considering new Silverado 2500HD 4x4

[cheyenne10]

I have been a 69-72 guy for a long time. Wife has 2004 1/2 ton 4x4 suburban and loves it.

I am considering a new 2500HD 4x4 extra cab shortbed. They come with 3 different motors and a couple of rear gear ratios. No frequent heavy pulling planned but might want to load up the occasional 72 3/4 ton 4x4 or car hauler or boat or some type of travel trailer.

What are peoples preferences for motors, rear diffs?

Are there a couple of different grilles? ANy one have some pics of trucks like this to post for me to compare. (I know I can go to dealer but l like talking with individual owners 1st)

I tend to like the fancier ones with nice aluminum wheels, and options.

Tell me what you have and like, pics are always a bonus.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Do you want gas or diesel? I think if your going HD a diesel would be a better investement. The 6L is a good motor but a bit of a gas hawg. The 5.3 is a great engine too. I'd get one with a 3.73 rear, the 4.10's seem a little steep for me and a 3.73 does just fine for minor towing.

Personally, I'd buy an '06 GMC. I LOVE the 99-02 chevy grill, but not a big fan of the 03-06 (although the slight grill change to the '06's makes them look a little better.) The GMC's have retained essentially the same grill from 99'-06 and I think they look much better than the Chevy.

In terms of price the all new body style should be coming out in a couple of months, if you wait a couple months to buy an '06 I bet you could get a smokin deal on one!

[72highlander]

if you are not going to frequently haul, is there any particular reason you want a 2500. i have a 1500 Z71 and it does everything i need. i have a 6000 pound boat and it pulls it no problem. occasionally i'll pull a trailer full of mud from my carwash and it weighs about 10,000 pulls it find too, just stoppings a B#%&*. you can spend the extra money on options instead of the 3/4 ton. the 5.3 is an excellent motor and gets good fuel mileage for what it is also. i agree with redneck, wait till the new ones come out and then get a smokin deal on one. just my .02. if you do go the 1500 route, definately get the 3.73's.

[1969 C/K CST]

Mine 5.3, 3.73, 1/2 ton. Z71, LT-3 package. Pretty well loaded. The 5.3 has plenty of power for my needs including smoking the hides. The HD is better suited for hauling but for everyday use the 1500 is fine. Depends on your needs. You may find you can get a better optioned 1500 for the same money as a lesser optioned 2500. Keep an eye out for the new rebate offers for the new models. The interiors are smokin'.

[cheyenne10]

I'm kind-of stuck on the 2500 for stance and ultimate towing capacities. Also around here I think eventual resale might be stronger too. They have the 6.0, 8.1 gas motors and the diesel. The diesel has great torque/HP specs but fuel prices are high enough right now and I have always hated the stink out the exhaust. I went hunting with a friend. Every morning I think I walked by the exhaust and smelled like that all day. Those smells give me headaches. Also hate sitting in traffic behind one!!

Anyone have photos of the chevy and GMC grilles (2006's)? Sounds like I am noticing some differences others have but I can't put my finger on year as they drive down the street.

Are rebates good now or bound to get better?

[LILREDGMC]

For your consideration

From what I've seen, 4:10 is the only rear for gas models, 3:73 is standard on diesels.

After many 1/2 ton chevy and gmc experiences, my 85 3/4 454 is the hands down winner at towing. It just doesn't care what you are towing and how heavy. The flex you might have felt with a 1/2 ton goes away. My boat has a single axle, shoulda been a tandem, with a fairly heavy tongue. The 1/2 ton transmits the heavy tongue as you tow. The 3/4 doesn't transmit it.

I am also looking at going new, and with that have considered the 1500HD in either GMC or Chevy. For that you must have a crew cab, and standard short bed. I like the crew, cause you only open the door you want. It has the 2500 axles, 3:73 or 4:10 gears and a similar stance. It runs the 6.0 liter which is a bit tougher on fuel. The 1500 with the 5.3 is a better highway motor, about 20 if your not flying.

From my experience in the NW, the 2500 or 1500HD would probably be better at resale.

Just my .02.

Would like to know from someone with a 2500 or 1500 HD what kinda highway mileage they get on the interstate.

Keep looking. In SC this spring, extended short 2500 cloth most needed bells and whistles, out the door excluding tax $30K, sticker about $35.5

LILREDGMC

[vtblazer]

I bought a brandy new 01 HD2500 with the 6.0, loved the truck but sold it within 18 months due to the mileage.

Bought an 02 Z71 x-cab w/6ft bed, again loved the truck but got rid of it within 24 months. (reasons due to changes within my company)

Ended up getting a 2000 Z71 shortbed and that's been my favorite of all of them as far as running around/driving fun goes.

All the above trucks where 4x4's and never gave me a bit of trouble.

Then I chose to run old chevy's as my daily driver/work trucks.
Did that for two years until recently trading in my 72 K20 for another 01.

Went diesel this time and I'll never go back to gas.
I realize you hate the smell, I thought I would too but rarely even notice it now.

I just returned from a road trip delivering 67-72 trucks and blazers to a couple separate locations and nothing beats a diesel for towing and open road travel!

I got 15/16mpg towing loaded and 19/20 running north pulling an empty 1800lb tandem car hauler.
The entire time, I never had to travel slower than 70mph, even up the grades. (unless traffic conditions mandated it of course)

I passed alot of guys pulling with gas on the grades and remembered the days of having to be "patient" due of lack of torque.

No intent on getting into a debate with the big block guys saying that they can pull any hill with as much ease any day, for sure a big block can and does but it will never get the same fuel mileage or have the longevity of a diesel.

[cheyenne10]

VTblazer;

Up here in NW the diesels are very popular within all the big 3 manufacuters. I have quite a few friends with them and I agree on torque feeling. Went on a hunting trip with one (in a a 97 dodge) and that thing pulled 28' camp trailer and truck full of gear at 70 and didn't even notice it was back there. ALso fuel economy is better. Out here diesel is around 3.40/gal and gas at around 3.00/gal. right now. Also new GMC price for motor/trans package for diesel is around $7k more than 6.0 gas. These things push me towards being patient on the hills when the time comes! Much of my driving will be with canopy shell and a nights gear blasting back and forth around the state. I know that leads me back to 1/2 ton truck!!

What can anyone tell me about the 1500HD they advertise?

I hate to go test drive one I might end up with another 2nd mortgage!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by cheyenne10

VTblazer;What can anyone tell me about the 1500HD they advertise?!!

The 1500HD is essentially a light duty 3/4 ton truck. Call it a 2500 "lite duty" for a better description. It has a larger frame, 8 lug heavy duty axle(s) and massive hydro-boost brakes. It can only be had as a crewcab with a 6' bed. It comes with the gas 6.0 only and 3.73 gears are standard, but 4.11's can be ordered.

I had an 02 GMC 1500HD and loved the truck. Unfortunately I have no real need for the 6.0 motor so I sold it due to mileage and bought an 04 Dodge Ram QC Hemi. It's not a bad truck either but I have reached my selling point on mileage again.

I just bought an 06 Chevy Silverado 1500.....