GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado 2500 & 3500 - II

hunter98

In overall acceleration numbers, the 4.10 isn't much appreciable faster in trucks with plenty of engine in them. The 4.10 engine will rev faster than the 3.73 engine but it has to rev 10% faster just to keep up with the other truck. So it FEELS faster. You would find the most difference in the first little bit in first gear with power and at Cruising speeds your motor is turning 200 RPMS more up in the Power band so more power with the light application of the throttle to pass, but penalty in gas milage. For me I want an 8100 allison 3.73 LS, with 265 tires on it. Seems to be the perfect combination of HP, Torque, Tranny and Ratio's. I would rather rev the engine slower and not run an engine so fast all the time. I love the Torque of Big blocks and diesels at low RPMs, I don't like revin past 3000 so the 3.73 is for me.

Best of Luck

Hunter

randersen

I just turned 3000 miles(oil change tonight) and lately mileage has been between 12.5 and 13.5.

Typical driving is probably 75% highway(55-70mph) and 25% local town type driving. I also have a cap on it. No towing yet, at least until this summer for the boat.

4x4

i am getting 11.5 mixed driving and have gotten 14MPG on a 350 mile trip..never below 11..

2500HD Crew cab 4x4 LT 4.10 6.0

obyone

I reread your post. Thought you said $800 to $850 and was grumbling about $50. LOL!! No one should grumble about $50 when looking at these trucks.

mgdvhman

I figured that dean..

Hunter..no for cab lights....yes for 4:10's...regardless of 8.1 or 6.0 or what size tires.....if I went to 285's....I'd want 4:10's...course it's not like the 8.1 won't have the power with 3:73's.....but I just like take off power...period...

- Tim

mgdvhman

..while all these 285's look good.....and even better taller tires with a 6" suspension lift....I may just leave the 245's...

I like the stock wheels!!!!!

It's gonna be a Chevy..CC..HD with 4:10's for sure..almost positive Sunset Orange...

Now to decide if a 6.0 or an 8.1/Alli goes under the hood.....I have no reason to get one for towing...only for raw power....have the need for capacity for hauling....but not for towing....so so do I burn $1725 extra with GMO pricing?

- Tim

t37l1011

For all you guy's out there trying to find HD's. The GMC dealer in Monroe, LA has about 60 trucks on the lot including 3 8.1/Allison's and 3 duramax/Allison's. He has almost every combination except crew cabs and no red or orange. It's Cooper buick/pontiac/gmc in Monroe.

bud

mgdvhman

look the same as 1500's

- Tim

obyone

Could haul a lot more groceries.

mgdvhman

....ask the Tundra fans about hauling groceries...as that's about all they do with 'em..

...course only 1 cart full at a time.....but someday they will have the 2500 Tundra...then 2 carts at a time!

- Tim

michaelmayo

How does the fuel mileage for the 6.0 and 8.1 compare for a 4x4 crew cab?

sf0383

I was comparing numbers between the 2500HD 4x4 and the 1500 4x4 and to my surprise noticed that the 1500 is listed at 8.7 inches vs 7.4 inches for the 2500HD when it comes to ground clearance. I have to wonder if skid plates are going to change the numbers. Anyone know what hangs lower on the 2500 to cause the difference? When you look at the trucks side by side you would expect the opposite.
I don't know that it's going to make that much difference in my case, I'm just curious.

markbuck

Ground clearance - Big rear diff droops down more.

smart99

I finally got to drive one of the diesels today.
2500HD, LS, 4x4. Acceleration was good, but of course not as good as the 8.1. After hearing about how quiet this diesel is supposed to be I must say that I was disappointed. If you opt for the 8.1 just think how much gas you can buy with the $4,000 you saved.

jaijay

I just recently got my D/A and for a diesel it is very quiet. After I got the truck a friend of mine who has a Ford PS was curious about the noise level. So he came over with his and we did a comparison. It was like night and day. You could hold a conversation with the Duramax running but would have to raise your voice considerably when the PS was running. The noise in the cab of the PS was so loud that you could not hear the radio without excessive volume.

When my truck first arrived at the dealership (right off the carrier), the dealer handed me the keys and let me take a look at it. I immediately started it and it seemed quite loud. The dealer thought so too. At the time though, the truck was very cold and was probably sitting on the carrier for some time. The next day when I picked up the truck, it ran much quieter and has been ever since.

Granted the Durmax is not a gasser and cannot be compared to one for noise level. For a diesel though it is extremely quiet.

I chose the D/A combo because I have a 14k 5th wheel trailer to tow and so far I have not been disapointed. On a fuel milage note, the first tank of diesel was 17.9mpg and this was all city mileage.

mgdvhman

either....think of the gas saved by getting somewhere near the 20's for MPG....and take in count the torque being 520 VS 455...and at 1800RPM instead of 3200......now that's torque..

but yeah....I kinda agree....8.1 for me.

- Tim

gulfguy

With regards to the question of which gear to match with the 8.1 and Allison tranny..... A guy on a similar BBS at pickuptrucks.com posted this morning that his new 2500HD CC with 8.1, Allison and 3.73 locking dif will "shred tires". I think the 455 pounds of torque will move that truck out at least as smartly as 4.10s with a 6.0 which is no slouch!

My TPW was moved up to 1-22 then back to its orig 1-29 for a 2500HD CrewCab SLT shortbed, 2WD, 8.1/Allison/3.73 locker...... What GM giveth...GM taketh away. Yeah....its black, grey leather and no lights on the cab roof!

trw3

I live in Iroquois county and the ground is very good here. I work as a chemical operator for Cognis Corp. (pace local 6-429). My grandfather farms 1700 acres and my uncle farms 1100 acres here. I usually work 300-400 hrs. yr. for my uncle. I love doing it but couldn't afford to do it full time. Cognis corp. supplies GM resins for paints/clearcoats, adhesives etc. as we are a supplier hence a good discount on my new HD. What county are you from and how's the hunting?

markbuck

Agree with you 100%, the 8.1/3.73 will outperform the 6.0L/4.10 at almost any rpm up to 4,000.

I wouldn't consider the 8.1/4.10 unless I was routinely towing >>10,000lbs

hunter98

I live in Marion County. Dad and I farm about 800 acres. I have many relatives that farm around that many acres. The hunting is fair at best. There are several deer around but kind of hard to corral. Of course the guys I hunt with each killed two so OK I guess. The quail population and Rabbit population has been down do to the winters we have had and many Hawks, Falcons, and Coyotes. The avg corn yield in my area is around probable 110. The best it ever gets is about 150. The soybeans yield in the 35-50 range in our area. There is alot of wheat raised in Marion county with yields avg. around 60.

Take Care

Hunter

n75v111

trw3 - Ever hear of Fisher Controls??
Product Engr. for rotary control valves.
Grew up on Farm here central IA.

75v

igreen

Does anyone have figures for gas mileage on:
2001 Silverado 2500HD
**8.1 engine
**Allison tranny
**4.10 Gear ratio
**2 wheel drive

Thanks for any help you can provide.

mgdvhman

I don't know how to break it to you....but I am getting the 8.1/Allison/4:10...and will not be towing 10,000 lbs routinely......oh well...I am a power hog!

- Tim

hunter98

We all know that tim

More POWER to YA

Igreen, With the 2wd I would expect around an avg of 12 for a reg cab and 11 for a cc, on the Highway at 70 I would expect 14 and 13. You could pick up a mpg or two in each catigory with the 3.73 rear end.

Best of luck

Hunter

markbuck

I have a 140hp snowmobile and a couple of 50hp dirt bikes and a 135mph street bike.

More Power....

I just don't happen to need/want to pay for it in my commuter/hauling vehicle.

mgdvhman

..but when ya don't have time for the dirt bikes...snowmobiles...boats....the commuter it is!

- Tim

gsiefken

What gas mileage are you getting with the vortec 454?

mechanicgy

Anyone know any tow ratings for a C/K 3500 6.5
diesel? I would like to pull my 11K fifth wheel once and a while and I heard the max weight is 8K
with this truck.

hunter98

11 K would NOT be a problem for a 3500 with the 6.5L. The 6.5 is a competent motor esp with the Manual. The max wt is alot more than 8k. The chevy halfs with the 5.7 and 5.3 are rated around 8k. That motor and truck should be able to confidently tow around 15k.

Best of Luck

Hunter

mgdvhman

don't sound right to me either...you should be fine

- Tim

murphyjf

Does anyone out there have a 2001 Silverado 2500HD 4x4 with Duramax & Allison 5 Speed AT? If so, do you have enough miles on it to give me a good assessment of likes & dislikes and any other comments on engine or tranny or anything else? Thanks!!

igreen

8.1/allison combo, 3.73 2X4 with locking diff - what's the gas milegae like?

n75v111

SEE the Sierra/'ado 8100/Allison Topic for question on that.

However not tooo many of them on the road yet so hang in their- Probably be a couple of months before the special ordered units start getting into customer hands!!

75v

sf0383

This is probably off topic but I thought this was as good a place to ask as any. I keep seeing posts pertaining to "goose neck" and 5th wheel trailers. What is the difference between them?

mledtje

My understanding is that a 5th wheel trailer has useable space above the 5th wheel.

A gooseneck has a similar hookup, but it is only a hookup, not a useable part of the trailer. Kind of like a tag-along with a big curved tongue on it.

Mike L

n75v111

Goose neck extends down to a ball mounted on a flat plate fastened to the box floor/frame.
Used mainly on farm/construction hauling trailers etc

5th wheel uses 'A' frame structure mounted to floor/frame with slide in Groove latch and is approx. level with top of bed sides. (ie.-5th campers etc)

75v

mgdvhman

new Silverado brochure shows the gooseneck style as well as a 5th wheel.

- Tim

sf0383

For those that may be waiting on delivery or about to order. Here's my experience so far. Ordered a 2500HD, CC, 4x4, 6.0, automatic on November 2. Order was pulled on January 16 and given a TPW of January 29. Chevrolet customer service this morning says the thing is built already and is in Qualtity assurance for testing. Don't you wish you could be there for that? My understanding is that next Chevrolet will send the dealer an invoice and ship the truck. Dealer says to expect 2 weeks to get it to Georgia. I am assuming I can get the VIN# from the dealer when they get the invoice. Then I will be back here going "What was that web site where you can follow the train?" I wonder if they will offer any financing deals. I see them advertising 4.9% where I live for 1/2 ton extended cabs. I'm going to Vegas tomorrow so maybe I'll win enough to pay for it. I wonder if I can get Justheone to give me a 'good luck on this one now'? LOL

markbuck

As the factory is backed up with orders, I see no practical reason why GM would offer any deals on something in high demand.

You can get like $3000 rebate on a 4 door Jimmy with like 0% financing...... Heck, I wouldn't want that vehicle with a $10000 rebate.....

sf0383

Does anyone know if there is a deactivation switch for the passenger side air bag on a 2500HD Crew Cab LS? I saw a post on another forum that made me wonder.

jaijay

I have a new 2500HD LS and it has the switch for the Air bag. The interior is much like my 1500 however the CD and radio location is reversed.

sf0383

Is yours a crew cab?

hunter98

Go to this site on edmunds, it contains regional incentives on the trucks and interest rates. There is alot more discounted than you think. For IL it shows 4.9% for 36 months on the 2500 HD.

http://www2.edmunds.com/edweb/rebates/index.html

Best of Luck

Hunter

hunter98

Sierra 2500HD CC 4wd SLT SB Duramax/Allison
Inv Retail
29392 33489 Base
4136 4810 Duramax
1032 1200 Allison
1672 1945 SLT Package
1118 1298 Other options

37350 42742 Total

+Accessories
500 Tires
600 Roll Top Cover
400 Nerf Bars
150 Bed Liner
100 Mud Flaps and Floor Mats
39100
+Tax
$41,545 That is alot of $$$

Considering the trade in of my
2000 1500 SLT Ext Cab 4x4 for 26500 including Tax
=$15,000 plus difference.

I could swing it next Year but it would mean even less trade in. That is ALOT of Cash to invest in a truck.

Just thought you all would be interested.

Hunter

steelmann

I'd appreciate any figures that anyone might have on the gas milage for the new 8.1 engines. Thanks.

markbuck

I'm planning on giving about $28k plus tax for my new 2500HD CC LB 4x4.

If I was gonna spend $40k, I'd buy a Vette.

hunter98

That is possible for a 6.0L at GMO or GMS, but I can't do that and I have been spoiled with two SLTs already, I just can't make myself go back to cloth.

Base invoice for an SLE without options is 29655, and Retail is 33789. So I got 7700 in options, but the Duramax/Allison is 5200 of the difference. Those are something I need / want for the farm. Locker 245.10 need, skid plates 81.70, need; leather and other ammenities, want, if im shellin out close to 40 Grand (-trade) I want it the way I want it, if it costs 2200 more so be it.

I wish I could buy for less than invoice

Hunter

n75v111

for Heads Up on post 395 --

$500 Rebate on 2500LD & HD till 04/02/01 the way i read it.

Great Job - What ya say 'bout that markbuck??

75v

hunter98

500 bucks helps, if you are gonna borrow money, get the 4.9% for 36 or 5.9% for 48, you will save alot more than 500 bucks in interest. If you are self employed such as Farmer, Construction, ect you can get a free toolbox, 300-500 in tools, or 300 at Home Depot also. Then there is the college grad 400 bucks which jumps up to 600 sometimes if you graduated college in the last two years, but you have to finance.

That is about all I currently know of.

Hunter

n75v111

Yeh hunter! I may just go with that 4.9%-
My HD LT XC 4x4 SB tpw for 2/12.

Going to check in with factory scheduler tomorrow to start daily update.
Have a slight problem
(one i'm glad to have considering last week i figured tpw might not come till june)
as wife and i were leaving for Arizona on the 17th for about ten days and looks like that might be when this baby arrives at my dealers.
Figured NO WAY am i going to leave it set their more than a few hours (JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET THOSE 'UGLY BLACK FLAIRS' off :-).
Wife not to happy about delaying AZ for a week but don't want this setting around for the DOOR BANGARS to maule over -- It will be the first LT 8100/alli this dealer has seen.

Thanks for all the good information over the last 2 1/2 years i've been following these post. - Been waiting for GM to get the 2500 4 dr ex cabs going and now the HD incentives is payoff for that long long wait.

Thanks to everbody that participates here!!

75v