[03tb05envoy]

I have an '05 Envoy SLT. It's loaded, has a nav unit and everything but,I'm pretty sure it just has a limited slip differential but I honestly can't tell. Is the Eaton option only available on Denalis? Also, how can you tell if you have one or not? I know it makes a huge difference if you want to off road or not.

Thanks

 

[high-voltage]

http://www.trailvoy.com/docs/vinrpo/2005_RPO.pdf

 

[03tb05envoy]

Thanks

Thanks, I looked it up in my glove compartment and it does list the "G80" code so assume I do have the eaton locking diff.

Does this make a huge difference if I ever want to off road with this thing in the future? It's my "nice" car now, but I plan on keeping it forever and eventually turning it into an offroading vehicle someday.

Thanks again.

 

[WOOLUF1952]

The G80 is a locking differential and was an option on all TV's except the SS. The SS had the true limited slip.

 

[JamesDowning]

Does this make a huge difference if I ever want to off road with this thing in the future?

:yes: Big difference. Possibly more useful than having 4x4.

 

[03tb05envoy]

Good, I use to have an 97 Jeep Wrangler and one of my buddies told me that I was better off with the Jeep off roading compared to the Envoy.

I know the Envoy has a independent front suspension and is targeted at on road driving but I bet with some mods it could be pretty decent.

So it lists G80 and GT4 - so that means I have a locking rear differential with a 3.73 gear ratio? Does that mean this thing could be pretty decent for off roading some day?

 

[high-voltage]

Lots of offroading trailvoys.
Check out the roadies voy for an extream example.

 

[the roadie]

Many Jeeps aren't as comfortable offroading as the Envoy will be. Leather seats, working AC, etc. make for a different experience. Not for the extreme rock crawling and testosterone fueled carnage experience. But for expedition driving where the objective is incredible scenery and not to break stuff.

 

[glfredrick]

I'm sure that I'll get in trouble for this, but I disagree that the TrailVoy platform will make for a better off-road vehicle than a Jeep. There is no lack of love for the TrailVoy platform for me -- I have one and like it a LOT -- but it just isn't as capable without considerable (and expensive) modifications, and even then, as Roadie indicated, the best use is for expedition-type trail running, not true off-road use.

Over the July 4th weekend, I had the opportunity to wheel next to a new Jeep JK (the new 4-door Jeep model that still looks like a Jeep) and its performance off-road was quite impressive. It has leather, air, all the amenities (inc. GPS) of any modern vehicle, and it can actually conquor some difficult off-road terrain.

I'll post a few pics below. These were from Disney, Oklahoma during our Crawl 4 Christ UCORA run over the July 4th weekend.

Just for kicks, here is what I was doing (in a borrowed Jeep). TrailVoy guys have a standing invitation to wheel with me and the group :yes:

 

[gmac310]

The driver in the last pic has that classic "oh sh*t" look!!

 

[ylab]

But I don't think anybody said it would be a 'better offroad vehicle', but rather a 'more comfortable' offroad vehicle. I don't even think The Roadie would dispute that the jeep has more clearance and be modded more to the extreme for off-road usage, but for the average non-extreme off-roader it is a more comfortable vehicle. Lets face it the most capable off-road Jeep is probably the Wrangler/CJx series, usually smaller engine, more dated suspension and drivetrain. Yes it will go places we may not be able to go, but we don't feel like we've been on a buckboard or horse at the end of the day. - And the A/C actually works and cools us off during the trip!

Couldn't resist that last comment, my brother used to work at a Jeep dealership. He'd talk about one of the Jeeps and make references to there's Mickey Mouse and then there's Disneyland, and some of the jeeps came right out of the latter. (Referring to the a/c unit and why it wasn't working and they finally gave it to him to troubleshoot).

 

[JamesDowning]

Over the July 4th weekend, I had the opportunity to wheel next to a new Jeep JK

I've wheeled with a few of these. Nice vehicles overall. The thing to note is that their frame is just as low as ours is, although their rocker panels are an extra 2-3 inches above ours (that's their main advantage in rocks). They also have much more aftermarket support simply due to the Jeep name.

Here's a pic from last September:

Funny thing is, the guy that owned the new JK (or whatever it is) is trading his back in because he's had so many problems with it. I think he ended up getting a ZR2 Blazer. :rotfl:

 

[glfredrick]

The driver in the last pic has that classic "oh sh*t" look!!

That was me, and I didn't actually have that look (or feeling). I had already done the same obstacle the day before and knew that I could easily walk it.

What I am doing is concentrating on my spotter, who needed to have very precise tire placement for the next phase of the waterfall, which reversed the camber, and then went straight up an six foot wall (with running water).

The holding on was at the moment the Jeep was poised to go two wheels up until it flopped in the other direction. Cameras are funny things that way.

Here's another guy's attempt at the same obstacle, right after flipping the other way (he flipped a bit too far):

Here's the end of that section (another truck):

Neither of the two drivers above made it without a winch.

 

[03tb05envoy]

Agree

I agree, the Jeeps solid front axle, short wheel base and high clearance makes it a superior off road vehicle. I


I had a 97 Wrangler, manual... but I have also owned an 03 TB and 05 Envoy. And let me tell you from "my experience" the Wrangler was a piece of sh*t.

70k-hydraulic cylinder for clutch fails.
80k-windshield wiper motor fails.
110k- manual trans mission completely fails.
130k- engine COMPLETELY FAILS.
135K- front wheel bearings fail.
143k- said goodbye to that piece of sh*t.

This vehicle was taken care of very well, more than frequent oil changes, never even really off roaded in it either -this vehicle could barely with stand "on road" driving.

I had a TB that I made it to 110k and it was totaled. But, it never had one issue in that 110k and it still had a lot of life left in it at 110k... That's why I went with an Envoy again.

But, in all fairness not to hate on Jeeps. My jeep was a POS but, I still think about getting another one some day, so I must have had fun in it... Trailvoy still better all around vehicle.

Appreciate the input and great pics.

 

[glfredrick]

Apples to oranges...

Jeeps are not road vehicles, though a lot of people run them that way. Trailblazers are not off-road vehicles -- same issue.

The Jeep JK is actually the best "dual purpose" vehicle built, quality issues aside (and I'm not convinced they are worse than similar year Chevys).

I can't imagine a stock Trailblazer going anywhere that that green JK went. His mods were skid plates, rocker guards, and selectable lockers front and rear. I'm fairly hard core as an off-roader, and I was amazed at what he did.

I tore up the entire underside of my Trailblazer just trying to do a creek crossing in the parking area where we wheel in Kentucky.

 

[marineguy]

Apples to oranges...

Jeeps are not road vehicles, though a lot of people run them that way. Trailblazers are not off-road vehicles -- same issue.

The Jeep JK is actually the best "dual purpose" vehicle built, quality issues aside (and I'm not convinced they are worse than similar year Chevys).

I can't speak for the JK, but the TJ I owned was far less capable than the two GMC products currently in my garage for one reason: open differential. Here we have a Wrangler "Sport," loaded with th 4.0L, air conditioning, and cruise control, but if the right wheels are in mud and the left wheels are on solid ground, you're going nowhere. Any vehicle which leaves the factory without a locking or limited slip differential has no business venturing off the pavement. I got that thing stuck one time and was forever reminded of just how badly--by the mud still trapped in the right corner light. I vowed never to be stuck again, and had an ARB air locker installed by Drivetrain Direct in Riverside, CA (and swapped the 3.07 gears with 4.10 at the same time). A Jeep with the right mods is a serious off-road vehicle, but unless it's a Rubicon, it's nothing better than any other 4x4 SUV--but the road manners are absolutely horrible. Compare that to my 04 Yukon XL SLT, which is as plush inside as any limo I've ridden in, and is as comfortable on the highway as on the beach. The Yukon is truly a dual purpose vehicle. I haven't taken the Envoy off road yet, but I'm guessing it's shortfall will be in ground clearance.
Back to the discussion of differentials, I know my Yukon has the Eaton locker. I don't really know how it works other than when one wheel slips is engages with a thump and I continue forward. How it senses that I have no idea. I just bought the 07 Envoy Denali, which I believe to have a limited slip and traction control. All the SLTs I saw on the lot had locking differentials listed on the sticker, which I'm guessing is the same Eaton unit in my Yukon. I didn't see any Denalis with "locking differential" listed; they all said "limited slip differential."
Where in the VIN are these codes you're deciphering? I'd like to know what gear ratio I have. It doesn't feel like a 3.73.

 

[glfredrick]

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

 

[gmac310]

It isn't part of the vin code, it's listed on the glove box door as RPO codes. There should be g80 listed if it has a locker. Quite a few people refer to the locker as an LSD and vice-versa but they are two different styles of diffs.

 

[bartonmd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbMZ9vcYVSg

This is the video of how the Eaton G80 works on the inside...

 

[marineguy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbMZ9vcYVSg

This is the video of how the Eaton G80 works on the inside...

Thanks, that link was exactly what I was looking for.
Well it does have the G80 :thumbsup:
But it also has the GU6 (3.42) :sadcry: that sucks.
I don't see the mileage advantage of the short gears yet; so far it gets the same as my 3.73 yukon XL 4x4