Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra's w 8100/Allison

1101113151623

Comments

  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    give me a few yrs to mature ok

    gotta get this phase outta me first
  • 4x4man4x4man Member Posts: 222
    I got the 3m clear bra installed at Denver Window Tint off Parker road. They did a really good job and it was done in about an hour, not to shabby!!!

    I went with the 12" as the 6" wouldn't have been enough to cover the front of the hood. He wrapped it around the front part of the fender and the front of the Flares. Looks really good!!

    Bob
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    can you have this stuff (3m) added to a yr old truck?

    what about waxing over it?

    Ryan
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    You cannot add it to a year old truck. Paint is too badly mestastasized. You need a whole new paint job buddy! Good luck on this one now! Also the longer you wait, the more protection it gives by preserving those stone chips undereneath!

    You can wax over it, but avoid the edges so it doesn't chalk. Waxing makes the invisible bra disappear! Then you lose all the protection!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    .....I gotta get it now on the new HD!

    LOL

    ...then get Ryan's 255's he wants

    haha

    - Tim

    ....I haven't looked into shields yet for the HD....if I don't find one....perhaps that is the way to go?
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Some of the guys are saying the 255/85R16 is rubbing inside the front wheel well when turned full lock. Another says he had to use the torsion bars to raise the front for more clearance with them. That just gets worse in snow, if your wheel well starts packing with snow.

    I looked at all the tires. The only A/T 265 that has an E load rating is the Firestone. In the 245, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli is the only A/T available in the E load rating.

    I'm going to stay conservative, avoid any problems by just getting the Michelin LT245/75/16E in A/T.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    have no desire to raise it any....I don't mind the stock width tires....height could be taller...but it hasn't killed me in the 2 years I've had 245's...

    gotta get the thing first....then paint....then Moonroof/sliding rear.....calm down....then tires?...or just leave them ...

    - Tim
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    wimpy tires

    ya gotta go for it tim
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ...6800 GVW is wimpy!

    LOL

    ....ya gotta at least get a 7200GVW LD babs!

    haha

    - Tim
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    its all about whats under the truck

    I think i have a 3305lb rating

    whats your tim?

    Also mine are D rated
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    only holds about 2200!

    LOL

    - Tim
  • 4x4man4x4man Member Posts: 222
    I don't see why you couldn't have the 3m clear bra installed on your truck. It is an adhesive so it will stick to practically anything on the truck. I was going to have them do the mirrors also, as I have seen some trucks have rust spots on the chrome, but I am gonna wait a bit and see if the mirrors hold up.

    Bob
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    chrome...I thought it was a plastic chrome for the mirrors.

    Tim-
    your statement should have beer inserted somewhere in between the calm down and tires...hehe
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ..what was I thinking?

    - Tim
  • 4x4man4x4man Member Posts: 222
    Well, there were rust spots on a friends 99 Silverado that I helped scrub out, so I figured (wrong I guess) that it still was metal chrome on the mirrors, or maybe it was just in the first year and then they went plastic chrome?? In that case if it is plastic chrome then I won't get the 3m clear bra on the mirrors and save my $40!!

    Bob
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    I checked mine...has a few rock dings...and it's plastic. Thinking of sanding it and painting same color as the truck. Not sure but looks like a difficult task to touch up the plastic chrome...
  • oldharryoldharry Member Posts: 413
    The posts by dangerous2 remind me of the law suit Dodge settled on the diesel pick up that wouldn't handle the trailer the customers were pulling. It was under max weight, but of a configuration that required a medium duty truck. They were also pulling horses. I don't remember what topic that was in.

    Harry
  • dangerous2dangerous2 Member Posts: 7
    wish you could remember what post that was on
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    I remember that one too. Now what topic was it in. I think it may be archived by now. And that Dodge was a one ton dually.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    You've asked at least 7 questions, but we don't even know what the configuration of your truck or trailer is. The rest of your post, you've vented, used broad brush strokes to paint a swath of malcontent. We have no facts from you. Just opinion. Based on that, with each cry for more legalizing and lawyering, I find myself feeling less sorry for you, but will never know if you made a bad choice, or are making this up. Because what I do know, as an owner of 2500HD, is that your observations about capacities, suspension, differential are not factual. You've been grinding that ax blade, and it is sharp.

    >I have a o1 2500 HD with the 6.0. Have had nothing but problems! from valves rattling
    to major suspension and driveline problems
    Dealer has had 7 attempts to fix-replaced drive shaft-tightened torsion bars-reprogrammed computer twice. GM now wants to lower truck. Dealer wants to put me in a 01 3500 reg. cab dually with the 8100 and allison but wants my truck and $1800. Filed the lemon law on june 15 The dealer will not put me back into a 2500 even with the duramax because of suspension problems. I think all the 2500s have 1500 rear ends. Ipull a fifth wheel horse trailer. Gm tried to say my trailer was to heavy had cert. weights done and I am well under GVW and trailer weight. tommorrow will contact an attorney. This truck in 6 months has cost me 11,000 dollars to operate if I take the dealers offer of the 3500. This includes money lost while truck was in shop and what I will lose on my 2500. Bought it for 30,000but dealer will only give me 24000 on trade. Any advice? Anyone interested in filing class action lawsuit? I think the entire HD series is a mistake. When pulling my trailer loaded this truck is unstable even 850lbs. squats the rear end.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    >Tell me why then these trucks are having so many suspension, Drive train and stability problems? I have had this truck to 5 different GMC dealerships between Fl. and PA. All have different ideas of what will work to fix it. Are they all not talking to the same tech. assistance? Also tell me why the dealership is afraid to put me into another 2500hd even the Duramax to pull a 5th wheel that only weighs about7000 lbs loaded? They say I have to go to a 1 ton yet the Duramax 2500HD is rated to pull 15500 lbs. This is misrepresentation and that is ilegal. The dealership sold me this truck to pull this trailer and it can barely handle 5000lbs. WHY!!!!!!!

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  • 4x4man4x4man Member Posts: 222
    Well, maybe I should go ahead and get the mirrors protected. I agree it would be difficult to touch up chrome, be it metal or plastic. Being as that it is plastic I no longer have the fear of rust spots. Painting them the same color as the truck sounds like a good idea, easier to touch up to. :-)

    Bob
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Especially easy when the truck is the all natural black ;-)
  • loyalgmcguyloyalgmcguy Member Posts: 64
    Just returned from my Grand Canyon trip. As promised, here is my gas mileage report. My truck is a GMC, Crew Cab, Short box, 8.1, Allison, 3.73's, 265 BFG All Terrain TA's, fiberglass tonneau cover, and 3,600 miles at departure. Pulled my 2000 Prowler 26H Trailer with fiberglass sides and large slide. Trailer weight is about 7,500 lbs. with water, propane, and gear. Total distance traveled was 2,075 miles. Went 1,359 miles towing the trailer, used 166.5 gallons of gas for an average of 8.2 MPG. Went 716 miles solo and used 54.1 gallons of gas for 13.2 MPG. Temperature during the third week of June, 2001 in Arizona, Nevada and Southern Utah was over 100 every day so air conditioning was used continuously. Truck ran great and had power to spare going up hills. Two complaints: 1) Trucks needs for a larger gas tank as the range when towing is limited, and 2) Price of gas averaged $1.92.9 for unleaded plus (87-88 octane). I use Valvoline 10-30 and truck used 1/2 quart of oil during the entire trip.

    Experienced one small problem traveling from St. George, Utah to Las Vegas. At 75 MPH, I noticed a high pitched whistle coming from the center of the vehicle. Slowed to 60 and it disappeared, increased speed up to 75 and the sound would drive you out of the vehicle. At the time I didn't think the slight cross wind outside was an issue. Thought I was about ready to lose a u-joint or wheel bearing. Nice folks at Desert GMC in Las Vegas diagnosed the problem as an improperly sealed windshield. Sure enough, every time I get into a cross wind the noise returns.
  • sonjaabsonjaab Member Posts: 1,057
    Hey thanks for the info on the aux. light. I
    will try to fish it out before winter to hook
    up my roof light. Have been at my place in
    Alexandria Bay for a couple of weeks and my
    computer died...So no lurking or posting either
    Thanks again...........Geo
  • sonjaabsonjaab Member Posts: 1,057
    Blackmax 200 has the wiring diagram for the
    aux light posted on his web site. Go to the
    silverado thread #3841 for his web address
    ...Geo
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    I seem to be having a problem with my gas tank; it seems that the tank is venting all my gas out. My gas guage seems to move almost as quickly as my speedometer, but in the opposite direction. Any solutions?
    -Eric
  • sf0383sf0383 Member Posts: 204
    Try driving around in reverse and see if the gas cap will suck it all back in?.......lol
  • n75v111n75v111 Member Posts: 243
    Geo - Thks for HU on Blackmax 200 web - he does a fine job. Had the schematic but not much help locating the relay and wire location but been their, done that now and have Aux. fuel transfer operating and in good shape--

    Thks
    75v
  • 4x4man4x4man Member Posts: 222
    Is the gas leaking out of the vent line or main fuel line?? I guess I will have to check mine, but isn't there a ventline that is seperate from the main fill line?? Wondering if maybe there was a loose clamp that was allowing the fuel to escape. I guess I am just reaching here, but thought I would fill up more of Edmunds space.... :-)

    Bob
  • bigorangefanbigorangefan Member Posts: 22
    01 2500hd cc with 4.10's and 285's, will this combination cause any problems with performance, transmission performance, etc?, also how far off is my sped?, do dealers re-calibrate and if so what's a fair price?. 3800miles since Feb and no problems except windsheild seal.

    thank's Chris
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Dealer cant reprogram for the 285 tires
  • n75v111n75v111 Member Posts: 243
    Thanks for the GMR.

    If you want to consider more fuel on board see the Silverado Aux Fuel Tank thread.

    When were you in Las Vegas? I was their on business on 13th thru 15th. Down inside Hoover working on company control valves- Neet deal to go thru all the tunnels etc. Was only about 90F.

    Also Geothermal wells up by Reno- Thought it was going to be to hot to work on steam valves in day but about froze working on them in early morning on the 13th.

    75v
  • woolybackwoolyback Member Posts: 45
    Hi guys I've been enjoying my 2001 Sierra, 2500 ID, 3.71 ratio, pulls like a Clydesdale, some of you might remember I had a problem earlier with a the transmission locking up. That was due to a neutral safety switch not being set to factory spews. I haven't had any more trouble since it was reset but have had a couple of other minor problems show up recently.
    I was towing my 7500 l. 5th wheel up to Lake Tahoe last weekend and it was hot like in a 100 degrees.
    Yes you guessed it just when you need the air conditioning the most it quit working.
    Got nothing but hot air out of the vents. I tried turning it off for awhile but didn't do any good. I checked it again on the last hill coming down into Tahoe and it worked ok. Of course the outside hemp. was a lot cooler by then.

    The other problem was the with the Tow/Haul switch.
    I have never used the Tow/Haul until last weekend coming back from Tahoe and loved it especially the
    braking effect on the downhill grades.
    I had been using it for about 1 and 1/2 hours when the light suddenly went out. I pressed the Tow/Haul button and it came right back on again.

    Has anyone experienced any of these problems.
    I took it in to the dealers today and they are keeping it overnight which means they don't know what to do with it. Their typical response was that the air conditioned works fine and cycled on and off like it was supposed to do. Of course I pointed out that the temperature today is about 70 degrees and I want it to work when it is over 90.
    They hadn't even checked out the Tow/Haul problem yet.
    I'm beginning to think that my truck was built on a Monday morning.
  • loyalgmcguyloyalgmcguy Member Posts: 64
    We were in Las Vegas on June 20th and 21st. Temp was 109 on the strip. It was snowing and 32 degrees when we Ieft Montana the previous Friday. Thought I'd enjoy the warm weather but I damn near melted to the sidewalk while walking down the strip.

    Also should mention that a forest fire near Fedora, Arizona caused a 125 mile detour through the Navajo Indian Reservation. Mirror on the HD said 118 degrees outside. Drove a steady 80 MPH with the a/c on and the temp gauge never climbed above normal. Sure like this truck.

    Thanks for the tip on the fuel tank.

    Wooly, sorry to hear you're having some problems. That sure can be frustrating.
  • owenm1owenm1 Member Posts: 29
    My only complaint so far is the A/C. (except for the too-small tires) My GMC 2500HD/8.1 has weak A/C. When above 80, I run wide open, and it is still warm inside the cab. I'm sure when I take it in for a look, they will have a thermometer that says it meets GM "standards". I went through this with a Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler. "It's hot, you should be sweating!"
    Still 8-9mpg, but all around town.

    Owen
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    I was just kidding about the gas venting, I am only getting 9 mpg, mostly city driving. I was trying to get a few laughs. Sorry about that.

    Larry & Owen, do either of yo have the climate cotrol? Mine works great right now, but is this a sign of things to come? Was anything diagnosed as wrong with your a/c units?
    -Eric
  • 4x4man4x4man Member Posts: 222
    Ooopps my bad!!
    However I did like the comment you got to drive backwards!!! :-)

    My second and third tanks of gas have given me the best mileage so far around 13mi/gal. Of course they were my trip to Gunnison to put the "break in" miles on it. I just hit 900 miles and love this thing. It pulls my boat like there isn't hardley anything back there. I'm not sure if the locker is working correctly or at all as I couldn't pull the boat out of the water yesteday in 2wd. I don't know whether both rear wheels were spinning or not, but there was little upward movement if you know what I mean. I needed 4wd to pull the boat out to get traction. My 97 Silverado didn't have that problem, maybe it was the lack of power and torque of the 5.7 or better tires, one or the other??!! :-0

    Bob
  • woolybackwoolyback Member Posts: 45
    Well I have my truck back from the dealer after they had it for 2 days and got the response I figured I would get.....

    "The air conditioning works fine and everything looks ok."
    "Can't find anything wrong with the Tow/Haul switch."

    I don't know why I bother even taking it in except I want it on record that I had a problem.
    Do you guys get the same run around from your Service Dept. when you take your truck in for a problem.
    I've got just over 4000 miles on the truck and with the 3.73 ratio I've been getting around 13.7 mpg solo driving at 70 mph most of the time,and with the air conditioning on.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    I hate to pour cold water on this, but my A/C will preserve beef slabs. I did note that when the recirc button is pressed, I get cold air, and the compressor stays on whether the A/C button is on or off. Turn recirc off, the compressor disengages. I think it's normal, by design.

    No tow haul on mine, I have ZF-6 spd manual. But my last truck had no problems with tow/haul feature. This truck, '01 2500HD Duramax/6 spd is still flawless at 4500 miles. Been to the dealer twice for oil changes, but no warranty work.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    you could maintain an Ice rink while at highway speeds to boot!

    ...and still preserve beef slabs when in the city..

    - Tim
  • loyalgmcguyloyalgmcguy Member Posts: 64
    Quadguy,
    Also noted that the A/C stays on when the recirculating button is on so I agree it is by design. Interesting that you can turn the A/C button to off and the light goes out, but the A/C remains on.

    I plan to add mudflaps all around. Anyone have a suggestion regarding which brand fits properly, looks good, and functions well?
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Check out my picture site i think i have a pic or two of my mudflaps


    http://members6.clubphoto.com/ryan392464/


    http://www.picturetrail.com/ryanbab

  • 4x4man4x4man Member Posts: 222
    My A/C is great in my HD. I assume my tow haul works, but my boat doesn't weigh near enough to give it a thought to use it though...sorry.

    Now I assume this is because of the Allison 5spd auto, but gonna ask anyway. When I come to a complete stop, there is this clunk that I feel almost like someone rear ending you at like 1 or 2 mph. But this only happens when coming to a complete stop, if you have to slow down and then accelerate again, say for those annoying red lights that turn green as you approach them, only to about 3 mph or so, I don't feel or hear the clunk. I originally thought it was the tranny shifting into 1st, but when slowing down then going again, it is already in first. I figure it is just the nature of the heavy duty tranny, but thought I would ask if anyone else feels this kind of clunk coming to a stop.
    Later,
    Bob
  • tmarchbankstmarchbanks Member Posts: 6
    I have the same clunk when coming to a stop, so I assume it is the nature of the Allison.

    I have used tow/haul mode with a 7000# boat and it has worked fine (once for over 2 hours at one time), but I usually tow without engaging it. Who would think that 7000# is not enough of a load on this truck (8.1/allison/3.73) to need tow/haul?
  • owenm1owenm1 Member Posts: 29
    No climate control
    No GM certified dealers over here (So. Korea), so they will send to a contracted repair facility to tell me the A/C should be warm. Been there.....Done that! I'll take to a Korean garage and he'll boost the freon for 50 bucks. I'll be happy, despite having to pay. As Tom Cruise said in the movie "Risky Business", "sometimes, you just have to say, what the fu..!!"
  • gmcgtgmcgt Member Posts: 15
    Gents,
    Sorry about the problems but........ I'm 99% satisfied with my K3500 SLT, CC, 8100/Alli. I do experience the little bump in the Alli when coming to a stop, but not sure if its a problem or a characteristic of the Alli. I pull a 6K lb 5th wheel with 1300 lbs of ATV's behind that and havent had any problems whatsoever. Out pulled a small powerstroke (F250 extended cab) with a smaller trailer up a 5% grade with the air cond blasting. If anything I am a bit dissappointed in the fuel mileage. I get 10mpg in town, 11 highway, and 7-8 pulling. Was hoping for about 2mpg better accross the board. If anyone resolves the transmission issue please post.
  • woolybackwoolyback Member Posts: 45
    Thanks for the response guys it's great to come to this forum and get other opinions.
    A friend of mine told me that he takes his truck to an automotive repair shop (non-dealer) to get his warranty work done. I'm going to check it out but I'm a bit dubious about whether he is right about the warrant work, any thoughts on that.

    I was also told that I should keep taking the truck back until the air conditioner is fixed and that if it is taken back 3 times in one year for the same warranty problem and they can't fix it they have to give me a new truck. Is that the so called lemon law ????

    It took me awhile to get used to the air conditioner controls but I don't mind the so called memory-feature now. I just turn off the air conditioning button and switch from recycle air to outside air and it stays off. Then when I want it on again I just switch to recycled air and never touch the air conditioning switch at all. However once you turn off the engine you lose the memory and have to turn on the air conditioning switch if you want cool air.

    My air conditioner puts out plenty of cool air when it is working and driving here in California it is on most of the time without any problems. It has gone off twice now, the first time I was sitting in the parking lot of a 7 Eleven with the engine running and the A/C on when it suddenly started putting out warm air.
    The second time was about a week later towing my trailer up to Tahoe it was stop and go traffic and it was about 90 degrees outside.
    I'm not that worried about the Tow/haul problem as I don't use it that much although it is great for slowing you down on some of those steep mountain grades.
    By the way I don't get the clunk that you were talking about (4x4man) at least something works right on my truck.
  • 1i2cu1i2cu Member Posts: 32
    Did you go up 5 or 395 ? I've towed both ways with my 86 GMC Suburban '454' w/Doug Thorley headers, 29'11" Alpenlite travel trailer in tow. The '454' hauled asp. 7 to 8 mpg with air on or off. Wonder how the new GMC Sierra SLT ext cab, l/wb, 8.1 ,alli, 4.1 locker will do. I miss the exhaust rumble the 454 makes, compare to whine the 8.1/alli makes. Sounds like wimpy machine.
  • loyalgmcguyloyalgmcguy Member Posts: 64
    I have the auto climate control. It was a bit hard to get used to but I have to admit it works great.

    I don't have a clunk in my Allison and am starting to like the whine. Exhaust tone is getting slightly louder with age and I like that as well. Anyone put duals on yet?

    Ryan, I like your Husky mudflaps. Where did you order from?
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    I ordered a set of the Husky mud guards from Performance Products. $28 each pair. Haven't gotten them yet, but they are the same as Ryan's. BTW I received an e-mail from Performance, and they are currently running a 15% off sale on everything, always happens after I place an order. The sale ends on 7/9.
    -Eric
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.