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3/4 gas truck

guest hs

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Any opinions on buying a 2003-2012 3/4 gas 4x4 truck? Yes diesel is out of the question! Looking to spend 18-22K
 

hallett21

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3/4 for a camping trailer?


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CLdrinker

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You won’t find much in that price range except old v10 fords (no thanks) and 6.0 chevys which would be my choice.
 

25Elmn8r

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Just curious why diesel is out of the question?
About a year ago I found a Very clean completely stock (never tuned) 05 1 ton crew cab diesel 4x4 with low miles (102K) for less than your bottom dollar.
yes it's a 6.0, yes I know what I got myself into.. My son is a diesel mechanic and we will be bulletproofing it when needed. It's been flawless so far.
If you're patient, they're out there.
Having said that, we had a Chevy 6.0 gasser that had tons of power but averaged about 12 around town and 15 on the highway. Only issue was it started burning oil around 80k miles.
00G0G_45XUna5VFRZ_1200x900.jpg
 
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92562

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Love my 2003 2500HD with the 8.1. 160K trouble free miles.
 

mjc

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My 2003 3500 dually 8.1 has been flawless.
 

boatpi

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Wasn’t that 6.0 gasser a dog and poor mileage and the 6.2 much improved?
 

HB2Havasu

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Find yourself a 2000/2003 F250 or F350 4x4 with the 7.3L Diesel. They last forever and less than you listed to spend. You'll have to be patient to find one without a shitload of miles, but they're out there. (FYI - Mine has 318K Miles and still runs awesome!)
 

25Elmn8r

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Wasn’t that 6.0 gasser a dog and poor mileage and the 6.2 much improved?

We had one of the first 6.0 in a Suburban for '07. Never thought it was a dog but it definitely wasn't efficient either... It pulled our 25 Daytona with relative ease, much better than the previous gen Sub with the 5.3. Only 6.2 I drove was in a new Tahoe last year, that thing flat moved!
 

lbhsbz

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I would avoid a GM 6.0/4L80E combo if you expect it to get out of its own way...look for either an early 8.1L, or a later 6.0 with a 6spd.
 

185EZ

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2001 2500HD 8.1/Allison. 96k miles Still has original brakes. Love this truck. Had it since 2003
Tows 2 boats at once:)
$22k huh? I'll have to think about it lol
20191108_0955541.jpg
 

Flying_Lavey

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I would avoid a GM 6.0/4L80E combo if you expect it to get out of its own way...look for either an early 8.1L, or a later 6.0 with a 6spd.
This is pretty accurate. The 4L80 REALLY sucked the life out of that engine it seemed. Dead reliable though. The 6L80 is a MICH better trans. The only work truck I had was a 2015 I believe with the 6 speed and even with the heavy loaded service body it NEVER felt weak.

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HOOTER SLED-

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Not 4x4......but I love my 2007 2500HD .....ask BB500...:D
 
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guest hs

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I don't like the added expense of diesel parts and I don't know much about diesel products. I can rebuild or repair a gas engine if it came down to it to save on labor if it was an expensive repair, same goes for my motorhome I bought gas as well. 3/4 ton or 1 ton is ok with me even a dulley. I have my eye on a 2008 Ford 1 ton v10 4x4 single rear wheel drive. Im sure it will be gone by the time I close on my house. I didn't even think about the 8.1 GM I will have to look into those as well. I had a brand new 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 with the 6.4 Hemi and really liked that truck but I doubt those are going to be in my price range.
 

buck35

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My 2000 v10 has had no issues, and I'm at 160 plus miles wise. Mileage meh , but has been a great rig for me.
 

BajaMike

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My 2001 2500 HD, short bed, crew cab, LT, 6.0, 4.10 rear end, has been flawless. 180,000 miles......Goes fast, mileage is OK, engine and tranny are perfect. I will never sell it. Great comfortable leather interior looks like new.

D5B4B47F-E4AE-4E1E-A018-CC80E3F7A174.jpeg
 

guest hs

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I don't know what it is with GM products the last 4 have all had electrical issues with them and one of those 4 also had a 5.3 that burdened oil like no tomorrow.
 

BajaMike

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I don't know what it is with GM products the last 4 have all had electrical issues with them and one of those 4 also had a 5.3 that burdened oil like no tomorrow.


I have never had electrical problems.....or any problems.
 

77charger

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Have an 04 2500hd 198k on it 6.0 yeh it aint the fastest but gets job done.I had the 4l80 rebuilt at 170k it was working fine but most milage on mine is towing so i had rebuild done while i had the extra money and as a preventitive deal.

Like said mpg aint the greatest but if empty and keep under 65 it can do pretty good.towing at 60-62 it does better too break that speeds i go from 250 miles with lance camper and boat to 200 miles per tank.
 

guest hs

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I have been looking I think I’m convinced with the Ford. I see that you can get the 6.2 v8 or the V10. Anyone have comments on either of these engines in 3/4 ton 4x4. I know you want the 2005 or later V10 due to the 3 valve head.
 

lantz

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Not a truck, but I bought a used 06 4x4 Suburban with the 8.1 and 4:10 gears w/ 153,000 on the odo. It does not have the Allison transmission, so I know that may eventually be an issue, but it pulls hard and runs flawlessly. Gas mileage sucks. I get about 12mpg, but I am driving 68-72mph on the long hauls. I assume I would get 14-16mpg if I slowed down to 55-60mph.), but I only use if for when we have all the kids in town, river trips (only have to move a 20' boat 200 yards to ramp), and it does still fit a full sheet of plywood. I'll put less than 10,000 miles on it in a year. I may tow a 26' TH to the beach a few times too. It took a few months to find it. Most were in the 250K+ odo range and were just beat to death. Saw a lot of trucks with same engine, gear, and trans combo for well under your price range when I was looking. I'm happy with what we got. Wife and kids like it
 

braindead

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I would avoid a GM 6.0/4L80E combo if you expect it to get out of its own way...look for either an early 8.1L, or a later 6.0 with a 6spd.

U speaking from personal experience, because I had an 01 and my brothers still got an 04 and both had plenty of get up and go, even with 8-10K in tow.
 

Kbach

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I've got a crew cab short bed 2WD '04 2500HD with the 8.1L with about 87k and I love it. I bought it probably 7-8 yrs ago from somebody on GD.com but I think it was somebodies brother from here...don't know.

Long story short....love the 8.1L!! Never had to tow big stuff but used it to tow my 26' enclosed with off-road car, bikes etc and it was great. Poor thing just sits now that I sold the trailers/cars/etc so should probably sell it and get a 1/2 ton for Lowes runs but I don't think I'd find one I like as much as mine!
 

Wizard29

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As many have mentioned, don't overlook the 8.1 and 4l80 combo, Shane. Not a truck, but I have a 4x4 suburban with that combo I use to tow that 34 Eliminator I've brought to you a couple of times. It's been solid and does just fine on power, even pulling the boat up Cottonwood Cove Road from the lake to Searchlight when it's 110 degrees out. Mileage isn't very good, but I don't really expect it to be when I'm towing that beast.

It's pretty fast when not hooked to a trailer. I never thought they built Suburbans that accelerate so quickly. It's got about 145K miles on it and the only issue I've had is a dead fuel pump earlier this year, which decided to happen while we were doing some offroading out in the middle of nowhere, but that's a whole other story.
 

Runs2rch

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I have been looking I think I’m convinced with the Ford. I see that you can get the 6.2 v8 or the V10. Anyone have comments on either of these engines in 3/4 ton 4x4. I know you want the 2005 or later V10 due to the 3 valve head.

2 valve V10's from 01 up are solid. Only 99/00 had the 3-4 thread heads.
 

guest hs

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I have heard that the 3 valve head engines make a lot more power then the 2 valve heads
 

Runs2rch

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I have heard that the 3 valve head engines make a lot more power then the 2 valve heads

That is true. 2 valve makes 310 hp 425 Tq. The 3 valve makes 362 hp 460 tq.

My point was if you find super clean 2 valve that they are good motors. Easy to work on and get a little more power out of also.
 

lbhsbz

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U speaking from personal experience, because I had an 01 and my brothers still got an 04 and both had plenty of get up and go, even with 8-10K in tow.

My ‘02 is a slug under 4000rpms.

Fuel mileage is well into the single digits even towing my 3000lb boat up any sort of grade.
 

mjc

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As many have mentioned, don't overlook the 8.1 and 4l80 combo, Shane. Not a truck, but I have a 4x4 suburban with that combo I use to tow that 34 Eliminator I've brought to you a couple of times. It's been solid and does just fine on power, even pulling the boat up Cottonwood Cove Road from the lake to Searchlight when it's 110 degrees out. Mileage isn't very good, but I don't really expect it to be when I'm towing that beast.

It's pretty fast when not hooked to a trailer. I never thought they built Suburbans that accelerate so quickly. It's got about 145K miles on it and the only issue I've had is a dead fuel pump earlier this year, which decided to happen while we were doing some offroading out in the middle of nowhere, but that's a whole other story.

my 8.1 has the Allison in 03.
 

Wizard29

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my 8.1 has the Allison in 03.

Correction: Mine has the 4l85...MN8 RPO code.

Is yours a truck or a Suburban? I'm reading the Alisons were not put in Suburbans because they won't fit?
 

NicPaus

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My last 06 6.0 was a great truck. Replaced with the same. New one has the 6 spd and gets 2-4 mpg more than 4 spd. Old 1 never leaked a drop and did what my F450 failed to do. They just unloaded a 3000 lb pallet of vinyl floor hauled the dump trailer at same time.
20191109_084023.jpg
 

oldschool

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Find yourself a 2000/2003 F250 or F350 4x4 with the 7.3L Diesel. They last forever and less than you listed to spend. You'll have to be patient to find one without a shitload of miles, but they're out there. (FYI - Mine has 318K Miles and still runs awesome!)
Mine could be had in
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that price range, 1 owner 2003 crew cab short bed 4x4 stock (aFe filter)7.3 206,000 miles.
 

Turnup

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Correction: Mine has the 4l85...MN8 RPO code.

Is yours a truck or a Suburban? I'm reading the Alisons were not put in Suburbans because they won't fit?

Exactly, I always thought my 03 Suburban 3/4 had one years later I found out it didn't. Was pretty dang bulletproof.
 

spectra3279

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I'm very happy with my 03 dodge diesel. The only engine issue I have has in 7 years is a lift pump. I just this weekend will have to change a water pump. The motor has pretty much been bulletproof. The 6 speed manual I had to put a clutch in at 250k miles. Did the ujoints on the drive shaft at 295k.

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BajaMike

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Have an 04 2500hd 198k on it 6.0 yeh it aint the fastest but gets job done.I had the 4l80 rebuilt at 170k it was working fine but most milage on mine is towing so i had rebuild done while i had the extra money and as a preventitive deal.

Like said mpg aint the greatest but if empty and keep under 65 it can do pretty good.towing at 60-62 it does better too break that speeds i go from 250 miles with lance camper and boat to 200 miles per tank.

Do you have the 4.10 rear end?
 

mjc

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Correction: Mine has the 4l85...MN8 RPO code.

Is yours a truck or a Suburban? I'm reading the Alisons were not put in Suburbans because they won't fit?

mine is a 3500
 

braindead

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My ‘02 is a slug under 4000rpms.

Fuel mileage is well into the single digits even towing my 3000lb boat up any sort of grade.

Mine was fine and even better after a custom tune and yes I've heard the gas mileage complaint, mine was 10 all day, But big toys cost bigger money
 

Flying_Lavey

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Correction: Mine has the 4l85...MN8 RPO code.

Is yours a truck or a Suburban? I'm reading the Alisons were not put in Suburbans because they won't fit?
That is correct. If you look at the front end of a 1st Gen Chevy Duramax you'll see a filler strip under the grill (the GMC's had them all the way through the '07 classic). That was due to the body lift (essentially) that had to be installed to fit the Allison in the trans tunnel since the half ton and the HD's shared the same cab and sheet metal.

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lIQUIDATEDdAMAGES

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IMG_7814.jpg


I put 215k trouble free miles on this 2005 2500hd with the 8.0 before trading it in on my F-150. Still miss the truck; the fuel mileage and the 25 gallon tank not so much...


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Bigbore500r

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I would avoid a GM 6.0/4L80E combo if you expect it to get out of its own way...look for either an early 8.1L, or a later 6.0 with a 6spd.

Mine ran great and pulled 10k easily. @HOOTER SLED has it now
 

mesquito_creek

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I am the original owner of a 2005 chevy 6.0L 480LE 4x4 with factory 4:10 gears. 186K trouble free miles. I couldn't be more happy with how it performed over the years. It tows stuff in the 8K lbs range perfectly. I have towed 10k occasionally for shorter distances less than 60 miles without issue. It is no longer a daily truck for me, it sits until I need it for it specialty use which is expedition type camping and salt water shore fishing camping.

Here is the problem with it... It only kbb books for about 7500 bucks. So I will probably not sell it because for that little bit of money, I would keep it just to go to the dump or loan it to my kids to move stuff around...
 

Bigbore500r

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I am the original owner of a 2005 chevy 6.0L 480LE 4x4 with factory 4:10 gears. 186K trouble free miles. I couldn't be more happy with how it performed over the years. It tows stuff in the 8K lbs range perfectly. I have towed 10k occasionally for shorter distances less than 60 miles without issue. It is no longer a daily truck for me, it sits until I need it for it specialty use which is expedition type camping and salt water shore fishing camping.

Here is the problem with it... It only kbb books for about 7500 bucks. So I will probably not sell it because for that little bit of money, I would keep it just to go to the dump or loan it to my kids to move stuff around...
If you wanna sell it, let me know. That's what im looking for - another gas 2500 chevy.
 
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