Just a couple of questions regarding "buying a used QS truck"

1. What things should be looked at (and how do you determine if good/bad), other than the standard pre-Qs trucks. i guess what i’m trying to say is, are there certain sounds, movement, warning signs, things that i can do during inspection to see if there are any problems with the QS

I feel i can figure out other issues in other areas of the inspection process. Just not really up to speed with the QS system

2. Can the vehicle be taken to a GM store and be (somewhat) determined free of problems (with-in the QS system)

3. At what mileage would you stay away from for fear of problems to come (ware and tear)...again (with-in the QS system)

4. Anyone out there pulling a trailer for work, lets say a 6x12 enclosed, on a (almost) everyday case.
I have a 1 ton van and would like to know some gas mileage while you are towing.

Thanks in advance for your help/replies.

Hey, Sawdust. Hopefully someone else can share a little more insight, but I'll do what I can !!

Outside of the general things you would look at on any vehicle- overall condition, leaks, noises, abnormal tire wear- the Quadrasteer unit has proven very durable and dependable.

Obviously, try it in the different modes- 2ws, 4ws, 4wtow- and make sure it responds accordingly. Listen for any noises from the back when doing this.

Certainly, any decent GM dealership should be able to check the vehicle out for you, although I'd strongly suggest setting this up before hand with both parties.

I really wouldn't say there's any specific mileage to consider as a cut-off, again, these units have been very tough.

We have a lot of guys that do a lot of towing with theirs, and can't say any of them have had any significant issues to report.

In fact, we have one member- Dave, where ya at ?!- with some 37,000+ miles with a 5th wheel with not a single problem. I'm sad I don't get to tow with mine more often !!!!!

Mileage varies a bit, but look for 10-12 in town stock pulling. That seems to be about average. One thing you can do to improve that considerably is install a Wester's Garage custom tune, but that's a whole 'nother thread !!!!!

I hope that answers your questions decently, but hopefully we'll get some others to chime in . If you have any other questions, please ask.

Good luck in finding your Quad !!! It'll be worth whatever effort it takes !!!!!!!!

Eric B.

AND I AM the Dave he mentions! and yes!37k miles in 18 months, of those miles, (approx 75%) HAD 2 diff. 5th wheels with them in the 7k# range and 1020-40# hitch weight ATTACHED to my truck. problems? NOT ONE with quadrasteer and I never turn it off! I do not use the so called tow mode either! One cooling system problem around 29k miles. that being that the tranny cooler sprung a leak into the radiator and a radiator change was needed and all systems flushed and refilled. I use Mobil 1 Synthitics in all cases! am I eat up with Quadrasteer? BETURASSONIT!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave J,

quote:

Originally posted by Dave J:
am I eat up with Quadrasteer? BETURASSONIT!!

You and me both, brother !!!

sawdust,

got mine used in November, with 9300 miles... now with close to 21K, I don't regret it even for a second. There is one thing you should watch out for if you wanna buy a used quad instead of a new one.... your wallet will remain too full, causing discomfort while you are seated. Quick fix: invest in many performance mods, your wallet may complain but the seat of your pants will love it.

But seriously... you found the right place for QS info.... can't say I'm as knowledgeable as some of the other guys here but I'll help all I can. The ONE 'complaint' I have about the QS system is the startup 'service 4wheel steer' message/default to 2ws mode.. has happened to me 3 times because I touched the steering wheel during startup/before QS was finished running its diagnostic. you've probably heard, we're waiting for the updated software for the fix, but delphi/GM slow getting this out to the quadders.

Is there a QS in particular you are looking at right now or are you just considering one in the future and want to know what to look for right away?

Let us know of any more questions.

-Dan

A few more things to look for on used Quadrasteers-

-look at the tierod boots where they attach to the steering unit, look for any damage, oil residue

-check the tierods themselves for ANY signs of damage or impact (burrs in metal, are they bent, shiny spots, etc.) from backing into something

-check the axle for leaks around the diff cover and especially at the axle seals at the cv joints

-check the cv's themselves for any boot damage, leaks, damage in general

-drive vehicle at low speeds and listen for any strange sounds from the back

These units were designed and tested to 200,000 miles. To date, I know of ONE QS unit failure, and it was probably a fluke. We've had a few software issues, but even those, in the overall Quadrasteer line, are proportionally few. (I know we hear more than we want online, but consider most of the online complaints were from the owners looking for answers, there are MANY more of us out there that still don't know we exist here.... We need to get the word out to them !!!)

Quadrasteers are super-tough, designed to mil-spec quality, abused severely during testing. I have no doubt ours will be here for many years to come !!!!

Hey... they're already classics, right ?!!?

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the replies guys. This internet age is very cool.

MrQuadrasteer:
Good points on looking for warn parts back there, and
listening for noises. When I was growing up, my dad was in the car business so I know a few things about them. We used to check any 4x4’s, trying them up against an old tree to put pressure on the drive to see if anything bad happened (grinding, slipping etc), we would then take them on a gravel parking lot and complete figure eights and such (listen for noises), I guess I’m a little worried that I might miss something in the inspection stages so just want to educate myself a little. Thanks!
Also, how up to date and accurate is the inventory sheet you have hear, I’ve down loaded it and saw a few near me but don’t have the time to call them and figure out exactly what it is they have, (work, a wife, 2 kids and a dog!)

Dave J:
Man it’s really good to hear that you have had such a great experience with the QS. (I’m very jealous). I would imagine that the gas mileage should be similar to my 97 1 ton (church van), 5.7 (?)


Danthaman1980:
Congrats on the new/used QS!!! I'm looking at used for the simple reason that THESE THINGS ARE HARD TO FIND new sitting on the lot. And coming from a family of a used car business it’s hard to pay that much for a vehicle.
As far as what one I'm looking for …I don’t have my mind set on one particular 1. Obviously the Denali’s are sweet. But realistically I would like to have a crew cab with a full load. At one time I owned a new 99 Chevy Z71 ext. cab, roomy…but crew cabs weren’t available then either. I had to trade that one in for a grocery getter in 2000. We started a family. Most every thing that I’ve seen (auto trader) have been Denali’s, 02-04 -10K-80K in mileage, and $17k-34K in price.
As far as the “mods”, DEFIANTLY!!!

Any ideas where else to look!!!???

You know,….. it’s a damn shame that GM is dropping this. You know that with all the complaints and e-mails that they are getting, and all the ADVERTISEMENT QS is getting now,…..the OTHERS will jump on this and ADVERTISE it PROPERLY and make a killing!!!!!

I love my CrewCab !!! I have absolutely no regrets. We looked at the extcabs and they're sweet, but I needed the extra room. It's roomy, has lots of internal storage room, way comfortable, tons of rear leg room. Schweeeeetttt !!!

My next Quad will be an extcab . I want an 02 Denali. I have visions of a 450hp 6.0, aws, awd, 2" lowered suspension, some fat sticky tires.... The thing would rail so incredibly baddass for a truck... And haul butt too !!!!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MrQuadrasteer,

Problems? With Quadrasteer? UNHEARD OF!!!!

My choice for a gasser Quadrasteer would have been an LS2 6.0L but you know how I feel about a 6.6L Duramax/Allison combo for my Yukon XL QS.

Wonder how hard it would be to convert the engine to drive-by-wire

-Pete

Mmmm.... how about one of the Ram-Jet 502's !!! Blown and 'cooled . With 750lbs of torque !! (Hey, if you're gonna dream, dream big !!!)



Which engine ya talkin' about?? The LS2 or the 'Max ?? The LS2 probably is and the Max probably doesn't need it !!! As touchy as mine is, imagine how touchy 600lbs would be !!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MrQuadrasteer,

quote:

Originally posted by MrQuadrasteer:
Mmmm.... how about one of the Ram-Jet 502's !!! Blown and 'cooled . With 750lbs of torque !! (Hey, if you're gonna dream, dream big !!!)



Which engine ya talkin' about?? The LS2 or the 'Max ?? The LS2 probably is and the Max probably doesn't need it !!! As touchy as mine is, imagine how touchy 600lbs would be !!!!

Well the 6.0L LS2 is putting out 400hp/400lb-ft. while the stock 6.6L D-Max is huffing out 310hp/605lb-ft. I'd take the D-max in a heartbeat...

Both are drive-by-wire, just like the 8.1L option we can get on the 2ws 'burb now..

Real power potential, fuel economy, and bio-fuel ready.

If I could only get some real tech support from Delphi...**sigh**


-Pete

D-max is capable of massive power. 200+ hp is available with a single chip. More if you stack. Add propane (+100-150hp), N2O (if you must), and meth/H2O injection for even more power and EGT control. Oh, and it's still daily-driver reliabile.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely...Muhahahaha!!!!!

A strengthened 6-speed Allison (for '06) would round out the drive train.

Now if we can just build a stock QS rearend and driveline that can handle entry level D_Max power.

I hear Delphi was working on a solution, but the project died with GM's lack support.

Hey KL, if Delphi wants a Beta tester for a proof of concept, I'm first in line.

-Pete

quote:

Originally posted by Prophet:
D-max is capable of massive power. 200+ hp is available with a single chip. More if you stack. Add propane (+100-150hp), N2O (if you must), and meth/H2O injection for even more power and EGT control. Oh, and it's still daily-driver reliabile.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely...Muhahahaha!!!!!

A strengthened 6-speed Allison (for '06) would round out the drive train.

Now if we can just build a stock QS rearend and driveline that can handle entry level D_Max power.

I hear Delphi was working on a solution, but the project died with GM's lack support.

Hey KL, if Delphi wants a Beta tester for a proof of concept, I'm first in line.

-Pete

Ya ain't gotta tell me 'bout the new diesels- we tune for all of them !!! Wester's, baby !!!Yeah, the new diesels are insane !!! The power potential is nutz, but gotta keep the rest of the drivetrain in mind !!!! You can cause so much damage so quickly with an unleashed diesel !!!! I luv 'em !!!!

They tested our current rearends with Duramaxes (maybe a previous years 500tq or so, but still, big deal) and it did fine. Now if you started leaning on it or hammering gears, it might not be too happy too long...

We have some mean diesels in Houston. Ain't lost in my truck against one (and did take an older Cummins with a chip at the track), but did in my car one day !!!! It was sick- the rpms barely change and they walk on ya !!!!!!

So what motor were you talking about converting to drive by wire ??

Anyway.... one day..... when I hit the lotto !!!!!!