2005 GMC Sierra
- Engine Size: 6.0L - 8 Cylinders 8.1L - 8 Cylinders
- Style: Crossover
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Model: Sierra
- Year: 2005
- Class: Pickup Truck Crossover
- Overview
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Powerful, yet smooth
Pros
Smooth ride, handling, power, available options, braking
Cons
Gas mileage (remember it's a truck) few less features than prior years
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Recommended. Smooth and powerful, yet strong and sturdy make this truck a good tow vehicle or an all-around utility vehicle. The extend cab offers plenty of room.
Overview:
So far I love this truck! The suspension us tough, but very smooth over the bumps and the 5.3L V8 provides more than enough power for a 1/2; ton pickup. Way to go GM!
Why did I buy?
I think what sold me was the ride quality. It's no Cadillac, but it's not far from it!
Some things I really like about the truck.
Locking rear differential; this feature is relatively new to pickups (at least I think so.) For years pickups have come from the factory with optional "limited slip" or "posi" rear differentials, but GM has started including an optional, automatic locking differential (standard equipment with Z71 package.) Made by Eaton, these differentials have a clutch pack that is speed sensitive; as one wheel starts to slip, the clutch will almost instantly engage and lock the two wheels sending full torque to both rear wheels. I didn't really believe this was how it worked, so I tested it out on a patch of ice. I rolled one wheel over the ice, and one on dry pavement. As I barley tapped the accelerator the tire one the ice started to spin, and within a fraction of a second the tire on the dry pavement chirped and I was off and running. As I entered the first corner after the lock, there was a small clunk as the differential unlocked.
Electronic transfer case with automatic 4x4 mode. This transfer case acts exactly like the standard 4x4 push-button with 2H, 4H, neutral and 4L modes, but also features an automatic 4x4 mode. When activated, the auto 4x4 mode will stay in 2x4 until it detects the back wheels slipping. As soon as they do, the clutch locks in and you are in 4x4, as you move into better terrain, the clutch will disengage and you're back in 2x4. This mode similar to "All Wheel Drive" but if you leave it activated you will suffer from increased fuel consumption. The clutch action is almost seamless, but you can tell when it has locked in the front wheels, as the truck drives like it is in 4x4.
The temperature gage and compass... Not a whole lot to explain here, the direction and temperature are displayed on the rear-view mirror and can be turned off by pressing a button located on the mirror.
The truck features optional power folding mirrors which are really neat! No more scraping mirrors on ATMs or trees on narrow paths. With one touch of a button, the mirrors fold in from harms way; with a second press there right back where they started, with no re-adjusting! And they have built in heaters; for those of us in cold regions, no more scraping the frost from those mirrors.
The DIC (Drive Information Center) has many modes and custom settings such as trip A & B, fuel used, average fuel economy, life engine timer, trip timer, odometer, estimated miles remaining (range) and more! The DIC also lets you program timings like when the doors will lock and unlock, if and how long the lights will stay on after the truck is tuned off, if the mirrors will tilt when shifted to reverse (yea they will tilt to let you see the curb!) as well as many other customizations. I believe you need to have the optional steering radio controls to access some of these features.
Some nit-picky things I've found with the '05:
The DIC no longer has the "Instant Fuel Economy." It does still have an average economy which can be reset using the steering controls, but it's nice to have the instant readout, o well...
Another thing I miss on the '05 model is the blue tint on the top of the windshield. Almost every GM vehicle since the '70's has had a blue gradient bar at the top of the windshield to block the sun from hitting your eyes as it's setting (or rising) off in the horizon. Not major, but why change a good thing?
The '05 model also changed the lower dash a bit. I was in a friend's '00 the other day and noticed his has a fold out cup holder and three accessory outlets; whereas the '05 has dropped the cup holder and deleted one accessory outlet leaving the dash with only two.
The doors don't shut as nice as I'd hoped. My brother just bought a '01 Sierra and his doors will shut and latch with a stiff breeze. Whereas the '05 I find myself re-closing the door quite often to get it latched all the way. Maybe the rubber is just a little stiff, being brand new.
Other Interesting things:
This is the first vehicle I've ever seen without a throttle cable! Yea, it is all servo controlled! On the pedal there are a few springs and a small box with wires. On the throttle plate there is a box with wires, no cables! They also done away with the belt driven clutch fan on the front of the engine, it has been replaced with two electric fans. The alternator has also been upgraded to a 145 amp. On a different note, GM has gone backward in technology with the braking system; the rear brakes have gone back to the good ol' drum system. I presume this is in response to the problems GM had with the slides on the discs of prior models. But the truck has no lack of stopping power, and unlike Ford, the anti-lock break system works VERY well.
Get splash guards (mud flaps) and a tonneau cover (or cap.) First of the splash guards... If there is dirt on the road, it will end up all over you truck. I hit a small mud puddle on a little off-road adventure; I couldn't believe the amount of mud that was kicked up on the truck. As for the tonneau cover, as soon as I added it I've noticed a 1-2 mpg gain in the fuel economy (at higher speeds only, slow it didn't seem to make a difference.) Over the life of the truck I'm sure it will pay for itself, and no shoveling snow out of the bed.
All and all, I have to say I am very impressed with this truck. Time will tell how it holds up.
So far I love this truck! The suspension us tough, but very smooth over the bumps and the 5.3L V8 provides more than enough power for a 1/2; ton pickup. Way to go GM!
Why did I buy?
I think what sold me was the ride quality. It's no Cadillac, but it's not far from it!
Some things I really like about the truck.
Locking rear differential; this feature is relatively new to pickups (at least I think so.) For years pickups have come from the factory with optional "limited slip" or "posi" rear differentials, but GM has started including an optional, automatic locking differential (standard equipment with Z71 package.) Made by Eaton, these differentials have a clutch pack that is speed sensitive; as one wheel starts to slip, the clutch will almost instantly engage and lock the two wheels sending full torque to both rear wheels. I didn't really believe this was how it worked, so I tested it out on a patch of ice. I rolled one wheel over the ice, and one on dry pavement. As I barley tapped the accelerator the tire one the ice started to spin, and within a fraction of a second the tire on the dry pavement chirped and I was off and running. As I entered the first corner after the lock, there was a small clunk as the differential unlocked.
Electronic transfer case with automatic 4x4 mode. This transfer case acts exactly like the standard 4x4 push-button with 2H, 4H, neutral and 4L modes, but also features an automatic 4x4 mode. When activated, the auto 4x4 mode will stay in 2x4 until it detects the back wheels slipping. As soon as they do, the clutch locks in and you are in 4x4, as you move into better terrain, the clutch will disengage and you're back in 2x4. This mode similar to "All Wheel Drive" but if you leave it activated you will suffer from increased fuel consumption. The clutch action is almost seamless, but you can tell when it has locked in the front wheels, as the truck drives like it is in 4x4.
The temperature gage and compass... Not a whole lot to explain here, the direction and temperature are displayed on the rear-view mirror and can be turned off by pressing a button located on the mirror.
The truck features optional power folding mirrors which are really neat! No more scraping mirrors on ATMs or trees on narrow paths. With one touch of a button, the mirrors fold in from harms way; with a second press there right back where they started, with no re-adjusting! And they have built in heaters; for those of us in cold regions, no more scraping the frost from those mirrors.
The DIC (Drive Information Center) has many modes and custom settings such as trip A & B, fuel used, average fuel economy, life engine timer, trip timer, odometer, estimated miles remaining (range) and more! The DIC also lets you program timings like when the doors will lock and unlock, if and how long the lights will stay on after the truck is tuned off, if the mirrors will tilt when shifted to reverse (yea they will tilt to let you see the curb!) as well as many other customizations. I believe you need to have the optional steering radio controls to access some of these features.
Some nit-picky things I've found with the '05:
The DIC no longer has the "Instant Fuel Economy." It does still have an average economy which can be reset using the steering controls, but it's nice to have the instant readout, o well...
Another thing I miss on the '05 model is the blue tint on the top of the windshield. Almost every GM vehicle since the '70's has had a blue gradient bar at the top of the windshield to block the sun from hitting your eyes as it's setting (or rising) off in the horizon. Not major, but why change a good thing?
The '05 model also changed the lower dash a bit. I was in a friend's '00 the other day and noticed his has a fold out cup holder and three accessory outlets; whereas the '05 has dropped the cup holder and deleted one accessory outlet leaving the dash with only two.
The doors don't shut as nice as I'd hoped. My brother just bought a '01 Sierra and his doors will shut and latch with a stiff breeze. Whereas the '05 I find myself re-closing the door quite often to get it latched all the way. Maybe the rubber is just a little stiff, being brand new.
Other Interesting things:
This is the first vehicle I've ever seen without a throttle cable! Yea, it is all servo controlled! On the pedal there are a few springs and a small box with wires. On the throttle plate there is a box with wires, no cables! They also done away with the belt driven clutch fan on the front of the engine, it has been replaced with two electric fans. The alternator has also been upgraded to a 145 amp. On a different note, GM has gone backward in technology with the braking system; the rear brakes have gone back to the good ol' drum system. I presume this is in response to the problems GM had with the slides on the discs of prior models. But the truck has no lack of stopping power, and unlike Ford, the anti-lock break system works VERY well.
Get splash guards (mud flaps) and a tonneau cover (or cap.) First of the splash guards... If there is dirt on the road, it will end up all over you truck. I hit a small mud puddle on a little off-road adventure; I couldn't believe the amount of mud that was kicked up on the truck. As for the tonneau cover, as soon as I added it I've noticed a 1-2 mpg gain in the fuel economy (at higher speeds only, slow it didn't seem to make a difference.) Over the life of the truck I'm sure it will pay for itself, and no shoveling snow out of the bed.
All and all, I have to say I am very impressed with this truck. Time will tell how it holds up.
