New Guy in NC

[Marineguy]

Hello all. I've got a black 07 Envoy Denali 4x4, 3.42 axle ratio, pretty much loaded up with almost 100k miles. It's just about stock with the exception of a jumpseat bolted into the cargo area (http://www.littlepassengerseats.com) which allowed it to satisfy my family's need for a 5.5 passenger vehicle, and a steel spring conversion from Arnott industries (http://www.arnottindustries.com) which replaced the leaky, saggy air suspension. I then sold the air compressor on eBay for just slightly more than the cost of the spring kit.

My likes with this vehicle: 5.3L V8; short-body styling; low-range transfer case; body-on-frame construction; displacement-on-demand fuel economy; numerous places to stash tools in the cargo area; 1,300 lb payload; 6,100 lb tow rating
.
Dislikes: 3.42 axle ratio (it would really be a riot to drive with a 3.73 or 4.10); big Denali bumpers; big Denali running boards; big Denali 18" chrome wheels with odd tire size (noticing a trend?)

I only bougth the Denali because I wanted a short body GMC with a V8. I'm not really into the bling or crossover-like plastic all the way around.

I tend to hang onto vehicles for a long time, and would love to make this SUV into something interesting when my 8 and 10 year old boys come of age. It should be a proper beater hand-me-down by then. Having been garage kept and living in the unsalted-road South, it's still looking pretty new. But down the road, I could definitely see it lifted with jerry cans and a hi-lift perched on the bumper.

I think GM really overbuilt these vehicles; too bad the average customer couldn't tell. No wonder they weren't profitable enough to keep in production.

Bottom line: now that it's paid off and costing me nothing but gasoline to operate, I'd love to do an SLT-trim makeover (smaller bumpers, flush rocker trim, 16 or 17" rims), 1) to make it look a little more masculine, and 2) so I can get some actual truck tires for it. Has anybody else done that? Anyone with a black SLT in eastern Carolina interested in swapping parts?

Happy New Year, everyone!

Chris

[Cable810]

Welcome!!

[ErikSS]

Welcome! I'm pretty sure all Denali came with the 5.3l V8 and the 8.5" rear end. Great platform to start with!

[maricard]

Welcome Chris!

[NC_IslandRunner]

Welcome! I'm not too far away from you.

[ErikSS]

Welcome! I'm pretty sure all Denali came with the 5.3l V8 and the 8.6" rear end. Great platform to start with!

[SmokeyMcBlazer]

welcome aboard

[djthumper]

Welcome to the site. You should be able to find most of what you need here.

[Norcrosski]

Welcome from western nc

[navigator]

welcome from SE NC.
Is the Denali a standard 4WD (2hi, 4hi, 4lo) or is it AWD?

[Marineguy]

Thanks for the welcome. The Denali has the NV246, hi and lo. Can't say I've ever used the low range, since so far the only off-roading this truck has seen is on Onslow Beach at Camp Lejeune (which is pretty much the best thing about being stationed at Lejeune).

[DirtyBacon04]

Welcome, fellow Jarhead.
Short body, v8, and the 8.5 very good start!
If only your rear axle was open. Then you could drop that powertrax in there with much ease and have a true locker.
You'll like it here. Seems like you've already done more homework than most.

[navigator]

Thanks for the welcome. The Denali has the NV246, hi and lo. Can't say I've ever used the low range, since so far the only off-roading this truck has seen is on Onslow Beach at Camp Lejeune (which is pretty much the best thing about being stationed at Lejeune).

I had never really needed to use 4lo a lot either.

This summer at Portsmouth Island, I used it a lot more, it helped keep the engine temps down when running for miles in the deep sand.
Running in 4lo also keeps you from having to turn off traction control like you do in 4hi.

[DirtyBacon04]

what is this traction control you speak of?

[Marineguy]

Welcome, fellow Jarhead.
If only your rear axle was open. Then you could drop that powertrax in there with much ease and have a true locker.

Not a fan of the G80? I haven't really pushed it yet, but the locker in my Yukon hasn't let me down in a decade of driving in everything from beach sand to mountain trails to blizzards. Nothing beats the ARB air locker I had in my Wrangler. Maybe someday the Envoy will get one, depending on what direction this long-term project takes me.

[navigator]

what is this traction control you speak of?

for the 06+ it applies braking to each wheel as needed in the event of a loss of traction.
It is nice on a loose gravel road (and likely icy roads), you can't really fishtail if you try. If you are in mud, basically it wants to brake all the wheels and the TB doesn't want to go anywhere.

[DirtyBacon04]

hmmm sounds like an infringement on my rights. I do not consent to traction control!
'Merica

[SmokeyMcBlazer]

First they take away your right to fishtail, what's next....

[navigator]

yeah, kids now days will never learn how to drive on gravel roads. There is one about 8 miles long between my house and where my parents live, it is a shortcut. It takes 15 minutes to get there if you take the gravel road and 30 if you take the highway. Sometimes I turn the traction control off on that road just so it will get a little fishy.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Welcome, fellow Jarhead.
If only your rear axle was open. Then you could drop that powertrax in there with much ease and have a true locker.

Not a fan of the G80? I haven't really pushed it yet, but the locker in my Yukon hasn't let me down in a decade of driving in everything from beach sand to mountain trails to blizzards. Nothing beats the ARB air locker I had in my Wrangler. Maybe someday the Envoy will get one, depending on what direction this long-term project takes me.

This is what happens when you push the G80


This is what your face will look like