Pro Grade Package?

newguy07 · December 17, 2008

As I mentioned in another post I am on the verge of having my dealer get me one of the remaining 08 ext cab 4x4 trucks. I am leaning for toward the GMC then the Chevy however there are a lot less GMCs to choose from nearby. One that has all the features and color I want also has the prograde edition package. This includes 20 inch wheels and "high performance suspension package". So whats the deal with this? How does it look with the 20 inchers? How do they handle snow, mud, light off road usage (firewood and hunting). What is the "high performance suspension package" THanks. Tomorrow is the day if we can find one and work it out.

5.3Avalanche · December 17, 2008

As I mentioned in another post I am on the verge of having my dealer get me one of the remaining 08 ext cab 4x4 trucks. I am leaning for toward the GMC then the Chevy however there are a lot less GMCs to choose from nearby. One that has all the features and color I want also has the prograde edition package. This includes 20 inch wheels and "high performance suspension package". So whats the deal with this? How does it look with the 20 inchers? How do they handle snow, mud, light off road usage (firewood and hunting). What is the "high performance suspension package" THanks. Tomorrow is the day if we can find one and work it out.

I'm not sure what the pro-grade package is but the 20" wheels along with the sport suspension package is great. I absolutely love this package after coming from a Z71 truck. On pavement the truck handles amazingly for a fullsize. It does not dive in the corners and is very well composed. I drive with my 20's and stock eagle LS2s and I'm impressed with thier performance. I live in the country and last winter I found myself crawling through solid 2' deep stuff and the tires performed very well. I do some light offroading when I go dirtbiking and the truck performs fine in these situations too. Now, it's not as good as a Z71, and it's harder to protect the rims with a low-pro tire but it's still quite capable in 4x4 LO. If I had to do it all over again, I would choose the sport suspension package because I like the extra handling advantage and the look of the 20's.

98 Z71 SLT · December 17, 2008

The 20-inch wheels handle like garbage in snow,mud, etc...

17 inch wheels and a good set of tires are a better combination on a pickup.

Ask VMax2007 how 20's are...he'll tell you his opinions...

As far as the "hi-po" suspension, it's just a different set of shocks...that's all

D&SYukonDenali · December 17, 2008

The 20-inch wheels handle like garbage in snow,mud, etc...

My 20's on the YD don't handle bad in the snow.

VMax2007 · December 17, 2008

The 20-inch wheels handle like garbage in snow,mud, etc...

17 inch wheels and a good set of tires are a better combination on a pickup.

Ask VMax2007 how 20's are...he'll tell you his opinions...

As far as the "hi-po" suspension, it's just a different set of shocks...that's all

Yep, gotta agree with you and disagree with Andrew. I had the 20's with the Z60 suspension (they are mutually exclusive) and I sold my 20's and got some 18's with some "real" tires and it's 100% better. Handles just as well as before and rides way better. Plus it's FAR better in the snow. Just last night I was trapped in my parking spot at my kids school since the lot was overflowing and people were parking illegally, making it so I could not back out of my spot. Luckily I was in an end spot with a median next to me, so I just cranked my wheel and drove up and over the median/curb and though about a foot of plowed snow and drove right out. I would NOT have attempted that with those 20's and low-pro tires. It likely would have ruined them.

The Z60 is more than just the shocks though. It has a larger Stabilizer bar as well.

newguy07 · December 17, 2008

So I am better off getting a z71 then this truck even though the z71 available wont have some of the options I wanted (backup sensors, dual zone ac, steering wheel controls)?

VMax2007 · December 17, 2008

So I am better off getting a z71 then this truck even though the z71 available wont have some of the options I wanted (backup sensors, dual zone ac, steering wheel controls)?

Not necessarily. I sold my 20's with 9000 miles on them for $900. You could always do the same.

The Z71 will have a nicer ride though. The Z60 is a harsher ride. That's the trade-off with a stiffer "performance" suspension.

But again, you can always swap out to some nice Bilsteins too.

5.3Avalanche · December 17, 2008

The 20-inch wheels handle like garbage in snow,mud, etc...

17 inch wheels and a good set of tires are a better combination on a pickup.

Ask VMax2007 how 20's are...he'll tell you his opinions...

As far as the "hi-po" suspension, it's just a different set of shocks...that's all

Depends on how you like to drive. I drive my truck more aggressively than most people drive their car, so for me, I like a flat handling truck. The 20's discourage tire lean because the sidewall is thinner. Like I said, I've done the Z71 thing before. Yes, I used to climb over crap like crazy...especially curbs with my Z71. I prefer the benefit of huslting a big truck around bends all the time greater than the ability to climb over some crap every once in a while. I'm sure some of you remember my stint to the road course for a track day. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;hl=dunnville

My dad has Bridgestone Dueler Alenza's on his Avalanche and I like the Eagle LS2s better in snow.

VMax2007 · December 17, 2008

The 20-inch wheels handle like garbage in snow,mud, etc...

17 inch wheels and a good set of tires are a better combination on a pickup.

Ask VMax2007 how 20's are...he'll tell you his opinions...

As far as the "hi-po" suspension, it's just a different set of shocks...that's all

Depends on how you like to drive. I drive my truck more aggressively than most people drive their car, so for me, I like a flat handling truck. The 20's discourage tire lean because the sidewall is thinner. Like I said, I've done the Z71 thing before. Yes, I used to climb over crap like crazy...especially curbs with my Z71. I prefer the benefit of huslting a big truck around bends all the time greater than the ability to climb over some crap every once in a while. I'm sure some of you remember my stint to the road course for a track day. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;hl=dunnville

My dad has Bridgestone Dueler Alenza's on his Avalanche and I like the Eagle LS2s better in snow.

The Goodyear LS2's are CRAP...period. It's not the tires you are impressed with, it's the suspension. My truck handles just as good now with the NittoTerra Grapplers 285/65R18 (Load Range "E") as it did with the Crapyears. Plus it handles the snow 100X better.

Zembonez · December 17, 2008

Size of wheels doesn't really matter. Tires are everything. From what I've read the OEM tires do suck in snow and ice. I have 20" Perelli ATRs and they do very well in wet weather. (no ice here)

Some prefer 17s or 18s but that is just a matter of preference. It makes sense that a taller sidewall would ride better but the truck's handling will suffer on turn in. This may not matter to some but I like twisty roads and switchbacks at speed so it matters to me. My 20s handle like they are glued to the tarmac.

VMax2007 · December 17, 2008

Size of wheels doesn't really matter. Tires are everything. From what I've read the OEM tires do suck in snow and ice. I have 20" Perelli ATRs and they do very well in wet weather. (no ice here)

Some prefer 17s or 18s but that is just a matter of preference. It makes sense that a taller sidewall would ride better but the truck's handling will suffer on turn in. This may not matter to some but I like twisty roads and switchbacks at speed so it matters to me. My 20s handle like they are glued to the tarmac.

That depends on the quality of the tire and number of plys too Jim. My Nittos are 10 ply tires (Load "E") and have much taller sidewalls, but they do not roll in any more than my cheapass Crapyear 20's did. Sure, my cornering MAY have changed slightly, but I certainly cannot feel it. If it did, it's most likely due to the taller tire and higher CG my truck has with the Leveling kit. To me it handles just as well as before AND treks through the snow/ice much better. But I do agree that a QUALITY 20" tire would handle the corners better, it's common sense.

Sorry, but I have nothing good to say about those OEM Goodyear LS2's, and I am not one of those typical Goodyear haters. I had OEM Goodyear Wrangler ATs on my 89 and I thought those were pretty decent tires and they lasted a long time. As did the OEM Firestone Wilderness AT's on my 2000.

thewaterboy · December 17, 2008

So I am better off getting a z71 then this truck even though the z71 available wont have some of the options I wanted (backup sensors, dual zone ac, steering wheel controls)?

I have a Z71 and it has the options you mentioned except for backup sensors I didnt want that, but was available. You should have no trouble finding a truck to meet your wants/needs... I have the 18" tire pkg on my sierra and it handles very well. Stable even in hard cornering situations....

Zembonez · December 17, 2008

Size of wheels doesn't really matter. Tires are everything. From what I've read the OEM tires do suck in snow and ice. I have 20" Perelli ATRs and they do very well in wet weather. (no ice here)

Some prefer 17s or 18s but that is just a matter of preference. It makes sense that a taller sidewall would ride better but the truck's handling will suffer on turn in. This may not matter to some but I like twisty roads and switchbacks at speed so it matters to me. My 20s handle like they are glued to the tarmac.

That depends on the quality of the tire and number of plys too Jim. My Nittos are 10 ply tires (Load "E") and have much taller sidewalls, but they do not roll in any more than my cheapass Crapyear 20's did. Sure, my cornering MAY have changed slightly, but I certainly cannot feel it. If it did, it's most likely due to the taller tire and higher CG my truck has with the Leveling kit. To me it handles just as well as before AND treks through the snow/ice much better. But I do agree that a QUALITY 20" tire would handle the corners better, it's common sense.

Sorry, but I have nothing good to say about those OEM Goodyear LS2's, and I am not one of those typical Goodyear haters. I had OEM Goodyear Wrangler ATs on my 89 and I thought those were pretty decent tires and they lasted a long time. As did the OEM Firestone Wilderness AT's on my 2000.

Construction of the tires means a lot for sure. The General Americrap 17s that were on my truck rode well but handled horribly. The 20s made my truck turn in and handle at the limit about twice as well. Precision turn in and great cornering - but a little stiffer ride are a worthwhile trade off to me. Even so, I'll probably go to 18s and all terrain BFGs for the next "look". I get bored easily.

I like both styles of truck but I can't offer any advice on icy or snow covered roads... none of that here.