Denali AWD Technology - What is it?

Manskliga Anden · March 23, 2004

I recently purchased a 2004, GMC Yukon XL Denali. Can anyone tell me about or point me to technical information about the components used in the AWD system of this vehicle? i.e. What type of center differential is used? Who makes the center differential? How is the torque balanced front to rear and side to side and to what extent or what percentages? What is the description of the fluid used in the center differential? Is it a synthetic or semi-synthetic fluid? I appreciate any help understanding how this drive system works and how to take care of it - thanks!

P.S. Doing some www searching the other night, I did get one article briefly stating the 2001/02 Denali AWD utilized a New Process 'integral viscus coupling' design and the 2003/04 Denali AWD utilized a Borg Warner 'open differential' design. I cannot verify this nor do I know which system performs better.