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Comments
I'd run 10W-30 in Florida probably year round, and might stretch the oil change intervals to 5K if you are doing longer trips.
I think most of us worry too much about oil change intervals as compared to the damage and rapid wear caused by whomping on the engine when it is cold.......
The only thing bad about N. central Fla. is the humidity. 95 temp w/ 95% humidity is rough on us humans but I guess the engine on "the truck" doesn't really care.
Thanks for the input. I'll keep you posted on mileage on my trip to the Appalachians.
ZX3 worth it? I don't know anyone who has it!
If you go with 4WD, the Z83 is the softer shock. Z85 is heavy duty, and Z71 is off-road, the stiffest.
But remember, the springs are the same on all of them. And they have as much to do with the feel as the shocks. The springs set the ride height for the particular weight classification the truck is in, and influence the feel you get under compression. On the rebound stroke, the shock makes the difference.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about ZX3. You will be replacing them at some point anyway, probably not with what came installed, so why bother?
The difference between the 3.73 and 4.10 is only about 10%. Either can do the job, but the 4.10 will tow with slightly less effort, and return slightly worse economy 5-10% when empty, but maybe no worse at all when towing or loaded.
I never tow in 4WD mode. Not saying that you can't, but if conditions are so questionable that I might need it, I would also be wondering if I should be venturing out at all with a trailer under those circumstances. I'm sure it would be fine to pull your trailer out of a mud hole, or down a slippery back road on occasion.
Right now it is at the dealer trying to get a new fuel pump installed. He said that this is the first one that they have seen bad on the 99's. That is good news, the bad news is that because no one has seen this problem no one has the part in stock. Had to order from GM. If it does not come in and get installed tomorrow - no vacation.....
Anyone else have any probs with fuel pump? It just went out yesterday morning. I drove it fine to the cap place and they tried to start it and nothing. The GMC dealer said that it was delivering inconsistent flow and that was the problem. He had better be right!
I prefer a firmer ride,and leaning toward the 2500.But if I will feel every tar stripe on the road,it may not be what I want.My fear with the 2500,is that I would be stopping at every gas station,to empty my bladder.
The truck would be used for pleasure,to and from work.And towing a fishing boat.
I really like that the 2500 sits higher than the 1500.Basically,the same height as a 4wd.
The price differance is $1250,but 2500 will have the 5300 engine,compared to the 4800 in the 1500.
If anyone has test driven these 2,I would appreciate their opinion.
My ping is fixed, but never did have the driveline growl or vibrations.
5.3L engine has plenty of power (270 hp), gets good fuel mileage too.
Thanks
Actually the 6.0 is the "weak" engine in the lineup. Per liter of displacement the 5.3 has
59 ft.lbs
51 hp
the 6.0 a little is lesser at
58 ft lbs
50 hp
If they put aluminum heads on the 6.0, then it will really be a hoss, and get better mileage. the concept 6.0 SS has aluminum heads, and almost 400 ftlb of torque, WITHOUT any mods!
5.3 is awesome in the half ton truck for power and silky smoothness. Tows great. they should have driveline probs worked out on the 2000 models, not very smart if they don't.
you used to have a 350 vortec, right? well the 5.3 pulls better than the old 350 vortec! its not just total torque, its the torque curve!!!!
true, the 5.3 doesn't have the pull from a stop, low end grunt of the 5.7 or the 6.0. but going down the highway, up a hill or trying to pass someone, the 5.3 is better pulling than the old 350.
I'd say it cuts the mustard pretty well. and gets 4 or 5 mpg better than the 6.0, which is quite important to me. If i'm going to have an engine that gets the mileage of a 454, i'd like to have the power of the 454, which the 6.0 does not. hopefully with a few improvements they will either improve the mileage and/or power of the 6.0.
Puny for the 3/4 ton class but matches well with imitation fender flares.
I had the rear axle swapped from 3.73 to 4.10 at about 4500 miles. I would have gotten a 4.10 originally (occasionally tow ~8500 lb boat), but there was only a 3.73 available so I gave it a shot. I made several modifications (new axle, Airaid, Pace-Edwards roll-top) right around 4500 miles, so I cannot be sure what effect each had.
The first 4000 miles, I got between 12-13 MPG with my normal driving. After about 5000 miles, I've been getting around 14 MPG (Suburban Orlando). On the interstate (70-80 MPH), I get about 15.5 MPG.
Towing the boat at 60 MPH, it gets a consistent 7 MPG. The boat has a lot of windage. The truck also has a traction problem pulling the boat out on slick ramps. I keep a 600 lb "Fat Sac" water bladder in the bed for ballast when needed and I bought a set of "RampTrax" which also help the traction problem. As a last resort, we sometimes use the "jet assisted takeoff" using the twin 150 outboards to help get things moving on the ramp.
Doug
pictures at: www.onewolf.net
If you simply want the fastest truck, get the 4.8 5-speed. I Know. I drove them both.
Hope this helps
Has anyone's dealer been able to fix the problem? If yes, I would appreciate knowing how they did it so I can share it with mine. Thanks
* The best indicator of performance is ft-lb
of torque per pound of truck weight, and
horsepower per pound of truck weight. Also,
look at the hp and torque curves (plotted vs.
rpm). The flattest curves mean you have more
"punch" over a wider rpm range, i.e., off-the
-line, passing, and towing.
* Cast-iron heads on the 6.0 liter engine may be
to prevent hot engine (from towing, etc.)
thermal expansion problems with dissimilar
metals (alum head and cast iron block). ??
* Vibration problems in the driveline may be
due to a new (and marginal) design, poor
maintenance of tolerances in the manufacture
of the drivetrain, etc. Manufacturability
issues are the easiest to fix. Bad design is
the toughest to fix during manufacture.
Keep the comments coming. I'd like to hear about highway mpg on the 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0 engines.
Thanks again.
It seems impossible, but I have no vibrations at any speed, at this time.
May buy my next truck there if everyone in the service department is as conscientious as you!
If you belong to AAA call them up and ask about a car buying service. They will hook you up with a particpating dealer and a contact at the dealer. No hassle, no haggling. Just a good, quick deal. They had the truck on the lot and within about 30 minutes in paperwork, it was a done deal. I pick it up today.
First, does anyone have the 4.8 AUTO with either regular or extended cab? If so, what has your gas mileage been - can you really get 21 mpg?
Second, as for the shimmy, vibration, growl, etc -are GMC dealers doing anything about it? It sounds as if the problem has been found, so isnt it just a matter of fixing the problem. Also, how durable are these trucks - is 100,000 miles + possible? Seems like many are saying 60,000 and then it dumps out.
Im considering buying, but unsure if its worth a "20,000 dollar gamble". Is poor maintenance the reason for short life - my reasoning is this: people who buy cheapest (cost) truck may not have $ to properly maintain it? all responses welcome.
As for the durability of the truck, I don't think you should worry too much. I believe that if a person stays on top of the oil change/fresh fluids routine, the engine should last a long time(as long as you don't dog it out on a regular basis). I don't think any vehicle now days can be rode hard and put up wet without something giving in. Take good care of it and it will take good care of you.
g8tr... have you had the shimmy, growl, etc problem?
PS your not going to have a vibration
PSS Now keep repeating that line
You mentioned before that you were going to a school to attend some classes and to meet with some GM engineers. I take it (from your latest post) that someone has listened to you finally and that something is afoot. I sure hope so. When do you think it will happen?
About the fixes: sounds like the problems are only coming from the 2wd version. GM has corrected some problems but has not fixed some of the more annoying ones. You can check out some of the problems and fixes to date (unofficial) at the 99 Silverado vibrations topic on this BB.
Phil
So far the problems have been minor and the truck drives very nice. Once we get this shimmy from the tires (I hope) taken care of, we'll be good to go.
I just don't notice much effect, or see a tendency for a noise or vibration to creep in from changing the pinion angle with this method, but then I do not have a vibration problem to begin with, so this is moot. (I thought perhaps I could simulate an angle where it would.)
If it was me, I would strongly consider taking my truck to Steve in Oklahoma (scraw), and even buy my next one from his dealership for doing what the others are regrettably, unwilling to do, some research. I'm close enough for that. But I must add that Burt Chevrolet in Denver has provided me with good service also. Thanks Steve!