Slow91z

Hey all, I'm shopping trucks and need some advise, I'm way out of the loop.

I have a 1999 Chevy ECSB 4x4 with 295,xxx miles that I have had since it had 100,000 miles...basically stock...I've been through trans issues, blower issues, transfer case issues, and blew the gov-lock plumb through the rear diff cover once.

I tow all the time (just a small mower trailer, most of the time, but I also have a 2000# 18' car trailer and a 3500# Buick that I haul some weekends), so I was thinking I'd upgrade to a hopefully a 03-05 1500hd, 2500hd if I couldn't find what I was looking for...Really I'm not having any luck with either, rusty, or can't get the financing worked out.

The 2 biggest reasons I was thinking 1500hd was to get away from the 4l60e, and the sorta whimpy 1500 brakes...the brakes get the job done but the way I use my truck I lost count how many times I had to replace pads all the way around on this thing.

So lately I've been thinking about slightly newer trucks, but I'm lost...do I look for a 2500hd, or maybe a 6 speed 1500, even considered a 6 speed avalanche? Which ones get the 6l80e and which ones get the 6l90e? Should I even care or is there not much difference? Didn't really want a older 2500hd because of gas mileage, are the newer ones much better? Do we know if the rust issues are fixed on the newer stuff? Still have gov-locks in the 1500's?

Any and all insight will be appreciated as always!

Thanks, Collin

FFDP

iTrader: (2)

The 2500's had the 6L90e, just a beefed up version on the 6L80e. The trucks are still heavy and still have the 6.0 gas motor that still isn't the best on fuel. They are better than the older LQ4's thats for sure. Still figure around 10-13 city and maybe 14-16 freeway with a light foot?? Towing is going to low for mpg still but it will tow alot better than your old 5.3.

Avalanches got the 6L80e around the same time the silveardo/sierra's did, 2009 with certain packages. I'd prefer a 2010+ personally. The transmission is very strong and should tow anything you have said without issue. And you get the added benefit of better fuel mileage. I get 14-16 city in the summer and 20 on the freeway.

Rust problems can still be had, the rockers aren't as popular and the cab corners don't really rust. I don't see many here at all in MN with that kind of rust. I see some of the early 07-08 trucks with rust over the wheel wells starting but I blame owners for not washing their trucks enough. Also on the very bottoms of the front doors, rock will come up and chip the paint on the edge and can cause it rust. It will travel up under the rubber gaurd on the bottom of the doors and make it to the seems and start to rust. See those a few times but on pretty beat up dirt road trucks and ones without mud flaps.

The 1500's will still have the G80 rear locker and most with the 6L80 have 3.42 gearing, some can have 3.73's with the right package.

Slow91z

Disappointed they are still doing the rear locker...Since I'm not planning on trading my truck in maybe I'll swap my tru trac into it if I get one.

nekkidhillbilly

my 1 tons rocker is going to need replaced in spring. passenger looks fine idk y its like that. its an 07 nnbs. I would def recommend the 6l trans. I can squeeze 17-18 on the highway at around the 70-75 range. for your weight a good .5 ton would be fine though. my avg mpg is around 12-13 mixed driving a lot of hills.

1994Vmax

iTrader: (4)

The only way to get 3.73 with the 6L80E tranny in a half ton is one of two ways. A 2009 model year Vortec Max 6 liter truck or an NHT equipped 6.2 truck from 2009 through 2013... those also step you up from the 10 bolt to a 9.5" 14 bolt. It still has the junk gov lock but it's a lot harder to grenade based on physical size lol. On the flip side to even see the 6 speed with a 5.3 you need to look at 2009 crew cabs and 2010 to 2013 5.3 trucks. A 1500HD or a 2500HD is huge overkill for you regardless based on your tow weight. The trucks are nice as they are heavy duty but they come at a penalty. I used to deal with a large fleet (over 100) of 3/4 ton gm gas pigs... they all suck. You might average low teens with a 6L90E truck on the highway.. they really are not any better than the GMT800 trucks. The GMT800 ones eat lots of fuel too so unless you really need it I wouldn't bother. Rust is rust... the gmt900's are rotting away nicely just like the previous models. If you don't take care of it you end up rotten... so you just have to either look as we as you can afford or find an **** owner.

Slow91z

Gas mileage is less of a concern just because I don't think there will be much difference...yes empty the 1500's do better, but with trailers behind them I think the 2500's are less effected and the 1500's are effected much more bringing them close together...my mower trailer has a 6' expanded metal gate on the back like a sail, I swear it's as hard to pull on flat interstate as my car trailer is with a car on it.

1994Vmax

iTrader: (4)

Not really...... you can get an even more powerful engine in a 1500 in these bodystyle trucks as you can than in the HD..... we aren't talking diesels here... just 6 liter pigs. Towing mileage will still be better especially with these light weights with a half ton truck over any 6 liter gas pig.

Slow91z

Yeah not so much...Been there done that, with a trailer the mileage between a 1500hd and a 1500, very close to the same...better mileage, sure, but we aren't talking 5 mpg, more like 1.

FFDP

iTrader: (2)

I dunno man.

The 1500HD with the LQ4 and 4.10's that we had as a shop truck got 10-12 on avg no matter what. Didn't matter if it was unloaded, had the plow on the front or pulling a trailer, it just got **** mpg's.

The 5.3 with the 6L80e will should get 14-15 freeway pulling the weight you want to pull. Thats 5 down from the unloaded freeway mpg rating. Like you said you don't need to haul stuff everyday, going with a 6.0 in the older 1500HD or going with a NNBS 6.0 with the 6L90e just seem overkill for your needs and you'll be using more fuel all the time.

FFDP

iTrader: (2)

Or just find a NNBS truck with the 6.2 V8 if you want the extra power and torque in the 1500. They are rated at 400-420hp and 450ish ft lbs depending on year. That will tow your weight even better and you still get decent freeway mpg unloaded.