How capable is a 2001 GMC 2500HD extended cab, longbed off road??

[CSG]

I've got this truck with the 6.0 V8. It is factory stock and without a limited slip differential. Other than the obvious issues due to length what are the limits with a truck like this? I keep chickening out on some of our local back country 4x4 roads when things look steep or too rocky.

Would adding a limited slip rear end make much difference? I do not want to mod the truck for off road, I just want to know when to quit because I'm often alone in the backcountry and would not want to get stuck 20-30 miles in. It's fairly lonely in South Central Idaho's Shoshone Basin.

 

[4x4mike]

I wheeled a full size Chevy longbed for 7 years and got stuck a lot. I've replaced it with a 4runner and I can honestly say the 4runner blows the truck away. The truck was wide, heavy and the weight was not distributed evenly front to back. The light rear end would push the truck around and be the first to loose traction. I went through a lot of front end parts as well. No broken cv's but ball joints, idler arms, pitman arms, cv boots and brakes.

I really liked the truck and we took it everywhere. State to state any weather. I put a one ton axle in the rear with a full Detroit locker, York OBA, rock sliders, winch. I was kind of glad to get rid of the truck as the 4runner fit the bill.

 

[Applejack]

These full size long box trucks are not really designed for off road use. Really the 4wd is only for getting you through muddy stretches on dirt roads or muddy job sites. When it comes to climbing.............turn around. Well, I guess I should say that if the road is just steep 4wd should get you going, if it gets rutted as well, then you're going to have to resort to momentum to get you through. Not the best course of action IMHO. I have a friend who bought a 2005 3/4 ton Dodge and could not make it up his own gravel driveway without engaging 4wd. However his 2wd work van never has a problem. The rear suspension was made to haul loads and thus is too stiff to climb steeper grades with loose surfaces, there rear starts to hop and traction is lost. An LSD will help with climbing abilities but but if the truck lifts a rear tire, most LSD's require brake modulation to keep from spinning the tire in the air. I would say that the trucks unwillingness to flex is it's biggest deficit to traction.

 

[CSG]

I probably shouldn't have said "off road" as I'm really wondering more about where I'd have a problem on 4x4 roads. I understand it's not a rock crawler and its suspension is limited in travel. I also mentioned I was aware that the length was an issue too. But as I travel alone in backcountry it's not a good idea to get stuck.

I was on a road yesterday that's considered a 4x4/high clearance road and the truck handled the ruts, rock, and scree fine. It was able to climb easily enough in 4 hi and I never got to a point where I needed the extra torque of 4 lo. But as I climbed there was a new component, a light coating of snow and after about a half mile of it I took advantage of a turnout area and parked. I then hiked another mile or so up the road and wasn't sure if I couldn't have driven it.

So I understand the truck is not an off road machine, I'm just trying to get educated enough about what I shouldn't attempt with it on our back country roads. In the full size photo thread there are a number of people with stock HD 4x4 trucks that seem to be more willing to push them than I am mine.

 

[UrbanCummin]

I've got this truck with the 6.0 V8. It is factory stock and without a limited slip differential. Other than the obvious issues due to length what are the limits with a truck like this? I keep chickening out on some of our local back country 4x4 roads when things look steep or too rocky.

Would adding a limited slip rear end make much difference? I do not want to mod the truck for off road, I just want to know when to quit because I'm often alone in the backcountry and would not want to get stuck 20-30 miles in. It's fairly lonely in South Central Idaho's Shoshone Basin.

The biggest downside to GM IFS 4x4 trucks I find is the horrible ground clearance and breakover angle. Dodge and Ford 2wd have better ground clearance then Gm 4x4's. I have to crawl under these trucks and a daily basis and curse GM for being so low.

While in 2wd a long pickup might have poor climbing capability, but in 4wd the situation changes drastically compared to something short like a jeep for toyota. As long as ground clearance is not an issue longer pickups are much more stable at hillclimbs then short vehicles.

 

[alexrex20]

the only way to truly know the limitations of you and your truck are to test them. i'm not encouraging you to go out there and get stuck, but drive the truck as far as you can. if you start having trouble, and feel uncomfortable pushing it any further, then you know you've reached your safety threshold. with a second vehicle and/or proper self-recovery equipment, you can be a little more brave.

 

[Stan the Man]

Whats the wheelbase. I wheel with a couple of guys that run long beds, but they are regular cabs. By the end of the day, we hate each other and they are not happy either. They're right baout 135" wheel base. Anything longer is definitely a no.

 

[Applejack]

the only way to truly know the limitations of you and your truck are to test them. i'm not encouraging you to go out there and get stuck, but drive the truck as far as you can. if you start having trouble, and feel uncomfortable pushing it any further, then you know you've reached your safety threshold. with a second vehicle and/or proper self-recovery equipment, you can be a little more brave.

I agree and would add that you should just organize a day of adventure with a couple of other 4x4's, that way when do find the limitations, your help is right there.

 

[CSG]

Yeah, we've got a couple local clubs but they're pretty hardcore and I suspect I'd just slow them down. I should call though and tell them my story and see what they say about me coming along some afternoon.

 

[jsnow]

I wheeled a full size Chevy longbed for 7 years and got stuck a lot. I've replaced it with a 4runner and I can honestly say the 4runner blows the truck away. The truck was wide, heavy and the weight was not distributed evenly front to back. The light rear end would push the truck around and be the first to loose traction. I went through a lot of front end parts as well. No broken cv's but ball joints, idler arms, pitman arms, cv boots and brakes.

I really liked the truck and we took it everywhere. State to state any weather. I put a one ton axle in the rear with a full Detroit locker, York OBA, rock sliders, winch. I was kind of glad to get rid of the truck as the 4runner fit the bill.

The steering components can be upgraded with Cognito parts. GM in my opinion has never developed a decent steering system for their trucks. Upgrade a few parts, and go have some fun out there. Go with a club or some friends, so when you do get stuck, someone will be there to help you out.

 

[tdesanto]

...But as I travel alone in backcountry it's not a good idea to get stuck...

I think your best bet is having the proper gear to get unstuck. Make sure you have good, durable tires, shovel, air compressor, hi-lift with the lift-mate (if it fits your wheels) could help you a lot too.

A recovery strap and recovery points on the front and rear would be good, if you can find someone to help you recover your vehicle or if you travel in a group.

Most of all, bring your sense of adventure.

 

[CSG]

Our local rock crawler club is having an open house run on the 28th of this month and all are invited as long as they've got a 4x4. I talked to one of the guys and he said it would be a good opportunity to learn more about my truck as they aren't going to do anything too hardcore considering it's an event for the public.

 

[19psi]

the large trucks are definitley poor when it comes to off roading stock. my dodge is huge and flexes like a river barge. stuff that my jeep cherokee on 32's can do in 2wd, the dodge gets stuck in 4wd on 35's.
iv'e been wheeling a long time in smaller rigs and if i wanted to make the dodge better, i'd add a rear locker, a winch, and some rock rails. that way i'd be protected, have more traction when the rear lifts a tire, and a way to get out should it get stuck.
the only way to figure out exactly how good or bad your truck is is to slowly push it little by little. i understand though that usually you're alone and not tempting fate is the smart decision. most off roaders are very accomadating though to newbies (no offense) and wouldn't mind you tagging along and can even offer tips to get through certain obstacles and also know the trails and will recommend those that can be accomplished by a full size nearly stock rig.

 

[BigJimCruising]

I had this same truck for several years except I had the standard cab with limited slip. If you really want to do any kind of off roading you have to get a lift and larger tires. I tried wheeling mine stock and with slighty larger tires (33's) and the ground clearance and breakover is horrible on these full size rigs. Not to mention the departure angle! You will also need an air compressor so you can air back up after you air down for off roading. Unless you have steel kidneys you'll need to let the air pressures down to the 20's to be able to stand the ride. That's the other reason for the lift! If you air down while stock you'll make some of those low riders cars look tall. Other then that I didn't have any problems off roading this truck hard thoughout the southwest U.S. Oh almost forgot, keep extra oil on hand, for whatever reason this engine will use extra oil when your off roading.

 

[CSG]

Thanks for the additional comments. I just got back from the South Hills and went on some rocky and rutted two-track roads one of which had a pretty steep climb. I was pleased with how well the truck did and these roads are probably the worst I would attempt.

I have no interest in doing anything other than maybe adding a limited slip. As a tow rig, I'm not changing tire size or lifting it. If I didn't say, I'm running Michelin LTX M/S tires in the stock came-from-the-factory size. If the roads I was on were wet, icy, or muddy, things might have been different but the truck handled the rocks and ruts just fine. Like I said, what I want to learn is where to quit with this truck as it is now. FWIW, I was in 4 hi for all of this.