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View Poll Results: Which LS for daily driver truck build? | |||
6.0l |
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20 | 37.04% |
5.3l |
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29 | 53.70% |
4.8l |
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5 | 9.26% |
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll |
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#1 |
Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,450
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Which LS for daily use truck?
I am building my 70 GMC 1/2 ton for daily driving. 35 mile round trip to work. Occasional duty pulling camper, tractor, other vehicles. I want the old school styling with modern drivetrain. So do I give up the mileage for the torque of the 6.0/4l80e? Give up torque/power for mileage of 4.8? Or will the 5.3 split the difference? What say you?
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. ![]() We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: PNW
Posts: 36
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
I've had trucks (newer not classics) with the 5.3 and 6.0 and I would choose the 6 liter over the other two. Like you said the 6 liter has great torque so if you intend on towing that would be a huge benefit. It also can get decent mileage too if geared right and you keep your foot out of it. I've put well over 200k on one 6 liter and I'm up over 150k on another one and they both have been absolutely problem free, great engines!
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CASA GRANDE AZ
Posts: 4,276
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
Go with a 6.2 if you can afford it
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70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger |
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#4 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 2,193
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
I think 5.3 with auto trans is the way to go for a true daily driver with occasional towing...there are trans controllers that have specific towing shift programs built in...
6.0 are great engines, but they bring silly money really and can be gas hogs if you have a heavy foot... Just be sure your rear end is something reasonable...dont need 4.11 on a daily driver... Just my two cents worth ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#5 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,221
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
I'm a guy who thinks 5.3 is good for all around use. There are a lot of guys who slip on a turbo and tune to make good power to play with so you can have the economy of the stock 5.3 and power of the 6.0 when towing or playing. My stock '06 crew cab Z71 with 5.3 and 4.10 gear averages 15.5 in daily use regularly. That combo would do better in the smaller, lighter 2wd C10.
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 2,188
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
You'll have to find a balance. Smaller motors don't immediately mean more efficient. If the engine struggles to move a porker, you can expect less mpg and reliability. You should price them out and find some swaps with known mpgs. A lot of people like to exaggerate their numbers.
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#7 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road.
Posts: 2,629
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
We had a 05 3/4 truck with a 5.3 in it. Did not have a problem pulling 8000 with it.
When that motor is in its power band, it can really get up and move. Above a certain rpm you could feel it drop off. Now if I was towing long distances and had a mild foot, the bosses 13 chev with the big momo had it handled. It did not really get up and move as much as I thought it would. 4x4 also so maybe the weight had something to do with it. |
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#8 |
The Older Generation
![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,483
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
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I sold my 2000 Chevy truck with the 5.8/4l60e because I wasn't happy with the way it pulled my 20' trailer. I'm looking for a 2500 with the 6.0. I voted for the 6.0.... LockDoc
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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#9 |
Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,450
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
So we'll rule out the 4.8l.
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. ![]() We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Arizona from Overland Park Kansas
Posts: 3,968
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
The 5.3 would be my choice for what you describe.
If I planned on towing a lot then the 6.0 If you were not going to tow anything then the 4.8 would be fine.
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Current projects: 1966 Chevy Custom PS PB A/C BBW 283 v8 3 speed OD 1966 GMC Long Step 1966 GMC 3/4 ton Custom PS PB Sport trim 351 v6 1966 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 Custom PB 305 v6 np435 1960 GMC Custom 1968 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 Short Bed 1962 K20 Tow truck 1961 GMC Extended Suburban Panel and a few more |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 380
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
I have had several 5.3 motors in GMC crew cab 4X4 trucks and these motors are of my choice. In fact I have 2ea 5.3 motors with 4L60E transmissions on them waiting for their turn to go in one of my vehicles. Plus as mentioned they are a lot cheaper to buy.
Vic |
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#12 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
I don't know a whole lot about LS motors because I feel the original motors work just fine for a daily driver. For a daily driver I would go with a 4.8. I don't think of hot rod or tow vehicle when I think daily driver. To me, the most important things for a daily driver are fuel economy and dependability. They are all dependable and 4.8 gets best mileage. They are plenty powerful enough to move a truck along. They have more power than what came in the truck originally don't they? The 4.8s get superior mpg with what these trucks weigh. You mostly hear people exaggerate better mileage from the bigger engines than the small one. The small one is the one the bigger ones wish they could match or come close to.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 06-25-2017 at 07:09 AM. |
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Belews Creek , NC
Posts: 4,220
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
I voted for the 6.0 because I like spending someone else's money
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Larry It is easily overlooked that what is now called vintage was once brand new. "Project 68" paypal.me/ldgrant |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: cincy
Posts: 693
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
Would be 4.8 for me. I have a 2013 Silverado with 4.8 in it and it does all I want it to. I trailered my C10 home from Knoxville last year and it performed great.
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There's something women like about a pick-up man 1967 c10 swb Stepside 2004 SSR 2013 Silverado swb |
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#15 | |
All about them K’s
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Entrapment
Posts: 6,374
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
Quote:
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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's ‘87 IROC-Z all original 50K mile survivor TPI 305 IROC Blue ‘10 Camaro 2SS/RS Aqua Blue Metallic #93 -version 2.0 ![]() |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
If you have the budget and the truck merits it, get a 6.2 like the LS3. Otherwise, they're all good... get a 5.3L, they're cheap like dirt! Even a 4.8 would run very nice and be faster than most anything that came in our trucks.
In other words you can't go wrong, and more is better.
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#17 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
get what you can afford to feed .
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#18 |
R.I.P. E.S.L.L.
![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Kernville CA./ Lake Isabella CA.
Posts: 11,419
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
I voted 6.0 too. I have one in my Corvette. Mileage is not that bad, at least not enough for me to notice. Before I retired I drove it 50 miles every day to work and back and it never let me down.
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1971 Custom C/20 ![]() 1970 CST 20 1970 C/30 Flatbed 1983 C/30 Dually 2015 Corvette Z51 2021 Corvette Z51 1991 Cadillac Hearse 1982 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 2000 Porsche Boxster S 2020 Jeep Gladiator 1973 VW Thing 1973 Plymouth Satellite wagon 1963 Baja Bug 1959 Bug Dune Buggy 1970 Baja Bug 1987 Jaguar XJ 350. R.I.P. El Jay R.I.P Jessie. R.I.P Grumpy. Every day is a gift from God. |
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#19 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Which LS for daily use truck?
True, more is better. And for a daily driver (I think of driving to work 5 days a week) that would be more MPG for me. I'll dump the fuel in my toys using the money I saved commuting in something sensible.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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