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GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado 2500 & 3500 - II

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Comments

  • roger350roger350 Member Posts: 157
    Just got back from a Dallas to Steamboat vacation. The best mileage I saw was about 14.4, but conditions were terrible for mileage, i.e. very windy, etc. Worst I saw was in the 11's. As for mountains and this truck, they mix well. I put it in 3rd the whole time I was up there. On the 6-7% grades, uphill I still had plenty of power to pass people, it just had to downshift into 2nd to do it. Downhill on those grades, 3rd gear and the 4.10 worked like a charm. I never had to touch the brakes. On a 7% grade it would coast right at 60 mph. If you were going faster it would drag you down to 60, but it took a while, whereas if you were going 50 or so, it would climb back to 60 pretty fast, but again, it was easy to control your speeds just by letting the gearing do the work, and never required the brakes. The only negative would be the 26 gallon tank! I couldn't make it out of a state without stopping for gas!
  • careyacecareyace Member Posts: 44
    I have the same truck you do as far as the motor,trans and gears and I too tow a large trailer and I also have the HD toys on the truck but when you said your sticker states 9200GVW that led me to relook at mine. On top it says 2000 silverado LT 2500 HD pickup 4DR But over on the options installed it says GVW RATING-8600LB.
    I would like to see a copy of your sticker and compare our trucks as I would like to see the difference in them as far as the GVW goes.Maybe the difference is when the truck was built,early or late 2000.Mine is a early 2000.Or maybe it is the rear axel.If you take off your center caps from your wheels does your axel hub stick out with bolts on it or does it stay flush with your wheel with no bolts?
    Andrew
  • trucks4me2trucks4me2 Member Posts: 31
    I will be going from Phoenix back home to Seattle in May towing a U-haul with 4,000lbs. I will post the mileages upon my return. I bought my truck to tow my 7500lbs RV and although I haven't yet, I am POSITIVE it will do fine. The 6.0/4.10 has lots of power to spare. As far as the gas tank goes, 26 gals is pathetic. Rumor has it that transferflow.com is working on a replacement tank in the 45 gal range....I will be first in line!

    Stan
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    I will try to upload a copy of the sticker for comparison. I was mistaken on the header information, it says Sierra 2500. The HD is down in the options. The GVWR is shown as 7200lbs. So, does that make a GCWR of 16,400lbs? I will try the copy on the next post.

    Jim
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    well. That didn't work. Let me play with this for a bit and I will figure out how to get it up here.

    Jim
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    I can scan the sticker in as .jpg, or whatever, but how do I upload it?

    Jim
  • tomh12tomh12 Member Posts: 240
    I believe the difference in your ratings have to do with the build date. There is no difference in the trucks. GM changed the rating criteria for trailering to bring it "more in line with industry standards" during the year. I remember reading this either in the published trailering guide or year 2000 brochure. I'll try to find where I read this.
    Tom
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    email me at ryanb0928@yahoo.com and ill send you someones email address who has had the problem with the passlock (security thing)
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    Very interesting sticker. 7200lbs was the 2500LD. Which was listed (at least by Chevy) as only available with the 5.3L, but you got the 6.0L. It took me a minute to figure out why your 2500 had a mileage rating. No mileage ratings on 8600lb + trucks.

    Mike L
    00 2500 6.0L 5spd Reg Cab Longbed
    Deadhorse, Alaska 6-6-99
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    My sister has been in Wasilla for years. She is one of the restart coordinators for the Iditarod.
    I don't understand the sticker, either. All you have to do is look at the truck and you can tell it is definitely not light duty. Massive brakes, big crossmembers, 8 bolt wheels, etc. I talked about this in another forum many months ago about why you could not get the 6.0 in 2001 without the HD. It was all due to CAFE requirements on GM. Since the 2500LD falls into the CAFE and the HD doesn't, GM got the 6.0 out of the average for '01. I don't need to tell you these are not the most fuel efficient engines in the fleet, although they do pull like stink!

    I still can't figure out the 7200GVW with 9200lbs tow rating. I tow a 7400lb travel trailer like it isn't even back there. Other than sqeaks and rattles, it is a great truck.

    Jim
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    We drove our 99 Silverado to Alaska in 99. We had a small popup camper on it. Drove all the way to Deadhorse (ask you sister). 6-6-99 was the day we were there. By the time we got back to California we had been gone 13,200 miles.

    It's a fantastic place to visit!!! Nowhere else have I been able to see 150+ miles and see nothing manmade except the dirt road I'm on. Nor have I ever been able to drive 500 miles on one dirt road, the last 250 without a gas station, restraurant, 7-11, or any services of any kind...

    Just being able to see moose, elk, grizzlies, caribou and more running wild in their element was worth the trip.

    But, we don't live in Alaska. I would like to winter over at least once after we retire.

    We were running the 99 1500 at GVWR with the small camper. So we bought a 2500 and put the camper on that. With the camper the 1500 averaged 15.4 mpg. With the camper the 2500 has averaged 14.0 mpg. Much better than I expected! If we ever run the 2500 w/o the camper I expect it would get 17-18 on the highway.

    Still, you have interesting truck. Until you posted your sticker, I would have bet that combination did not exist!

    Mike L
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    I just got back from the dealership after having the entire exhaust system replaced on my 2K 2500/6.0 EC. Only 7000 miles and a baffle let go in the muffler and the left side converter and header pipe were defective. For the first time I know what my truck really sounds like. The feeling I got from the service guys is that this is not the first time they have seen this.
  • careyacecareyace Member Posts: 44
    Ryan you can look in my profile and get my email address if you want. I had my truck fixed this week. If he wants to know what was replaced I would be happy to email them.
    Andrew
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    6.0L, 5speed manual, 4.10 locker.

    Love the vehicle, no defects thus far, pulls my 5,000lb travel trailer like a dream at 7,000'

    Very happy with my purchase. Wouldn't change a thing.

    Really happy to be outta that 1/2 ton, as the bigger truck tows and hauls much better.

    Fuel economy about 10 - 25% lower running empty from the ol' 99 silverado.
  • sf0383sf0383 Member Posts: 204
    I too have the 4.10 with the locker. Does the locker work in both reverse and forward direction or only going forward? Seems like that's when I've had the most trouble in my other trucks when I was trying to back up a slick incline. This is thwe first locker I've owned and I'm a little unsure of exactly how it works.
  • whatsachevywhatsachevy Member Posts: 136
    Has anyone seen a stock '01 Silverado 2500HD 4X4 EC with 33x12.50x16.5 tires? I was curious whether or not they would fit under the truck without a lift. If not, what are the biggest tires you have seen on this truck with the stock suspension?
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    pretty much sure our locker will engauge in reverse, my '99 did it a couple of times if I remember right.

    Whatachevy - no way would I ever run 16.5 inch wheels nomater what. No bead lock.
  • whatsachevywhatsachevy Member Posts: 136
    Hey markbuck, thanks for the info. I guess that would explain what I saw at Texas Motorspeedway last weekend. It had been muddy and was starting to dry up. We were standing around having a cold one watching people go through the mud. Some old boy in a brand new 2500 chevy with 33x12.50x16.5 BF mudders tried to cut a doughnut in this half-dried up mud pit and spun the right front tire right off the rim. None of us had ever saw that before. Looks like 16 inch wheels for me.
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    the other day in an extended 2500HD. Couldn't stop spinning the tires at launch until I tried a 4th gear start. Way too much power to the small 245's. At 40 in 4th all you needed to do was feather the gas a little more and the [non-permissible content removed]-end broke loose. Brought it back to the dealer and all I could smell was the tires. Nice truck, but it would probably cost me my license.
  • hunter98hunter98 Member Posts: 273
    It must be nice to be able to test drive an 8100 with a 6 spd, or a duramax with a 6 for that matter. The dealers in my area are ALL automatic. I test drove an 8100 allison, and, I could tell the allison really sucked the life out of that motor. In tow haul, it would squeal the tires pretty easy, not in standard mode. This was even a 2wd cc so lighter weight. My 5.3L 5100 lb sierra 4x4 seems more peppy and runs like a .....

    Now with the RPM range and the You could, with stock tires, start in 3rd, go to 40 at 3665 RPM, shift up into sixth at 40, with 1256 RPM, go on up to 80 mph at 2513 RPM. With all that power and torque, 2 shifts would be it. And for in town driving, hang it in 3rd and you got from dead stop up to 40 mph. Would crawl about 7 mph at idle also. Out to work out great. Just wan't to drive one first though. :)

    Hunter
  • gordo13gordo13 Member Posts: 20
    From reading here and on the 8.1/Allison discussion, it seems like there's only a slight MPG difference between the 8.1 and the 6.0. I realize there's still the price difference and the difference in driving characteristics, any comments? I'll also post this on the 8.1/Allison discussion.
  • trucks4me2trucks4me2 Member Posts: 31
    I am looking for feedback on current Brake Controllers on the market. I need a new one for my '01 2500HD to tow my two axle, 7500lbs, Travel Trailer. My last one ('92 model) was an electronic Kelsey Hayes which worked fine but would like to get some personal input from people who have other brands.
    Thanks,

    Stan
  • jaijayjaijay Member Posts: 162
    Stan, I have the techonshia (sp?) and so far I have been pleased with its results. This control uses an accelerometer to determine how fast the vehicle is braking and how much brake action to apply to the trailer. Last year I towed a travel trailer in and out of mountain passes with flawless results. This year I have a new D/A combination and will be pulling a 5th wheel. I will be using the same controler and hope for equal if not better results.
  • blackchevyblackchevy Member Posts: 12
    After ordering my truck with the high capacity air cleaner. I figured more air better running engine an better gas mileage on my new 8.1 HD2500, but a salesman told me not the case. It is just higher off the engine than the regular one. Anyone else ask about this option?
  • n75v111n75v111 Member Posts: 243
    Just finsihed mounting Reese 5th Whl and my old Tekonsha Voyager # 9030 Brake Controller in the 8.1/Alli HD --

    Hopefully you have the Z82 Seven Wire 'Heavy Duty Trailering Special Equipment' Option.

    FYI ------
    Z82 6 way connector plugs into box on dash floor by your left foot. Has a 40amp large fuse that goes into fuse box under hood (1st slot left side where the other same sized fuses are mounted)

    Tekonsha Voyager # 9030 Brake Controller wires up to Z82 wiring as follows--
    Z82 Red to BC Black
    Z82 Drk Blue to BC Blue
    Z82 Black to BC White
    Z82 Lt Blue to BC Red
    Z82 Brown to BC Not Used

    75v
  • roger350roger350 Member Posts: 157
    You must have a 2wd 2500? Your GVWR is less than 8600 lb., hence the EPA mandadted mileage numbers. The 4wd 2500's don't have to list numbers because they are rated at 8600 lb. I forget what the weight limit is for required MPG testing, but I want to say it is 8500 and less?
  • hunter98hunter98 Member Posts: 273
    I kinda wish I had traded my 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 Ext 4x4 SLT, for a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500 CC SB 4x4, 6.5L, SLT, loaded. The sad part is that this truck invoices less than 32000, and they had a few thousand incentives on them. Could have been had for less than $30,000. I know the diesel isn't a duramax, but I have drove one, and they are a very nice engine with a 100k warranty on it. A new 2001 like my 1500 Ext cab, invoices over $29,000. And go price a new CC 4x4 SLT D/A. Gonna be over $37,000 loaded up INVOICE. And Im sure the prices will be even higher on all the GM trucks. GM is just about pricing everone out of being able to afford a truck. I know the D/A 2500HD is a heck of a truck, but is it worth $8000 plus more next year to buy than that 2000 was.

    Hunter
  • slummer1slummer1 Member Posts: 3
    cant get better than 12 out of mine -closer to 11 most of the time.has anyone tried a chip or re-programing the computer?got a guy that says it will help but i am skeptical...
  • whatsachevywhatsachevy Member Posts: 136
    Are you running 285x75x16 tires on your truck? If so, what brand and how do you like them on the truck. Did they fit on your truck without a lift? The 285's are supposed to be 33 inches tall compared to the stock 245's which are closer to 30.5 inches tall not to mention probably at least an inch or two wider. Also, are you running 7" or 8" rims? Any info would be appreciated. My 2500HD 4x4 EC is supposed to show up at the dealer sometime this next week and the first thing I want to do (besides a spray-on bed liner) is get rid of those little 245's. Have you experienced any noticeable drop in power with the bigger tires? I was considering having the computer reprogrammed, but was going to wait and see what the truck ran like with the bigger tires. Based on my calculations, the 285's should have about the same effect as running the 245's with the 3.73 gear. Mileage should also be off by close to 10% which could explain your 11 mpg.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    I have a 1500 Z71 and i am running 285/75/R16 BFG all terrain Ta ko's

    I really like these tires. They fit great (no mods for my truck just put em on and drove away)

    They are 32.8" tall.

    Ryan
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Ryan...you got a 1500.....totally different wheel width and back spacing...

    - Tim
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Tim i was just saying i liked the BFG's. He asked what kinda tires people are running. Just thought id give my opinion

    Also the BFG AT's do create a little more road noise than my 265 fstones (garbage)
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    well duh back at ya!

    LOL

    ...what happened to the header for the posts?

    - Tim
  • stewball1stewball1 Member Posts: 4
    Which 2500HD Do I want?? Want to buy a 2001 Silverado Extended Cab 2500HD, 2WD, Shortbed. Plan to use it with a Lance camper shortbed 2,200lb and pull a boat weighing up to 5,000lbs. One-half the time I'll drive it without either. Was planning on getting the 6.0liter V-8 but now leaning toward the 8.1liter V-8 with the Allison. Would like the gas mileage and price of the 6.0 liter but wonder if that's a mistake in the long run. Also, what is the gas mileage difference between the two. Appreciate any suggestions...
  • slummer1slummer1 Member Posts: 3
    whatsa- i went with the dunlops on the factory wheels.as far as a drop in power i dont know because i changed them after the first day and i think it made the truck look tons better.i wasnt sure how far off the milelage would be but the guy at shop said dont even worry about reprogramming the speedometer because it was very little difference.truck runs great though...
  • trucks4me2trucks4me2 Member Posts: 31
    Thanks for the inputs on the Brake Controllers. I will study the Tekonsha's. I also just heard that Tekonsha is coming out in May with a new one called the Prodigy which will be all digital. It will also mount in any angle and needs no level adjustment. Sounds interesting. Thanks again.
  • 4x44x4 Member Posts: 114
    this truck has 16.5 wheels and that is what i will be getting when i lift mine

    www.advancedlubetech.com/diesel/photos/users/daves/Mvc-002x.jpg
    or visit www.gm-diesel.com under the users photos section, it has a 6inch lift with 35x12.50/16.5 with 16.5x9.75 welds....bad [non-permissible content removed]

    I had 16.5's on my ford and never had a problem with them, even running 35x14.50 swampers...

    Whataschevy, 33x12.50's will not fit on a stock HD...I tried those with 16.5x9.75 wheels, i tried 305's with 16x10's and 16x8's, and finally the 285's with 16x8's...the 285's were the only ones that worked...

    my pics are at www.picturetrail/com/4x4

    BTW ,how do you post pics again? I forgot the code..
  • gulfguygulfguy Member Posts: 30
    01 GMC 2500 CC SB 2wd 8.1/Allison/3.73 locker

    3400 miles 2400 in town/empty 0-50 mph near sea level, 1000 miles of hwy 400 55-70 mph and the rest 75-80 mph cruise on the interstate(also empty). Started at about 10.5 and have worked up to an overall avg of 12.49. Doing a little over 14 on the highway at 75-80 and mpg is still getting better as the motor loosens up.

    Still trying to find paint to match fiberglass running boards and box boards. Remember its a Crew Cab, Short Bed. Suggestions?

    Fuel Consumption Initial odometer reading 0.0

    Date Location Octane Number of Gallons Cost per Gallon Odometer Reading Number of Miles Total Cost
    03-06-01 Gulf Shores 10.67 87 22.32 1.479 238 238 $33.01
    03-13-01 Orange Beach 11.52 87 22.97 1.459 503 265 $33.51
    03-15-01 Loxley 13.08 87 22.68 1.359 800 297 $30.82
    3-21-01 CR 12/59 Foley 11.2 87 24.18 1.399 1,072 272 $33.83
    3-24-01 Gulf Shores 13.39 87 25.39 1.389 1,411 339 $35.27
    3-31-01 Orange Beach 10.88 87 21.50 1.399 1,645 234 $30.08
    04-04-01 Orange Beach 12.25 87 11.75 1.399 1,789 144 $16.44
    04-01-01 Birmingham 13.88 87 20.82 1.389 2,078 289 $28.92
    04-04-01 Greenville 14.22 87 22.08 1.439 2,392 314 $31.77
    Loxley 12.76 87 24.28 1.459 2,702 310 $35.42
    4-13-01 Pensacola 13.53 87 24.01 1.569 3,027 325 $37.67
    4-19 Orange Beach 11.89 87 22.95 1.569 3,300 273 $36.01
    4-24 Orange Beach 13.38 87 10.98 1.599 3,447 147 $17.56
    $0.00
    $0.00
    $0.00

    Total fuel expense $400.31
    Total number of gallons 275.91
    Average miles per gallon 12.49
  • goo333goo333 Member Posts: 7
    For 26 years I drove a 1975 3/4 ton 4x4 GMC pickup, just bought a GMC 2001 2500HD 4x4 6.0L auto reg cab pickup-not much improvement for 26 years. Nice truck but really 26 years.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    What do you mean not alot of improvement?
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    they still got only four tires and automatic transmission.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    and a bed

    and the following are the same as they were in 75 arent they?
    cd player
    push button 4x4
    tow haul
    air bags
    4 wheel antilock brakes
    driver message center
    dynamic rear proportioning
    temp compass mirrors

    Yep id say they are one in the same
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    oh forgot climate control
    cruise control
    DRL's

    and so on
  • bowhuntwibowhuntwi Member Posts: 262
    People who bought trucks used them for trucks bab, There was no cds, so you didn't need a a cd player, an am/fm radio was fine. No need for push button 4wd, people could still reach down to shift unlike the out of shape people now that can't reach that far. As for the compass/temp, in 75 people didn't get lost that were driving trucks, we knew where we were at all times, if you wanted to know the temp you ROLLED down the window and stuck your hand out. Cruise control was only on the more expensive autos, didn't need it on a TRUCK.........you always had a friend to steer when you were looking for something on the floor....... In the last 26 yrs, trucks haven't changed it's the people that have changed, the basic truck is about the same........the option list is just a bit longer...........
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Trucks havent gotten safer?

    More powerful?

    More comfortable?

    I know if you compare my dads old 79 chevy with my 00 there is a huge difference other than the basic shape and the bed on the back.

    I know in 75 there were no cd's i was being a smart^&#%#.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ..you got OUT to go into 4WD...

    - Tim
  • bowhuntwibowhuntwi Member Posts: 262
    Safer to what extent, in 75 the danger of today wasn't there...........as for power.......the normal muscle engines are basically gone......except for show........comfort....that's debateable, the comfort range was along with the time. The truck of today is because of regulations and because of these the option list is longer. As of the arguement that todays trucks are better then the trucks of yesteryear........well that will depend on who you ask........
  • bowhuntwibowhuntwi Member Posts: 262
    Your right............and in knee deep mud.........
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    88 was a good year for Chevy....I still remember them commercials showing the Ford guys getting out into mud.....haha

    - Tim
This discussion has been closed.