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[Diamondpilot]

Chris (who always post negatively on anything GMC) is the only person I have heard say anything about the 6.2 / 6 speed hunting for gears.

I have a 2007 Sierra Denali with the 6.2 / 6 speed. I have a ~3000 pound 20' equipment trailer. I haul the trailer with my 4,000 pound B21 a couple of times a month. I have towed a 6,000 pound excavator on the same trailer for a 9,000 pound load. I have never had any problem or concern towing.

I am just going off what I was told by a customer. He is a GM man and that is fine. I asked him how he liked his new truck compared to his old 4 speed and 5.3L with 3.73's. He said he loved the power and it was a joy to drive empty but once he had a load behind it the tranny could not make up its mind up for what gear it wanted.

I have been more than civil on this thread and tried my best to give him sound advise and realistic pricing guidance. I realize the OP is a GM guy and I clearly stated I have no first hand experience with the truck.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Here's a 2010 set of curves. Since it's the same RPO, it's the same engine for 2011. One bad thing in reading some of these graphs, and that's the resolution. Put any engine of this size on a graph that reads to 1000 ft/lbs and the curve will look rather flat.

While I like all the big numbers why cant any of the manufactures make a gas engine with some grunt? Making the max torque at 4000 to 5000 rpm does nothing for me in a truck. Ford, GM, are all following the Dodge mentality.

I know its hard to make emissions when yo make low end grunt and granted this new motor makes more power at 2500 rpm than the old 5.3 did on a good day but its not for me. These new twin turbo V6's are what excite me making diesel like low end torque.

Chris

 

[PoorMansCat]

:thumbsup: WOW! There are a few of us left in this world. :thumbsup: The sad part is that 4.10s and 3.73s are starting to disappear.

The last gasser I bought was a 3/4 ton Dodge 4x4 quad cab that I had to specify with 4:10 gearing.
Of course, the salesman kept trying to get me to take one with 3:73... I declined!. I KNEW that he didnt care about after the sale, he just wanted to sell one off the lot!.
I finally walked off and they called back about 3 weeks later (I guess needing to make a sell?????) and we struck a deal on a 4:10 equipped truck. That little 347cu.in. small block gasser would drag the world out of orbit if I could have found a place to hook the chain!!!..
Then I upgraded to a diesel that has 3:73 gearing. I ALMOST ordered it with 4:10 also... !!!!..
I wonder if GM or Ford offer any decent pulling gears for the gassers??? I THINK Dodge still does.. not sure..

 

[Diamondpilot]

Ford offers many gears with its gas engines but the 4.30 is the lowest.

GM offer a lot also with its gas engines but the 4.10 is the lowest.

Dodge offers a 4.10 gear best I can tell. That site is hard to figure out and get any real info out of.

Chris

 

[PoorMansCat]

PoorMansCat; I would agree with your comments if we were talking the 4 speed auto coupled with 3.42 gears, but the 6 speed has some deep gears that, if I recall correctly, that does better than the 4sp and 3.73 or 4.10 gears. I have had no issues pulling. I would think that the pickup with 4WD low would allow pulling those few times when it is a tough situation. Remember also that the 6.2 has ~400lb/ft and ~400hp. Pretty decent for a gasser. With the variable valve timing (VVT), it has excellent torque at low end and very nice HP at high end (torque curve is flatter than you would expect). (yes, I know if does not equal a diesel) I searched for the graphs but did not find them with a quick look.

So which gear is 1 to 1 drive?? 4th??? Surely ya'll realize that overdrive gears are NOT made for pulling.. they are for CAFE fuel economy..
Transmission shops love it when people pull hard and don't bother to lock OD out... its nothing but revenue$$$$..
As for the gasser torque... I wouldn't call those #'s impressive.. but then again, I drive a diesel.. Maybe for a gasser its impressive, just doesn't seem so to me.
How much of that RPM can acheive 400 ft lbs? Remember, torque is what gets you going with that load.. SO, you have to put the engine at that # and hold it there to get it going..... At that point you are burning a ton of fuel..
Then, you get the load up to speed, thats when HP tries to take over. So, at what RPM do you get that 400hp??? To keep the load moving without losing speed, you gotta keep the engine at that RPM.. Only way to maintain RPM if the load increases(going uphill) is to backshift the trans.. there goes the fuel gauge again... !!.
The VVT stuff is ONLY going to play a part to take power out of the engine to conserve fuel... Its amazing how manufacturers will do something for emissions then spin it like they did it JUST FOR THE CONSUMER.. Its not just GM, Ford did it awhile back with the 6.4L diesel... And Dodge did it with the MDS system.. Not sure WHEN a Megacab 4x4 1/2 ton is ever gonna need LESS power????

 

[PoorMansCat]

Ford offers many gears with its gas engines but the 4.30 is the lowest.

GM offer a lot also with its gas engines but the 4.10 is the lowest.

Dodge offers a 4.10 gear best I can tell. That site is hard to figure out and get any real info out of.

Chris

Makes me wonder how I ever got anything done with the 5:13's in a 1/2 ton pickup with a 430hp. small block and just a lowly 3 speed auto!!!. hahaha. Life was so simple back then!!.

 

[Topkicker]

Hi Timswi. I work at Ft.Wayne GM where the truck you're looking at was built. I moved here this year with the launch of the new 2011 HD's. We also build the regular and extra cab 1/2 ton GMC's and Chevy's. If the truck you're looking at has the 6.2 V8 it SHOULD have 3:73 gears. To get this engine option, it requires the "Max Trailering Package" which automatically gives you the 3:73 gears. To double check this, I built a 1/2 ton 4wd truck on the GMC website and chose the 6.2 option and it "auto selected" 3:73. Look on the right side of the window sticker under the options. Somewhere it should say 3:73 axle. The left side of the window sticker will list "standard" equipment where you are probably seeing the 3:42 gear ratio. Anything on the right side of the window sticker over rules the standard options. :thumbsup:

 

[timswi]

Hi Timswi. I work at Ft.Wayne GM where the truck you're looking at was built. I moved here this year with the launch of the new 2011 HD's. We also build the regular and extra cab 1/2 ton GMC's and Chevy's. If the truck you're looking at has the 6.2 V8 it SHOULD have 3:73 gears. To get this engine option, it requires the "Max Trailering Package" which automatically gives you the 3:73 gears. To double check this, I built a 1/2 ton 4wd truck on the GMC website and chose the 6.2 option and it "auto selected" 3:73. Look on the right side of the window sticker under the options. Somewhere it should say 3:73 axle. The left side of the window sticker will list "standard" equipment where you are probably seeing the 3:42 gear ratio. Anything on the right side of the window sticker over rules the standard options. :thumbsup:

Thanks for that info...I didn't see the 3.73 override. I think it's just standatd towing, not max towing..It does have a towing package with controller etc.

Will be looking at it again tomorrow morning, to refresh my memory (it's been a couple of weeks since I last looked at it)..>For some reason nearly everything in PA is 3:42 except the rare few 1/2 ton gassers and thew DMAX's.

 

[Topkicker]

Thanks for that info...I didn't see the 3.73 override. I think it's just standatd towing, not max towing..It does have a towing package with controller etc.

Will be looking at it again tomorrow morning, to refresh my memory (it's been a couple of weeks since I last looked at it)..>For some reason nearly everything in PA is 3:42 except the rare few 1/2 ton gassers and thew DMAX's.

Very odd... Please let me know. I will be back in the plant on Monday and will look into this. I'm almost positive 6.2= 3:73. I will get answers next week. The 3:42 would get you better hwy mileage and the Tow Haul mode would keep the tranny in check for pulling. It's not a huge ratio difference between the two. Thanks for looking at one of our products.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Very odd... Please let me know. I will be back in the plant on Monday and will look into this. I'm almost positive 6.2= 3:73. I will get answers next week. The 3:42 would get you better hwy mileage and the Tow Haul mode would keep the tranny in check for pulling. It's not a huge ratio difference between the two. Thanks for looking at one of our products.

On the Build Your Own I checked you could select the 6.2 and then had a choice of Off Road, Max Towing and something else. I selected Off Road and the 3:42 stayed in. If Max Towing is selected the 3:73 comes in. Didn't have time to try the third option. So depending on how the dealer ordered I suspect the 3:42 could be there along with the 6.2

 

[Topkicker]

On the Build Your Own I checked you could select the 6.2 and then had a choice of Off Road, Max Towing and something else. I selected Off Road and the 3:42 stayed in. If Max Towing is selected the 3:73 comes in. Didn't have time to try the third option. So depending on how the dealer ordered I suspect the 3:42 could be there along with the 6.2

I did it again and you're correct. It looks like the Off Road package IS 3:42. I thought 6.2= Max Tow Package which= 3:73. Whew... GM and their options. I've worked at four assembly plants in the last eleven years and the option list grows every year. I never thought I'd see the day you could get heated leather seats, navigation, back up cameras, and dual temp controll on a pickup. America loves choices and GM tries to offer a truck for everyone. I will get this straight on Monday.

 

[PoorMansCat]

Back around 1973 when Mopar started using the NP-203 full-time transfer cases, they put out a little booklet concerning its features. They made some type of claim about how great the fuel mileage was. About 3 years later, the NP-203 pretty much disappeared from the face of the earth.

About the same time, AC Spark Plug ran some advertising about about tempering with emissions systems would increase plug temperatures. This was in the era of disconnecting EGR and "test pipe" use. It was never mentioned that you can change to different temperature plugs. The media is real good at this stuff. I still amazed what the public will swallow.

The twin turbos on the 6.4L... I remember when that commercial came out.. I think the had Mike Rowe narrating how one turbo got you off the starting line first and the other one "made sure you got to the finish line first" What a joke!!!. The compound turbocharging was the only way they could get the emissions issues and altitude issues corrected at the same time!. It had absolutely nothing to do with h.p..... or reliability for that matter!!!. hahaha.
Reminds me of the old MadMax movie where he gets going 1 billion MPH then flips the toggle switch to "kick in" his blower thats sticking thru the hood!!. Low and behold, he rockets off from a billion to a zillion .....

 

[Diamondpilot]

I did it again and you're correct. It looks like the Off Road package IS 3:42. I thought 6.2= Max Tow Package which= 3:73. Whew... GM and their options. I've worked at four assembly plants in the last eleven years and the option list grows every year. I never thought I'd see the day you could get heated leather seats, navigation, back up cameras, and dual temp controll on a pickup. America loves choices and GM tries to offer a truck for everyone. I will get this straight on Monday.

At one time I read you could get a F-150 in over 10,000 variants. I am sure its about the same for GM and Dodge. Crazy....

Chris

 

[timswi]

At one time I read you could get a F-150 in over 10,000 variants. I am sure its about the same for GM and Dodge. Crazy....

Chris

Probably true...Virtually impossible to compare anything but base work trucks.

 

[Ford850]

At one time I read you could get a F-150 in over 10,000 variants. I am sure its about the same for GM and Dodge. Crazy....

Chris

And what's even more crazy is how often we complain about a certain engine not available in x-length bed, etc. The more options available, the more possible configurations in the end, and the more expensive they get. Think of how much more expensive trucks would be if we could pick every option a la carte and build a complete 'custom' truck. hmmm, maybe that will someday be possible rather than all the packages. Have a once a month run of complete 'custom option builds'. But then think how much less a truck would cost if we were still following Henry Ford's marketing of "available in any color, as long as it's black".

 

[Diamondpilot]

And what's even more crazy is how often we complain about a certain engine not available in x-length bed, etc. The more options available, the more possible configurations in the end, and the more expensive they get. Think of how much more expensive trucks would be if we could pick every option a la carte and build a complete 'custom' truck. hmmm, maybe that will someday be possible rather than all the packages. Have a once a month run of complete 'custom option builds'. But then think how much less a truck would cost if we were still following Henry Ford's marketing of "available in any color, as long as it's black".

I have read that Fords next goal is to cut down the number of variants by as much as 1/2. I think its smart.

When I bought my first new car, a 96 Honda Civic, it was very much that way. I had a 2 month old S-10 Blazer I bought off my dad in 89 but it was technically used even though it had 4,000 miles on it and I knew the owner.

Anyway the Civics all had standard stuff. About the only option was a stick or auto, mag wheels or not, sun roof or not, and the color. I think they only had 5 colors and all had the same interior. Very simple process.

Chris

 

[timswi]

Looked at it again this morning before the dealer opened. It has the HD towing, not the max towing. That would probably explain the gears.

The dealer won't give me any straight answers on this..So I'll probably have to move on. Why does this have to be so painful?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Looked at it again this morning before the dealer opened. It has the HD towing, not the max towing. That would probably explain the gears.

The dealer won't give me any straight answers on this..So I'll probably have to move on. Why does this have to be so painful?

Use the internet as your friend. I have drive 4 hours to get a new boat or vehicle. Search them out and call the deal. I always start off with "this can be the easiest sell you will ever make". Tell them you are not into BS and they have one chance to work a deal.

I am waiting to hear back on just this type of deal right now. Its a $70,000 boat that I offered $50,000 on. Best time to buy is last Saturday of the month when they open the doors. If you pay attention that is when they pull out all the stops having balloons for the kids, hot dogs, local radio station, ect to draw in buyers. Show up at 9 am or when they open. Tell them they can start the day off good but they have 5 minutes to put the deal together. Last time I did this was when I bought my Titan. Went back the following Monday to pick it up after work and the sales lady told me it was the easiest deal she had ever done and she had sold 5 total that day. A good Saturday for here was 2 vehicles. She said I set the tone and things went smooth the rest of the day.

Chris

 

[crazyal]

This is why I buy vehicles once every 10 years :laughing:. I just bought a Subaru and found they had a website that listed every new car and what dealer had it. I was able to pick and choose what I wanted (color, trim, etc.) and then just deal with the couple of dealers that had what I was looking for. And that's for a car with just a few options. I'm not sure if I would want to go through it for a truck.

 

[timswi]

Use the internet as your friend. I have drive 4 hours to get a new boat or vehicle. Search them out and call the deal. I always start off with "this can be the easiest sell you will ever make". Tell them you are not into BS and they have one chance to work a deal.

I am waiting to hear back on just this type of deal right now. Its a $70,000 boat that I offered $50,000 on. Best time to buy is last Saturday of the month when they open the doors. If you pay attention that is when they pull out all the stops having balloons for the kids, hot dogs, local radio station, ect to draw in buyers. Show up at 9 am or when they open. Tell them they can start the day off good but they have 5 minutes to put the deal together. Last time I did this was when I bought my Titan. Went back the following Monday to pick it up after work and the sales lady told me it was the easiest deal she had ever done and she had sold 5 total that day. A good Saturday for here was 2 vehicles. She said I set the tone and things went smooth the rest of the day.

Chris

I'm trying to use the net. These clowns want a warm body there before they will get specific. I get PTSD everytime I walk into a car dealer thanks to my time working in a couple of them...Thankfully in service.

I told the salesman I'd be there at 7:30 this morning to get some warranty work done...Was there until 9. You'd think he'd show up a half hour early to discuss this. Guess not.

If I were him, I'd have been there at 7-7:30am and looking in the waiting room for my ringer.