GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado 2500 & 3500 - II

suburbansrule

Can anybody give me some names and cities of the biggest GMC dealers in Texas?
Thank You,
Suburbansrule

4x4

Just GMC dealers in Texas? I know lots of chevy's but hardly any big GMC dealers...My dealer has a n 8.lL Crew CAb 4x4 Lt Allison right now...black with tan leather..atleast it was there yesterday...

loyalgmcguy

So you went with the 8.1. Is is white? And did you spring for leather?

woolyback2

Thanks Hunter for the information that's what I was hoping to hear. I'm hoping to be able to get the dual powered seats (driver & passenger) with the bench seats but I'm getting conflicting info. for the HD series trucks.

I'm not planning to change tires Todd but thanks for the heads up.

Larry I ordered white but not the leather, the trouble & strife wouldn't let me she said it would be sticky in the summertime wearing shorts. She might have a point there, being in California we get a long hot summer.
I also decided to keep the original mirrors and not get the trailering mirrors. I use extension mirrors that slide on over the existing mirrors and I've noticed on my 2000 Sierra that the chrome is being scratched when i slide the mirrors on and off. I will have to try to figure out a way to pad the extension mirror so it doesn't scratch when I get the new truck. The trailering mirrors just look to ugly.

mgdvhman

got a few more HD's in....I'll take a looksee...
- Tim

suburbansrule

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to avoid the leather because we've got three kids under 5 and I figured when our last one who is just turning 2 next week get out of car seats its a while while their legs are on the leather. In the summer it gets hot for them. It does clean alot easier though. And I need a bench front seat (which is available with dual power seat controls this is for woolyback2) 4x4 sorry I didn't get back to you on the outboard. I was referring to the amount the wheel sticks out beyond the front fender. Carl at discount said your wheels were sold 3 days after you traded them. One of the guys that works there has a set but he wants 600 bucks for them, I don't think so. I did find 15 cc's in Texas only 5 with cloth and only two with a bench one a plain jane and the other was just what we wanted for options but its pewter. I thought maybe some of the GMC dealers might have some or some on the way in. If you come up with any GMC dealers please E-mail me.
Thanks alot,
Suburbansrule

bmaige

I have been away a while and read back over the gibes at the fellows who drive in the cow poo poo. Before you say too much about one of these guys' vehicles stinking, consider where that steak or hamburger you're eating comes from. If they weren't doing it we would all be eating vegetables.

I live in the country and run a few head, and I'll admit when you have to drive through a cow lot you do fashionably adorn your truck with natural fertilizer, especially when it is real wet--that's why I have an old '82 4x4 that I keep just for going in the cow lot, pulling cow trailers, or going through wet pastures and woods on cold, rainy winter nights checking calves or carrying a sick one to the barn to doctor. And do you know what? I love every minute of it. I get a lot of satisfaction out of fighting to save a newborn calf, seeing him get well, turning him loose and seeing him run, jump, and frolic because he feels so good. I don't have a schedule to follow, be at work at a set time, or drive in urban traffic. Why, in my little town we think there is a lot of traffic if there are over six cars, four pickups, and a couple of tractors in sight in either direction on the main street. We still wave at each other with our whole hand rather than one finger, smile, and ask how someone we meet on the street in a store is doing without being thought to be perverts--and really care.

My two sons growing up had plenty of room to roam and a fish pond where they fished when they wanted, and we spent lots of time with them. They helped Dad, too. One's 26 and the other 22 now, both fine, Christian young men. The oldest graduated from college at 22, and the 22 year old graduates this month. The oldest is already a deacon in the church, has been married for a couple of years, and he and his wife are going to make my wife and I grandparents for the first time in March. They live on the farm, but he and his wife work off the farm, so we'll have a hand, Good Lord willing, in helping raise our grandchild. The youngest, well, tomorrow he is going to propose to a beautiful young lady (inside and out)that my wife and I love--and he is going to propose at the fish pond. Oh, and we don't have smog here, we have fresh air. I'll take a truck smelly with cow poo poo in return for all these things any time.

Sorry for the long post fellows. Just counting my many blessings.

woolyback2

Didn't mind the long post one bit bmaige, it's nice to hear something positive these days. You sound like you have it made in the shade, enjoy !!

cowboyjohn1

N75V - If I remember right, you asked when I would receive my new 2500HD LT and that you had ordered yours a few weeks before mine. I ordered mine on Oct. 10th. I talked to the dealer yesterday and he said it was scheduled to be built during the week of Jan. 8th. We talked about the scheduling and both of us were glad it would not be built during the week of Jan. 2nd. I told him that if a few of the folks did too much dancing with Ethyl A. during New Years weekend, they could be pretty wobbly in the saddle for a few days, so the next week would be better. And I forgot to get you the shop manual numbers, but I will eventually remember.

On the cow poo vs. pig poo on Post 39. Yes, I have had experience with pig poo as well, but when cholera wiped out about half the herd (about 30 to 35), that was the end of the pig poo.

On keeping the F250 - I may or may not and won't decide until after I get the new pickup. Then I will run the numbers and decide to sell or not to based on financial advantages to me.\

On switching to a horse. Unfortunately a saddle horse can't carry much hay. So that means I would have to get a team of Percherons, Belgians, or maybe I should get Clydesdales and haul a little Bud along with the hay. A pair of draught horses would weigh about 4000 pounds and I guarantee you they eat A LOT. If I did that I might have to downsize the 2500HD to an S10 so I could afford the horses.

Now to Tim. Tim, the barnyard is getting pretty squishy. I almost got the F250 stuck while feeding the cattle. Do you think that 2500 HD with a locker rearend will do better? I can hardly wait to try it...

Now to Post 66, BMAIGE. I enjoyed your post. I feel exactly as you do. My pickup is definitly adorned with that natural fertilizer and I think the new one will get some of that too. It wouldn't seem natural without it. And I too love every minute (well almost)of it. My new pickup may have sidewalls of brown, but I will still have clean air, can see the stars, and enjoy the great outdoors. And the brown washes off. GO SILVERADO!

COWBOYJOHN1

mgdvhman

Chevy will do better than a ford!

LOL

While I have said lockers are not needed by most...in a situation like yours where wet mud or....well..."stuff" is an everyday drive....I'd get a locker.....or if I were a serious off roader..

- Tim

cowboyjohn1

I did order the locker. The Ford has been a bit of a pain-in-the-***. I have put in $3000 into it so far this year. Part of last weekend was putting in a new clutch master cylinder. Couldn't shift gears. It is a nice thing to do during freezing rain, but it is ok now - till next breakdown.
COWBOYJOHN1

bigorangefan

i also live in socal, apple valley to be exact. wife got xfered here 6yrs ago, originally from tennessee(go vols) what area do you live in?

chris

rmartin3

Hi guys...enjoy your posts. I have a '96 2500 7.4L 4:10 GMC sierra and am thinking about the 8.1. 2500 HD or a suburban. Does anyone know why the sub, even though rated to tow 12000 lb, is not available with the Allison? Can the 4L80E handle the torque of the 8.1? thanks guys

n75v111

my roots are also farm background so nice to hear your stories and you have a lot to be proude of.
Know exactly what the barn yard is like and the fishing pond. Not on the farm anymore but b-in-law still is so still in touch with those roots.
have son phd microbiogy research Burlington VT, One daughter is Physician in family practice & our four GC, and other daughter is a pilot & going into mission work with Youth with a Mission.-40 some years as control valve design engineer - was ground zero investigator on Ford Rouge Power House explosion Feb 99 in Dearborn

Was just kidding about the 'horse' :-) Ever see the 40 team hitch? They originated near here--

Actually orderd our HD Sept. 05 with GM showing order received Sept. 28. As of Tues. this week still had no TPW. My dealer is not a major PU dealer --how 'bout yours??--so don't know if he is lower priority as result. I do have his first unit allocation for what ever that may be worth but with your build date showing early Jan. I maybe getting close - Hope. Actually Jan/Feb delievery works out ok as can keep building savings to pay for the darn thing when it gets here and the less salt driving this winter the better.

75v

richardm6

rmartin3
You shouldn't have a problem with the 4l80E handling the torque of the 8.1. They also plan on putting it behind a detuned Duramax. At 12,000lbs. you wouldn't need the Allison because it is rated at more than 26,000lbs GCVW. You shouldn't get anywhere close to that with a Suburban.

needachevy

I have to reiterate what i've read recently. chevy needs to get their product to market. just went to my local chevy dealer. One 3/4 ton HD and no crew cabs. Go to a Ford lot and the 250's are lined up and so are the new supercrew that chevy hasn't answered for. I wonder how long I'll have to wait if I want to go to the chevy dealer and have five crew cabs to pick from????? Months or Years?

loyalgmcguy

My local dealer advised me today he can order an 8.1 now with an anticipated January build date but not a 6.0 He claims GM has frozen Duramaxes and 6.0 for that month. Any comments from list participants on gas mileage for an 8.1, Allison 3.73 as compared to a 4.10. Wooly, what swayed your decision?

gordo13

I went to the So. Cal. Power Launch Tour last night to test drive the Duramax before I made the purchase. The truck was awesome: quiet, smooth, powerful, excellent brakes. I made the mistake of driving the 8.1 because it was smoother and was a kick in the [non-permissible content removed] to drive. Now I don't know which one to buy, it will come down to the mileage reports. I saw "Westco" and "Ultramar" diesel gas stations on Highway 40 between Barstow and Needles, the diesel prices were good, does anyone know if the gas qaulity is good?

woolyback2

loyalgmcguy...my dealership's fleet manager was about ready to pull his hair out I'd changed my mind so many times trying to decide which truck combo to get. The Allison trans. was the deciding factor and with my tow load of 8000+ lbs the 3.73 gave me all the towing power I would need and better mileage also. If I happen to go to a bigger trailer in the future I will still not have to worry about being able to pull it.
I will probably put in a bigger gas tank when I get it hopefully by then someone will be offering them. My brother in law has been checking around to get one installed in his 8.1. He hopes to take delivery of his truck real soon, but he hasn't found anyone yet who is installing bigger tanks in the 8.1 yet.

markbuck

a 2001 2500HD CC LB GMC 4x4 6.0L 5speed vinyl seated stripper truck with a bunch of options yesterday.
Any guesses when it will be built?

gordo13

Can you give the tire size on the truck in #482?

imjfp

Does anyone have the HD 2500 with the Duramax and Allison? If so respond.

horsehauler

I would appreciate any guidance that current owners of the 2500HD Crew cab with 8.1 engine with Allison transmission could provide. The majority of my driving will be non towing.Lots of around town plus some highway miles. The other times I will be towing a 4 horse trailer.I expect the weight of the trailer plus contents(horses,gear) to be appx. 12,ooo lbs.Will the 3:73 gears be adequate for the occasional towing,especially since most of the driving is not towing?Please tell me about your experiences.Thank You!

hunter98

First of all the tire size of teh 2500HD I posted is 265x75R16, they are a kelly tire. Secondly, I am sure that a 2500hd with the allison or the 6 spd and 8.1l with 3.73 gears could tow a 12000 lb trailer safely and easily on the highway. I have only test drove this truck, but it had lots of power and I suspect it would get REALLY BAD gas milage with the 4.10 rear end, at least you might get 10% better with the 3.73.

Best of Luck

Hunter

mgdvhman

...what's the point?

I'd rather have the 4:10...knowing I had that extra when i need it....

- Tim

hunter98

If you get a 4x4, you can always go into 4lo to get to a spot that you can go into hi in. The only problem would be possible with a 2wd, since you can't do that. The truck can always run in 1 lower gear if necessary on the highway to keep a load moving. Have plenty of power to pull 20k of grain with my half ton on occasion with the 3.73. Don't go over 25mph but the 8.1L should have no problem with 12k. Esp. with the small 245 tires.

Hunter

richardm6

imjfp
I have a Chevy HD crewcab 2wd Duramax/Allison. What do you need?

Richard Mc

greggaucho

Along with Richard Mc, above, there are several other owners that have been reporting on their new Duramax/allison pickups over on the forums at www.pickuptruck.com and www.thedieselpage.com. You can read the forums at both of these great sites and get lots of good info on what you are looking for.

leleux

Can't seem to find the old posting on tires for the 2500HDs.

Can you fit 265s or 285s under the fenders? There looks like a lot of room under the top fender but I am worried about rubbing on the front and rear of the fenders.
Thanks for the help.

bigorangefan

as i mentioned in a earlier post, i tow a 12k trailer with 8.1 allison, 3.73 and 265's and average 11-12mpg all freeway few hills. if your are like tim and want the feel of a top fuel dragster then go with the 4.10. good luck

chris

cowboyjohn1

POST 73 -I figured that you knew something about farms based on what you put in the posts-my guess is Iowa. Sounds like you have did some interesting things, but sorry to say, I have never heard of Ford Rouge Power House. 40 team hitch - I have had hard enough times with 4.
As to your dealer question, the dealer I order thru is the biggest in the immediate vicinity - say for 75 miles. I don't know anything about their allocations, or whether it makes a difference if the dealers are small. I am also building savings and GM Card savings. No salt here, so I don't worry about that.

Cowboyjohn

cowboyjohn1

POST 83 - I think Hunter is right on target in Post 86. I ordered the 8.1/Allison/3.73 as I will use my pickup similar to your usage - mostly hauling me on the highway, and occassionally pulling some real loads. The dealer I talked with in So. Cal. insisted that I only get a 4,10 as he said the 3.73 were dogs. I considered the 4.10, but thought his driving was racing from light to light, block to block. Mine is open road, in the barnyard, or on the river. So decided on the 3.73. When I get to the tough stuff, it is 4 wheel low, of shift down a gear. Here is a way to look at it. I drove a 1500 with a 4.10 and if I remember correctly, it was turning about 2200 rpm at 70mph. If you divide 3.73 by 4.10, you will get .9097, say .91 - these calculations are really not as good as 3 significant figues imply. Multiply that by 2200RPM and get about 2000 rpm. Same is approximatly true with gas mileage. If you assume 10 mpg with the 4.1, you will get close to 11mpg with the 3.73. Probably not enough to worry about unless you put on significant miles per year. There is also the possibility you could get about 10% more mileage out of the engine before overhaul.
cowboyjohn

hunter98

When I drove back to Carbondale this morning I saw something I hadn't seen in town yet, or in any town in the area. A chevy Duramax Diesel pickup. It was Ext Cab 4x4 LS, Allison tranny, white with the almost black interior. Personally I prefer GMC, SLT, not white and didn't like at all that dark of an interior. But I figured it would be great to go for a test drive in it. Went back this afternoon for a test drive at 3:30 and they had it in the wash bay. I guess it just got off the carrier that morning. Came back at 4:30 and went for a test drive. First observation was the step in height wasn't as bad as I thought it was at the powertour, but if went to 265 or 285 tires would definately need running boards or something. The engine when I turned the key wasn't immediate to start, it took two or three seconds to crank it up. Which doesn't really bother me but on the farm, some diesels such as the cummins in our 10 year old and 4 year old combines bangs right off on the first instant if it has battery even down to 0 degrees. The engine seemed to be louder than the three duramax diesels I drove at the Power Launch tour in St. Louis. It wasn't bad at all for a diesel but it was definately loader. May be a product of the only 2.5 hrs on the clock and 40 or so miles. I went for a ten mile test drive. Acceleration was pretty good, didn't really hammer it because it isn't anywhere near broke in yet and I wouldn't want someone to do that to a truck I would give 40K for. Got her up to 75 mph in a 55 zone and set the cruise. Wasn't too loud but you still knew it was a diesel. It was turning 2200 rpms with the stock tires at that speed. With 265 it would be cut down to 2100 or so which would improve milage at that speed, and really improve the looks. With moderate application of the throttle the tranny wanted to downshift and run in the 2500-2800 rpm range when going 40 mph or so. I really liked the grade braking it worked really well to slow the truck down. Overall it was a very nice truck. I like the motor but I really can't honestly say it seemed to have more power in normal driving but it is quieter. It is definately an improvement over the 6.5L which I have friends that have had some real problems. I loved the Allison 5spd tranny and I think that that is the selling point of the truck, not necessarily the diesel, because Ford and Dodge cannot make an auto for their HD trucks that will hold up. I have friends with both that have had one or more tranny failures with them. At least now GM has a competitive diesel. It may not blow away a rice truck but that isn't what I buy a truck for. I am still seriously considering the duramax for 2002, I guess for me it comes down to the milage and reliability. If it isn't up to what I want to see I will but a 2500 ld 6.0l in 2002 if they still make it. I would really like to get the 8.1L, I loved it when I drove it, but I can't afford to feed that pig with the gas tax going back on and that will put gas back above 1.50 again. The truck is at Vic Koenig in Carbondale, IL, and they want MSRP for it which is around 40k.

Best wishes and I need another job I guess

Hunter

mgdvhman

a top fuel dragster like Tim????

where did that come from?

...but yeah.....I'd get 4:10's...

Drove a 8.1/Allsion 4:10 Short box Ext. cab tonight....

wasn't overly impressive.....but I wouldn't want a 3:73....

- Tim

n75v111

Everone is suggesting 8.1 with the 3.73 not
not a 6.0 -- With the 8.1 you don't need the 4.10 unless you like draging from stop light to stop light and don't want a little improvement in gas milage.

75v

mgdvhman

night was no drag racer.....and I wouldn't want less than it had..

personal preference

- Tim

bowhuntwi2

I heard down at the Ford Post,that they are saying your new 8.1 can pass everything on the highway, Except the GAS STATION...........

hunter98

I kinda suspect that the power launch trucks were "Hand Picked". See my above post.
Quieter, More power, and the 8.1 was awesome

Hunter

bigorangefan

wasn't throwing a shot at you, just remembered in earlier post's that acceleration was very important to you, and hey like you said it's all about personal preference.

chris

mgdvhman

no problems here....I just state what I feel..

I actually state that racing and trucks is dumb....but yeah....I want some get up and go too..

One of the reasons for getting a 6.0.....although not faster off line.....but highway power is night and day

- Tim

woolyback2

Sorry Chris I missed your post #71... I live in Northern Calif. near Sacramento used to live in SoCal but couldn't wait to get up north and out of the congestion.

hey gordo13 thanks for the info. on the bigger gas tanks. I will check out that website and if I find out anything worthwhile I will post it.

loyalgmcguy

After over four months of waiting for an allocation, my dealer finally put in my order for a cc,sb, 4x4. The only HD allocation he received for December. The expected build date is sometime in January. I couldn't get the 6.0, leather, on-star, heated buckets, and other options due to restrictions, and had to accept an 8.1 (also added the Allison but that was the easy part). This is my fifth new GMC since 1986. Hope the 8.1 does better than 10 mpg, otherwise my new post name will be loyaltoyotaguy. The boys running GM need to perform some marketing surveys. If they believe they can abuse their buyers and remain profitable in their truck division, they're in for a surprise. This may be my last GM.

trucks4me2

I've had my HD now for abt two months(EC, 6.0, 4.10, 4x4). Love the truck but do have one problem...at 45MPH just when the trans torque converter locks up the truck has a jerky/hesitation. Not real bad but annoying. Feels like a intermittent short in a plug wire, but it only does it at this speed. It gets worse on slight uphills. Dealer says everything checks fine (line pressure, etc) and thinks its just a bad speed so the trans is decideing whether to downshift or not. It could be just "lugging" a little cuz when I speed up it goes away. Anyone else out there with this combo feel this?? Any input would be appreciated.

For you mileage fans I get a 13.5 in the city and once I went on a 150 mile freeway ride filling it up before and after and got 14.8 at 70Mph.

mdirvin

I noticed all the interest in tire sizes. Here is a site that you can use to calculate speedometer error per changes in tire size. Also there are many other automotive calculators listed.
http://www.seansa4page.com/resource/autotech.html

herrick3

I really like all of the information that I have gotten off of this forum, but I have a question that I hope someone can help with. I will be ordering a 2001 GMC 2500HD 4WD with the DURAMAX and the Alison and do not know how important the locking rear differential is. I will not be doing much off road, occasionally snowy roads and pass driving. Is the extra money worth it? Does it require more service than a standard rear end? Would really like the comments to help me decide.

hunter98

For the 200 and so bucks get it. I wouldn't buy a truck without it but I farm. It is the best and cheapest investment you can make on the truck. It really shouldn't be much of a service issue. Best of luck. My 2 cents

Hunter

ryanbab

I know tonight my locking diff came in handy a few times. I drove in 2wd (4wd truck) and it did help with wheel spin and traction. Go for it your spending $30-40K on a truck whats $285?

Ryan

wight1

I've got a 2000 model regular 2500 with the 6.0 engine and 4l80 tranny. It also has the jerking sensation at abut 45 mph when the torque converter clutch locks up. Dealer told me it was just a minor shuddering as it locked up. I've learned to avoid it by accelerating a little harder above 40 mph so the lock-up doesn't occur until you hit about 50 mph instead of the usual 45. Or, if you can anticipate the lock-up coming, you can ease off the gas just a little bit and there's no shudder at all.

obyone

of manuvering just to avoid a shudder. You would think there would be a fix for it rather than going through that all the time.

cdean

search for the Limited Slip topic for those discussions.