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Comments
They always improve on things, so I am sure the early introduction 07 model will be pretty nice.
I would not prefer to have the first model year. With GM or any automaker there seems to be alot of upgrades. However, many of them are s/w these days which is not a big deal.
I had a steering component issue, even with my 03 which has been out for awhile, and GM updated it under warranty.
I think you will see an engine improvement in the near future. I have heard about a better gas mileage engine that still produces the high horse power.
Tough call. I guess it depends on how long you can wait.
Anyway, wife likes bench seats for 2nd row (we have a 1yr old, a dog and 2nd kid on the way).
whereas I like the captain seats. Advice is very welcomed.
Also, summit white or silver brich? Both have bench. A black one with captain seats is avalable, that i want to get. help talk me out of the black.
--jay
(Tahoe with bench, third row, and three kids)
Black is GREAT when it is clean - but hard to keep clean and hot in the summer. I really like my carbon metallic, but also hard to keep clean. It does not show the dust as much as the black but if you leave it outside, it is dirty after a couple of days and I can see the dust on it after two days when in the garage.
SEATING:
Two kids (3 & 7) and a dog, I am in the same boat and it is a hard decision as there are pros/cons for both. I went with the bench so I had the room for one more person which at times I needed. We configure one of two ways:
- kids on the outside with the fold down console. They have easy access for their milk cups and have space to put all of their toys/books... for easy access. Very important unless you want to spend your time grabbing everything for them. For the 7 year old, she can reach the floor, but the three year old in a seat can not reach far. Also, at this age, they are usually separated for long trips. Dog is in the back.
Or if we are really loaded, we put the kids next to each other and deal with it and fold down the 40% seat for the dog with a bed. I have an 80lb. lab and it works well.
On the XL, the passenger seat slides forward for easy access to the rear (as long as you don't have a car seat strapped in it.
The captain chairs give easy access to the 3rd row all the time, but we only use the 3rd seat about 5-10% of the time.
My advice would be to get the bench if:
- occasional use of the 3rd row
- may need extra seat
- works better for long trips and little ones in car seats
Get the captains if:
- use the 3rd row daily and you will have car seats strapped in.
- don't think you need the extra seat.
Good luck
I went with the bench so I could put more people. Usually, we have the kids separated for long trips with the fold down console between them
LOL--that, I already got...well, an '04 anyways...but with all of the other options you mentioned. ;-)
But to address your questions:
1) Personally I'd go with the silver birch, as white is just too plain a color for my tastes...but of course in the end, you're (and your wife) the one who has to look at it every day;
2) Sounds like the bench is the way to go, given your particular situation. FWIW--there are times where I wish I had the bench (I don't mind offering to drive friends and family but almost everytime, I'm one seat short...hence the multi-car caravan, which I hate because I can only drive as fast as the slowest driver in our group--LOL!), but since I have three kids, I can get away with captains chairs in the second row. The one thing the captains chairs specifically offers over the second-row bench is that the captains chairs seatbacks recline a wee bit further than the bench seatback; probably immaterial as far as your needs are concerned, but a notable characteristic nevertheless.
I can't say as to whether that's a good price or not, but I will say that it's lower than what I paid for my '04...but in all fairness, I bought mine in December.
Silver birch is very nice.
thanks again folks. look forward to contriibuting once I'm a DXL owner.
PS- any thoughts on the allowing the dealship have an outside company install a rear assitance beep? $375 for just beeping & 650 for video.
I have thought about having one, but have not done much research. I have little ones and require that they do not run out in the drive - however you know that can be like talking to a brick wall. The rear is so high, I worry about it.
If it is like tinted windows and video players, you are much better off in price and protected by the same warranty if you go to the outside source directly as you know the dealer will make a sufficient cut on the deal. It may be worth the extra effort.
Let us know what you find out about the system as I am interested. A beep would be sufficient unless you already have a video display that it can interface to. Just something to let you know you need to stop before you feel a thump.
thanks
Check out these two website for dvd/tv and rear view camera adapters for the factory nav screens. I got mine done in Nanuet NY by Model Electronics.They also do the warranty work for GM radios. I got a blue green crystal 05 DXL .
http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/home.php
http://www.nav-tv.com/index02.htm
The Hawk pads are good - but you need to look into the options that meet your driving style. To say Hawk pads is like saying GMC.
My neighbor put Hawk Pads on a BMW M3 - not sure which ones. No dust and virtually no noise. However, I have looked into these also for a BMW. The Hawk pads I have looked at can be farily aggressive driving pads and need to be driven hard. The thing to remember is that if you are not driving them hard, you will end up with noise problems.
I was looking at an Axxis Deluxe pad (division of Bendix) that has good stopping power, low dust and noise. It does not have to be driven as hard to keep it quiet. For me, I drive alot of freeway and would worry about the Hawk pads.
There is also a procedure for high-end brake pads called bedding-in. This may help with the noise but will not help with the dust.
Check out www.stoptech.com They specialize in performance brake systems and may be able to point you in the right direction.
At 40k, I noticed that my one lens was starting to melt. At 45k, my HID is burned out. Although it is out of warranty, this is a defective part. First of all HID's are supposed to last longer than 3 years. If it was just the lamp that was out, ok I can deal with it. But the fact that the lens is melting, does not seem right.
The GM factory rep says they are not going to cover it.
Am I wrong or does that not seem right?
Has any mechanic determined what caused the failure? the melting of the lens? Lastly, if your lights are HID, it doesn't make any sense that the lens housing be made of plastic as they output a lot of heat.
Anyways, the bulb cost is not a big deal as I found out last night.
Still I have the problem that my lens is somewhat melted. Also, I noticed when I installed the new bulb, that the projection lens is somewhat milky looking.
No determination has been made as to the cause. Over voltage/current does not seem likely as the other side is fine. My guess is a defective bulb that was burning too hot.
I realize that things can break, bulbs can burnout...
Just a lens should not melt - ever! It can break, yes - but not melt.
I am under the 36 months and I was just 4k miles over the 36k when I noticed it. For all I know, it most likely was starting to melt before the mileage limit and I just did not notice it. It is not like I am going back with a 5 year old vehicle.
This is where the rep should be able to look at things that fall into the grey zone.
I had replaced the stock foglight bulbs on my Silverado with an upgrade since the stock ones were pretty much useless. The result? Two melted housings. I know this is not the same as in your case. Just thought I'd mention it.
If you get nowhere with the rep, I would look at ebay for a replacement housing versus paying the dealer's marked up pricing on a replacement. Course you could take a look here:
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com
Thanks for the possible leads - I will check them out if GM does not come through.
I got a call from GM customer service today and they where going to talk to the dealer and the rep - so it is not a done deal.
I agree, if I would have done something, I would expect to take the responsibility.
I was thinking about replacing the bulbs on mine fog lamps or replacing the whole lamp with a PIAA. As you said the stock are pretty much useless except for looks. Any suggestions.
Another car I have has a full 55w for the fog lamps, where I think my Denali ones are about 25w.
They took every thing off, it looks like it came from the factory in that color..
In earlier posts on this board, references were made to the much larger, heavier, and cooler running torque convertor. Now in the April issue of Engine Builder Magazine (see www.engine-builder.com) there is an article on rebuilding the small block Chev V8. They compare internal parts across this family of engines. Apparently there are two versions of the 6.0 engine, the standard LQ4 and the performance LQ9. The latter were used in "Escalades and Silverrado SS". Does anyone know if the Denali got this version too? The LQ9 version of the 6.0 engine has a much heavier con rod with a stronger big end, a thicker I beam, and most importantly a full floating rod bushing on the small end. If the LQ9 is the one put in Denalis, in typcial suburban driving this engine has got to be good for 200K+ miles before a head comes off. In other words, these specs are just as good and will give the same time to MOH as a Cummins B Series or IH diesel in a pickup truck.
It amazes me that the General is so reticent about these rugged tech specs. This reluctance to divulge the specs just plays into the hands of the folks that think that GM builds junk and that to get a quality engine you have to either go American diesel or to Japan.
Who knows why it's not advertised more; maybe the General doesn't want to disparage the standard LQ4 by the touting the LQ9. Or maybe they want their Chinese engines to be broadly accepted too (The Inside Story).
Steve, Host
Does anybody know what these are for? Thank you in advance.
The idea is to be methodical, making one change at a time and testing for starting (or any other obvious change: maybe walk around the vehicle looking for any lights on/off, or ejector seats activating -- best test outdoors, come to think of it -- oil slicks released from the rear, anti-aircraft or missile defence systems activated :surprise: , etc....) after each individual change.
Of course, it might be safer to try this near the service department in case it won't start again no matter what you try! ;-)
"U" = LQ4
"N" = LQ9
My 2002 Denali is an LQ4, rated at 320hp. I know the Escalade is rated at 345hp. I don't remember exactly when (2004, perhaps?) but the Denali got bumped up to 335hp. I'd be curious to see if those Denalis with 335hp have an LQ4 or an LQ9
I bought the "demo" in late 2002. It was one of a kind "show car" with all the bell & whistle... Lots of dress up installed by the dealer. It's a head turner every where I go.
I contacted the dealer where I bought the truck from and they do not remember all the details but the service manager thinks may be it's part of the remote starter & alarm system. I think he's right. This must be the switch to disable the remote during the service but there is another switch that does the disable function when you open the hood!!! I will have to play with these switches to find out for myself.
AND you DON'T have to worry for mine (OR YOUR) safety. This is NOT a 007's car that bought and modified by Osama. LOL...
Check it out....
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial- - - &q=Denali+with+LQ4+or+not&btnG=Search
Note that several of the first ten hits land on the forums here at Edmunds.
And if you were being sarcastic you forgot your Emotorcon. :-)
Steve, Host
http://media.gm.com/division/2005_prodinfo/powertrain/specs/05_truck_engine_specs.html
larry