Just got a new 2004 Silverado 2500LD Crew Cab 4x4 yesterday. Red with Charcoal Cloth Buckets. It was just time to move on from the 97 ext cab Chevy with 190k and broke AC. My new truck is great.

It sure is a different ride that than the 97 1500 2wd. Was looking at the HD but wanted the 373 rear so went with the 2500LD. Should more than handle any towing needs I will have with my 66 Caprice Hot-Rod project.

Anyway, looking for any recommendations on low $$$ mods. I should be up to speed soon on the new generation engines. I know the 6.0 can be one bad engine.

Also, I am planning to switch to Mobile 1 Synthetic Oil. When should I do this? ASAP or let the engine break in before I swap. I have heard that the new engine will not get the proper break-in with synthetic oil. Any advice?

 

1500HD's have 3.73's .... congrats though.

I would to a UPD air intake, and maybe a cat-back for starters.

Then you could get some longtube headers, but I personally wouldnt start cutting off stock parts just yet, lol.

You could also do eletric fans, and some other boltons to make it run alittle peppier.

 

For 04 Chevy cancelled the 1500HD and called it the 2500(LD for Light Duty). They did this in prep for bringing out the standard 1500 Crew Cab in Mid Year 2004. It is being created to compete with the Ford Crew Cab that has a shorter bed area. The Chevy will be the standard Crew Cab with a 5.5ft bed instead of 6.5ft.

Any way, I was glad to get the 373 rear for the better fuel mileage over the 4.10. Even with the 3.73 the needle sure moves a lot faster than my old 97 1500 2wd 5.7.

Does anyone have any numbers on the average fuel economy for the 1500HD/2500LD with the 6.0 4x4?

 

yea, my dad has a 01 GMC 1500HD, it drinks alot. hehe

 

yep, those 6.0's seem to be pigs, i can't believe how much more fuel they use than the 4.8/5.3. i hear people talk of miliage and power increases with a tune.

 

Tune it! I used Nelson Performance for mine and it is GREAT!

 

Umm, wouldn't this be an Avalanche? I mean c'mon, you can get the Av without all the plastic and it looks just like a silvy with 4 full doors and a shorter bed.

I don't know the actual numbers but my Dad's eclb 4wd 2500HD with the 6.0L is a gas hog. It's a heavy truck though.

Oh by the way, congrats on your purchase and welcome to LS1tech!

 

I second a tune. I have a basically stock truck and picked up +2MPG city and +3MPG hwy as well as a butt load of power. These truck are soooooo detuned from the factory it isn't even funny. Handheld programmers fail in comparison to a custom tune...but a custom tune isn't for everyone either. It really depends on budget (custom tunes are about the same price as handhelds too)

 

Welcome! Definetly get a custom tune(power/milage etc..). Intake and exhaust also...
I hear the 4x4's don't like to pass up the gas pumps. But my 2wd crew gets 13mpg city, same as my '98 ext cab. And I'm not shy about putting my foot into it.

 

Most people see about 13 MPG from the 6.0. I had a '97 5.7 Silverado for about a year. That would usually give me about 14-15MPG. Induction, exhaust and computer mods will give you more horsepower and also help increase mileage. Nelson Performance and Wester's tuning has been very popular if you would like to send your PCM in. The Predator is a good choice if you would like to go with one of the handheld units.

I prefer the Volant system for the induction and Corsa for the exhaust (they are just finishing the 6.0/8.1 catbacks). There are alot of good choices available.

Tom