Will GM ever get rid of the G80?

[Texas Daddy]

There is a reason the g80 has lasted so long - it does the job. Better than an LSD and better than an e lock that just brakes opposite wheel. A good set of tires and a g80 will get you almost as far as 4 wheel drive - hell, I have never needed 4 wheel low with g80 except for when I was pulling a stump...

 

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[BlaineBug]

How about the stabili-trak system?  Does that provide automatic braking to wheels with too much spin?  Say, for the front axle which has an open differential?

[amxguy1970]

On 12/4/2019 at 9:45 AM, oldmann said:

I like the G80 a lot, but a front locker would be helpful.  The only problem I have with the G80 is that is stays locked longer than I like.  

What kind of situation are you in with a full size truck that a front locker would be beneficial? I would imaging maybe 300 people of all full size truck owners would actually benefit from a front locker. A limited slip or brake based traction unit would be a much better option for the other 9.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999%

 

Doing that would reduce warranty costs as it would break less, be easier to use and cause less issues among others benefits versus locking the front. I think people just love saying locker and front locker like a badge of honor. I was very surprised they put one in the ZR2, IFS is notoriously a horrible spot for a locker with all the geometry the front end has to go through. Add more weight and power of a full size and even more problems arise. 

 

Jump to 7:40. I honestly did not think the AT4 would make that with only a rear locker and open front diff but alas it did. 

 

 

Keep the G80, add a traction based front system for the regular Z71 trucks then a selectable rear with a limited slip and brake based system for the front of the ZRX (optional limited slip front for the Trailboss) and you have a great off road package that will take them anywhere they need to go. With exception to those 300 people, who lets be honest if they are putting them selves in those situations probably have a winch and have done other modifications already but would be better off with a different offroad vehicle. 

 

Tyler

[j-ten-ner]

The video actually proves that the G80 does an excellent job.

It took the RAM 19-ish seconds (8:24 - 8:43) to get moving again and they had to back the truck up because he couldn't make the turn.

The Sierra started moving after 7 seconds (10:30 - 10:37) and made the turn look easy.

Clear winner. In my book.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[MacLaren]

Long Live the G80!

 

Dilly Dilly!!!

[Cpl_Punishment]

2 hours ago, amxguy1970 said:

What kind of situation are you in with a full size truck that a front locker would be beneficial? I would imaging maybe 300 people of all full size truck owners would actually benefit from a front locker. A limited slip or brake based traction unit would be a much better option for the other 9.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999%

 

Doing that would reduce warranty costs as it would break less, be easier to use and cause less issues among others benefits versus locking the front. I think people just love saying locker and front locker like a badge of honor. I was very surprised they put one in the ZR2, IFS is notoriously a horrible spot for a locker with all the geometry the front end has to go through. Add more weight and power of a full size and even more problems arise. 

 

Jump to 7:40. I honestly did not think the AT4 would make that with only a rear locker and open front diff but alas it did. 

 

 

Keep the G80, add a traction based front system for the regular Z71 trucks then a selectable rear with a limited slip and brake based system for the front of the ZRX (optional limited slip front for the Trailboss) and you have a great off road package that will take them anywhere they need to go. With exception to those 300 people, who lets be honest if they are putting them selves in those situations probably have a winch and have done other modifications already but would be better off with a different offroad vehicle. 

 

Tyler

 

1 hour ago, j-ten-ner said:

The video actually proves that the G80 does an excellent job.

It took the RAM 19-ish seconds (8:24 - 8:43) to get moving again and they had to back the truck up because he couldn't make the turn.

The Sierra started moving after 7 seconds (10:30 - 10:37) and made the turn look easy.

Clear winner. In my book.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

You also won't have to push your AT4 home because something died on you out in the bush...

[foghorn23]

10 hours ago, Cpl_Punishment said:

 

You also won't have to push your AT4 home because something died on you out in the bush...

And with Ram's (Chrysler's) reputation for high quality electrics in their vehicles, this will probably happen sooner rather than later. 

 

With all the hype in the video about the twist ditch, once the G80 was engaged there was no drama.  Not sure I saw one truck perform better than the other as far as ability to get out of the situation.  The sway bar disconnect on the Ram gave it obviously better suspension travel, but the GMC crawled right out of its predicament just as easily.

[oldmann]

14 hours ago, amxguy1970 said:

What kind of situation are you in with a full size truck that a front locker would be beneficial? I would imaging maybe 300 people of all full size truck owners would actually benefit from a front locker. A limited slip or brake based traction unit would be a much better option for the other 9.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999%

 

Doing that would reduce warranty costs as it would break less, be easier to use and cause less issues among others benefits versus locking the front. I think people just love saying locker and front locker like a badge of honor. I was very surprised they put one in the ZR2, IFS is notoriously a horrible spot for a locker with all the geometry the front end has to go through. Add more weight and power of a full size and even more problems arise. 

 

Jump to 7:40. I honestly did not think the AT4 would make that with only a rear locker and open front diff but alas it did. 

 

 

Keep the G80, add a traction based front system for the regular Z71 trucks then a selectable rear with a limited slip and brake based system for the front of the ZRX (optional limited slip front for the Trailboss) and you have a great off road package that will take them anywhere they need to go. With exception to those 300 people, who lets be honest if they are putting them selves in those situations probably have a winch and have done other modifications already but would be better off with a different offroad vehicle. 

 

Tyler

Fair question I suppose.  Here in Michigan we get a fair amount of snow.  We can have up to 14" on the ground in my part of the state for a couple weeks at a time.  I enjoy the winter and have a permanent army tent camp setup.  To get there I have to drive through a small stream with steep banks on each side.  A front locker would be of benefit getting up the icy hill.  Also, the properties I manage and the work I do demands a pickup with a bit of capability.  It would be nice to have the front locker sometimes.  I am glad that the two speed transfer case shuts off all the nanny controls when in low.  Mated with the 10 speed it is a great combination and isn't as harsh as the old 6 speed shifting and revving unless it is really needed.

[SierraHD17]

Someday GM will get out of the 70s... someday lol.  These trucks all have the brake lock limited slip programming in them.  The GMT900s had it too.

Edited December 6, 2019 by SierraHD17

[Grumpy Bear]

It's the 1XX rpm to lock that gives me pause. I understand it wouldn't be an issue on a slippery surface like mud or snow. Thing is, the only personal use I have for it is acceleration on dry pavement. I like it to leave straight. 

[Robotaz]

I would only want to flip locker switches on something far more off road oriented than a pickup. I love the auto locker. It just works. It even works when I wouldn’t necessarily throw the switch and probably performs better as a result.

[Grumpy Bear]

Truetrac then?

 

1 hour ago, Robotaz said:

I would only want to flip locker switches on something far more off road oriented than a pickup. I love the auto locker. It just works. It even works when I wouldn’t necessarily throw the switch and probably performs better as a result.

 

[Robotaz]

Truetrac then?
 
 

Are you saying I’d like one? I looked them up. Just looks like a limited slip?

[Grumpy Bear]

1 hour ago, Robotaz said:

 I looked them up. Just looks like a limited slip?

 

 

Not quite. There are no clutches. It is engaged full time. It is seamless.

 

 

 

[Robotaz]

 

Not quite. There are no clutches. It is engaged full time. It is seamless.

  

Thank you very much for taking the time to bring it up and post the video. That is really cool.