Author Topic: What happened to front+rear wheel steering?  (Read 7780 times)

Offline Mr Diesel

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What happened to front+rear wheel steering?
« on: June 12, 2008, 01:14:15 am »
The other day I remembered that back in the late 1990s Chevy was offering a pickup truck with 4 wheel turning ability, and I realized I hadn't seen one since at least 2000. Did it end up turning out to be a really bad idea with all kinds of problems or was it just not popular?
1976 C20 Crewcab, 6.2L/SM465
1982 K30 Crewcab , 427TD/TH400
1983 C30, 6.2L/TH400
1983 K30 Crewcab 454/700R4
1986 K10 350/400. 1989 K30 cab/chassis 454/SM465

Offline DnStClr

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Re: What happened to front+rear wheel steering?
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2008, 02:14:42 am »
GM originally wanted to have all their trucks equipped with quadrasteer by 2005. But the buying public just never went for the option and the program was discontinued. It cost @$5000 and weighed around 500 lbs. It worked well, and GM was the only truck mfr to develope the system, but it just never sold.
Don
87 Chevy Silverado

Offline Dragon

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Re: What happened to front+rear wheel steering?
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2008, 02:44:01 am »
GM Offered it on their 2002-2005 GMC Denali Pickups that was meant to be geared towards those that towed anytype of trailer, but as stated before, Joe/Jill Consumer didn't have that much of an interest in a truck that capable......   Quite a few of them were quickly returned to the Dealers, as alot of the Buyers were just too intimidated by the feature......   GM does vow that it wants to attempt offering it on a wider variety of Trucks/Vans/Etc in the near future though....
Dragon
08 Magnum-New Toy
96 Caprice 9C1-Who Knows
96 GMC ECLWB & 92 Chevy ECLWB
77 GMC K25 HS-Gone but Not Forgotten

Offline SUX2BU99

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Re: What happened to front+rear wheel steering?
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2008, 01:26:46 pm »
Just like factory navigation, it was a lot of money for a so-so feature. But would also be much more prone to problems and very expensive repairs once you are out of the warranty period. I sure wouldn't want a used truck with that on it.  Honda abandoned it too when they had it on their late-80's Preludes. I don't think it was as expensive nor as heavy as the GM system (nor as heavy duty) but it seemed like more of gimmick than anything.
85 Chevy Silverado C10 short, wide, yellow, 2wd. Lowered, 60-over 350 with Dart Iron Eagle heads and Comp Cams XE268 cam, TH350 w/ shift kit, 3.40 Gov-lok 12 bolt.

Offline Stewart G Griffin

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Re: What happened to front+rear wheel steering?
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2008, 07:11:52 pm »
Competely unnessesary.

Mazda had it too on their 626.  And of course, they're no longer offering it either.

What's going to sell a car these days is mpg.  It's 1979 all over again.........

Offline Bitzer!

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Re: What happened to front+rear wheel steering?
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2008, 05:45:08 am »

The manufacturers have realised that you dont need 4wheel steer to get round corners! A good driver will anticipate a bend and drive accordingly.
1979 GMC CrewCab  C20 1t
454 750 Holley,TH350, 14bolt diff fully floating
Why aren't there 8 days in a week!
A K5 rolling shell *new addition*

Offline Dragon

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Re: What happened to front+rear wheel steering?
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2008, 12:15:26 am »
GM actually had the right idea with it, as GMC was the one that wanted it to be available for it's Towing Consumers....  Basically they thought that it was something that was needed by those individuals that were towing large loads, such as those with Large Fifth Wheels,Car/Truck/Motor Sport Transports, or even larger Boats/Heavy Duty Equipment trailers....

The Trucks were quite capable of handling their intended loads, but the majority of Target Consumers just didn't have full interest in having an Expensive Option, that they just weren't comfortable with it's Handling Characteristics....

For Civilian Personal use, the Trucks Basically Bombed in the Showrooms, but for Commercial/Heavy Duty/Fleet/Military use, the trucks actually still have a decent market presence...
Dragon
08 Magnum-New Toy
96 Caprice 9C1-Who Knows
96 GMC ECLWB & 92 Chevy ECLWB
77 GMC K25 HS-Gone but Not Forgotten