Imaging owning Chevy Silverado trucks for decades, buying a new one and then having trouble pulling your boat up a wet dock. When you reach for that 4LO button, you discover your new truck, simply a newer variation of your old truck, didn’t come with 4LO standard. Well, crap.
That’s exactly what happened to one owner.
Chris Tonn, friend of the website, recently shared a story about his uncle — a loyal Silverado owner whose last 13 trucks have been some variant of 1500 or 2500 to tow his boat — and this exact situation. It seems GM decided 4LO (aka a two-speed transfer case) wasn’t necessary for 4×4 trucks — except in off-road models. Instead, you get a single-speed transfer case with Auto, 2HI and 4HI.
According to Tonn:
“[My uncle] tells me that this fall, he buys a 2020 Silverado 4WD (because Wisconsin) and this spring he goes to try and drag his boat out of the lake. He struggles, as he can’t find the low-range. Indeed, it seems that 4LO is only available as an option — it’s standard with the Z71 package, of course. Had he known that GM had made low range an option, he’d have bought the Z71 — but neither he nor the dealer (big surprise the dealer is uninformed) knew a thing about it. And he’s well into his 70s — he’s not going to peruse spec sheets for months prior to buying.”
So, if you’re confused about the Chevy Silverado 4LO situation, clearly you aren’t alone. Here is what is going on.
Chevy Silverado 4LO Optional
Taking a close look at the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra brochures, we confirm not all 4×4 models come with both a 4HI and a 4LO. Instead, the single-speed transfer case is standard while the two-speed transfer case is optional and limited.
For example, on newer models, consumers must opt for the Z71 package on the Silverado — or the X31 package as GMC calls it — in order to get the extra speed for their trucks.
This means customers will need shell out an additional $1,595 for the Z71 package on a crew cab, short bed Silverado LT or $1,105 for the X31 crew cab, short bed, GMC Sierra Elevation.
What about other automakers?
Checking out Ford, Ram, Toyota and Nissan, we find all of them offer a two-speed transfer case as standard equipment.
Ford and Ram go one step further, adding an auto 4WD transfer case option. Ford takes it one step further, offering a torque-on-demand transfer case option as well.
For Nissan and Toyota, they simply have a two-speed transfer case for all their 4×4 trucks.
Why do you need a two-speed transfer case anyway?
One of the big questions this raises is: Why would you need a two-speed transfer case anyway.
There are really only a few cases where it is helpful:
- Off-road driving: The 4LO provides extra low-range torque, helping a truck get out of a stuck situation. It also turns off all the additional electronic assist features, such as traction control, allowing the driver to have the ultimate control navigating the road conditions.
- Towing: When towing a trailer, having 4LO is handy for getting the camper or trailer into an elevated parking place or going through sloppy terrain. This is similar to how drivers used to use manual transmissions with a so-called “granny” low first gear, tapping into all the torque available.
- Pulling a boat out of water on a slippery ramp: Like the aforementioned owner’s story, by having 4LO, the truck is better able to put torque to each wheel and tires are less likely to spin. This really helps when coming up a steep ramp and gives a lot more driver confidence.
The bottom line on Chevy Silverado 4LO
Removing standard 4LO from a 4X4 seems like yet another way companies are penny pinching their highly profitable full-size trucks, and without a knowledgeable dealer or a customer doing their own research, it’s easy to purchase a truck without the features you would assume it has from the factory.
The reality is buying any vehicle — but especially a truck — has gotten more and more complex, and you need to be aware of these changes that can happen when models switch over or make mid-year changes — such as some 2021 GM trucks coming without fuel saving technology.
It stinks, but the onus is on the customers to do their homework — especially for features they use frequently. Never assume that just because your truck has always had XYZ, that it continues to do so.
10 comments
Matt K
I work for GM and our plant builds heavy 3/4 ton and 1 ton 2wd and 4wd model trucks. For the model 2024 model year all the trucks coming down our assembly line have 2-speed 4hi-4low transfer cases, and some have the 3 speed with “auto 4wd”. So I’m not sure if this article pertains only to 1/2 ton trucks being built at other GM plants?
What I do not like about new GM 4wd trucks is that they no longer offer a manual 4×4 lever “floor shift” 4wd option. This was (as far as I can tell) discontinued and the 2019 model year is the last year it was offered. The manual lever shift 4wd is much more reliable in comparison to the electronic push button 4wd set up becomes more failure prone as the vehicle ages. Do some research on 1996-2010 GM electronic T-case problems with 4wd not working and you’ll see what I mean. This is just another indicator that GM has been penny pinching on its 4wd features in new model trucks.
JPI
Penny pinching at its worst.
And I don’t want to hear things like, “Oh, you hardly ever used it anyway” or “You’re not going to be doing Jeep stuff in your truck, so what’s the difference?”
The difference is; for decades, a 2 speed transfer case was standard so 4LO was AVAILABLE WHEN NEEDED. Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and that ONE time in your driving life where you need 4LO may be the most important time of your driving life.
This is a giant fail by GM and a perfect example of corner cutting at their customers expense.
Unfortunately, it won’t be long before all the other auto manufacturers see this business model and follow suit. Especially if we, as consumers, take the attitude of “It’s no big deal, I hardly ever used it anyway.”
Trip
With a 10 speed transmission the 4LO isn’t really needed any longer in my opinion. Drive modes help make it seem like you have 4LO. I was all bent out of shape until I did some research and owners manual reading. I am an occasional user of 4LO and I really like the way the drive mode option works on my new Silverado so far simulating the 4LO. The drive modes are really thought out in this vehicle compared to others that I have driven, ridden in and owned. I am sure every manufacture will follow. Really makes it nice to not have to go to a drive mode, then turn off 3 other things because you want to spin the tires and have fun.
Ruth
Same here. I usually plow in the winter…just my driveway and some friends. Imagine getting bogged down and not having 4Lo. Wont work
Robert Thompson
I just upgraded to a new 4X4 Tahoe and didn’t realize they now made them without 4 low. I used to use Low range on my older model a lot. This really sucks GM!
Bob Hoyle
2 speed transfer cases aren’t available with max towing package, GM you suck buying a new Ford
Don
totally fell for it myself – bought my first and only chevy this summer; couldn’t resist the call of the 3.0 duramax. Drove cross-country to find a regular 6.5′ bed with smaller 4-door cab. Buying remotely I didn’t test drive but being 4×4 I assumed it had a low range – I’d never heard of a full size truck NOT having low; ESPECIALLY if it’s badged as “4×4” as opposed to AWD. That’s pretty much the deciding factor between the two terms after all. While this won’t cause many issues for my specific use case, I was shocked to find no low range. Yet another GM cheap-shot.
Bob
Just got a 2022
Has a button to set follow distance
Has a alert when you’re behind a car.
Has a on/off for auto braking in the system menu.
Doesn’t have adaptive cruise or auto braking.
How am I supposed to sort that out without too much research
Tim Esterdahl
Read the manual. That’s the best way to do research.
Robert Louis Hummel
You also need a two speed transfer case to flat pull behind a motor home. I just made that mistake. The sticker on the window doesn’t tell you what case is in the truck! And the sicker doesn’t tell you that a single speed tranfer case will not allow you to flat pull. Now i own a 4×4 truck that i need to figure out if i can replace the single speed transfer case with a two speed. If anyone can help me please email me @boblh69@gmail.con.