I recently drove a 2002 QS Denali with 63000 miles at the local dealer. I think this truck had been beat to death, but would appreciate your opinions.
1. I thought it rode much rougher than my 1995 GMC K1500 extended cab. Is this the nature of QS?
2. I couldn't tell if the ride control button was on or off. is there a light to tell?
3. The truck lurched while turning sharply on pavement as if the 4wd was on. Is this typical of QS? I've never had a locking differential...do these trucks have one and could that cause that?

Thanks for the info.
Brent

Welcome to the forum.

I don’t have the soft/firm button option, so I can’t tell if there is a light or not, but my guess is there should be. QS has nothing to do with the suspension.

QS trucks have limited slip differentials (Dana 60), not Eaton lockers like the standard GM trucks. You drove a Denali, which is an all wheel drive (AWD) truck, GM trucks have selectable 4WD, and they drive 2WD until you put them in 4WD. I think the lurch is due to the AWD, and QS makes you turn like a compact car. Guys with Denali’s would comment on this better.

If the truck is in reasonable shape, don’t miss it, QS is an option that you won’t regret. Check the maintenance history if they ever changed the differential fluid. QS trucks, due to the limited differential, require different fluid then the lockers. Unfortunately, not all dealers aware of this and they put wrong fluid in the differential causing problems with the clutches. I would say if you do not hear any noises coming from the differential when making turns it should be OK.

The trucks ride should be comparable to your 95 if not just a bit softer. the ride control button will light up with a amber color light when on and you will notice a ride difference being stiffer.

The lurching could be related to the AWD system the denali runs.

and Welcome to the board!

I purchased a 2003 GMC Sierra Quadrasteer back in May with 66000 miles on it. It rides like a dream for a truck. My goal for this spring is to lift it 6" Suspension + 3 body. I better enjoy my smooth ride while it lasts.

There should be no lurching when driving a Quadrasteer, These vehicles ride very nicely. may need a bottle of LS in the rear end,

Hello I'm new to this forum as I just bought a 03 Denali AWD a couple weeks ago. I noticed the lurching a little bit when I test drove it and just figured it was due to the AWD. I now think it was because it wasn't being driven much. Now that I have been driving it for a couple weeks I don't notice it doin ganything funny. What a great truck!

I have to be honest. The or rather "My" QS ride is stiffer than a 1500 2wd extended cab I used to have. My QS is crew cab and 4wd and a 1500HD. It came with load range "E" tires 85 psi and they were absolute kidney busters! I got rid of those tires after 8000 miles & went with BFG ALL Terrains load range "D" 65psi tires this helped alot. The bumpy ride switch is used normally in the "off" position. I use when I have a heavy trailer. If you use it for normal driving it makes for a much stiffer ride.