DISAPPOINTING 2019 Chevy Powertrain / Gearing options

July 10, 2018

Except for 7th and 8th. If the trans has 8 gears it isn't going to try and stay in 1-6.. I understand all of the advantages and the gripes. If I wind up with a 10 speed I will still regear the truck because it will not handle the highway or towing with a heavier aftermarket wheel and tire setup. No doubt it will do better than previous years but it still won't perform where 99% of these trucks get used daily. Should GM have to account for us 1%; absolutely not but it isn't for us. Just hope the aftermarket catches up sooner than later.

Edit: I currently have a duramax and with 35's it could have used 4:10's; when those wore out I put 33's on it instead of the gearing headache again. Maybe the Allison needs 8 gears not sure.

While i think what you said is valid and the truth, should gm gear for everyone who is going to add bigger tires? But i think what most people are asking for is the option correct?

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shift_grind · July 10, 2018

8 hours ago, 48548 said:

While i think what you said is valid and the truth, should gm gear for everyone who is going to add bigger tires? But i think what most people are asking for is the option correct?

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Yes, the option. Like Ford and Ram do.

HondaHawkGT · July 10, 2018

18 hours ago, CAtaylor said:

Except for 7th and 8th. If the trans has 8 gears it isn't going to try and stay in 1-6.. I understand all of the advantages and the gripes.

7th and 8th are cruising gears. 1-6 are much more important than 7th/8th/10th.

Even Ford/GM 10-speed has a taller 9th and 10th gears:

Colossus · July 11, 2018

12 hours ago, shift_grind said:

Yes, the option. Like Ford and Ram do.

Well they are not going to. Get over it.

TXGREEK · July 11, 2018

Well they are not going to. Get over it.

Absolutely correct, auto makers have strict guidelines to follow based on what stringent regulations they’re having to follow. Personally, IMHO, who cares! You’ve got excellent mpg’s and performance right out of the box!

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revrnd · July 11, 2018

29 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:

Absolutely correct, auto makers have strict guidelines to follow based on what stringent regulations they’re having to follow. Personally, IMHO, who cares! You’ve got excellent mpg’s and performance right out of the box!

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Not sure how the regs are nowadays but does the EPA & CARB require each engine, transmission & axle ratio combination be tested for emissions and/or fuel economy standard compliance? Or are the axle ratios not part of the equation?

Anyone who lived thru the early 80s will remember the lousy axle choices back then. When I was ordering my '82 K15 (305 4 Spd OD AT) shortbox, the best ratio I could get was a 3.08 Had I wanted a 3.42, I had to order a long box.

TXGREEK · July 11, 2018

Not sure how the regs are nowadays but does the EPA & CARB require each engine, transmission & axle ratio combination be tested for emissions and/or fuel economy standard compliance? Or are the axle ratios not part of the equation?

Anyone who lived thru the early 80s will remember the lousy axle choices back then. When I was ordering my '82 K15 (305 4 Spd OD AT) shortbox, the best ratio I could get was a 3.08 Had I wanted a 3.42, I had to order a long box.

The epa does have strict requirements which I’m sure you’d be able to google and find it requiring “ALL” auto manufacturers to comply with an mpg by certain date so I’d make a wise guess and say that GM is definitely leading the pack with their mpg’s on their full size trucks, my 18 6.2 with a level front and rear and heavier wheels and tires gets 22-23 highway

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shift_grind · July 11, 2018

18 hours ago, Colossus said:

Well they are not going to. Get over it.

Glad to see you have inside info and know for a fact they won't offer it now or ever.

shift_grind · July 11, 2018

5 hours ago, revrnd said:

Not sure how the regs are nowadays but does the EPA & CARB require each engine, transmission & axle ratio combination be tested for emissions and/or fuel economy standard compliance? Or are the axle ratios not part of the equation?

Anyone who lived thru the early 80s will remember the lousy axle choices back then. When I was ordering my '82 K15 (305 4 Spd OD AT) shortbox, the best ratio I could get was a 3.08 Had I wanted a 3.42, I had to order a long box.

I can't imagine they are because nobody lists different mpg ratings depending on gear ratio.

Cafe requirements are a valid point but it doesn't explain how every other manufacturer can do it but GM can't. I think they want to hide behind it but it's really a cost-savings measure.

TXGREEK · July 11, 2018

I can't imagine they are because nobody lists different mpg ratings depending on gear ratio.

Cafe requirements are a valid point but it doesn't explain how every other manufacturer can do it but GM can't. I think they want to hide behind it but it's really a cost-savings measure.

IMHO, I don’t think it has anything to do with cost-savings, it’s about quality. You can not compare the other manufacturers low quality vehicles to GM, my GMC completely outperforms all in its class out of the box, if I want to upgrade it then it’ll be up to me, wouldn’t want to pay for an upgrade that would need replacing down the road due to even more upgrades. My truck only has a level on it, not a lift but if was to go do a lift I’d then and only then run with it and do the whole package. Com’on now, it’s not that expensive to switch out gears especially in a package deal, besides, I’m sure there are other things in the world to be upset about.

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CAtaylor · July 12, 2018

On 7/10/2018 at 5:34 PM, HondaHawkGT said:

7th and 8th are cruising gears. 1-6 are much more important than 7th/8th/10th.

Even Ford/GM 10-speed has a taller 9th and 10th gears:

I understand the above but don't agree that the cruising gears are not as important. That is where these trucks "should" spend the majority of their time unless you live in a city and spend the majority of your day stop and go. As I mentioned, GM shouldn't have to account for us small percentage that need the heavier, larger diameter tires but the option to have the gears from the factory would be nice. I havent looked into it since I regeard my 14 1500 but at that time no one made direct drop in replacements and it was one heck of a headache getting it right. It isn't even an option on their off road oriented trucks and I think that is what originally got this thread started. The number of these trucks that will be used for rock climbing is dramatically lower than the number that will be used for towing on the highway or cruising down the highway unloaded. If they want it for rock climbing the reduction on the bottom side is there, it's enough to pull a house off its foundation turning 40" tires if the truck could get traction; just don't plan on daily driving it to work or you might as well lock out the cruising gears to save the tranny

Edited July 12, 2018 by CAtaylor

TXGREEK · July 12, 2018

I understand the above but don't agree that the cruising gears are not as important. That is where these trucks "should" spend the majority of their time unless you live in a city and spend the majority of your day stop and go. As I mentioned, GM shouldn't have to account for us small percentage that need the heavier, larger diameter tires but the option to have the gears from the factory would be nice. I havent looked into it since I regeard my 14 1500 but at that time no one made direct drop in replacements and it was one heck of a headache getting it right. It isn't even an option on their off road oriented trucks and I think that is what originally got this thread started. The number of these trucks that will be used for rock climbing is dramatically lower than the number that will be used for towing on the highway or cruising down the highway unloaded. If they want it for rock climbing the reduction on the bottom side is there, it's enough to pull a house off its foundation turning 40" tires if the truck could get traction; just don't plan on daily driving it to work or you might as well lock out the cruising gears to save the tranny

I think you’re absolutely correct, these trucks are designed for us to get the maximum out of what trucks are designed and built for in the first place, towing and hauling and highway cruising. But, if I were to do a lift with much bigger tires I’d definitely use only a proven off-road rear end but then even though I’m sure it can be done, I’d be screwed on towing and hauling. Just go down to your local 4wheelparts store and get it done.

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shift_grind · July 12, 2018

20 hours ago, TXGREEK said:

IMHO, I don’t think it has anything to do with cost-savings, it’s about quality. You can not compare the other manufacturers low quality vehicles to GM, my GMC completely outperforms all in its class out of the box, if I want to upgrade it then it’ll be up to me, wouldn’t want to pay for an upgrade that would need replacing down the road due to even more upgrades. My truck only has a level on it, not a lift but if was to go do a lift I’d then and only then run with it and do the whole package. Com’on now, it’s not that expensive to switch out gears especially in a package deal, besides, I’m sure there are other things in the world to be upset about.

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I'm not following your logic. GM doesn't offer options in gears because they are all about quality but no one else is offering the same level of quality? this is why other manufactures can offer multiple ratios and they can't?

Ratio change in a 4wd truck is around 1.5-2k and you will need to retune the vehicle to work with the new gears. Another 300-500 and a voided warranty as you've now retuned your truck. That is ridiculous.

KARNUT · July 12, 2018

I’m sure this is not the first time I’d posted in this particular thread. While I have a deep dislike of cylinder deactivation, I realize these trucks are built for the average buyer, maybe I’m not. In saying that I’ve never bought a truck that I’ve left stock. My perfect new truck would be, a GMC, SLE Texas Edition, 6.2, tuned to run on reg gas with the E85 option that would put it around 450 HP. Also a 456 posi 8 speed with the first 6 for motivation the last two overdrive. And no cylinder deactivation. They ain’t going to build it. I’m not pissed I’ve just have done it myself.

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HondaHawkGT · July 12, 2018

On 7/10/2018 at 8:14 AM, shift_grind said:

Yes, the option. Like Ford and Ram do.

Ford doesn't. The largest tires offered on a 2018 Ford F-150 are LT275/65R18's. Any tire larger than that would constitute an "oversized tire". If you install a lift kit or "oversized tires" on your 2018 F-150, Ford says the following:

Quote

Damage Caused by Alteration or Modification

The New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover any damage caused by:

The installation or use of a non-Ford Motor Company part or software

(other than a certified emissions part or software) or any part or

software (Ford or non-Ford) designed for off-road use only installed

after the vehicle leaves the control of Ford Motor Company, if the

installed part fails or causes a Ford part to fail. Examples include, but

are not limited to lift kits, oversized tires, roll bars, cellular phones,

alarm systems, automatic starting systems and performance-enhancing

powertrain components or software and performance “chips”.

This a direct quote from the warranty guide for a 2018 Ford F-150.

https://owner.ford.com/tools/account/how-tos/owner-manuals-search-results.html?year=2018&make=Ford&model=F-150

Ram offers up to a 33" tire stock. The largest wheel and tire combo available on a 2018 Ram 1500 is LT285/70R17 or P275/60R20. FCA does sell a ridiculously overpriced Mopar lift kit for Ram 1500 trucks. For $984.00, Mopar will sell you a 2" lift (Part #P5155797). With it, you could install 35's, but what does the warranty for the lift say?

In the Mopar lift kit's warranty fine print they say:

Quote

Mopar Performance Parts with part numbers beginning with “P” are sold “as-is” without warranty coverage of any kind by Mopar unless otherwise noted.

Wow, a 2-inch lift that costs $984.00 isn't covered under warranty at all.

FCA/Mopar then goes on to state:

Quote

The addition of performance parts does not by itself void a vehicle’s warranty. However, added performance parts (parts not originally supplied on the vehicle from the factory) are not covered by the vehicle’s warranty, and any failure that they may cause is also not covered by the vehicle’s warranty.

So while Ram 1500's can fit 35's with a small lift, the modifications required to fit 35's, even when using official Mopar parts to lift the truck, can void your warranty. Damage to the weak Ram IFS, the steering system, transmission, etc can easily be blamed on the little 2" lift they sold you.

Edited July 14, 2018 by HondaHawkGT