GMC convert...help me decide

[Flagster]

I have never owned a domestic truck...acutally that is not true...when I was 16 I dug out a 1979 F150 2wd "Road Rogue" edition...baby blue...out of the weeds in my grandparents back yard...worked on it night and day before finally getting it to run...was so excited that I jumped in...floored it and popped the clutch...was wondering why I wasn't going anywhere and burned out what little was left of the clutch before realizing the brakes were frozen from sitting in a field for 5 upstate NY winters...anyway...since that brief love affair with domestic steel...my brands owned have been pure Japanese... honda/acura/subaru(x2)/toyota (currently have 3)...until last year when the house I bought came with a 2000 GMC 3500 crew cab long bed 4x4...
I LOVE THIS TRUCK...it has 150K on the chassis but the PO dropped a new crate engine in about 20K ago...nothing fancy but I find myself driving this truck more than my Tacoma, Land Cruisers...Not great around town but it has so much utility with the long bed...I use it weekly to haul water, wood, dirtbikes, whatever...and I think I am quoting MOGAS "it's like driving your living room sofa"...
Anyway...I am looking 6 mos to 1 yr out and thinking about replacing this truck...it is pretty beat...and would like to have a future option for a camper...
I am looking for recommendations in a 2500/3500 sierra...what years are best...what to avoid...can I get a manual tranny?...I know the duramax/allison combo gets raved about...any years to avoid?...8.1L efficiency...not set on gas or diesel...I have the 5.7L which is a dog in this size truck but it works...not looking for a rocket ship...not looking for a huge lift so the IFS doesn't bother me...like the older styling better...
So this is just a lot of rambling for a simple question...tell me more about the GMC 3/4 and 1 ton trucks...
Thanks
Matt

 

[chilliwak]

Well Flag, I would recommend a rig like this.........

!978 is a good year......

 

[locrwln]

If you are looking for something newer and diesel. I would suggest something in the '06 to early '07 model. The most power, least problems and no regen/DPF emissions.

You can find the Duramax/6spd combo, but they are hard to find. I have a ford powerstroke with the ZF6 6spd manual and it is a great tranny with very useful ratios. You will have to decide if it's auto or manual for you. I've got both and I like both, but I use the two trucks differently.

Best thing you can do is go drive a couple and see what works for you.

Jack

 

[bob91yj]

Another vote for the '06-'07 Classic Dmax/Allison combo.

 

[chilliwak]

Nice truck Bob. I like your Chevy.......

 

[Flagster]

chilli, as much as I like older style trucks will probably be searching for a newer model...good info everyone...keep it coming...
Thanks
Matt

 

[Buliwyf]

I'd look towards a Chevy 2500 with a 6.0L gas or if your camper is huge, a 3500 diesel dually.

The 5.7 and especially the 6.0 are not dogs. Mine is guttless until about 25mph then takes off. You just need to use better axle gears and sometimes a chip/reprogram and some transmission work can really make a big difference. 1st gear is too tall. Better 4.30 gears and maybe a better torque convertor would work wonders. The new 6.0's seem to be as peppy as any of the 8.1's I've driven.

My point is, it's not the engines fault, and don't fear the gear!

The only problem is the 6.0 loves to shear its header bolts. As far as problems go that's a pretty weak complaint, it's a very reliable engine. Mine surely has a broken stud, it makes a nice chuffing noise when cold. Of course I high centered my truck before I noticed mine, so maybe the exhaust took a hit.



I'd also look at gas Ford superduties. A bit tougher built than the Chevys I'm used to. Better axles and suspension as well. 2005+ is what I'd stick to.

Biggest problem I've seen with the Fords is caused by shmucks that don't change the plugs and end up needing Zeroserts installed. Not a big deal. I've done one without even removing the head. Any GOOD tech should be able to do a zerosert in two hours per plug on average.

 

[shfd739]

Ill add my experience with the GMs. From 2003 to present Ive ridden in Chevy 3500 amblances at work. Its been a mix of '02 6.0 V8 gassers to '09 Duramaxes. If you insist on diesel get a pre '08 without the emission stuff. The EGRs and DPFs have been an achilles heel that can only be fixed with aftermarket delete kits. My current unit is an '08 with 210k miles on the D-Max. Its on the 3rd or 4th EGR cooler and associated parts. 2 weeks ago our shop put all new emission stuff on it, reset the computer and 1hr after getting it back it went into limp mode for EGR issues. If this a personal vehicle going thru the parts the $$$$ wouldve meant selling it along time ago.

My first unit was the '02 6.0 gasser. We had 4 that all went 220k+ miles with only regular maintenance...and a set of manifold gaskets twice a year. Now the only gas truck left is an '09 6.0 2500 crew cab short bed truck that is the supervisor ride and used for towing our command trailer. Its a great truck, no real issues after 150k miles and it pulls our 24ft enclosed trailer loaded with a John Deere gator with no problems...You just gotta stick your foot in it and let it rev.

If it was me and it has to be a GM truck go for an '05-'07. Toss up on gas or diesel. Better economy with the diesel but a couple major repairs and any $$$ saved from fuel economy is gone. The pre '08 interiors seemed to hold up better and look better on the outside. The GMC is better looking than Chevy.

Hope this made a little sense and helped.

 

[2hip]

I have an 07 3500 duramax with auto allison. I'm getting 20 mpg with no chips. I highly recommend the diesel. If I'm not careful on the pedal my dually will spin out on me. Incredible pulling power like i've never experienced in my life. As you've already read the Classic 07 and 06 seem to be the two years that everyone raves about. Now you have so much emission crap on them that it has created a monster truck with a straw to breath though. U can pay easily 50k on a new diesel and it is not as good as mine. I went around to a lot of dealers looking for contractor trucks that hadn't sold. found one in Fairfield, Ca for 26K...sold the steel contractor bed made by Royale for 3k and drove to Florida and bought a beautiful aluminum flat bed all tucked behind the truck body for 6K. I think it wouldn't hurt to try and find the diesel in the Silverado 3500 series...I stayed away from the Fords due to their tranny problems. I liked the Dodge Cummins but they didn't/couldn't give me a decent price. They are a six banger and do not have the pulling power of the Ford/Chevy 8 cylinders as attested to by friends who have owned them. This truck hasn't even hiccuped once in 20K miles...I'm in deep love

 

[Flagster]

This is great info...thanks
I am not stuck on diesel...and am actually leaning more toward gas/longbed...still looking at some 7.3l fords with low mileage but that is a different thread...
I didn't mean to put down my 5.7L...buliwyf is right...once you get going the engine pulls strong...it's just weak right off the line...don't know much about gears and all and the truck still works fine...not used to diesel or big gas power
I am sure the 6.0l gasser would be ok for my uses(alaskan camper?)...how late did they produce the 8.1l? And do the gas trucks have the allison tranny?

 

[shfd739]

This is great info...thanks
I am not stuck on diesel...and am actually leaning more toward gas/longbed...still looking at some 7.3l fords with low mileage but that is a different thread...
I didn't mean to put down my 5.7L...buliwyf is right...once you get going the engine pulls strong...it's just weak right off the line...don't know much about gears and all and the truck still works fine...not used to diesel or big gas power
I am sure the 6.0l gasser would be ok for my uses(alaskan camper?)...how late did they produce the 8.1l? And do the gas trucks have the allison tranny?

If I remember right the 8.1 went away in '08 when the body changed. The 8.1s had the Allison. The 6.0s are whatever GMs truck tranny that goes in all their trucks. Our 6.0 at work is a 5 or 6 speed- I can't remember what is behind those now. My only complaint is it shifts too much and is too quick to go for a higher gear. I know it's for economy but it can be annoying. I remember now that 2 of our '02 model 6.0 gas ambulances had to have new transmissions at 225kish miles. One lost reverse and the began slipping. Not bad for a regular trans under a 11k lb ambulance that was driven hard all the time.


Sent from my electronic overbearing life controller

 

[BillTex]

If I remember right the 8.1 went away in '08 when the body changed. The 8.1s had the Allison. The 6.0s are whatever GMs truck tranny that goes in all their trucks. Our 6.0 at work is a 5 or 6 speed- I can't remember what is behind those now. My only complaint is it shifts too much and is too quick to go for a higher gear. I know it's for economy but it can be annoying. I remember now that 2 of our '02 model 6.0 gas ambulances had to have new transmissions at 225kish miles. One lost reverse and the began slipping. Not bad for a regular trans under a 11k lb ambulance that was driven hard all the time.


Sent from my electronic overbearing life controller

IIRC the 8.1 w/Alli was an option...4L80E was std tranny.
Agree 06 Duramax is awesome;last year w/no emissions...first year w/ 6 speed Alli.
Best of both worlds!
You can run goat piss in these engines...no ULSD needed...


Bill