The Denali Dilemma

[pcfranchina]

Sorry for the "new guy" post. I just needed a little input.

I had full intention of getting a new truck this year and one just fell in to my lap. A good friend picked up a 04 Denali not even 2 months ago. He has barely driven it since he got it and wants to sell it to me. It's REALLY CLEAN and has 51000 miles on it. He got it from a dealer and got a 3 year 45000 mile warranty with it. I just double checked and the warranty is transferable so that's not an issue.
My dilemma comes from its not 4wd (obviously). I am coming from driving a Durango. The Durango is uncomfortable, awful to drive in the rain but a whole lot of fun in the snow once its in 4wd.
How are Yukon Denalis in the snow? Can you put some beefy tires on it? (stock rims) I really don't go offroading but....
After seeing this video I wasnt sure if was capable or just a dumb thing to do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkwpePXuDog

I live in NY so most of the ones I see here are driven by soccer moms or younger people really pimping them out.
I would really only see myself adding a handful of things and not modding it out too much.
The pass through interior is a huge plus with 3 kids!

Any input is truly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance.

 

[johnnunez29]

Sorry for the "new guy" post. I just needed a little input.

I had full intention of getting a new truck this year and one just fell in to my lap. A good friend picked up a 04 Denali not even 2 months ago. He has barely driven it since he got it and wants to sell it to me. It's REALLY CLEAN and has 51000 miles on it. He got it from a dealer and got a 3 year 45000 mile warranty with it. I just double checked and the warranty is transferable so that's not an issue.
My dilemma comes from its not 4wd (obviously). I am coming from driving a Durango. The Durango is uncomfortable, awful to drive in the rain but a whole lot of fun in the snow once its in 4wd.
How are Yukon Denalis in the snow? Can you put some beefy tires on it? (stock rims) I really don't go offroading but....
After seeing this video I wasnt sure if was capable or just a dumb thing to do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkwpePXuDog

I live in NY so most of the ones I see here are driven by soccer moms or younger people really pimping them out.
I would really only see myself adding a handful of things and not modding it out too much.
The pass through interior is a huge plus with 3 kids!

Any input is truly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance.

that i know of ALL denalis are 4wd

 

[pcfranchina]

I was under the impression it was AWD.....

 

[Rockytfox]

The 04 denalis were 4wd. Yukons and Yukon xl's came in either 2wd or 4wd that year.

 

[pcfranchina]

Well if its 4wd then I'm in. So its just full-time 4wd?

 

[alc5m]

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16579

 

[PlazaEJ]

Get the VIN, call a GMC dealer, and they can tell you which transfer case it has.
Or, PM me, and I'll look for you.

EJ

 

[pcfranchina]

PlazaEJ I tried to PM you but I couldn't because I was at less then a 10 count. Sorry.

 

[PlazaEJ]

See if you received a PM from me?

If not, reply here with your e-mail.

EJ

 

[felixgun]

Get some good tires and you'll be good to go! There is only one choice in this matter: Blizzak DM-V1 tires. It's all you'll need for the snow. They are engineered to grip the road even when icy/snowy. I took a winter driver safety course with some Lexus SUV's with those tires and man did they grip the icy surface we are on...

 

[PlazaEJ]

How do the Blizzaks stand up to everyday/dry surface driving?

EJ

 

[04SS99Denali]

there awd...

 

[brassknucklemafia]

not always are they AWD. my 05 Denali is 2WD and also has a 5.3 not the 6.0, it was a special construct. so you can find them. odd as they are. makes getting parts from the auto houses a bugger.

 

[pcfranchina]

Well I know this has a a 6.0 but it says 4wd with auto transfer case. Would that make it AWD, considering you have no control over 4hi or 4low?

 

[Wake]

Well I know this has a a 6.0 but it says 4wd with auto transfer case. Would that make it AWD, considering you have no control over 4hi or 4low?

That is correct. If there is no switch for 4hi/lo, awd, 2hi, and neutral then you have full time AWD. I don't think any of the last gen Denalis had 4WD, the Escalades didn't either.