I don't really like "x" vs "x" titles but I suppose that's what this really is. I'm shopping for a 1/2 ton Chevy/GMC and originally set out for a 2014+ 4WD with the gen V 5.3 but there are a lot (it seems) of owners of this truck all over the net (GM based forums) that complain/whine/report of problems they are experiencing with their 2014+ truck.

I don't consider a non-truck guy bitching about something irrelevant as a legitimate issue, however, there are a lot of complaints on transmission shortcomings, drive train vibration, direct injection causing performance robbing issues, etc...going on. I also believe that owners who are unsatisfied are much more likely to get on the web and whine vs owners who are completely satisfied with no problems.

That said, I'm trying to figure out if I need to be shopping for a 2008-2013 truck or a 2014+ truck. Besides cosmetics and the bump in hp/tq, are there really, truely any substantial differences in reliability and longevity?

I very much appreciate the clear truthful facts regarding a comparison between these two generation of trucks. Thanks.

 

I really like my 14' for what it's worth, only has 16-17k on it though. It's my daily driver.

 

The seats in the new truck are more comfy and if all you are looking for is a 5.3 then the new motor runs better and does not have the dod lifter problems of the old 5.3's, I'd go 14 up personally. The frame and suspension from the old truck to new are 100% identical so no differences there

 

At work they beat the **** out of the field trucks..... nobody cares and they pack full of slop and mud and get whatever. The GMT900's were done when they turned them in at above 80000 miles.....front ends were junk wearing tires all stupid, brakes were mostly screwed, t case issues on the manual shift ones anyways etc. Some AFM problems too as they are all 5.3 powered 1/2 tons. The 2014's are all gone mostly and some 2015's are at mile out point now..... next to nothing for issues. The biggest thing is the last batch of 15's are loosing rads and it is a TSB to swap the radiator and thermostat... we have lost 4 rads now that I know of. Otherwise though they put fuel in them... change oil and swap tires... that's it. We have a large number of them so it is easy to sample from.

Mine has 20000 miles on it's 6.2 8L90E and I love it. I had it tuned and it made it even better!

 

Suspension and frames are both the same only difference being in the rear axle which are a lot better then the old 8.6 10 bolts... I'd go for the new body style, the motors run really good power wise and the interior/exterior look better to me but those are all personal opinions.

 

Is the rear axle still a variant of the 10 bolt? What's supposed to be better?

 

It's a 9.5 12 bolt now on the v8 models

 

Nice. I plan to regear to 4.30 or the closest offering. Haven't researched regearing these yet but hopefully someone offers R&P for the front diff also.

I'll stick to shopping for a 2014+ since there is pretty positive feedback here. There are a couple other forums I don't put a lot of stock in anyways. From what I've observed, there are more guys in this community that have an advanced level of electronic and mechanical knowledge.