Quadrasteer with disc brakes

[Big T]

Found this on a Suburban. It was a GMT 800 version 8 lug as I pulled the RF caliper from it for use as a core. I'm sure it would be a real challenge to adapt to a non-Quadrasteer truck.

 

[Big T]

Panoramic view of the Quadrasteer

 

[Big T]

Some background on the quadrasteer:
http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/news/miscnews/delphi/found-the-lost-quadrasteer-3-0-photos.html

 

[ak diesel driver]

I thought those were only on 1/2t trucks?

 

[Big T]

I thought those were only on 1/2t trucks?

On the Burbs, apparently they were only on the 3/4 ton because they required leaf spings and all the 1/2 ton Suburbans were coil spring in the rear.

 

[tanman_2006]

Half, heavy half, light 3/4, and burbs.

The quadrasteer has its own integrated brain in those trucks.

Probably takes a good amount of wiring know how.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

To adapt it to a GMT-400 would be IMPOSSIBLE! That axle worked with autoride, stabilitrak, PCM, ABS, and BCM feedback. It turned the wheels one way at slow speeds, another at high speeds, and it also had to know how much to turn them for each speed, and how to anticipate the turn, as well as not to cause a rollover. They are supposed to be pretty tough, but adapting it would be impossible without a COMPLETE rewire to the newer control structure which would mean ditching the 6.5L.

 

[Big T]

To adapt it to a GMT-400 would be IMPOSSIBLE! That axle worked with autoride, stabilitrak, PCM, ABS, and BCM feedback. It turned the wheels one way at slow speeds, another at high speeds, and it also had to know how much to turn them for each speed, and how to anticipate the turn, as well as not to cause a rollover. They are supposed to be pretty tough, but adapting it would be impossible without a COMPLETE rewire to the newer control structure which would mean ditching the 6.5L.

I knew you would know, which is why I posted

Pretty cool looking. Apparently they worked quite well. Everything I saw on the net, people loved it, but it was just too expensive of an option.

 

[GM Guy]

any input on the reliability of it, and how "weird" it is to drive?

My grandmother needs a 4wd or AWD for winter time, and rather than pay 14K for a Z71, I did see some pretty nice Denal Sierras with Quadrasteer for 10K or less. IMO she needs a RCSB, but I would imagine a Quadrasteer ECSB would out-turn a RCSB. Not sure if an 89 year old lady can judge the ass end swinging out on a turn and might get herself into trouble, but maybe she wont overthink it and would do fine.

 

[Will L.]

Leroy had his a while..who did you sell
It to?

I only drove one a little bit. If you drive one without knowing it you don't go "OMG Why did it do that?" It just seemed to turn nice. Made the big long 4 door go nice and easy through the drive thru and easier parking in the parking lot.

I have spent a lot of time with heavy equipment like reach lifts with rear steering - you get used to it really quick. It just gives you a better turning radius is all it seemed like to me.

I've also driven 4 wheel steer buggys, rails,make 1
Hummer. Those you notice. They're so short and turn on a dime, or using the crab walk steering- that takes some getting used to. That is something average joe will crash.

 

[Burning oil]

I had one, sold it to @tanman_2006 he will remember more than me about it. I think it was a 2500 (8 lug for sure).
I loved it except for the MPGs. Converted it to LPG so I could afford to drive it.

 

[tanman_2006]

Yeah the guy I sold it too wasn't a competent mechanic and just traded it in last week. He got 1500 for it. Water pump leaked (put 3 water pumps on it himself), messed up an AC line doing the water pump, bust the driver seat all up, the front cover was leaking oil (I did a rear main and tranny input seal), and said it only got 6 mpg around town.

While I had it it got 12ish, pulled like there was nothing there, the rear steer only got confused if you curb checked hard in drive through (turn steering back to 2 wheel, shut off truck, switch to 4 wheel while rolling). Otherwise it was easy to park, rode nice (once I decranked it's maxed out lift keys), and the rear swing wasn't all that bad.

I loved the off road setting while checking cows, I could get around any tree stump in the pasture.

 

[Big T]

Any explanation why the Quadrasteer got poor mileage?

 

[Burning oil]

Any explanation why the Quadrasteer got poor mileage?

6.0!

Was a great truck for me. Awesome looking IMO too. Hated to sell but then as now I have to many vehicles.

 

[GM Guy]

well, right now I am looking at
06 K1500 RCSB 4.3L auto 4wd (might be Z71, but dont think so) 100K, lower trim level (ok for what she uses it for) $10K car jockey, unknown quantity of owners.

03 K1500 ECSB 6.0L auto AWD Quadrasteer, 180K, decked out, gold color, has camper shell, has stabilizer hooks for a slide in camper at one point, original owner, private treaty, 8900 bucks.

I am kinda leaning towards the Quad, ol grandma needs a taste of heated leather GM glory after that POS Ford Ranger that she bought new WITHOUT consulting anyone in the family that knew shit about vehicles. (was reliable, only has 30K, but I have never hated a vehicle more, utter failure of engineering.)

 

[tanman_2006]

4.10 gears, a heavy foot, and 20's with 33" tires didn't help.

Went down to a narrower 32", lowered the front end, new wheel bearings, alignment, intake, more exhaust (was loud as @#!? when I bought it), new plugs, coils, injectors, fuel pump, throttle body, knock sensors, 02 sensors, new yank 2400 rpm stall converter, all new AC (condenser, compressor, lines, and dryer), new blend vents, steering shaft recall, and efi live.

I gained 2mpg towing and highway, but I could see where DD in town might challenge it's mpg! Bahahaha

It out ran my lbz on its low HP heavy tow tune.

 

[tanman_2006]

Never seen or heard of a 6.0 in a GMT 800 8 lug getting over 13mpg and a awd denali truck was just as bad.

Some claim that in a c1500 with a 4l60 and 3.42 or 3.73's they can get mid to high teens.

 

[Will L.]

Our 01 2500 suburban LT 4wd with 6.0 when I drove it got 13.5. But when my wife drove it it got 15.5-16. She did about 75% of her driving on the freeway, but cruised 80 with no worries. That was through out the 165,000 miles we put on it.
That was with bfg all terrains and some knock off of same tread pattern. We had some big-o tires that got 1
Mph better, but were junk in the rain.
Keep in mind 30,000 oil changes and only putting on parts when we had to- no real pm.

Our 05 escalade ESV platinum has a 6.0 also but instead of select 4wd, it's full time awd. And has twin electric fans and no waterpump driven fan at all. It seems to get 16.5 -17 mph so far. Some 20" tires only good for street.

In order to get 12 mph or under from a 6.0 I had to work at it.

Not familiar with 6.0 getting bad mileage.

 

[NVW]

Our Denali averages 15.5 L/100km. That is in the last year, all conditions. On a trip it will get 11-13 L/100kms. I'll let you guys figure it out for a change

Oh, when I drive, the mileage, L/100km improves

 

[Big T]

Our 01 2500 suburban LT 4wd with 6.0 when I drove it got 13.5. But when my wife drove it it got 15.5-16. She did about 75% of her driving on the freeway, but cruised 80 with no worries. That was through out the 165,000 miles we put on it.
That was with bfg all terrains and some knock off of same tread pattern. We had some big-o tires that got 1
Mph better, but were junk in the rain.
Keep in mind 30,000 oil changes and only putting on parts when we had to- no real pm.

Our 05 escalade ESV platinum has a 6.0 also but instead of select 4wd, it's full time awd. And has twin electric fans and no waterpump driven fan at all. It seems to get 16.5 -17 mph so far. Some 20" tires only good for street.

In order to get 12 mph or under from a 6.0 I had to work at it.

Not familiar with 6.0 getting bad mileage.

Will is this what your Escalade looks like: