denali drivetrain in a dmax?

[Kspen90]

I was just thinking today about how great the awd drivetrain in my old mans denali drove and i started thinking why couldnt it be put in a dmax? Theres the obvious change of the front axel and transfercase but would the trans have to be changed as well? Does anyone who is well versed in drivtrains know what all this would take? Just thinking out loud and i thought it might be a cool swap for Christine one of these days

 

[TeaBagger2006]

?????????? you do know the denalis are 1/2 tons whcih means different axles different frame (somewhat) ......the point is they are way different

 

[A_T_Ver]

I've seen this question somewhere before. I believe they said the t-case and diffs wouldn't hold up to DMAX torque.

 

[Kspen90]

?????????? you do know the denalis are 1/2 tons whcih means different axles different frame (somewhat) ......the point is they are way different

I dont think the axel issue is anything that couldnt be fixed with some modifications and a mig welder

I've seen this question somewhere before. I believe they said the t-case and diffs wouldn't hold up to DMAX torque.

that crossed my mind as well but id think there would be a way to beef it up but drivetrains arent my specialty

 

[68skylark455]

The Escalade Truck has some heavy duty parts in it but if anything I would try to mate the t-case to the allison. Not sure how the 4l60e would stand up:roflmao: but you can contact Duraburb in Florida and they will answer all those questions because they have been there and done this already. They build burbans, escalades, and yukon xl's with dmaxs so I am sure they can help you out.

 

[Chevy1925]

this has been discussed before. the autotrac t-case wont hold up to the torque of a dmax. you will fry clutches in the t-case fairly quick

 

[SmokeShow]

Even stock-ish tuned dmax tq would be too taxing on the 1/2 ton stuff?

 

[Chevy1925]

Even stock-ish tuned dmax tq would be too taxing on the 1/2 ton stuff?

given how small those ring gears/carrier bearings/and gov bombs are in the 10 bolts, i sure wouldnt try it. a 14bolt semi floater is the very least id put under there. the front 8.25 you might be able to get away with but putting the 9.25 in is good insurance. the t-case then becomes the next weak link for awd. its jsut not up to it

 

[JoshH]

The "AWD" transfer case in the half ton GM trucks (including the Denali and Escalade) are not actually AWD. They are automatic shifting 4wd cases. They have a clutch that engages when the computer sees rear wheel slip. I would not trust one for very long in a heavy 3/4 or 1 ton diesel pickup.

 

[BlkMax]

There is a similar system in the trailblazers (the "auto" 4wd). I just got done reworking the t-case clutches in my wife's TB. We NEVER used the auto feature, I told her if it was bad enough for auto, put it in 4hi. We did pretty good, but the clutches still went out after about 140k miles.

I would not trust any auto system behind a dmax, even a stock one. There is probably a reason that GM never had the auto option tcase with the dmax.

 

[68skylark455]

Actually the "concept" all terrain dmax has an auto t-case not sure what it is but it does have one

 

[duratothemax]

The "AWD" transfer case in the half ton GM trucks (including the Denali and Escalade) are not actually AWD. They are automatic shifting 4wd cases. They have a clutch that engages when the computer sees rear wheel slip. I would not trust one for very long in a heavy 3/4 or 1 ton diesel pickup.

this is incorrect.

the denali and escalades have a true full-time ALL WHEEL DRIVE transfer case.

NOTHING in common with the NP246 "auto-trac" xfer case in all the other half tons.

Ever wonder why there is no "2wd" "4wd hi" "4wd lo" and "auto" buttons in a denali or escalade?????? Because its.....wait for it.....ALL WHEEL DRIVE!!!

 

[duratothemax]

There is a similar system in the trailblazers (the "auto" 4wd). I just got done reworking the t-case clutches in my wife's TB. We NEVER used the auto feature, I told her if it was bad enough for auto, put it in 4hi. We did pretty good, but the clutches still went out after about 140k miles.

I would not trust any auto system behind a dmax, even a stock one. There is probably a reason that GM never had the auto option tcase with the dmax.

again....completely different xfer case.... you are talking about "all wheel drive" vs. "on-demand automatic 4 wheel drive".

No offense to you guys, but Im actually really surprised many people are confusing this/getting it incorrect (difference between the autotrac in the non-luxury SUV's/trucks and the denali/escalade awd)...its very basic knowledge that is clearly outlined even in the simple denali/escalade media advertisements.


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[JoshH]

this is incorrect.

the denali and escalades have a true full-time ALL WHEEL DRIVE transfer case.

NOTHING in common with the NP246 "auto-trac" xfer case in all the other half tons.

Ever wonder why there is no "2wd" "4wd hi" "4wd lo" and "auto" buttons in a denali or escalade?????? Because its.....wait for it.....ALL WHEEL DRIVE!!!

I've never been in a Denali or Excalade

Thanks for setting me straight. :thumb:

 

[Bryce418]

again....completely different xfer case.... you are talking about "all wheel drive" vs. "on-demand automatic 4 wheel drive".

No offense to you guys, but Im actually really surprised many people are confusing this/getting it incorrect (difference between the autotrac in the non-luxury SUV's/trucks and the denali/escalade awd)...its very basic knowledge that is clearly outlined even in the simple denali/escalade media advertisements.


.

Plain and simple the denal/escalade t case is awd. There are no clutches in them at all.

The 1/2 pickup, Yukon/Tahoe case uses clutches todrive the front prop shaft. The hd case uses a synchronized coupler.

 

[duratothemax]

and fwiw. You could keep your stock front and rear axles. You wouldnt need to swap to denali/escalade axles!

Just keep the front axle actuator motor permanently "engaged".

Just have to figure out a way to mount the denali/escalade xfer case onto the Allison, and you'll be good to go. You'll probably need custom [length] driveshafts, but thats no big deal.

 

[JoshH]

Does the Denali/Escalade awd case have a 4wd lock and low range position or some sort of "limited slip" in the center differential?

 

[Cornell]

I want the quadrasteer rear axle in my truck, GM marketed that whole concept completely wrong but that has already been beaten to death.

 

[Mike L.]

Does the Denali/Escalade awd case have a 4wd lock and low range position or some sort of "limited slip" in the center differential?

I do not think it does.

 

[DIGGLER]

how does the AWD transfer case work? i have a ford explorer awd, and i know there is a clutch setup in the tcase somewhere which allows enough slip to keep the drivetrain out of bind on dry pavement. someone mentioned the denali awd setup has no clutches..... so how does it keep the drivetrain from binding up? i know a full 4wd truck on dry pavement is a very rough chattery ride.