I have an 03 ecsb and I am thinking about buying a crew truck, my kids are getting taller. I have been looking at used trucks and I have found several 1500hd trucks that are 6.0/4l80 trucks. I plan on some type of poweradder in the future so I know that if I buy a regular 1500 I know I will need to upgrade to a 4l80 in the future( already on my 2nd 4l60 with mild combo) and I want to upgrade to a 6.0 too. So does it make sense to do the hd or does the weight and suspension differences offset the other "upgrades", somebody educate me

 

By regular 1500, I'm guessin u mean a reg cab? Or does that refer to ext cab here? If u only have 2 kids, a reg cab would work, so long as wifey isn't in truck too. Space constraints ya know. I knew someone who had an older 1500HD. I wanna say 5150# as this was yrs ago & my memory isn't the best, but on here, some guys have weights that vary even in same models, depending on their truck "diets".

IMO, if u want an all out lightest weight street fighter, nothin is gonna beat a reg cab unless it's a ext cab w/. more power. Not sure how that 2nd 60E was built, so here's what a good friend of mine says. He doesn't believe even a really built 60E can survive behind a 6.0 w/. a power adder. Said I might have my hands full w/. will it survive or not. But just a power adder or a 6L should be fine in his estimation.

I think from my reading & goin thru some trannies in various vehicles, it depends on 3 things:
1) power. In this, I lumped HP, TQ, & rpms.
2) weight
3) driving habits

All that said, w/. more weight to push around, u have more weight to overcome, meaning more power to accomplish same task. Same given motor output is gonna work harder w/. heavier platform. Depending on how many kids, & your wife are in same truck at same time, an EC would probably best suit you.

 

^He's looking at a crew cab buckshot! Ha ha! Yes, a 1500HD is probably the best platform to start with if you want a modified gas vehicle. It won't have the payload or towing capacity of a 2500 or bigger, but that's probably not what you're looking for, right? Fastnblu is a good guy to stalk on this site cause he believes in making your truck ready for the power before you make the power. A 1500HD would be ready for the power already. Find one that hasn't been abused and you're golden.

 

I am definitely moving up to a crew cab truck of some sort, when I said regular I meant a 1500 crew cab. Not going for all out lightest fastest truck just want whatever I am driving to outrun a similarly based vehicle, I realize trucks are heavy and are not race cars but I am still competitive and like to surprise people who are like minded. Thanks, so far this tranny is holding fine but after some thought and knowing my three kids are continuing to grow and that I still want to be faster than I am(still slow), I thought the extra weight of the HD would be an ok trade for the reliability of the 4l80 and the larger rear end and the hyrdoboost brakes, all of which are necessary upgrades in my mind to have a faster dependable truck. Thanks

 

Is that an underhanded compliment? A good guy to stalk on this site...???
And yes, I do believe in doin things that way, why? Cause GM just can't give us the real good stuff, & we have to upgrade ourselves, thereby spending our additional $ to make it how we see fit?

Nothin wrong w/. overbuilding. IMO, for me, overkill if best, cause if u do it more than once & it blows, u just wasted that hard earned $ & time. And will be doin again, whether a tranny or a rear.

If GM offered from the factory, the option of a stock 60E or a built one, or say an 80E, an optional TrueTrac on any 1/2 ton, wouldn't that be cool? That'd be a stretch for sure, as would them offering 6L or T56 in any, but it'd sure be sweet.

Gotcha.
That said, I didn't know an HD comes w/. hydroboost. How much do CC & CC - HD differ in weight? It always nice to have good stuff from GM, cause otherwise a person that's considering it, is gonna upgrade those things anyway. If u don't have an 80E & a 14bolt, time & $ to put in in where they might not have been. Do those options "outweigh" the weight penalty? Gotta do that cost benefit analysis thing. Heavier frame & related components, 8 lugs, potential thoughts of aftermkt 8 lug wheels & the choices out there, replacement cost if repairs are ever needed, greater MPG consumption. Just my .02.

 

Umm, oddly worded compliment I guess, yes. A better way to say it would be, "Read through Fastnblu's older posts cause he builds hot rods the smart way." Most guys (with trucks, muscle cars, imports, whatever) build the horsepower first, then break drivetrain parts that were barely strong enough for the stock power, and then miss out on fun while their **** is broken down. That's why I think a 1500HD is the best platform to start with. Good brakes, 6.0, indestructible 4L80E, and heavier axles, and a lighter frame than a 2500. Can't go wrong.

 

Thanks, wasn't sure.

I do this for a few reasons.
1) I only like to do things once. If done successive times, there better be a benefit or so i'd hope to power, handling, braking, or whatever capability pursued.

I'll pay more for a better or superior product, but wish I didn't have too.

2)I can't afford downtime. It has to be at a minimum cause I don't have my own garage & at others mercy to use their's. I also don't like "too many eyes" if ya know what I mean, & since I don't live in sticks, can't do so out in plain sight. Plus township would write us if neighbor complains & we get a visit.

3)I hate to get stranded. This might actually be the most important tho!
It's an inconvenience on my time & money & others who I may need help from if called upon. Plus, if it's at a track, I don't want potential thieves touchin ****, my ****!!!

4) Lastly, I just thought of this. It's a biggie. I want to have $ in hand & not be forced to charge & pay interest on somethin if it breaks. I then have to figure out how to get to work; not easy, since I work a schedule that can change at a moments' notice.

I have missed out on some fun by not just adding power parts & gambling. But my right foot is mighty heavy & if it's there, I'm gonna use it!!
I do have somethin in store soon tho.

FWIW, IIRC 1500HD uses 2500 frame, so therefore 8 lug components too. So, same weight frame.

 

Thanks guys, I have found a low mileage 2 owner truck that I am looking at. Aftermarket wheels are not a big concern as I like the way the H2 wheels look on them and they are cheap. The rest would probably more expensive for regular maintenance and repairs,but would be offset by downtime and loss of fun. Thanks