I heard you guys were the source to contact (The "radioshack of GM diesels").

I am looking into buying a 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab shortbed with the Duramax/Allison combo. I did a search (here and other places) and am still confused.

My questions are in regards to Plow Prep, Trailer provisions, and dual alternators.

1st question. If I don't get dual alternators, can I add one later and how tough is it (am I correct in ASSuming that I could just buy an alternator, pigtail, and new serpentine belt to hook it up)?

2nd question. I plan on getting manual A/C climate controls as well as bench seat and manual t-case lever. I would like the ability to put on a plow (as I am selling my current plow truck) but am not putting one on right away, and I want to install a brake controller and tow my enclosed trailer. When I choose the Heavy Duty Power Package, the Plow Prep Package disappears. Also there is no separate Trailering package that I can see. Does the HDPP come with the items for Plow Prep? and/or does the HDPP come with trailering harness, electric brake controller pigtail, and hitch?

If a truck is not equipped with the electric brake controller pigtail, can one be added later without splicing (I don't want to do ANY splicing if I don't absolutely have to).

I am spec'ing out this truck, so I would like to do it right the first time, but the dealers I'm dealing with don't know squat (not a good feeling).

3rd question. I saw a 04/05 GMC with a Boss plow frame and the lower portion of the bumper was cut out to hook up the plow. Is this the same with all plows on the new trucks (if so, that sucks)?

Any and all help is appreciated.
TIA Leadfoot/Chris

1. Yes, correct

2. Not sure, someone else will comment

2.5 The pigtail can be had and used to hookup a brake controller, no splicing

3. Dunno, but several here can answer.

John

Question 1. - Yes, you can retrofit for dual alternators. Eric, dmaxalitech, sells them on his website. He's also a Durmax tech and can help you with any specifics.

Question 2. - I believe that the plow prep package is only available with Extended Cabs and smaller due to the weight of the Dmax taking most of the front axle's GVWR. It is not an option on Crew Cabs.

Question 2 - I don't think the HDPP package comes with the trailering prep, but I could be wrong. When I ordered my truck the HDPP did not exist in it's current form and I had to piece meal the options I wanted together.

Question 2.5 - Yes the truck comes with the connector to plug a brake controller pigtail in. If you don't get the trailer prep package, Eric sells those too.

Question 3. - I'll refer you to the guys with plows. I don't believe you have to cut the bumper, but you may have to cut the plastic air dam below it.

And by the way, Welcome to the forums!

Thank you for the help.

As for the plow I saw, the chrome portion of the bumper was not cut, but the lower airdam was. (seems silly to me that has to happen to install a plow.....)

Just for grins and giggles I tried to spec out an Extra Cab model with the HDPP. When I went to click on the Plow Prep Package, first it would not update, then I got the following message "The VYU option is not currently available" and the PPP option completely disappears.

I'm hoping somebody can let me know for sure how/why that is.

Again thank you for the help.

Now I'm really confused.

Once PPP is chosen for EC or CC models the HDPP is non-selectable and vice-versa, but I can get the PPP in an EC OR CC while selecting the Duramax, Allison and G80 rear, so it's not a weight issue. The only thing I can't select individually is option PDN

Here is the description for the HDPP:
"Heavy-Duty Power Package, includes (LLY) Engine, Duramax 6600 Turbo Diesel V8, (M74) Transmission, Allison 1000 5-speed automatic and (G80) Differential, automatic locking, heavy-duty, rear (PDN)"

Is anyone familiar with the PDN product code and what it is exactly. That seems to be the deciding factor as to why the PPP and HDPP cannot be selected together. It wouldn't be a big deal if I could select each components separately, but A.) PDN is not a separate choice and B.) Without selecting the "Heavy Duty Power Package" option I am not eligible for the HDPP rebate of $1000. I don't know about you, but $1000 would be better spent elsewhere.

Sorry for all the ???'s but this is beginning to make my head spin. I guess if I was buying a $500 used vehicle it wouldn't matter but shelling out 40+K is hard to swallow without knowing exactly how to get what you want.

Again thanks in advance for help.

Chris

Ok I'll give it a shot at answering

1. Yes you can add it later but there are more parts to buy then what you listed, like a new idler pully and bolt and a new bracket that holds the alternator in place. About $120 in parts plus the alternator. I put a Powermaster 200 amp in the second spot for mine, look at the pictures in my sig.

2.The HDPP is the Duramax/Allison/locking diff, and I don't think you can get the plow prep and diesel on any thing but a regular cab or a extended cab short bed. And the reason is that the front axle rating with the heavy diesel engine does not leave enuf capicity for the plow weight. Some plow web sites won't let you spec a plow for a truck with a crew cab or extended cab and a diesel engine, (GM or Furd). Or they might tell you, like in my case, that you have to add a certain amount of ballast in the back of the bed, mines about 900 lbs of sand bags. Check out Western's web site for more info.
I do not think the HDPP includes the trailer option but I could be wrong. If it dosen't then order it seprate, it should include hitch, and 7 way trailer plug. If you get the camper option that gives you another bunch of trailer wires bundled up between the cab and bed to be hooked into a camper shell later.
The brake controler you get (mines a Prodigy) will sell you a specific wire connector that plug's into the brake controller and then just plug's into another connector under the dash. 5 minute hook up with no splicing ;)

3. It depends on the plow manufacturer, there all different. Some with Fisher plows have to cut the lower air dam to get the sub frame installed, and I guess Boss does too from what you saw. Personally I have a 9' Western Pro+ and I did NOT have to cut my lower air dam. The atatchment points are just under the air dam and when the winter is over I just have to pull a pin and most of the bulky attatchment pieces come off and just a little bit of the sub frame is seen for the summer. It's a very good system and I would reccomend Western plow's, their owned by Fisher anyway (or vice-versa). I think there's some more snap shot's of it in my picture's

Ok hope that answers some of your question's, if you have any more ask away.

Diesel Dragon :ro)


Edit: Don't know why you can get the PPP with the diesel but not with the HDPP. The GM web site for building your own truck suck's in my opinion.

The PDN code is the code for the HDPP, just like LLY is the Duramax, M74 is the Allsion, and G80 is the locking rear, so with out the HDPP or PDN it won't come up with the 1,000 discount. I just tried the web site and the thing lock's up and is slow, like I said a real POS web site in my opinion.

Find a salesman or another dealer that is informed about truck's and work with them. Get the HDPP and it will depend on the cab/bed configuration on wheather or not you can get the PPP, if you can't don't worry about it because you can still hook up a plow if you want, I have and so have a lot of other people.
The trailer option is available on any cab/bed selection and is worth it because it makes hooking up a brake controller very easy and run's all the wires for you to a trailer plug including the brake wire and 12+ for power to a trailer.

Edit: Don't know why you can get the PPP with the diesel but not with the HDPP. The GM web site for building your own truck suck's in my opinion.

I agree, that's probably half my problem.

I have tried finding a saleman or mechanic around here that knows what they are talking about, and can't find any. That is why I posted on here.

I noticed you were in located in CT. How far away from Springfield MA. are you? I live in Hatfield, but work in Springfield. I wouldn't even mind driving if you know of a dealer in your area that knows his/her stuff.

Thanks.

I got my truck at Crowley Chevy in Hartford. Good guy's to work with but I knew more about the truck's than the salesman I had, the Manager ended up buying my old 93 EC dually diesel that I traded in. Any way they have 7 CC short bed diesel truck's in stock.
Another dealer is Davidson Chevy on Rte 44 in Canton Ct just outside Hartford. I was their looking when I got mine and they are big on Corvettes and Silverado's. I checked their web site and they have 12 CC short bed Diesel's in stock. They were a little tough on their pricing but at least you can take a ride and see the truck's for yourself and talk to a salesman who might know something since they sell so many truck's and primarily deal in them. And then go to a GMC dealer in your area and order exacty what you want, since you will be more more knowledgable than the salesman there. Sorry I don't know of any GMC dealer's to speak of so I can't help you much there. Alway's been a Chevy man myself.
Keep reading the brochure and the build it yourself web site and here. And sooner or later it might make some sense.

Diesel Dragon

Well Leadfoot, Since you've joined this forum, I'd say you picked the right Sig!!!):h ):h ):h

Well Leadfoot, Since you've joined this forum, I'd say you picked the right Sig!!!):h ):h ):h:rolleyes: I thought people might find it offensive or arrogant (being "gasser" based and the "I created" part), but then I thought WTH (especially since there is stock and modified diesels represented) :ro) .

I would love to post the spec's of my diesel with all the mods like most others here, and I don't blame them because they have nice rigs and something to be proud of, but unfortuneately I don't have a diesel yet :(. I put what I did in the sig, so that people would know I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to trucks, but I know fairly little about diesel (and don't have any trouble admitting it). What I am proud of, which is truck pulling and website design, I put in my sig (as everyone else does here).

:edit: Sig edited as not to cause any issues.

When I finally get a diesel, I will definitely change (or at least add it to) my sig.


Hopefully I'm not taking your post wrong either, if I am sorry. :cool:

Diesel Dragon: Thank you for all the input.

No-No-No!!!!! My mistake. I meant your call name-LEADFOOT. What I meant was that since you joined this group, your name is correct because if you didn't have one before, You'll have a LEADFOOT now.):h

GM's website is F'd-up. YOU CAN'T USE IT TO BUILD YOUR DURAMAX TRUCK! I had to use the options page and check everything per upgrade when building a 2005 Silverado 3500 Extended Cab 4x4 LT. The website is a joke. What I did was print out all of the options and then go into the dealership and physically have them do the order. What a PITA!!!! Especially for a $50,000.00 vehicle!!!

No-No-No!!!!! My mistake. I meant your call name-LEADFOOT. What I meant was that since you joined this group, your name is correct because if you didn't have one before, You'll have a LEADFOOT now.):h
):h Ooops, my bad. I just wanted to make sure I did not tick anyone off on my first day.

Actually I'm hoping just the opposite is true. Now I have to floor it (gas SBC) to get moving with enclosed trailer attached (hence the name), hopefully in the future I won't NEED to...........although I will probably do it anyways :D :ro) :eek:


On a side note, does anyone have opinions as to whether or not to get the All Terrains vs. the "On/Off Road tires"? I am not going to go offroading in the traditional sense, but I will hit dirt/muddy roads from time to time, and I do live in the snow/ice belt. I know AT's usually do better on ice due to the siping, but what about the snow/mud, will the offroad tires fair any better?

Ah get the off road tires for a few buck's more. The on road tire's that came with mine left some to be desired in the snow that's why I put a set of Revo's on now.
Also Very important to get the steering wheel control's that not only work the radio but make using the DIC much, much easier.
Very easy to reset oil change reminder, to reset trip meter, and the fuel calculator, plus setting the alarm option's, headlight delay and so on. They should come standard from the factory since they make life so much easier and almost neccesary to use the DIC.
My .02