1998 Sierra Deuce
Sierra DEUCE Show Truck Brings Out Sporty Character of GMC’s Full-Size Pickup
CHICAGO – In the sportside pickup game, the DUECE is wild. You can use it for whatever you want it to be: work, fun, image or whatever fits your personality.
In this case, the deuce is GMC’s sparkling Electronic Red sportside full-size pickup show truck – the Sierra DEUCE – and engineers designed it to be fun, functional and eye-catching.
Design-Unique Coupe Expression
DEUCE is for Design-Unique Coupe Expression, an acronym that conveys the sportiness inherent in the design of the sportside, regular cab pickup.
“The Sierra DEUCE expresses GMC’s attention to real truck user needs, while adding a special performance character, said Sierra Brand Manager Jim Kornas. “only a company with an authentic truck heritage can design an exciting and functional truck like the DEUCE.”
Highway-Friendly Illumination
Forward illumination systems define much of the front-end character of the Sierra DEUCE. Its forward lamp configuration is deeper, wider and taller than those on previous Sierra sportside pickups. Additionally, lighting engineers created a new lens “prescription” for accurate low beam focusing but went to reflector optics for superior high beam illumination. Both modes produce a highway-friendly light pattern with smooth, even pattern parameters to enhance the driver’s feeling of comfort and safety.
In addition to providing a 30 percent increase in forward light range, the low beams of the new headlamps yield 120 percent more left-hand driving light for better visibility of obstacles near or to the left of the roadway centerline. These enhancements were accomplished without increasing the level of glare, much to the delight of drivers in oncoming traffic.
Increased High Beam Light
This exceptional combination of more light without increasing glare is the result of extensive use of a computer program that simulates night road conditions. Engineers were able to tune the headlamp optics before a single lens was made.
Thanks to the new design and work with simulated environments, the headlamps of the Sierra DEUCE deliver 25 percent more high beam illumination than previous Sierra headlamps but use the same amount of energy.
Fog/Road Lamps Enhance Personality
To further enhance the show truck’s coupe-like personality, designers gave the Sierra DEUCE lower body circular fog and road lamps enhance the DEUCE’s aggressive styling while providing an unparalleled element of forward illumination and safety.
Powerful On-Road Stance
A wide, expressive grille not only accentuates the powerful on-road stance, but also increases underhood airflow. The chrome-accented bumper and unique chrome-plated tow hooks denote a strength and style aimed at buyers of full-size pickup trucks.
Sporty Exterior Treatment
Custom dual exhaust tips, body-colored aero cladding and unique treatment of the rear fascia enhance the sport and performance character of the DEUCE. The rear fascia features a custom roll plan and large round backup lights on each side of the license plate well.
RRIM for Unparalleled Durability
The DEUCE’s highly expressive rear fenders represent the industry’s largest and most durable polymer RRIM (Reinforced Reaction Injection Molding) body panel. This rustproof panel paints like steel but is larger and more heat-tolerant than conventional sheet metal composites. Integral side steps, molded into the panel, provide easier access to the cargo bed as well as help define the sportiness of the show truck.
18-Inch Custom Wheels and Tires
The Sierra DEUCE meets the road with 18-inch chrome-plated cast aluminum six-spoke wheels and custom-designed 285/60R18 Michelin tires.
Ultimate Occupant Environment
Interior appointments are designed for function as well as occupant comfort and striking design. To arrive at the best possible driver and passenger environment, engineers applied the Human Factors Criteria Index in designing such functional features as control accessibility, entry and exit, instrument cluster displays and storage space.
The result is a logical, user-friendly instrument cluster that offers a reconfigurable telltale to monitor 19 functions, an electronic odometer with trip meter and an engine hour meter. Additionally, the DEUCE’s center console contains cupholders to accommodate various size containers. The HVAC system provides easy-to-use controls as well as unexpected features such as air filtration.
Benchmark Seat Comfort, Durability and Safety
But among the most unexpected of all interior amenities is the design and construction of the suede-accented seats. Seats are the only part of the vehicle that the customer touches at all times when inside the truck. For that reason, the Sierra DUECE seats were designed to be the benchmark in comfort, durability and safety in the full-size pickup segment.
Front seat hip room is 1.3 inches wider than that of the current Sierra seats and the front seat track is 34 percent longer to accommodate drivers of all sizes. For further occupant comfort, the DEUCE features seat-mounted lap and shoulder belts to accommodate a wide range of body types and sizes.
Electrical System Reliability
Bussed Electrical Center (BEC) architecture provides unmatched versatility and reliability in the power and signal distribution system. BEC architecture centrally locates electrical system functions making them easier to use and service. Point-to-point wiring reduces power loss, minimizes wire gauge size and simplifies wire harness assembly. All this translates into improved reliability and durability for the customer.
Improved Ride and Stability
The show truck’s frame accommodates new dimensional specifications that improve ride quality and stability over the current generation Sierra. The wheelbase is extended by two inches. The rear track is widened by 2.5 inches, and the front track is .9 inch wider than the current truck.
Structurally, the frame of the Sierra DEUCE is stronger and stiffer, but lighter than the frame of today’s Sierra pickup. Structural changes such as the use of hydroforming the front rail section improve sheet metal fit, dimensional control of brackets, crush performance and serviceability.
Structural Integrity
While the current Sierra pickup is solid and well-built, the Sierra show truck takes structural integrity to a new level. Joints have been stiffened and section properties have been carefully tailored to optimize their structural performance. For example, the rocker section is 111 percent deeper. A-pillar to hinge-pillar stiffness is improved 193 percent and hinge-pillar to rocker joint stiffness is improved 194 percent.
Stiffness of the door frame section at step-in has increased by 249 percent. B-pillar section stiffness increased by 272 percent, and C-pillar stiffness increased by 298 percent.
265-Horsepower Vortec 5300
Power for the Sierra DEUCE comes from the new generation Vortec 5.3 liter V8 engine that generates 265 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm. The 5300 engine was engineered to deliver maximum torque early in the torque curve for excellent launch power and to reach maximum horsepower at high rpms for sustained pulling and hauling power.
The 5300 Vortec engine is mated to a four-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission. The transmission includes a new torque converter that generates less heat than previous torque converters.
Tow/Haul Mode
In order to provide world-class trailering capacity, the Sierra DEUCE offers Tow/Haul mode selection. When the vehicle is loaded, the driver can select Tow/Haul mode by pressing a button on the shifter. This modifies the transmission to make the shift firmer and to lengthen the time between shifts. Benefits include improved driveability in stop-and-go situations and fewer shifts in hilly terrain.
Active Transfer Case Reduces Slippage
The Sierra DEUCE is equipped with GMC’s AutoTrac active transfer case that automatically transfers power to the front axle when slippage occurs in the rear wheels. This system can transfer from 0 to 100 percent power to the wheels with the most traction.
Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
Four-wheel disc brakes include larger rotors and pads and better ventilation for improved brake cooling. Additionally, brake pads are made of a noncorrosive organic material for enhanced durability.
“We have a great twentieth-century truck in the current generation Sierra,” said Kornas, “But the Sierra DEUCE hints at what GMC has in mind for a full-size pickup for the next century.”
Contact: Pontiac-GMC Communications
(313) 667-4000
(313) 667-4001
Sierra Deuce Specifications
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine: | Vortec 5300 V8 | |
| Horsepower: | 265@5000 rpm | |
| Torque: | 320@2800 rpm | |
| Transmission: | 4-speed automatic | |
| Specs and Dimensions | ||
| Length: | 203.3 | |
| Wheelbase: | 199.5 | |
| Height: | 72.7 | |
| Front Track: | 65 | |
| Rear Track: | 66 | |
| Ground Clearance: | 10 | |
| Front Bumper to Back of Cab: | 114.2 | |
| Head Room: | 41 | |
| Leg Room: | 41.3 | |
| Hip Room: | 61.4 | |
| Shoulder Room: | 65.2 | |