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What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks?

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in-too-deep

09-21-2007 09:47:18

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They were the big thing a few years back and I haven't heard a thing about them since. Were they a failure? I thought it was a neat idea.

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L.C.Gray

09-23-2007 08:53:47

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

I've heard the systems were problematic and very expensive to repair.

I noticed a pallet behind the shop of my local GM dealer stacked with rear steer axles. I was told they were ones that were removed and replaced with conventional axles rather than face repair costs.

I have a friend with one and he swears its the greatest thing since sliced bread.

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davpal

09-21-2007 21:55:05

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

We were just talking about this very system at work the other day. I think the topic of conversation was the POS electronics that are installed on todays vehicles. It was brought up on how nice it would be for your 4 wheel steering gadget to decide to steer while you were going down the road 65 mph. I can't believe GM would even take a chance on such a frivelous liability. First they need to figure out how to make transmissions that have electronics that don't malfuntioun. Also Ford needs to figure out how to build an oil pan that doesn't rust out in Michigan!

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S. Crum

09-21-2007 21:33:18

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

GM hasn't built a truck in the last 15 years that would hold together past the 5 year mark in the conventional form. Let along having extra gadgets prone to failure. Actually my 89' Chevy 1/2 ton was 4 wheel steer "somewhat" but that was likely because the frame was rotted out where the rear spring perches riveted on. I swapped this and $200 to the local junk yard owner for an 89' F150 in 2001 and I'm still driving the F-150. I drove Chevy trucks for 26 years prior to then.
Sign me 'A former Chevy owner'.

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MarkB_MI

09-21-2007 20:18:18

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

The short answer is that they were not profitable. Even at $5K a pop, GM was losing money on every one. If they could have generated enough interest to get the volume up, it might have been another story.

I suspect 4 wheel steering will be back, but probably in a form that's cheaper to build.

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Jim B. Ohio

09-21-2007 20:07:15

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

If I remember right, they did have a Dana 60 rather that the 10 bolt. That to me would justify a good chuck of the price. Jim

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Leland

09-21-2007 20:00:03

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

well 5 grand extra kinda of put a kabosh to that idea

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RayP(MI)

09-21-2007 18:53:26

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

Didn't last long did they?!!!

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higgins

09-21-2007 14:13:09

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

My 25 yr olde daughter has a '99 Tahoe that she wheels into parking spots like it's a compact. The first few times she did that with me on board I was stomping on the floor like my dad used to do with me.
It's not 4 wheel steering either - I've been duly impressed. It has a UT Board of Whatever sticker so wonder if it is special steering for the old codgers?

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Jon Hagen

09-21-2007 13:21:10

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

Kind of a neat gadget that was likely to be trouble at 8-10 years. Two things I heard was that it cost too much for what you got and it was avalible only on 1/2 ton, and most tow with a 3/4 ton or larger. It looked neat with 4 wheel steer to make tight turns and crab steer for lane changes with trailer in tow. I still laugh when I remember the comercial where the rancher with 4 WS pickup and trailer zooms around the corner in reverse and so amazes the cow that she drops her mouthfull of hay.

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37 chief

09-21-2007 12:58:28

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

Probably put in the don't make this again file, along with the Oldsmobile dieael, chevette, and others. Stan

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Eric SEI

09-21-2007 19:02:11

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to 37 chief, 09-21-2007 12:58:28

Didn't they make the Chevette for about 10 years? That doesn't sound like a failure to me. Just not very profitable because they were cheap. My first car was a 1979 Chevette, bought used with 30,000 miles on it. Put 100,000 more on it and traded it in because my parents didn't trust that many miles for running back and forth to Ames,IA.

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RobMD

09-21-2007 12:31:36

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

It's a piece of schitt.

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Triplerange

09-21-2007 10:21:59

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

Drove a big case 4 wheel drive with 4 wheel steering once...very hard to get used to. Now imagine a city slicker trying to learn that while trying to parallel park. Almost always...simplest is better...and that's why I thought it was a bad idea from the get go. ;-)

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Cliff Neubauer

09-21-2007 10:02:00

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

From what I read even after they cut the option price by half it still wasn't very popular so it got dropped.

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cj3b_jeep

09-21-2007 09:59:16

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to in-too-deep, 09-21-2007 09:47:18

That's funny, I was just thinking about that the other day.

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Ken Macfarlane

09-21-2007 10:15:16

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Re: What Happened to GM 4-Wheel-Steer Trucks? in reply to cj3b_jeep, 09-21-2007 09:59:16

Another hit just like the Az-wreck. I pity the folks that bought and have to be dropping parts into it in 5 years. Dephi system wasn't it?

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