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Showing results for tags 'dmax 4x4'.
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Morning, It was suggested that I place the write up on the custom gauge installation in this section so I will do just that. A bit of background: this truck is brand new with just under 8000 km on the clock. It has already seen -45C and some off road conditions. I am a business owner (Arrowsmith Project Management Limited) and this is one of my trucks. First: a special thanks to everyone who has discussed the upfitter switches using the GM parts. I was very excited about that and was going to go that way but with discussions at the local parts counter about being my responsibility and that it would void the warranty and such I decided to do my own thing as all of this 12V stuff just needs a source and a ground. No ECM or other modules to plug into etc. Second, because I bounce down roads everything has to be solid, secure and of industrial grade to not fall apart in the middle of nowhere. Here is the installation process. FYI get the right tools - in this case the trim removal tools or you could end up with scratches and nicks like this. (PIC 1) PIC 2 and 3 - OEM trim of the AT4 before PIC 4 and 5 - Pay close attention to how things come apart - watch all the videos and read all the existing write ups on removal of panels. This TAKES TIME. Go slow and be patient. There are 2 clips that will break if your removal of the console lower trim piece on either side is removed in haste. PIC 6, 7 and 8 - The removal process. PIC 9, 10, 11 and 12 - Switch locations and layout - plan this out carefully. measure as many times as you need to. Take lots of pictures. I opted to use the OEM location as best I could for 2 switches. These ones control my front light bar from Bright Source and Strands. It has a main ON/OFF and a secondary driving light in both amber and white. This resulted in first installing a SPST rocker and a SPST moment switch. The moment was later swapped out for a SPDT rocker. I had a little trimming to do under the knee bolster panel. PIC 13, 14 and 15 - Trimming the drivers side lower console panel - this was done to house the cluster of switches for all the other goodies I need. (Reverse Alarm (1), Buggy Whip (1), Overhead Rotating Beacon (2), winch (1) and rear facing service lights (1))
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Ok guys (and gals), I am very likely in need of a second "loaded" work truck this year. Having been a Cummins guy for the last 22 years but since 2017 an owner of a Yukon and as well now a Camaro the way the new GM product is spec'd it has all the bells and whistles but still functions like a truck, minus the solid front axle. Having tested a new 2021 3500 AT4 DMAX - I really like it. I love the upfitter switches, the HUD and the ride is as good or better than my 2012 3500 RAM (which has aftermarket FOX 2.0 shocks and a nice lift). Now for what I do, it still needs to be leveled out as that front lower valance will get ripped off in a week but otherwise, very nice. Comparing to a similarly equipped 3500 RAM and honestly, and this is coming from a RAM guy, these aren't even in the same park, let alone field. Sure the Cummins is great but the truck felt a tad cheap and when both are over $100K (CDN) it has to feel right. The other big gripe I have is with that 12" screen. I love tech but if you just want to turn on the seats or something, there are too many screens, too much distraction and frankly as I do a lot of driving at night, even turned down it was too bright and made it hard to see outside. So for this knowledgeable group here are some questions: 1. cost of ownership? this will be a work truck and not a grocery getter so it will do a lot of long hauls but more so, a lot of slow bumpy driving on goat trails. So is the drive line up to the task? I don't want to be getting alignments every other oil change or whatever. 2. V8 DMAX vs I6 Cummins - again cost of ownership? will I get 400,000 km before I need to do anything major with valves, rings etc.? 3. I do a lot of idling (no comments from the greens please) so this must be able to handle that without burning a bunch of fuel (or something might just fall off). EGR? DPF? DEF? 4. I wasn't planning on a shorter than 8 FT box but I really don't need another "barn on wheels" so is this "standard box" good enough? 5. GM 10 speed auto vs the RAM 6 speed auto? The RAM is not all that great but I know how to fix it. Now to throw a wrench in here, I started looking at the 1500 AT4 but quickly found no upfitter switches and it needed a 4" lift kit even though it claims to be taller than a regular sierra - although frankly, that is marginal at best. I though the 6.2L would do me fine with the 10 speed auto but I am concerned about my 10 year 400,000 range I typically consider for replacement but equally thought that I could add a 2.7L super charger to it after the jobs and make my own version of a Hennessy - because I think I could do that. So, thoughts? comments? am I crazy? remember, work truck, long distances, lots of idling and so on... Any help would be greatly appreciated.
