Hybrid chassis shows differences between old and new Silverado HD

[Poltergeist]

No, Chevrolet's new Silverado HD will not be available as a hybrid. The hybrid we're talking about is this chassis on display at the Chicago Auto Show that is constructed of both the previous generation and the new 2011 Silverado HD. The combined chassis is split right down the middle and shows just how much the 2011 model has been improved from the previous model.

Starting with the front suspension, the 2011 Silverado HD receives beefier upper and lower control arms along with larger torsion bars and steering gear. The front axle can now handle up to 6,000 pounds of gross weight, which means that every HD model can bear the weight of a snow plow. Moving through the rest of the display, you can see the all new frame that utilizes 11 fully boxed assemblies that make sure of higher strength steel. The result is that the new chassis has five times more torsional strength than it did before and 92 percent better bending resistance.

At the rear, the Silverado HD benefits from a new, larger asymmetrical leaf spring design that offers improved handling and load capabilities. General Motors is quick to point out that the truck's maximum 6,335-pound payload and 20,000-pound towing capacity (using a fifth-wheel hitch) are both better than the Dodge Ram 3500 HD and the Ford F350 Super Duty.

Finally, the Silverado HD has been upgraded with 14-inch brake rotors both front and rear, a heavy-duty trailer hitch and a 36-gallon fuel tank that, when combined with the improved fuel economy, allows for 680 highway miles on a single tank.

 

[JoshH]

Wow, that urea tank looks a lot bigger than I thought it would be.

 

[Dan@PPE]

x2

 

[Hellrazr78]

Wish my frame looked that good.

 

[mmangels22]

seriously

 

[MadMaxx61]

humm wonder how hard it would be to swap out the 07.5-10 chassis so this one.

 

[bullfrogjohnson]

I liked the boxed frame

 

[LBZrcks]

Wonder how heavy it will be

 

[05' Ditry Duramax]

I'm kinda wondering if the brake components will swap straight over. I'm sure it will be just as expensive to go aftermarket and get a better product.

 

[Poltergeist]

Wonder how heavy it will be

I'm going to guess the frame has picked up 200~250 lbs. (at a minimum) from the increase in steel shown in the pics.

 

[duramaximizer]

Hopefully going there this weekend. I wanted to ask about that, and what it did to the overall truck's ballance and center of gravity. I am assuming it would improve, but IDK. I also wanted to ask about the increase in curb weight from all of the emmission stuff and when the truck is "wet" with the urea etc. I also heard 40 pounds heavier in the block from the current max.

Hello, "superHEAVYduty." I am saying the truck COULD gain up to 1000 pounds over the LMM GMT800. The bad part about the bigger breaks, wheels, tires drivetrain? will be the increase in rotating mass. It can't be good for fuel economy. Hopefully, someone did their homework.