Just saw a new 2011 LML at my local dealer. The urea tank is in a really stupid location! Hangs down low behind right front wheel, all plastic. Odds are that will be the first thing you would knock off if you tried to actually go off roading. New front suspension looks very strong, but again I wonder about travel. Chassis is still awfully close to the ground under the cab.

Its absolutely ridiculous how low to the ground the urea tank and frame are on these trucks.

im sure GM tested it. Just becuase it "looks" low doesnt mean that you'll actually hit it in the real world off road.

WHEN someone actually hits it and knocks it off, then Ill beleive "its too low". Until then, its all just assumptions/wild guesses... ;)

as far as travel, why would it be any worse than the 2010 and older trucks? Why do you need more....?

ben

Yes,it would be nice if it (and the frame) was up higher,that is one of the things I like about Ford.I don't plan to do any major off roading with mine,I can't afford (well I'm not willing) to tare up a $55,000.00 truck playing around.I would buy something better suited for off roading and set it up just for off roading if thats what I wanted to do.For those who are willing to,I'm sure the after market world will have shields for them soon or even a relocate kit.I'm sure it can't be that hard to make one if you don't want to wait.

im sure GM tested it. Just becuase it "looks" low doesnt mean that you'll actually hit it in the real world off road.

WHEN someone actually hits it and knocks it off, then Ill beleive "its too low". Until then, its all just assumptions/wild guesses... ;)

as far as travel, why would it be any worse than the 2010 and older trucks? Why do you need more....?

ben

Have you seen it in person? It does not just "look" low -- it is in serious jeopardy of being hit by any number of things -- including a shredded 18 wheeler tire that one used to would straddle if lane change were not possible.

Have you seen it in person? It does not just "look" low -- it is in serious jeopardy of being hit by any number of things -- including a shredded 18 wheeler tire that one used to would straddle if lane change were not possible.

when I see someone post/proof that they actually hit it on something, THEN Ill believe it. Until then, its all just ASSumptions.

ben

I agree it looks Way low and really kind of stupid where it is at. Relocate kit will be in order.

I do not plan on major off roading with this long a wheelbase....... but that tank is just exposed to everything....side and bottom.......

It simply looks out of place....

If you guys actually look at the DEF tank in person you will see how a 'simple' "relocation kit" is not feasible at all.

ben

It looks low but, my 2001 had running boards that were just as low and I never hit anything with them.

I kept those boards and will be installing them on my new truck. With the frame being lower than the tank on the inside and the running boards being lower on the outside,,,,, I doubt that I will have a problem.

Now I don't seriously 4 wheel a 8,000# CC LB. But I don't shy away from dirt roads either. It's a tow vehicle for me. The 4x4s are carried in the bed.:)

I guess I will have to wait and see it in person. I do use my truck for the ranch and sometimes getting into some nasty stuff is necessary hope its not to bad.

Well dont know about the tank being to low but I drove one last night and it is a very nice truck. First thing I noticed is how much better the brakes seem compared to my 2008, the ride is more firm but not rough. After owning 5 Dodge CTD prior to my 08 and all having exhaust brakes that you hear I thought this one was not working, until while coming down a 7% grade I disengaged then engaged it again, it slows you down really well. The other thing I noticed was the transmission shifts quicker and seems to have firm shifts.

Did it have an electric or mechanical cooling fan?

Did it have an electric or mechanical cooling fan?

mechanical. But the clutch is now electronically controlled by the ECM.

I kept those boards and will be installing them on my new truck.An earlier post (can't recall which thread) said a special bracket on one of the 2011 running boards is required for that step to clear the urea tank.

mechanical. But the clutch is now electronically controlled by the ECM.

So now I assume, it won't come on when the engine is cold for the first mile or so????

So now I assume, it won't come on when the engine is cold for the first mile or so????


My dodge has the electronically controlled mechanical fan and it seems to come on for the first 1.5 miles or so.

But it may be a function of having the A/C on.

So now I assume, it won't come on when the engine is cold for the first mile or so????

yes! Finally the duramax wont roar when you pull out of your driveway in the morning. :D

An earlier post (can't recall which thread) said a special bracket on one of the 2011 running boards is required for that step to clear the urea tank.

Yes, I saw that. When I purchased those boards for my 2001, some of the brackets that it came with wouldn't work. I just fabricated some that would work.
I will do the same with this truck.

I kept the boards as they are 100% stainless steel and kinda rare. They do a great job of hiding the frame and they have the wings for the dually bed.
AND, the company that made then is out of business.

IIRC, they were called J&J Millenium Magnum boards. Kind of a cross between a running board and a 3" tube step.

i think it would be kind of a pain in the a$$ to rig up a bracket on the new 11s w/ the tank...just did a PDI on one at the dealership and they sent us vin specific running boards and they were still wrong, they wouldnt fit around the tank.

i think it would be kind of a pain in the a$$ to rig up a bracket on the new 11s w/ the tank...just did a PDI on one at the dealership and they sent us vin specific running boards and they were still wrong, they wouldnt fit around the tank.

Many of my projects are like that. I have done many things that most would think were undoable. Trust me, I'll :grd:

My truck with 285s and bumped up bars has deep scars on the frame rails right where the DEF sits on the new trucks. The scars aren't from serious wheeling, just from crossing the grading rows found on every jobsite out there. Ford managed a larger tank, 50% further DEF range, and its less vulnerable. GM's tank looks like it came from a JC Whitney catalogue.

i think it would be kind of a pain in the a$$ to rig up a bracket on the new 11s w/ the tank...just did a PDI on one at the dealership and they sent us vin specific running boards and they were still wrong, they wouldnt fit around the tank.

Oooh boy....

Thanks for the heads-up.

Hopefully they have all that sorted out by the time we get one. :rolleyes:

My truck with 285s and bumped up bars has deep scars on the frame rails right where the DEF sits on the new trucks. The scars aren't from serious wheeling, just from crossing the grading rows found on every jobsite out there. Ford managed a larger tank, 50% further DEF range, and its less vulnerable. GM's tank looks like it came from a JC Whitney catalogue.

Every post your bashing GM why don't you move to a ford forum.

My truck with 285s and bumped up bars has deep scars on the frame rails right where the DEF sits on the new trucks. The scars aren't from serious wheeling, just from crossing the grading rows found on every jobsite out there. Ford managed a larger tank, 50% further DEF range, and its less vulnerable. GM's tank looks like it came from a JC Whitney catalogue.

they kept the tank it's size because of the limited shelf life of the DEF. and like everyone says before we say it's going to get torn up, lets let these get some miles on them then we'll see

Lets give Gm a little credit here. If all sorts of Urea tanks are reportedly getting torn up,you dont think they would issue a recall and implement some sort of fix? After all it is "emissions related equipment"

Every post your bashing GM why don't you move to a ford forum.

I agree. That's all he's good for on this forum..

Every post your bashing GM why don't you move to a ford forum.

It's amazing how many "truck guys" here need to change their tampons. The smart ones here get it but, for the others: the "bashing" and complaining that goes on here or anywhere else is a big reason why GM substantially beefed up the 2011 chassis/drivetrain and made it weight capacity competitive with the competition. Obviously, GM listened to the complaints associated with GMT800 and they recognized the weaknesses. I'm not sure why someone wouldn't want ground clearance. Of course, some people just prefer to bite the pillow and will accept whatever GM gives them.

It's amazing how many "truck guys" here need to change their tampons. The smart ones here get it but, for the others: the "bashing" and complaining that goes on here or anywhere else is a big reason why GM substantially beefed up the 2011 chassis/drivetrain and made it weight capacity competitive with the competition. Obviously, GM listened to the complaints associated with GMT800 and they recognized the weaknesses. I'm not sure why someone wouldn't want ground clearance. Of course, some people just prefer to bite the pillow and will accept whatever GM gives them.

ya you are right they came on here and said well the diesel place says this is screwed up so lets fix it, makes a lot of sense thanks for telling me smart guy.

If this urea tank proves to be a problem, I'm betting a fix will be available.
If not from GM, then the aftermarket for sure.

After all, it's just a tank. It could be made in any number if sizes and shapes.
The fourwheeler crowd might be very happy with a smaller tank that had more ground clearance.

And let me beat the naysayers to the punch. This would NOT be tampering with emissions! The function of the system would remain!

ya you are right they came on here and said well the diesel place says this is screwed up so lets fix it, makes a lot of sense thanks for telling me smart guy.

Kid, you obviously have no idea how many GM engineers are here.

Kid, you obviously have no idea how many GM engineers are here.

Why don't you tell me old man?