I am in the market for a 1500 or 2500 gas motor GMC or Chevy ECSB in the 02-05 range. I am mostly looking at extended cabs and crew cabs. Go easy on me I am a Camaro guy and am getting rid of my Ford to buy GM so I am not well versed in the GM trucks. I know that I can get a 6.0L in the 2500 and a 4.8 or 5.3 in a 1500. What are the major non-cosmetic differences between the 1500 series and 2500 series? Is there a big difference in weight? Is the 6.0L really worth the upgrade from a 1500? What is the difference in MPG I can expect between a 5.3 and 6.0? I would really like a diesel but the budget most likely won't allow it. Thanks in advance.

Josh

 

If you don't plan on towing, just get a cheap 1500 w/ a 4.8 and then drop in a 6.0. Easy as pie.
The frame on the 2500 is going to be beefier, bigger brakes, bigger rear end, and you'll get the 4L80E behind the 6.0 which will make it feel like a dog off the line due to different internal gearing.
2500 6.0 only get about 12-14mpg if your lucky.
My 03' with a built 6.0 got around 15-16mpg, if it was a bone stock 6.0 I probably would have got 17 or so.

 

my 05 z71 had the L33 5.3L and 3.42's with 33's on it. Hwy - 20-23 MPG, City 14-17 MPG.


06' VMAX 4wd, LQ9 6.0L and 4.10 with 33's. Hwy and city 12-16 It doesnt matter I get shitty mileage, Except at 35mph I get 24MPG, so yes I drive slow now.

 

I forgot about the SSS and VMax's. Those are going to get much better mpg than a 2500 6.0 will. But they will carry a premium price tag to boot.

 

I agree, but only to an extent. Yes the 4l80e is geared numberically lower than the 4l60e, but the 4.10's make up for a great deal of that.

Yes you will get much worse gas mileage, but again that is due to the 4.10s and the numerically higher overdrive ratio.


The 2500hd is a much more stable truck. As said, the 14 bolt and 4l80e are very strong and can take a lot of abuse. The interiors are identical. You benefit from the larger engine,transmission,rear end, frame, brakes, hydroboost brake setup, and a few other things I'm forgetting.

 

Plus, the Allison rocks if you can get it!

 

Can you get the Allison with a 6.0L? I thought it was only available on the DMAX and maybe the 8.1L. I am leaning towards a 1500 at this point. I tow occasionally and my truck bed stays empty 90% of the time. A 2500 would probably be overkill for my needs. I would love to have a 5 speed auto though.

 

Unfortunately no. You can only get'em with the DMAX now that the 496 has been sent to the showers. They are 6 speed auto's now by the way too. Sorry to mislead you, i was just pronouncing my love for the Ally!! I keep flip-flopping on this but i think if i had to do it over again i would still go with the 2500hd over the 1500. I am never going to get my ride to be as fast or quick as the half tons, but it just feels like such a smoother stronger ride in these things. Not to mention the durability of the drive train.

 

Much better..... No, maybe by a mile or two if that. But hey I have only had mine with E rated Toyo's on it (Easily 100lbs per wheel and tire) so that is where a lot of my mileage goes.


I paid 25,500 for mine new.

 

The EPA rating for all of the motors in GM trucks are about the same. Within 1-2 mpg of each other. From the 4.3l to the 6.0l. 16-18 city and 19-22 highway.