NewER 4x4 pick up

[JustABuick]

I was surprised to learn they made 3/4 Avalanches, but I've only seen them offered with the 8.1, not a 6.0

 

[mtocrs1]

Avalanche 's are cool, but you can't fill up the bed with broken pine branches and leaves like you can a regular pu bed. I've got a cap and can really back in the leaves for fall cleanup.

Why not?
Do it every year. The beds not as big but it cleans up just like a regular pickup bed. Actually better as it has a grate drain in the front of the bed.


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[mtocrs1]

I was surprised to learn they made 3/4 Avalanches, but I've only seen them offered with the 8.1, not a 6.0

Yeah they only had the 8.1 in first gens. I don't think they offered a 2500 in the second gens. Then in 2006 only you could get the 6.0 in the 1500 as an option on the Z71 package


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[JustABuick]

Oh, I didn't know they had the 6.0 in 1500s at all, that's cool!

 

[t-typinator]

They are REALLY pushing the 4 door models. I have no need for one of those. I would rather have a shorter truck and either the extended cab or regular cab. It's usually just me in the truck. The wife rides in it one a year going to pick out a Christmas tree.

It's incredibly frustrating trying to find a regular cab 8' bed truck these days.
I would guess it's somewhere in the 90 -95 % range that are now sold with 5.5 -6.5 ft bed and 4doors.
I went to a dealership a couple weeks ago to see what was there for new trucks because i have been looking for years for my next replacement truck ,but can't find one used.
They had 59 trucks,2 were regular cabs,1 was a shortbed and the other was a long bed no option,so called "Work Truck" .
What i am looking for is a needle in a haystack but used to be the norm yrs ago.
I look on weekly basis for a long bed,regular cab truck with options, doesn't have to be top of the line,just have the nicer interior ,power otions and decent wheels,and trim,just not a basic work truck with plain steel wheels,no moldings and those cheap looking flat black front /grills etc.
If i finally run into a regular cab truck ,i keep reading and then find out it's either a short bed or it is totally basic with the basic taxi cab seats ,no carpet or power anything,i forget what model i looked at a while back and it didn't even have cruise control.
To make matters worse i really would prefer a 2500 so it'll have the 6.0 in it, and the 4l80e instead of 4l60, but at this point i would take just about anything that somewhat fit the bill, I'm really looking for 2 wheel drive but would take 2 or 4 ,which should make things easier, but it's still almost impossible to find, and when i finally find the right one i'm guessing it will be all rotted to death.
I can understand that SOME people would want or need a 4 door truck, but i don't understand how SO Many can live with or want the small bed.
Then there is the look ,no matter how hard i try to like the looks of a 4 door truck, i just can't do it.
It's at the point now ,when i see a regular cab truck go by i actually perk up and watch it go by like i just saw an old muscle car or a nice looking woman going by, thats how scarce they are getting.

My truck is like a unicorn these days and trying to find it's newer ls motored twin is tough.
It's a regular cab ,8 ft bed , c2500 (3/4 ton) " 2 wheel drive " ,Loaded with options,I believe it is an LS trim model, which gives it the nicer interior,power everything, wide body side moldings etc. and has the dual batteries,tow package, 373's etc.
I lucked out and found it 7.5 yrs ago the same day the 82 year old man traded it in with 52k miles in pristine condition,he had ordered it new in 98.
I Payed $6000 with a matching cap on it in 2008.
It is actually still rust free (I think the running boards,and mud flaps kept it from rusting,I'm not thrilled with the look of the running boards but left them for that reason)it has 118k miles, it's been a great truck but the thought is i'd like to find basically the same truck but maybe 7-10 yrs
newer with the ls motor and throw one of these on.
http://www.on3performance.com/shop/1999-07-chevygmc-15002500-truck-turbo-system/

 

[Pronto]

Why not?
Do it every year. The beds not as big but it cleans up just like a regular pickup bed. Actually better as it has a grate drain in the front of the bed.


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My cap is huge. I can nearly stand up in it. It would take a dozen trips to the recycle pile with an Avalanche for me.

 

[Pronto]

Around here, any 2500 regular cab long beds are plow trucks. Not something you would want used. It may have only 45k on it but it's beat to hell.

 

[t-typinator]

Around here, any 2500 regular cab long beds are plow trucks. Not something you would want used. It may have only 45k on it but it's beat to hell.

Yup, that's the other problem with the kind of truck i'm looking for.
That's why i'd like to find another 2wd 2500.

 

[JustABuick]

Maybe we need to start a "for sale" section here for trucks! It's amazing how difficult it is. And good luck if you ever think you want a manual. I don't think they make those any more

 

[t-typinator]

time has come to buy a truck. Was looking at the 2000-2005 silverados with the LS motors. Only looking to spend like 7500$. I know what those high mileage ls motors can do. But will they hold up towing and hauling ? Just looking for some direction. Always liked the older silverados. Are those ls motors reliable as I think they are? How are they as daily drivers? This will be my primary ride to and from work. Use my jeep Cherokee for woods and trails and snow.
Thanks

You mention for holding up to towing and hauling.
I would definetly be looking for the 2500.
But there is 2 diff 2500's ,(this is true in the type like mine up to 98 but not sure after that) there is a light duty 2500 with a 7200 gvw ,and a regular 2500 with the 8600 lb gvw, get the 8600 gvw because you specified you were looking for longevity for towing and hauling.
It's alot more then just a set of heavier springs that goes into a 2500 vs a 1500.
The 7200 gvw 2500 is basically just a half ton with a few small upgrades vs the true 2500 with the 8600 gvw rating.(You can open the drivers door and get the gvw from the tag there.
The 2500 8600 gvw, gets the 4l80 trans instead of the lighter duty 4l60, you also get the HD 14 bolt 8 lug 10.5" rear end,((from what i found in reading is The LD 7200 gvw 2500 gets a 14 bolt 6 lug 9.5" rear and the regular 1/2 ton just gets a 10 bolt rear)) heavier springs,shocks, forged front upper control arms,larger radiator,engine and trans coolers, there was also a big question on if the frames were heavier,and someone measured them all side by side and the 8600 gvw 2500 and the 3500 frames seemed to be the same thickness but were taller by 1 inch in most area's and 1/2 inch in others , and also had extra braces riveted into different area's of the frame ,such as around the spring mount area's etc. so they are a stronger frame also,i'm guessing they are the same strength material, just bigger and then more braced in high stress area's then the 1500 and LD 2500. I also remember reading somewhere that the 8 lug wheels are much stronger then the 6 lug if iirc they said they are forged ,and they came from the factory with hd e-load tires as well and most likely were replaced with the hd e-loads afterward too.
Brakes are another thing that are beefier on the 2500, I think my rears were 13 inch drums iirc, they are huge and weigh a ton.They gave me the wrong ones at first and the difference was huge, the first ones were tiny in comparison.
Some of the truck guru's may be able to correct me if any of this info is incorrect , and again most of this info is for the 98 and down trucks though i think alot of it would carry over to the 99 and up's too,just not sure to what extent, anyway the gist is, for what you are looking for i would definetly go with the 2500,There is quite a bit of difference between a 2500 and a 1500 .

 

[Pronto]

False. I have a 99 gmc 2500 light duty. It's the new style 99 to 07. It has 8 lug axles, 6 liter and 4l80. It does not have the heavy frame. The heavy frame cane with the designation 2500HD. They started them in either 02 or 3 but all 2500s had a 6 liter and 4l80 and 8 lugs. They also made a 4 door 1500HD which came with the 6 liter and 4l80 and 8 lugs but those are rare. Only seen one. I have big as disc brakes in the rear too, no drums.

 

[Phoneguy]

This should fit the bill. this is also where I found my truck


http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ned&sortDirection=undefined#listing=122332028

Bryan

 

[t-typinator]

This should fit the bill. this is also where I found my truck


http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ned&sortDirection=undefined#listing=122332028

Bryan

Thats got the 8.1 motor though and i think that is a big block motor and not an LS series motor.

 

[Phoneguy]

The site will let you customize your search for a long bed and a gas engine, etc. I didnt even look at the engine size...sorry
Should be able to find a nice truck there though

Bryan

 

[Pronto]

Wonder what determines which engine goes in the HD? Every HD pick up in the 2000s style I've ever seen had a 6 liter or a diesel. Seen the 8.1 in HD avalanches and vans.

 

[t-typinator]

False. I have a 99 gmc 2500 light duty. It's the new style 99 to 07. It has 8 lug axles, 6 liter and 4l80. It does not have the heavy frame. The heavy frame cane with the designation 2500HD. They started them in either 02 or 3 but all 2500s had a 6 liter and 4l80 and 8 lugs. They also made a 4 door 1500HD which came with the 6 liter and 4l80 and 8 lugs but those are rare. Only seen one. I have big as disc brakes in the rear too, no drums.

I'm not quite sure what you are saying is false.
Except maybe that the 99 2500 has 8 lugs which i didn't think to specify (In 99 all the 2500's had the 8 lug wheels,but in 98 and earlier the c6p rpo which is the HD 2500 (8600 gvw) had the 8 lug wheels ,but the light duty 2500 with the c5z rpo(7200 gvw) had the 6 lug wheels on the big 14 bolt rear ,which is kind of odd ,should of all just had 8 lug hd wheels like they changed to in 99 on the 2500 ld.

On the frame thing it looks like you are agreeing with what i said about the light duty 2500 (7200 gvw) like yours doesn't have the heavier frame and braces, just like the 98 and earlier light duty 2500 doesn't.
The Frame they went to on the 2001 or 02 and up HD 2500 is a whole different animal then the slightly larger frame on the 98 and earlier HD 2500.
The 2001 HD frame is about 2 inches taller and even more heavy duty with a 9200 gvw.



It's actually hard to find exact info on these earlier trucks because there is so much confusion about what came on what even on the truck forums.
http://www.plowsite.com/archive/index.php/t-139025.html

 

[Pronto]

8 lugs for all 2500s in the 2000s. After 2001 or 2 all 2500 pu's are hd with the big frame, etc. Don't know about 2500 vans.

 

[forcefed3.8's]

The 98 and earlier body had a 6 lug light duty 2500, the 99 and newer had the 8 lug but a light duty frame. The 1500hd later replaced the regular 2500.
Any GM truck is going to run forever, the weak points are rust, 4l60 transmissions, and the 1500 rear axle. A clean 2500hd with high mileage doesnt scare me, the 6.0, 4l80, and 14bolt is pretty bullet proof. The 8.1 trucks got the allison trans. The 8.1 is a gas hog, but in reality, the 6.0 isnt much better.

 

[t-typinator]

The 98 and earlier body had a 6 lug light duty 2500, the 99 and newer had the 8 lug but a light duty frame. The 1500hd later replaced the regular 2500.
Any GM truck is going to run forever, the weak points are rust, 4l60 transmissions, and the 1500 rear axle. A clean 2500hd with high mileage doesnt scare me, the 6.0, 4l80, and 14bolt is pretty bullet proof. The 8.1 trucks got the allison trans. The 8.1 is a gas hog, but in reality, the 6.0 isnt much better.

Correct on all counts, that's why i say the op should be looking for a 2500, because you get the 4l80 and the 14 bolt rear,instead of the 4l60 and 10 bolt on the 1500, plus all the extra cooling and other hd parts and usually a bigger stronger motor also, and he wanted longevity for towing and hauling.

98 and earlier had both a 6 lug light duty and a 8 lug heavy duty version.