Community Question: How Would You Change The Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra?
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It’s no secret that GM is actively working on the next-generation of its full-size pickup trucks due out sometime in 2013 for the 2014 model-year. And we know that this time around, the Chevy will carry a different exterior design compared to its GMC counterpart… which brings us to the question: what would you like to see in the next-gen trucks?
Anything is game here, folks: powertrains, exterior and interior design, utility and on-the-job features (read: Ford’s much-admired man step), durability, capability, technology, the competition and anything and everything else you can think of.
Be heard in the comments and keep it chivalrous — we all know the fine people at GM are reading (and taking notes).
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Due to the fact that current GM full size trucks were designed by old GM, I really think that they cheapened out on few things, 900’s are not too far ahead of 800’s (except 2011 HD’s)
I would start with up to date power-train and technology, offer diesel in half-tons, stronger body, stronger bumpers, more leg room for rear passengers (crew cab models), replace extended car with small crew cab (like Ram/Tundra) suicide doors are annoying, go back rear disc brakes, bigger and round wheel wells, better approach and depart angles, galvanize metal to prevent rust, offer more features and editions, I want to see GM not to just match the competition but get ahead and work hard to stay ahead.
And to earn more respect, offer both IFS and SFA on all 4×4 models with front and rear e lockers on at least Z-71 models.
thats just from top of my head, there might be more.
I also would like to see a new version of this, but this time as a production model.
http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/stories/silverfox/silverfox_1.html
I’d say refinement and interior quality to change. Maybe to differentiate from GMC. Along with new engines. Maybe doing TT V6 along with high output V6 and regular V8 and high output V8. Diesel would be welcome also! New technology but not complicated ones that Ford has. Maybe shed some weight and put more towing capacity. That’s all I can think of right now.
MEMO FOR RECORD
FROM: STEVEN TYLER
SUBJECT: NEW 2014 SIVERADO INPUTS
1. Improve fuel economy to 25 MPG range – GOAL 30 MPG by 2020
2. Improve brakes 14 inch rotors, improve calipers
3. Improve suspension pkgs – (ride handling in corners, over speed bumps)
4. Improve ride control to have magnetic ride control system (like Camaro)
5. No more drum brakes – please no more
6. Reconsider body – keep it, only slightly modify front appearance – increase cabin space as well
7. Change the GMC truck to have the Silverado body
8. Increase to 327 HP to 426HP – flex fuel satndard
9. Consider more Texas Editions options through out LS/LT/LTZ line up
10. Go to standard 20 inch rims and 22 inch optional
11. No more 17, 18 rims as standard – cut cost of these sizes
12. No man step
13. Lockable rear gate standard
14. Seating in crew cab and extend cab – adjustable rear seating – slide forward/aft
15. Re-consider comfort of front center bench seat
16. Re-position front interior door handles to be easily accessible on LS/LT/LTZ
17. New GM entertainment system – coming!
18. Improve OnStar -redesign to GM link system
19. Offer an industry 1st a new soft top- like the Fiat 500 (Crew/Ext Cab Only)
20. Go to standard heated mirrors, with turn signal in mirrors (standard)
21. Do more reaserch on the Lexan front headlights housing clear plastic service life…They fog/fade and haze at 50K to 60K miles.
22. Keep seating for six an option.
23. Only modest prices increase from currently priced vehicles
24. Offer one full Volt powered truck in line up
25. Keep your GM employees employeed! stop downsizing, start to GROW!
This will do it for now….
The basics:
New frame. Steel in the areas needed. When less strength is needed, use aluminum instead of a C-section. Keep the WHOLE thing boxed, hydroformed, ect.
New Transmission. I want an 8 speed. Plain and simple. A 6 speed would still be good in the HDs
New Engine. Similar with the Ford lineup. Small displacement (3.6 V-6), Gas TDI (3.6 TT), medium duty (5.5 OHV), Diesel TDI (4.4 Duramax), Large Duty (7 Liter), and a new Duramax (6.7 V-8). Only use a hybrid if it’s substantially better.
New Suspension. Just a few tuning things. Coil over shock in front. 3″ Leafs in the rear with the shocks OUTSIDE the frame rails.
New Interior. Please! Get rid of all the hard plastic! Use the soft plastic! It costs the same and makes it feel a million times better. How about REAL WOOD. If I pay $50k for my truck, I want real wood! Solution: the cheap ones have no sort of wood. Don’t even have plastic wood as an option.
How about just some basic new things. A digital gauge screen would be beast. Just modernize the tech.
New technology. Adaptive cruise control (why won’t GM use this!?!?!?), blind spot, park assist, keyless go, collision warning, lane warning, the whole shebang!
Modernize the safety features too.
That is all.
You kinda had me confused there for a second. You’re mixing up the acronyms. Gasoline turbo direct injection isn’t Gas TDI. It could be TGDI (turbo gasoline direct injection), or perhaps GDIT (gasoline direct injection turbo). But it’s pretty much an industry standard that TDI all on its own means turbo diesel direct injection.
Make it in the US! I want to see 85% or higher parts percentage from the US. Screw the Sailo plant, use Flint, use Fort Wayne! Open up Janesville! I want a US made truck!
I would turn down a better truck that is made in Mexico, an instead buy a lesser truck made in the US.
I don’t care if it will cost more! You won’t get any of my money if it’s made in Mexico!
Interesting point. I don’t think this is impossible… But it certainly would cut into profit margins (obviously!).
Here’s my question: let’s say you could get an F-150 for $25,000 but a comparable U.S.-made (and parts-contended) Silverado cost $28,000. Now, you would see the value in a U.S.-made truck… But will the biggest buyer of said vehicles — fleets — see eye to eye with you? Or would they say screw it and go for the less expensive Ford?
This is an important distinction, simply because trucks are a volume proposition for the big three. If volume drops, then all hell breaks loose.
You’re barking up a very tall and branch-less tree. The Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan are both made exclusively in the Good Ol’ US of A…but I really doubt you mean to tell me that you’d go for one of those instead of a Mexican built Silverado. What and who is American is such a complicated thing these days. And let’s be real. Everything can’t be built in the US. It’s just not practical. The laws of economics state so in no uncertain terms.
they don’t have to deal with Unions.
Idea: make self leveling headlights, this feature should be required by NHTSA since most trucks that tow or haul blind other drivers.
Thumbs up for that! The new Audi A7 has something similar: the lights automatically brighten when it senses 1) no drivers ahead and 2) a dark area. The same can be applied to a truck’s necessities.
How about a TT 5.3 on HD models with over 500 ft. lbs. of torque? and offer baby Duramax on 3/4 ton
GM please offer crew cab medium (6 1/2′) bed on 1/2 tons, Ford sells a bunch of those, not every body want HD with that config.
also please up date towing mirrors
Better visibility cab
tuck in the frame (HD models)
switch to air suspension with on board air compressor (HD models)
Well aside from the things we know that are coming, such as modern tech, improved aerodynamics, more differentiation, weight reduction, higher power and fuel economy… I’m on board to see better braking, an EcoBoost fighting engine (turbo LFX?) a small(ish) diesel, adaptive headlamps, an SVT Raptor rival, a “man step,” something like the “Ram Box,” a HUD, more rear seat comfort, and more interior configuration/personalization options… more will come as I ponder…
How about a trim line or interior package that has some rich brown leather like the F150 King Ranch or Platinum.
I was thinking a “Wild West” edition. close to King Ranch but with more western attitude, saddle brown leather with some Levi jean accents, wood o’s**t handles, of coarse all the bells and whistles, 20″ wheels, maybe a 2 tone paint, and with hardwood floors in some places let it be fake but make it durable. And for the best part, give a huge belt buckle as a badge on the grille.
But to be honest, all these things that we all mentioned at the end the guys at Chevy has to think about is security. I’m very sick and tired of another “Oh my truck got stolen or my wheels got taken off” shenanigans like that. Because I don’t think people want to spend tons of money on the Sil/Sierra or Yukon/Tahoe/ Escalade for insurance premium.
I agree with some of the colleagues above. For me the following would be essential:
1. Diesel available across the board, even a large displacement (circa 3.5L) 4 cylinder with enough torque (circa 350lb-ft) to make it worth the effort.
2. Four wheel disc brakes as standard. Let’s cut the crap. Drum brakes work, but so do carburettors yet we ditched those. 21st century, folks. Get with it.
3. Bring the corporate face to the model. I’ve NEVER been a fan of the current truck’s face. I much prefer the look of the Avalanche, looking as it did like the Tahoe and Suburban.
exactly!! that’s how it is with the yukon and sierra and the Escalade gets same face
bring back four wheel disc brakes. make cluster more modern, for example equinox, cruze, camaro, volt………and can we please stop having competion with ford and dodge on who can put the ugliest wheels on their 2500 line of trucks
I’ve mentioned this before on this site and got reprimanded but here goes. I don’t want to hear any more piston slap upon start up. Yes I know, the engines with psiton slap can go 100,000 miles or more. In this day and age my truck engine should not sound like a Vega engine when cold.
I personally like the previous generation as far as exterior looks, I like that Chevy/GMC keep you feeling like your in a truck. I personally don’t get that in the competition, especially past Fords. I have felt like I was in a want to be luxury vehicle trying to have a truck interior.
Not going to claim to be an expert on truck interiors, personally I liked previous generation GM truck interiors ( although maybe to much hard plastic). In other words give me a truck, personally I am very interested in the smaller trucks comming and will most likely pursue one of those.
But those GMT-800 interiors were uglyyyy. And had panel gaps so wide, that one could use several to store a set of Motor Trends!
Personally, I’m a fan of the F-150’s cabins — especially the Raptor, Platinum, and King Ranch. But that’s just me.
Ha nice, you have a point…
I think in the lower level of F150’s interior just looks so cheap like something Chrysler has done. Now I do like their instrumentation though but not so much on the dash.
Please give me a centre console shifter , duel exhaust ,bigger tires and rims .
More Diesel options. Not everyone needs 800ft/lbs.
Please release the 4.5l Duramax Allison in the 1500 crew cab with a 6.5ft bed and a 35gallon or larger fuel tank. 25mpg and a 700 mile or better range.
That would be the perfect truck
Put the 3.6 v6 in, also give it a turbo, put the 4.5 diesel in, kill Avalanche, make it a silverado package!