thanks for all the posts, the more i read and lean about the denali the more it seems like the truck for me, i was considering a vmax loaded up but from what i've read the denali even with 3.42s is the better truck

[svensk]

Wow....just wait until you can get a 6-spd 6.0L truck with 4.10....that would be sick.

[redvett]

Wow....just wait until you can get a 6-spd 6.0L truck with 4.10....that would be sick.

 

Because of the deep gears in first on the 6L80E a 4:10 wont be available probably around a 3:73 will be the lowest.

[SinisterSS]

The problem with 3.73 or 4.10 gears is the diesel guys would be pissed, lol.

 

[SinisterSS]

thanks for all the posts, the more i read and lean about the denali the more it seems like the truck for me, i was considering a vmax loaded up but from what i've read the denali even with 3.42s is the better truck

 

Had a AWD GM truck, then went to a "regular" 4WD and couldn't wait to get back to AWD with the Denali. I missed having the front wheels always pulling. From my viewpoint, 4WD is only good if you truly need low range.

 

Had skeptical thoughts about the 3.42 gears at first but now owning one and understanding the 6L80 ratios, the package works just fine.

 

Just need to end up at the light next to a Tundra one of these days. Spanked a D-max from 0-70 this past Friday.

 

Ja, ja, I'm waiting for all you diesels are faster than stink on Superman owners to say its impossible.

[svensk]

Stock D-max's you should be able to spank easily(they run 15.3-15.5?). I think a 100 shot might make things interesting for you.

[stregaiq440]

I have an 08, and have put 1800 miles on it already - This is an excellent truck! I am getting 18.7 average mpg on the dash meter, and really like that way it runs. I am waiting for some snow to hook on to my 4 place snowmobile trailer to see how it pulls.

So far, I am completly satisified with this truck - I have driven others and nothing compares to it.