Diesel trucks are here — do you have parts?
Here's the dilemma. You have inherited $50,000 as the sole beneficiary of your late aunt's estate (no, that's not the problem). You are in desperate need of a new vehicle (no, that's not the problem, either). You have always wanted a vehicle that's fun to drive—one that will allow you to carry lots of cargo—a full-size vehicle with extra power to tow the boat you inherited from your uncle—one that's big, but conservative, when it comes to burning fuel—and finally, a luxury-laden vehicle that will make you feel like the king of the castle.
However, no thanks to your aunt's life-long gambling problem, her once-sizeable fortune had whittled down to a tick less than the $50,000 you'll be receiving. That's the problem! How are you ever going to buy the six vehicles you're coveting with the "pittance" you've been left? You don't need a Magic 8 Ball to answer that question. All you need are directions to your nearest GMC dealership.
INTRODUCING THE 2007 GMC SIERRA 2500HD
General Motors has developed the perfect vehicle to meet all your needs and its name is the 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD Extended Cab SLE. (GMC's sister division, Chevrolet, has a similar model called Silverado.) At first blush, it seems that anyone recommending a diesel 4x4 pickup truck in the same sentence as the word "luxury" has gotten hold of some bad Jamba Juice. Not the case. Trucks have not only entered the realm of near-luxury and sophistication, but they've also become readily accepted by the Country Club set."Why a diesel?" you ask. "Aren't they noisy, smelly, and dirty?" Yes they are...if it's 1956! Diesels are now among the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicles in the world. The only place they aren't found in abundance is the United Sates, and that's primarily due to lack of knowledge and, quite frankly, lack of interest on the part of the American consumer. Sure, there are millions of Class-8 Peterbilts, Kenworths, Freightliners, and Western Stars on our nation's roads, but as long as regular gasoline is plentiful and affordable, any other form of energy is going to get short shrift. "Go with what you know" seems to be our nation's mantra.
DURAMAX 6.6L V-8 DIESEL
Flash forward back to 2007. There's plenty of gasoline to go around, if you want to spend almost $4 per gallon for it! Drivers are now looking at alternative methods of buying affordable and efficient fuel, and the ironic fact is, it's been here all along.The Duramax 6.6-liter V-8 diesel engine powers the 2007 GMC heavy-duty full-size pickup. The Duramax has a compression ratio of 16.8:1. Horsepower is 365 and the torque is a whopping 660 lb.-ft. @ 1,600 RPM. This powerhouse is turbocharged and intercooled and the engine has been revised to meet new, stringent, federal emission regulations, yet delivers outstanding acceleration and towing performance.
To meet 2007 standards, the Duramax 6.6-liter V-8 features an enhanced combustion system, including an improved injector design for the high-pressure fuel system; additional combustion control through an even more efficient variable-geometry turbocharging system and increased exhaust gas recirculation cooling to reduce NOx emissions; new diesel particulate filter to reduce soot and particulate matter; increased-capacity cooling system; new engine-control software; and use of low-ash engine oil and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, which has become the common service-pump-available fuel.It's a vicarious thrill to be sitting at a stoplight next to some kid with a beater who thinks the world is his because he's going to wipe out the old man (watch it, kid!) in the next lane, only to have his dignity left in the dust as the old man and his truck show tail lights while this kid is still at the light listening to the Beatles singing I'm a Loser through his 650-speaker, 210 woofer audio system.
The 660 lb.-ft. of torque are delivered through the Allison 1000 6-speed automatic, which marks the first 6-speed automatic-transmission application for this class of vehicle. A Range Selection Mode has been added to the column-shift lever (enabled by simply moving it to the "M" position). By using the ± button located on the column-shift lever, the driver can select a range of operational modes, including: Grade Braking, Cruise Grade Braking, Shift Stabilization, Tow/Haul Mode, Heater Performance Mode, and Adaptive Shift Controls. The transmission's sixth gear is an overdrive that allows the engine to run at only 1,800 RPM at 60 mph, increasing fuel mileage and range. Rear-axle ratio is 3.73:1.With a $7,195 Duramax engine premium and an extra $1,200 for the Allison transmission, this combo quickly turns a $33,000+ vehicle into a $41,000+ vehicle; however, if the power train fits your lifestyle, then it's an acceptable expenditure. With proper care, we're talking about a vehicle that will easily last through hundreds of thousands of miles in its lifetime.
GMC offers three cab choices for the 2007 Sierra 2500HD: Regular, Extended, and Crew. Available on 2WD or 4WD models, the standard cargo box is 60.7 cubic feet. Long box is 75.5 cubic feet and is also available on 2WD, 4WD, and Dually models. Length at the floor is 78.7 inches, Regular, and 97.6 inches, Long. Width at floor is 62.4 inches, tailgate width is 61.5 inches, width between wheel housings is 50.6 inches, and inside height is 21 inches.My test vehicle is an Extended Cab 4WD with a standard box. Curb weight is 6,609 lbs., and payload is 2,591 lbs., for a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 9,200 lbs. Trailer-towing maximum with ball hitch is 13,000 lbs.—600 lbs. more than the Sierra's gasoline version.
Towing is a major reason for purchasing a vehicle of this type. The vehicle frame is comprised of a sturdy ladder design and reinforced with numerous cross braces. It features a segmented design that enables easy and accurate length adaptations to accommodate Sierra's five available wheelbase lengths. The front frame section is constructed of hydroformed side rails, providing a precise location for suspension components. The midsection features a ladder-type design with strengthening cross braces and the rear frame section supports the rear leaf spring suspension, axle, and trailer-hitch platform, and also features strategic cross braces for added strength and stiffness.Sierra heavy-duty trucks are now available with an integrated trailer-brake controller integrated with the ABS system and provides immediate and measured brake force signaling to electric-controlled trailer-brake systems. Eliminating the need for external and/or aftermarket brake-control systems, its response is simultaneous with the brake's application.
Sierra also has a new cargo-management system available on all heavy-duty models and is complemented by a whole range of dealer-ordered accessory packages. Three rails run the length of the box sides and the forward box wall. They're secured with high-strength anchors and incorporate upper and lower tracks. Four adjustable tie-down brackets are included with each system and can be located anywhere on the tracks. Each is rated for a load point of 500 lbs. Cargo-box illumination and front tow hooks are standard. Our test vehicle also has optional power-heated outside camper mirrors with turn signal and convex glass ($238).SAFETY FEATURES
The GMC Sierra was designed to be among the industry's safest and most secure pickups, as was its sister vehicle, the Chevy Silverado. Safety highlights for the 2007 vehicle include: body-on-frame structure with comprehensive use of high-strength steel; enhanced safety-cage body structure for superior occupant protection, wider front and rear tracks to enhance stability, handling, and lower the center of gravity; a stronger, stiffer frame, including an all-new front-bay design for improved crush dynamics and exclusive provisions for improved vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility; dual-stage frontal air bags with two levels of deployment; frontal air-bag passenger sensing system; available head-curtain side air bags with protection for both seating rows; rollover sensing system; StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation technology (standard on the Crew Cab and optional on the Extended Cab); four-channel anti-lock brake system; Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist and power-adjustable pedals (bundled as a $365 Convenience Package); Autotrac (on 4WD models); and available rain-sensing wipers; to name a few. Furthermore, all models come standard with the OnStar Generation 7 system that includes a one-year subscription to the Safe & Sound plan.The Sierra 2500HD looks like a big vehicle—and it is. Wheelbase of the Extended Cab with a Standard Box is 143.5 inches and overall length is 230.3 inches. (It did not live in my garage.) Overall width is 80 inches and overall height is 76.8 inches. Minimum ground clearance is 9.5 inches. Step-in height is 32.4 inches. If you plan to use this truck to transport your wife and/or kids, either buy a pair of step-up side rails to make entering and exiting fairly normal, or buy a rappelling rope.
My vehicle has 17-inch 8-bolt aluminum wheels fitted with LT265/70R17 tires. It also has the EZ-Lift & Locking Tailgate Package ($95), a feature that will make hernia doctors seek other employment.
INTERIOR ERGONOMICS
The interior will fulfill your wishes for a luxury-laden vehicle. Our SLE has leather-appointed seat trim ($800) that gives a car like Cadillac a case of the envies. Although the SLE model is standard with a "pure-pickup" interior, you'd never know it. Our test vehicle has an available 40/20/40-split front-bench seat—new for 2007. It features a large, fold-down armrest console with three integrated cupholders and 6.1 liters of storage. A new, locking underseat storage bin provides another 9.1 liters of storage and also contains a 12-volt power outlet. (Bucket seat configuration is also offered.) There's also an all-new double glove box that incorporates a conventional lower box with a covered storage compartment above it.
The interior design features a contemporary adaptation of GM's ergonomic cockpit instrument panel. The driver's cockpit has a sweeping arc, placing gauges, vents, and controls within arm's reach. Knobs and controls are larger and easily manipulated with gloved hands. A brand-unique six-gauge instrument cluster is standard and a driver information center features readouts specific to heavy-duty models, including transmission temperature.
Door panel design includes big door pull handles and large release handles, again, designed for easier use with gloves. Bottle holders are molded into the front door pockets. The Extended Cab's rear seats are improved with more supportive cushion material, firmer support structures, and revised seat back angles. There is also more legroom. The 60/40 split bench seat design means seats can be easily folded up to provide a fully open load floor, or either section of the split seat can be stowed independently, allowing more room for both cargo and a rear-seat passenger. Even a power sliding rear window is available.
Front/rear legroom in the extended cab is 41.3 / 34.3 inches, headroom is 41.2 / 39.2 inches, shoulder room is 65.2 / 65.3 inches, and hip room is 62.5 / 61.8 inches. (The Extended Cab seats up to six passengers.) Another great feature is the Extended Cab's rear-door access, which opens 170 degrees. Fuel-tank capacity is 26 gallons for the Extended Cab with a standard box and 34 gallons with the long box.
Warranty (including tires) is bumper-to-bumper for 3 years/36,000 miles. Rust-through coverage is for 6 years/100,000 miles. Coverage for the Duramax Diesel Engine is 3 years/36,000 miles with a $100 deductible charge after that for up to 5 years/100,000 miles.
There are lots of manufacturer options, configurations, and packages, including a rear-seat entertainment system, navigation system, power sunroof, and a host of audio systems. Further personalization is available as dealer-installed and/or aftermarket.
Now at least your only problems are how to equip one vehicle and what color to paint it. You didn't forget you needed to also choose a color, did you? Guess I won't mention you also have a choice of two interiors.
