Belly dragging no more - 2003 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab 4X4 Quadrasteer

[Mark Harley]

Thanks for the bumper info Devin:

I like the de-badged look, When I bought my truck that was the first thing I did.
Took them all off with fishing line and 3M adhesive remover.

That lasted several years until I saw the new
2500HD chrome block script. Got a set and a pair of Audi 6.0 badges from Germany. " had to advertise what I had"

How do you like the Can-back topper?

 

[Devin W]

Thanks for the bumper info Devin:

I like the de-badged look, When I bought my truck that was the first thing I did.
Took them all off with fishing line and 3M adhesive remover.

That lasted several years until I saw the new
2500HD chrome block script. Got a set and a pair of Audi 6.0 badges from Germany. " had to advertise what I had"

How do you like the Can-back topper?

I hear that - the truck was already de-badged when I picked it up and thought it looked clean but it didn't occur to me that something was missing until comparing later. The new badges are pretty cool, though!

The top is a Bestop. I love the concept, but feel like a few things could be better. I was already sold on the quality as I had Bestop's on my Defender 90 and they were great - including the windows. With this top the the design is very good, but there is one fit issue with the driver side rear corner where it's hard to hook it and have it hold well. Also, I had to have one of the windows replaced under warranty due to it cracking. Other than that, it's super easy to fold down to use the bed for utility purposes.

And under this...

...is this...

I can fold the canopy down - load the bike - and fold it back up to keep it out of the weather and I feel it's a bit more secure, too since most people wouldn't even think twice as they walk by it.

 

[Mark Harley]

I see I am not the only one who likes my toys to match!

 

[xdbx]

Damnit. The one site I frequent to try and subdue my bike lust.... and you go and post that. A sport classic has been high on my list for years...... yum!

Ballpark, how much time is added in the bike transport process in terms of stowing/extracting the bestop?

 

[BCHauler]

Nice setup. When you have a chance, could you post a pic of the canopy in the stored position. Wondering if that might be a better option for me, as I am regularly removing my fiberglass canopy to use my truck camper during hockey season. Thanks.

 

[Devin W]

Damnit. The one site I frequent to try and subdue my bike lust.... and you go and post that. A sport classic has been high on my list for years...... yum!

Ballpark, how much time is added in the bike transport process in terms of stowing/extracting the bestop?

xd - that's funny. That bike is definitely a keeper no matter what else comes along in the future. Just timeless.

As far as the top goes you can drop it and either tie it down or completely pull the pins and remove it in about 10 minutes. Reinstalling is probably about 15 (add a couple minutes for aligning windows to re-install them).

 

[Devin W]

I see I am not the only one who likes my toys to match!

Great looking trailer, Mark! Looks factory since it's sporting the right wheels and everything!

 

[Devin W]

Nice setup. When you have a chance, could you post a pic of the canopy in the stored position. Wondering if that might be a better option for me, as I am regularly removing my fiberglass canopy to use my truck camper during hockey season. Thanks.

Todd - will do. The nice thing is that you can either pull the windows and fold it down and use the straps to secure it (like a convertible top near the cab or you can collapse it and pull two cotter pins that hold the framing in place and just remove the whole thing. It's a quick process.

Edit: Actually - check this link for pics in a ton of configurations: http://www.bestop.com/truck-covers/supertopr-for-truck?a=36 . Just click the photos button in between the applications and video buttons on the RH side of the page.

 

[Larry]

Nice truck Devin! Quadrasteer trucks look really nice lifted up. As long as the rear streering hardware doesn’t get snagged up on a rock while off-roading that should be pretty handy on the trails.

Reminds me if the MILCOTS quadrasteer

Are you sure this a true Quadrasteer truck and not a Quadrasteer bed on a regular 2500 HD chassis? If you look at the hub protruding out from the center of the rear wheel it looks like the typical non-rear steering AAM 10.5 or 11.5 full-floating axle. As far as I remember all Quadrasteer trucks were basically semi-floating rear Dana 60 axles that used unit bearings without a hub that stuck out like a typical full-floater. The Quadrasteer axles only came in 2 flavors. 6 lug and 8 lug which both had unit bearings and were identical outside of different lug patterns and brake rotors. The GM service manual doesn’t even show a full-floater versions. To me, the rear tire doesn't even stick out enough in this picture to be a true Quadrasteer truck. Sometangwong with that picture or there is a hub cap on the rear wheel that just makes it look like a full-floating axle hub sticking out. I call foul on this one.

 

[John G]

Nice Truck Devin. I too searched out a 2003 1500HD 4wd with Quadrasteer. After much searching I found one with only 67,000 miles that met my criteria - LT with 3.73 gear ratio.

Did you look into the Pro Comp Lift for the Quadrasteer? Just curious how that stacked up to the Sky Jacker.

I focused on the Go and Stop initially - I went with Banks CAI, Headers, and Monster Exhaust as well as eletric Fans and a tune by BlackBear performance. I just finished putting on EBC 3GD rotors and Yellowstuff pads which also helped a great deal but it was a pain to get the right parts as the online vendors primaily have them listed wrong for the 8 lug quardrasteer. I haven't done much to the outside yet besides a tonneau cover so I can still carry my dirt bike with ease.

 

[Devin W]

Nice truck Devin! Quadrasteer trucks look really nice lifted up. As long as the rear streering hardware doesn’t get snagged up on a rock while off-roading that should be pretty handy on the trails.



Are you sure this a true Quadrasteer truck and not a Quadrasteer bed on a regular 2500 HD chassis? If you look at the hub protruding out from the center of the rear wheel it looks like the typical non-rear steering AAM 10.5 or 11.5 full-floating axle. As far as I remember all Quadrasteer trucks were basically semi-floating rear Dana 60 axles that used unit bearings without a hub that stuck out like a typical full-floater. The Quadrasteer axles only came in 2 flavors. 6 lug and 8 lug which both had unit bearings and were identical outside of different lug patterns and brake rotors. The GM service manual doesn’t even show a full-floater versions. To me, the rear tire doesn't even stick out enough in this picture to be a true Quadrasteer truck. Sometangwong with that picture or there is a hub cap on the rear wheel that just makes it look like a full-floating axle hub sticking out. I call foul on this one.

Larry - good catch. It's definitely different than mine. I feel pretty confident I can keep the rear steering off of the rocks as I won't be doing any hardcore stuff. With the wheelbase of this thing, even with a lift, I'll have to be somewhat conservative in my lines off-road.

 

[Devin W]

Nice Truck Devin. I too searched out a 2003 1500HD 4wd with Quadrasteer. After much searching I found one with only 67,000 miles that met my criteria - LT with 3.73 gear ratio.

Did you look into the Pro Comp Lift for the Quadrasteer? Just curious how that stacked up to the Sky Jacker.

I focused on the Go and Stop initially - I went with Banks CAI, Headers, and Monster Exhaust as well as eletric Fans and a tune by BlackBear performance. I just finished putting on EBC 3GD rotors and Yellowstuff pads which also helped a great deal but it was a pain to get the right parts as the online vendors primaily have them listed wrong for the 8 lug quardrasteer. I haven't done much to the outside yet besides a tonneau cover so I can still carry my dirt bike with ease.
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Hey, John -

Nice looking truck! I've got the same rear diff, but mine is an LS trim because I really wanted a front leather/pleather bench (but had to give up the auto climate control to get it). Sounds like you've done some great performance mods. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a Wester's tune to accommodate for the change in tire size for speedo, abs, shifting, etc. I'm hoping to make up a little bit of the loss of economy with that. Surprisingly the truck still feels pretty good from an acceleration standpoint with the big tires. What's your take on the Blackbear vs. Wester's tune (if you have any opinion)? I e-mailed Blackbear last week but haven't heard back yet. How have those changes affected your performance/economy overall?

I did look at the Pro-Comp which is (I think) the only lift that actually says is compatible with the QS, but it says it requires a new front cv driveshaft to operate at higher speeds in 4Hi (or auto mode which I use in the snow alot). I may actually need it with the Skyjacker, but I haven't tested the front yet as I haven't had a chance to get somewhere where the surfaces are conducive to slip and high speed, both. Overall I feel like it's a decent kit. I did have to machine the knuckles a little for rotor clearance, which they indicated must have been a "quality" issue, but the ride feels just as good as factory. BTW, I went with rear springs instead of blocks. It's funny because all of the little issues I had to overcome with my install were on the front end - the rear went together seamlessly even though Skyjacker specifically says that it's not QS compatible.

 

[Devin W]

Speak of the devil - I just got a reply on the BB tune. Big difference in price...

 

[brian90744]

03 chevy

My 03 Chevy crewcab Q/S, 6Lt, auto, leather, 42K, lifted 6”, bumper with winch,4:10 gears, duel batteries, will be up for sale next month. What is the going price?? I love this truck but I need a small car now I’m in my 70’s.

 

[NothingClever]

Oooh....nice Duc. Daddy likey.