Zonie

[Harry Moto]

Oops. Ok, I just finished a post in the trail rides forum. Then I thought, 'maybe they have an introduce yourself forum?'. Ya. So hello all, cool site.

I've been doing the MX thing for a while, seem to have lost my desire to ride this summer. Took the summer off, now the riding weather is back an I still don't burn to go riding. Hmmm. So I went shopping, ended up trading my bike hauler on a 2008 TB with the poofy 10 way (or something) driver seat and the comfort-ride suspension. My back has been giving me some trouble, so the nice ride and comfy seat seemed like a great idea. It's rated to pull my race bike trailer, so I'm not burning any bridges. We'll just see how it goes.

I haven't done the 4x4 thing for ages, but Karen likes going exploring, so we did a ride on Veterans day. Highlights in the trail ride forum. I noticed all the stuff you guys talk about, expecially the can. Clang, clang. Heh-heh-heh.

I found a steep spot with sand, spun the rears, put it in 4, drove out. 4x4 works, check. Did the full lock turn in 4x, felt the crow-hop. Check. Found a right front, left rear spot and got it on two wheels. Spins. Open differential. Dang! Seems that the traction control only works when you are moving. If it worked when you are stopped I might not need the G80, but I don't think it does. Any expert opnions on that one?

So that's where I'm at, another noob with a stocker. It's very cool that you guys have gone down the path I'm starting on! I promise to search my brains out before I ask the obvious questions, with the possible exception of that traction control thing. Heh-heh.

[djthumper]

Welcome to the site! Glad to see another desert dweller.

[fishsticks]

I love my 10 way poofy heated seats.

Got a G80 on the sticker in your glovebox? It could just be broken.

[DmccartneyFF2TB]

Welcome!!

[Trail X]

Glad to have you, stock noobie!

[HARDTRAILZ]

Welcome

[bartonmd]

Welcome!

[Saxis]

Welcome!

+1 for heated seats!

I'm guessing you have the Air Ride suspension. When you break something on that, let me know. I have a bunch of spare parts...

[Harry Moto]

Negative on the G80, negative on the air ride. Appreciate the thoughts, I really WISH it was a broken G80! $$$ for a new one. And I thought seriously about getting air ride bags, very cool to be able to adjust your height that way; but it violates the 'getting back' mentality. A failure out in the sticks would be a very bad thing, and while you hear about airbags popping, you don't hear about springs failing very much.

Thanks for the warm welcome!!

<ADDED> Oh yea, I meant to mention that I plan to add the in-the-spring bags for when I tow. They won't keep you from getting back from the boonies if they pop.

[Philberto]

Welcome to the site! As a fellow 06+ TB owner (Traction control was improved starting in 06 with 4-channel ABS versus 3-channel ABS in the older models) with open differential, I can confirm that the traction control does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help out with transferring power to the other wheel in the event of a spin in an offroad situation. I am, however, working on a solution, provided it doesn't futz up my ABS system. Look for news in a couple of months.

Other than that, glad to have you!

[Harry Moto]

Excellent!! That's what I was hoping to hear. If set up to work at a standstill or at the press of a button, the traction control could do for me what the G80 will do without the $600 and installation hassles! I'll be watching, but if I get a good (really good) bonus in January I'll probably pull the trigger on the GU6 to G80 conversion. Good luck on your research/project. If I can help, let me know.

[fishsticks]

Excellent!! That's what I was hoping to hear. If set up to work at a standstill or at the press of a button, the traction control could do for me what the G80 will do without the $600 and installation hassles! I'll be watching, but if I get a good (really good) bonus in January I'll probably pull the trigger on the GU6 to G80 conversion. Good luck on your research/project. If I can help, let me know.

GU6 is a gear ratio RPO code (3.42)... unrelated to the presence of G80 or not.

For that kind of money, buy an open 8.6" out of an EXT Trailvoy and drop in whatever locker you want. All said and done I have around $700 in my 8.6" with a lunchbox locker, and I'd take it any day over a G80. I even sprang for the expensive version of the locker and put 4.56 gears in there... but I'm a notorious deal finder/DIY everythinger.

[Harry Moto]

Oops, my bad. Is there a code for the open diff, or is the lack of the locker code the indicator?

I actually like the sound of the G80; locks completely when engaged, unlocks above 20 mph so the traction control will take it from there... perfect for my use. My mission statement doesn't include going looking for trouble; I just want the thing capable enough to get me out of the messes I always get myself into.

I read your thread (or someones?) with the 4.56 ratio install. Haven't fiddled with shims for ring gear patterns in forever. My experience (Dana 44) has been you can pretty well throw a diff in with the same gears and it will be spot on. (or at least close enough you can just run it) It's the gears you have to shim for, gotta be heck to cut those things to spec! So that's my outlook, get a diff, install, quick check for ring and pinion alignment, close up and go. That's enough dough to make me think about waiting for Philberto to get something going, though...

I do appreciate the input, and am learning every time I come to visit. I love hearing from guys that already did it, and love how GM parts seem to fit all kinds of other stuff. I'll keep the 8.6 in mind in case I get serious about off-roading again! Thanks!!

[HARDTRAILZ]

Welcome to the site! As a fellow 06+ TB owner (Traction control was improved starting in 06 with 4-channel ABS versus 3-channel ABS in the older models) with open differential, I can confirm that the traction control does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help out with transferring power to the other wheel in the event of a spin in an offroad situation. I am, however, working on a solution, provided it doesn't futz up my ABS system. Look for news in a couple of months.

Other than that, glad to have you!

Traction control turns off in 4-lo when offroad anyway, so I don't why it matters except for snow performance. I can't comment on if 4-hi uses TC because I dont use it.

[Saxis]

Nope, it doesn't turn off in 4-Hi. Only 4-Lo. You can push the button on the shifter once to turn office Stabilitrak, and hold it in for a few seconds to turn off Traction Control though. I do that when I hit the soft sand on the beach approaches here when 4x4 isn't really needed. Tire spin is usually gets me through, but the damn Traction Control screws that up...

[KE7WOX]

Nope, it doesn't turn off in 4-Hi. Only 4-Lo. You can push the button on the shifter once to turn office Stabilitrak, and hold it in for a few seconds to turn off Traction Control though. I do that when I hit the soft sand on the beach approaches here when 4x4 isn't really needed. Tire spin is usually gets me through, but the damn Traction Control screws that up...

Year dependent. My 2004 has no button on the shifter other than the huge thing that lets you shift.

[Saxis]

Nope, it doesn't turn off in 4-Hi. Only 4-Lo. You can push the button on the shifter once to turn office Stabilitrak, and hold it in for a few seconds to turn off Traction Control though. I do that when I hit the soft sand on the beach approaches here when 4x4 isn't really needed. Tire spin is usually gets me through, but the damn Traction Control screws that up...

Year dependent. My 2004 has no button on the shifter other than the huge thing that lets you shift.

Yeah, pretty sure it's only on years with Stabilitrak.