2003 HD Crew Cab to get Quadrasteer?

TxDoc · January 20, 2002

According to this article, 2003. I don't know if that is still on schedule. If the 1/2-ton gets a 9.75" rear end, I wonder what an HD will get?

Article

"In January of 2002 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Silverado extended cab pickup buyers will have the option of adding four-wheel steer to their trucks followed by Heavy Duty crew cab and Suburban owners for the 2003 model year".

From another review

"Driving. 4WS eases the on-center twitchiness typical of GM trucks. The 540-mile run here from Virginia in an '02 Chevrolet Tahoe sport-utility vehicle was a satisfying delight — except for all the jiggling on the steering wheel to keep pointed straight ahead. The 540-mile drive back home on the same roads in the Denali was less tiring and annoying because the truck stayed centered better when 4WS was operating. The 5-inch-wider rear track might have something to do with that".

"4WS makes the big rig more precise and pleasant to sling through curves, too, if that's your idea of truckin' fun".

"Quadrasteer is the product of Delphi, formerly owned by GM. It's been in development since 1992 and got a boost when GMC approached the parts supplier three years ago with promises of big volumes and a use that makes sense. GMC has the feature to itself a few months, then shares with corporate cousin Chevrolet".

"Chevy plans to start Q-steer on Silverado 1500 extended-cab, short-bed, standard-duty pickups in the spring. Then it goes onto other full-size GM trucks in the '03 model year, when the full-size pickups get styling and interior changes and pickup-based SUVs get interior enhancements".

"With Quadrasteer, the Sierra Denali gets a new standard 4.10 rear axle ratio which increases its Gross Combined Weight Rating by 2000 lbs. to 16,000 lbs. and boosts its maximum trailer rating from 8,700 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. A larger 9.75-inch rear ring gear is used to increase the rear axle’s gross weight rating by 250 pounds to 4000 lbs. The larger rear axle increases the GVW rating 400 lbs. to 7200 lbs. The Quadrasteer system adds a weight penalty of about 285 pounds to the truck but gives back this amount and more in additional towing and hauling capabilities over the C3".

Some images:

Jpshostr · January 20, 2002

I think it will be a few years until we see four wheel steering under a three quarter ton and up truck. Getting an axle to steer while still being able to have the load rating as the current ones would be difficult, and while it could be done now it would be very very $$$. A completely different design will have to be made than the one under the half tons IMO. One that is cost effective to make (IE not too expensive so people won't buy it) while still being able to be heavily loaded.

Kansas Kid · January 21, 2002

I believe they rear axle they are using is a Dana 60. I think that will be overkill for a 1/2 ton application, but probably not quite enough for a 2500HD. I don't think it is rated high enough for those applications. Although it was used for quite awhile in the past as a rear axle on 3/4 ton trucks....

Shaners · January 21, 2002

It would be a nice option... Now I would be able to go around corners without jumping a curb or taking up 1 1/2 lanes, and I'd be able to get into a parking space too!!!

sk · January 22, 2002

TxDoc,

I replied at TheDieselPage. Here's a cut-and-paste of my reply:

"I read that a few weeks ago and wondered about it too. I think they are only talking about the 1500HD Crew Cab, not the 2500HD or 3500. Since the 1500HD shares the "non-HD" underpinnings of the 1500/2500 Silverado/Sierra/Tahoe/Sub/Yukon it would be pretty easy to put it under there.

I may be completely wrong, though, since I don't have any inside info to support this."

Scott

Jpshostr · January 22, 2002

TxDoc,

I replied at TheDieselPage. Here's a cut-and-paste of my reply:

"I read that a few weeks ago and wondered about it too. I think they are only talking about the 1500HD Crew Cab, not the 2500HD or 3500. Since the 1500HD shares the "non-HD" underpinnings of the 1500/2500 Silverado/Sierra/Tahoe/Sub/Yukon it would be pretty easy to put it under there.

I may be completely wrong, though, since I don't have any inside info to support this."

Scott

I agree with that line of thinking. We may see the Quadrasteer underneath the 1500HD fairly soon, but it will most likely be a few years until the Silverado HDs get it.

Jpshostr · January 22, 2002

It would be a nice option... Now I would be able to go around corners without jumping a curb or taking up 1 1/2 lanes, and I'd be able to get into a parking space too!!!

If you are still doing that you haven't been driving these trucks long enough! ;)

Shaners · January 22, 2002

It would be a nice option... Now I would be able to go around corners without jumping a curb or taking up 1 1/2 lanes, and I'd be able to get into a parking space too!!!

If you are still doing that you haven't been driving these trucks long enough! ;)

Around here the streets are narrow, and the parking lots are designed with Chevy Cavaliers in mind.. Even if I could pull straight in to a spot at Walmart, I'd have about 6" of room on either side of my tires before they were touching the yellow lines. Everyone who drives something bigger than a midsize car parks in the "far lot".