looking for truck & have questions

[richard2717]

So I am looking for a truck similar to this one to replace 2 trucks and have some questions mainly motor wise. I missed this truck by one day. it was an 05 with a 8.1 and only 110K miles for $16k which I thought a tad high but truck was very well kept from the pics and a local one owner.

I am assuming motor options are 6.0 gas 8.1 gas and 6.6 diesel.

I will be possibly pulling my 30' goose neck trailer as well as a 20' bumper pull trailer (at different times of course) I am also thinking of a snow plow on the front as well.

Pro's and cons and any particular year I should stay away from? I have run a 6.0 before and feel it would be ok and probably a lot better fuel mileage than the 8.1 but I have no experience with the 8.1 or the 6.6 diesel.

Thanks
Richard

[pound41]

I have a 2003 GMC 2500 HD Ext cab 4x4 8.1L Allison trans. Bought it new. it has 171k on it. The gas mileage from my experience is not has bad as people say. On the highway it cruises. I have never towed with it but I have a steel contractors cap on it. that took 4 of us to get on the truck. Steel ladder rack on it. 4 large extension ladders. The bed and the compartments are filled with my tools. I don't know the exact weight but its a good amount. all of that has been on since it was new. .Has a 410 posi rear. I was thinking of getting rid of it at some point. In doing some research about values etc. I read obviously the 8.1L is not quite at the level of the diesel but was rated as being a close 2nd and was deemed a really good gas set up for towing. I have driven several 6.0L. Theres a little difference in the torque . Good Luck

[pound41]

The other thing I recently found out was most of the UHaul C4500 and C5500 rental moving trucks. I think they are all automatic now are the 8.1L and the Allison trans. A guy had converted an older one to a flatbed. Which got me thinking because I was wanting an automatic ramp truck or rollback

[richard2717]

Thanks for the reply. Due to my hearing loss I have to stay under 10k gvw on all my trucks now since i can no longer pass my dot physical. Otherwise, I would look into the old uhauls as I had similar thoughts on a ramp. If you do decide to move the truck I may have interest if I can't find something more local. Right now I am killing my 1/2 ton most of the time and can't afford the gas (should say don't want to afford) in the 7.4 dually if prices keep jumping.

[Greg58]

Here is one with an 8.1 and allison in my neck of the woods. Crew cab LB.

https://siouxcity.craigslist.org/cto...272589982.html

[Greg58]

Dallas Tx.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ct...273626480.html

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ct...273362279.html

[72 k15]

I have the 8.1l It gets bad millage but thats expected, now the 8.1 vs the 6.0 I would go for the 8.1 the 6.0 only get 1-2mpg better max anyway and you will have way better towing power. I actually have a 8.1 and zf6 6 speed Manuel trans. Driven the 6.0 and the 8.1 and like the 8.1 better downshifts less when towing runs less rpm ect.... If you are worried about gas mileage I would just get the diesel. I got the 8.1 due to maintenance cost being lower and im willing to pay more at the pump to keep the maintenance cost down. Now dont think the 6.0 is a bad motor because it is a great motor but if you are towing a lot the 8.1 will outclass it. If you have any questions ask away.

[richard2717]

Never thought it would be this hard to locate a truck close by. But I guess with the new truck shortages most are hanging on to the good ones locally. Only thing listed around here that I can find are either a scam, 300k miles plus, clapped out or would cost a fortune to get thru MD inspection due to mods. Would still love a truck just like the one in the pic I posted above. Truck could even be a little newer just trying to stay under 20k all in.