Spotlight on 2014-2018 Full-Size GM Pickups and SUVs

By Richard Truesdell

In its advertising, Ford often claims that the F-series is America’s best-selling line of light-duty pickups and has been for most of the last 50-plus years. But is that really true? Technically, yes, on a brand basis. But on a manufacturer’s basis, in many years, GM’s combined sales of Chevrolet and GMC full-size pickups often outpace its Blue Oval competitors.

And when you factor in SUVs (Chevy Tahoe and Suburban and the GMC Sierra and Yukon), GM often sells more full-size pickups and SUVs.

But what does that mean for 12-volt retailers? As we’ve identified in the past in CEoutlook’s Spotlight Series, it means that there are millions of full-size GM pickup trucks and SUVs across many generations still on the road. For this Spotlight Series, we’re going to focus on the 2014-2018 half-ton 1500 models that share most interior design elements (the HD 2500 three-quarter and 3500 one-ton models cover the 2015-2019 model years). The full-size SUVs cover roughly a similar time frame as the HD pickup counterparts.

GM’s has a well-earned reputation for durability on its full-size pickups and SUVs, so it won’t be an uncommon sight at your shop for owners showing up with early models that are now 10 years old with over 100,000 miles on their odometers but still look virtually brand new, especially on the inside where either the cloth and leather upholstery holds up well (except for driver’s seat bolsters). It’s not uncommon when properly maintained, that GM trucks can easily last 200,000 miles or more. This is especially true for Duramax diesel models that routinely rack up 300,000 miles or more.

The common denominator of models across the range is the GM’s double-DIN in-dash configuration, which means almost any unit you stock will fit with one caveat; some will require modification behind the dash that will eliminate the ability to reinstall the OEM head unit. But any entry-level mechless single-DIN replacement head unit (to replace a non-op OEM head unit) will do just fine, as will a contemporary floating screen touchscreen for a comprehensive upgrade.

Don’t underestimate the importance of tying in a rear-camera installation as many of these heavy-duty workhorses are used in trailer towing applications. Have your salespeople ask the customers if they use the vehicle to tow and if this is important for their selection of a replacement head unit. (Or if the salesperson goes out to assess the vehicle, have them check to see if there is a receiver or tow hitch on the vehicle.)

There is one more specific application issue:  you will likely have to deal with customers who might want to retain the OEM OnStar capability. There are several adapters to deal with this issue and it’s likely that you have the right one in stock so I’m not going to make a specific recommendation in this regard.

Because all vehicles mentioned here were built before rear cameras were mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2018, there’s that opportunity to consider. And where almost any replacement head unit will have Bluetooth capability, this means that customers can use their smartphones to provide full navigation through third-party apps like Google Maps, Mapquest, and WAZE to provide capabilities that rival or exceed many current embedded OEM systems.

It’s a win-win situation for savvy 12-volt shops to drive additional sales in the showroom and profit dollars in the installation bay. A customer might come in for a $200 head unit replacement for an inoperative OEM system and drive out the door with a full $1,500 system installation with a big profit add-on to your bottom line.

Note: To give readers a look at the various OEM audio options that were available on these vehicles I’ve assembled many Chevrolet and GMC dealership brochures from this period, including the previous and successive generations so you can identify these applications You can access them at bit.ly/CEOutlookGM2014-18Brochures.

(Lead photo of GM 2024-2028 GM full-size pickup or SUV)