ILuvJDM

iTrader: (4)

I'm wanting to make the jump into a 2019-2020 Sierra 1500 SLT and I'm struggling with the decision of engine/trans combo. I've read some bad things about the 8 speed trans, but I've also read some good things about it. I've read really good things about the 10 speed trans, but also a few bad things about it as well, although in very low numbers of cases. Based on my research, the 10 speed is only available in 4x4 trucks, but can come behind both the 5.3 or 6.2 engine. Since I live in Texas and never see snow or conditions that warrant the much higher price tag of 4x4, it seems odd to jump to that just to get the 10 speed trans. I really wish they offered the 10 speed with 2wd and I wouldn't have such a hard time deciding...

Just some rough numbers of truck prices near me for comparison:
New 2020 SLT 6.2/10speed 4x4 - $50-$54k
New 2020 SLT 5.3/10speed 4x4 - $51k
New 2020 SLT 5.3/8speed 2wd - $45k
Used 2019 SLT 5.3/8speed 2wd w/20k miles - $43k

Once I've jumped to the 4x4 SLT level to get the 10 speed trans, it's only a few thousand more to get into a 6.2L truck, but now the price tag is substantially higher than a 5.3/8 speed 2wd truck.

I know this is mostly opinion-based, but is the 10 speed really that good, and is the 8 speed really that bad? I really don't want to pay 4x4 prices when I never use it, but that's the only option to get into a 10 speed truck unfortunately.

Bgbldodge

I just picked up a 2020 5.3 with the 8spd. Granted it's only got 600 miles on it (in a week I might add) but I've got no complaints with it. I had a 14 with bolt ons and the 6l80e and after a 168k miles and towing some heavy trailers, the converter finally died on it. I'm hooking up to a trailer tonight and towing to el campo and back this weekend so I'll be able to report how it goes. The last truck even with all of the added power, the gearing wouldn't let me go above 4th gear without constantly downshifting just to maintain speed while towing a 6-7k pound trailer. Hopefully the new truck does better.

chevyboy.520

iTrader: (6)

I want a 6.2 10 spd 4x4 truck
my 14’ 5.3 6spd 2wd puts in the work!
im super happy with it

00pooterSS

iTrader: (40)

Keep in mind that at certain times of the year there are large rebates on new trucks, and sometimes those times line up with additional discounts like being a costco member. 2 years ago we looked at brand new trucks when they had 7,000 off plus 3,000 off for costco members. That brought the brand spanking new 55k dollar trucks we were looking at down to 45k, that's how much it is for a used truck....

I bought used because I found mine for 23,800, which was a one off deal, if it hadn't been for that I would have gone new or not bought one at all. All the other trucks were 35-40k used and 42-45 new with rebates, F used

Anyway, I would say if you plan on doing any mods or playing with the truck, you'll wish you had gone 6.2 4x4, I have a 5.3 with bolt ons, and even with 24's traction is a joke. I'm also going to do a 6.2 at some point. The 10 speeds are working great in the Fords from the little bit I've looked into it, and from what I understand the 10 speed for the Ford and Gm is the same trans? The 8 speed is excellent once you go to the new Mobil Fluid, I really wouldn't worry too much about the 8 or 10, from what I've seen and talked to my tuner about the 8 speed is extremely strong and works very well (my tuner is Sam of AMP and they have a ton of 8 speeds running around on near or over 1k whp). It's too soon to say about the 10, for me anyway, I haven't looked into it enough to know how it holds up, but I would imagine it does well just like the 6 and 8 speeds are.

03sierraslt

iTrader: (22)

STAY AWAY FROM THE 8spd. I’ve heard nothing but horror stories from everyone I know that works at GM.

00pooterSS

iTrader: (40)

I've heard a lot of people talk a lot of crap about things too when it's all they work on, gotta watch out for that part of that deal.

But of all the forums I'm on, tuners and builders I know, and friends and customers I have with the 8 speed I would say get it. They have a common shudder issue which is fixed with the new mobil trans fluid.

My tuner, and good friend, is Sam Miller of AMP. We've talked about the 8 speed and how many builds he has with them running around at near or over 1k whp and they just take the power and don't care. They are great transmissions.

ILuvJDM

iTrader: (4)

I know it's been said a million times before, myself included, but I really don't plan to mod this truck anytime soon, if ever, especially if its still $2500 just to tune the damn things. I found a new SLT 5.3/8speed 2wd for $43k locally. Hard to pass that up when the 2018 trucks used still hover around that number. Never purchased a new vehicle, the closest I have ever been is 5 year old vehicle. Money is cheap to borrow right now, my credit score is close to 800, and they are doing some big end of the year rebates. Seems like I should finally take the plunge

00pooterSS

iTrader: (40)

Yeah we all say that and I bet a solid dollar that you won't stick to it lol.

This time of the year is usually the best for rebates, especially closer to december with holiday specials and end of year stuff coming up for dealers wanting to close on as many sales as possible.

One thing to look at too, is if you don't wanna mod, go for the 6.2 so you have more power and less of a desire to mod it. It's worth the 3k upgrade to a 6.2 in my opinion. REALLY worth it.

ILuvJDM

iTrader: (4)

Well at this point it would be a massive price increase, because you have to go from 2wd to 4wd, so we are talking $10k at that point. I'm currently leaning towards the 5.3/8speed 2wd SLT since I never have needed 4x4 and seems silly to pay that much for a feature I will never use. Maybe if I lived up north where it snowed, but 4x4 in Central Texas is useless, mostly just a status symbol.


Edit: looks like option for option, the truck I would want is $47k new, so roughly $5k-$7k to jump up to a 6.2/10speed 4x4 truck which seems like a decent deal.

Bgbldodge

I just got a 2020 texas edition 5.3 2wd LTZ for $40k out the door with 2.49%. Every used truck I looked at with 40-50k miles was 35-40k and 3-4 years old. It's a no brainer really.