GMC 2500 vs 1500

[chris davison]

Before I went Diesel I had a 2001 GMC 1500 sierra with the 5.3 4x4 tow package and 35 in tires. When towing it was under powered because of the tires and the brakes were weak (tires also) I put in a cam from a corvette z06 which is 40 hp instant to any gen111 engine you put it into. It passed Calif smog no problem so I had about 337 hp didnt want to spend the $ for ring and pinion changes so I sold it and bought my 2004 diesel 3/4 ton 4x4 chevy.

[lewis]

Cory i have the Ford F-150 with tow package and to beef it up a bit in the suspension i added a Super Spring. I am pulling the 16 foot open trailer and a 18 foot enclosed. I have the 4.6 engine and it pulls fine. I think the 1500 series is a fine truck also and will give you the mileage when not pulling. Nothing wrong with the Chevy's or Dodge's i just lean to the Ford product.

Before you buy it make sure you get the towing package which has all the wiring for the brake controller and the trans cooler if you go automatic.

Lewis

[6X6]

I went with the Diesel for a few reasons.
The power is SWEET, and it's no slouch either.
Yea it uses more oil, and fuel filters MUST be changed, but really it's not much of a cost difference, I haven't noticed any hurt on my wallet in increased maintenance, and I'm glad to not be tossing parts at it like the old truck. (Another MFG who I'm never using again)
The MPG's kick ass. I'm getting only 15 average, mostly cause my commute is literally under 5 minutes, so I spend more time warming it up than driving. When it gets warmer I use the bike for much of the commuting. (I averaged ~18.5 driving it home (1500 miles) and was averaging in the 80's mph wise, 20+ with proper tuning is not uncommon unloaded.)
It tows great and MPG is affected very little, unlike a gasser that can easily loose half or more of it's MPGs with a heavier load.
Diesel's keep their value, I mean REALLY keep their value. Go look at used trucks and try negotiating, you'll see what I mean. You pay more up front but you get it back if you sell. (IF )
OK, 01-04.5 LB7 D-Max. Best with emissions sh*t. (NONE unless a Cali truck originally) but has the harder to change injectors that were more prone to failure. Run a good filter and get GOOD injectors if you need to replace and you'll be MUCH better off but just know that Injectors are more of a wear item on these. Reports of the best MPG of all D-Maxes though without the emissions junk. 5-speed isn't as forgiving to high HP tuning. I'm not aware of any durability issues with stock or close to stock tuning. (Never owned one though) Head Gaskets can go if flogged real hard, but an upgrade solves this if you're getting that hard on it.
04.5-05 LLY. (EGR and PCV, plus a Cat installed, you'll want to "misplace" if possible) Injectors not an issue and no longer require removing the valve covers (Actually a big deal) Just use a GOOD filter and change it. Still the 5-speed so don't go as ape-sh#t on tuning without tranny mods. HG are still a known issue if flogging it really hard. The turbo mouthpiece from the LBZ is a known solution to keeping EGTs lower.
06-07.5 LBZ. (Still have EGR PCV and CAT.) IMHO the Cat's ass. (I do kinda have an 06, so a lil biased ) HG issues solved. Again good injectors. Stronger bottom end so you can toss more HP at it. 6-speed Ally also takes higher HP tuning. Easier to mod also for a bit more HP, just drop Valve body, no tranny removal needed. Last of trucks before the dreaded DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). The negative is the pistons. If you are going for high HP you will hole a piston sooner or later. The LB7 pistons are a common upgrade. If you're just towing or doing minor tuning, it's a non-issue. If you're doing stock trans or TransgoJr. modded trans safe tuning (Not a built tranny) you should not have to worry either. It seems around 600hp tuning up is where they go, and even then it seems only after a LOT of flogging do they normally fail. I'm keeping the stockers and not worried about it at all.
7.5 on I don't follow as much. You have the DPF on them which is a pain in the rear. If you're leaving it stock it's just another thing to fill up on new trucks (urea) or to use more fuel (LMM series with the 9th injector).
Sorry for the long winded post, but it's a start with info on the diesel side...
FWIW I didn't "Need" the diesel, and am sure glad I bought it anyway. I'd not hesitate to drive to Oregon Tomorrow if I needed/wanted.

[Dan67]

I'm a Ford man. This past fall Busco, I brought both the Hustler and the Conquest. I borrowed a friends 16' utility trailer and just squeezed them on. I have the 4.6L V8 (ol' reliable 289 cu in.) I had no problems driving 70mph down and back and got a pretty good 16~17 mpg. The new Ford ecoboost v6 with factory max tow is rated to pull 12,000lbs and get good mpg doing it.

Pulling is great, but stopping is even better. Make sure what ever you pull has brakes and they work correctly.

One thing to think about is just how much weight are you really pulling? From Attex (600lbs) to the bigger Avenger 8x8 (1200lbs). Figure 1000lbs per machine + trailer weight. If it is more then 7,000lbs.. then I'd consider going to a F250 or similar.

[Beeman]

My wife's boss said something that might be of worth... "it doesn't matter on the engine if the rest of it falls apart before the engine kicks it". It was a comment to my dodge truck with the cummins engine. The engine was great (and still is) but everything else is falling apart. To be able to drive, you need more than a good engine.

[Stonewall]

Yes, the injectors were a common problem on the LB7 Duramax engines. My understanding is that that problem was fixed in '04 with the LLY engine. I thought GM extended the injector warranty on the LB7 trucks to 200,000 miles though? At any rate the Duramax is still a FAR better engine than the 6.5 Detroit engine...

If I could put any engine in any truck, I'd put a Caterpillar in a GMC...

[North Country Tough]

Not tryin to start something Stonewall,but 03 dually duramax 4x4 200 thou K or about 120T miles all injectors three thousand plus bill that is what scared me,yes probably fuel issues,low sulphur,who knows,on the other side 04 Silverado 5.3 with 250 thousand K,replaced a water pump,Jus sayin and my experience only.Things might have changed since 03 but that was enough to sour me,I will never dispute the duramax for towing I would jus hook and go but for me with no way to write off costs I just couldn,t justify the diesel anymore.Heck I still pull big loads to this day with my E 350 Van with a 5.4 gasser in it with 325 thousand klicks on it,the gassers are lasting longer than they use to.Cheers NCT

[fmints]

I have a 2010 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3, and I really wish that I had gotten a Duramax instead. Seems like now that the manufacturers are competing for gas mileage so much, they've forgotten the purpose of a truck. My truck gets 20 mpg, but the power is extremely disappointing... I could re-gear it, or add forced induction, but for what that would cost I could have a Duramax and not even need to. Duramax trucks can do burnouts on pavement, I can't...(yes I did turn off the traction control...) One of my neighbors has an 05 Chevy 2500 Duramax with Bully Dog's propane injection kit, and he loves it. He has no problem hauling a backhoe on a gooseneck, and when he ain't hauling, he gets better fuel mileage than me! I don't know why people seem so scared of maintenance on diesel trucks, they are inherently more reliable and longer lasting than gas burners... I just wish I could buy a truck with a Caterpillar engine.....

Just my $.02... My next truck will most likely be a GMC 2500 Duramax...

I'm a Ford Guy,,,,, but DURAMAX, is a complete beast!!!! great engine and incredible power!!

[Stonewall]

I have a 2010 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3, and I really wish that I had gotten a Duramax instead. Seems like now that the manufacturers are competing for gas mileage so much, they've forgotten the purpose of a truck. My truck gets 20 mpg, but the power is extremely disappointing... I could re-gear it, or add forced induction, but for what that would cost I could have a Duramax and not even need to. Duramax trucks can do burnouts on pavement, I can't...(yes I did turn off the traction control...) One of my neighbors has an 05 Chevy 2500 Duramax with Bully Dog's propane injection kit, and he loves it. He has no problem hauling a backhoe on a gooseneck, and when he ain't hauling, he gets better fuel mileage than me! I don't know why people seem so scared of maintenance on diesel trucks, they are inherently more reliable and longer lasting than gas burners... I just wish I could buy a truck with a Caterpillar engine.....

Just my $.02... My next truck will most likely be a GMC 2500 Duramax...

[fmints]

Hey bro,, one word for ya,,,, "practical". Your Escalade, did everything that you wanted it to do and then some. It was comfortable and got ok gas mileage with a full load. When we drove to Arkansas to pick up my Hustler, there and back to Georgia, I spent less than $500 in gas, and what about when we went to Tarboro, NC for my Max II, and then turned and burned straight to Pound, Va for two more Max II's, three hours later, the gas wasnt that bad, and we was comfortable and the Caddy performed wonderfully!! And note that your Caddy is on a shorter wheelbase than a regular bed truck, so a longer wheelbase truck can handle the weight better. If you think that you or we will ever have to tow over a truck and a trailer worth of weight (approx, 8-10k lbs) then the 2500 will be the choice. Over kill in this situation may kill your pockets. I mean, you could get the 2500 and upgrade to a gooseneck trailer and tow everybodys AATV to Busco and what not!!!! I know that will be easier on my pockets at least,,,, lol,, im just saying. I would go for the top shelf 1500, save the money from the difference of the two, and be happy with the peace of mind that you got the better of the two!!!

Also, Old Man Freddie has that F250 Diesel, for two Drag motorcyles with wheelie bars and a four wheeler in a 20x7.5 ft trailer,,, over kill!!!!!
Stanley Bryant, Finance Consultant at our local Chevy Dealership has a 2500 diesel pulling his Top Gas/Top Fuel 3000hp car in a 24ft car trailer,,,, right on time!!!!

You always said to get what you want, so its what you decide. The 1500 will do fine, but the 2500 will do more!!! Or,,,,,,,,,, you can always go Ford,,,, that new F150 Ecoboost has my name all on it,,,, and it could have your name on it too,,,, lol ( I know your only a Chevy man,lol)
If you do get it, before you deploy, go and see Mr. Stanley Bryant, Hinesville Chevy, and tell him that I sent you!! He loves Die Hard Chevy Lovers!!!!!

[CBass]

Drew you are such a bad influence sometimes. Leave it to you to mention more machines.. I let Mel even hear that kind of talk, at least not just yet. Let me win the lotto and then its on. Great points all of you. I will be looking more into my needs. I am leaning more towards the 1500 only due to price but if I wait until I get back I will be leaning toward the 2500HD. I will keep yall posted and once its done I will post a picture.

[North Country Tough]

Jus my 2 cents,we pull constantly,goose neck horse trailer,6500 lb boat,7.5 x 16 enclosed there is always something hanging off the back,for me a big block gasser 2500 series,dont get me wrong we have pulled with dual wheel crew cab diesel and there is little to compare to it,but dollar value that diesel can get expensive to maintain been there with injector and glow plug issues very costly,and the getting in price is high,the Generals 6 litre is a king kong gasser and pulls like a freight train,gets reasonable mileage and lasts well,we spend a great deal of time in the north and not always have plug ins available and it gets tough on the diesel frigid starts.The General makes a fine truck we have owned them all and will replace with another GM someday.CHEERS

[Noel Woods]

I had a 2002 Chevy 2500HD Silverado LS with the 6.0 engine. It was a towing beast. Mine was the extended cab version with the small back doors that you had to open once the front doors were open. The engine and drivetrain were pretty bullet proof. The rest of the truck was typical General Motors. There was nothing special about the interior-In fact I thought it was hideous. The fuel economy hovered at 12 mpg or so, and the best I ever got was 15mpg traveling with a strong wind from the back. My biggest pet peave was the fact that G.M. never got the glass on the little doors to seal very well, my truck had the pop-out style windows and they are notorious for letting noise and occasionally a breeze inside the cab. The true 4 door trucks don't have this issue. I also had the typical problems with GM vehicles (air conditioning, guage problems, failed power windows and wiper motors, etc.). On the upside, it ran like nobody's business, and was fairly maneuverable for such a big truck.

[bootlegger]

No way! A heavier truck tows anything better. Im a huge Cummins fan myself, but if your getting a used dmax, go with a 2004 or later.Less injection and trans problems. Once you get a diesel, you won't go back to gas.

[amphibious drew]

Not if you get more machines and an even bigger trailer.