New Truck, New Member! '03 Silverado 3500LT

Grog · April 15, 2004

Hiya Folks!

Just took delivery of a brand new 2003 Silverado 3500 LT Duramax 6.6 Litre / Allison Transmission equipped Doolly. First time I have ever driven a truck with dual rear wheels but I had to turn in my brutally thirsty '03 Sierra 2500 that had a 300 HP Vortec 6 Litre.

I was looking for longer range and cheaper fuel, and they were looking for someone to take this truck off their hands. Worked out for both of us!

I have been lurking this discussion board for a few months now and I have to extend my thanks to the folks here for answering a lot of questions from newbies like me. It helped me make my decision.

All that said, here are a few dorky questions of my own:

1) My gasser '03 Sierra 2500 had an engine immobilizer. Does the 3500? I can't find mention of it in my manual - all it talks about is the radio Theftlock and the intrusion alarm. Are immobilizers available on Duramax diesels? How do they work?

2) The stock tires have a max 85 psi rating. I am running the truck empty most of the time. Like 99% of the time. ( I am a technical rep - I put about 5000 km's per month highway driving on my trucks ... in the summer lots of gravel forestry roads ). I am currently running them at 60 psi. I am looking for best mileage but not at the expense of tire wear... any suggestions up or down for pressure?

3) How is the doolly for mud and gravel road / jobsite work. Is the 4 x 4 effective or did I buy a truck that was really only meant for asphalt?

4) Someone told me the truck is brutally bad in snow and ice. Is that true?

5) I was told running it empty all the time is very hard on the rear springs. The guy that told me this said he knows a fellow that broke a rear spring because of this. Is this true? Ever heard of this?

I appreciate all your input.

Thanks again for being a great online community, and thanks to the owners and moderators for making this an effective website.

Grog - 6 wheels all goin in the same direction! Woo hoooooooo get outta the way!!!

RonJ · April 15, 2004

My 4x4 duallys go great in the snow, with some weight in the back. I plow with the regular cab truck.

TROYROBO · April 15, 2004

welcome

cdn111 · April 15, 2004

5) I was told running it empty all the time is very hard on the rear springs. The guy that told me this said he knows a fellow that broke a rear spring because of this. Is this true? Ever heard of this?

I don't think so, or at least I have never heard anything like this. They make these trucks so refined now-a-days that I would imagine this is a myth!

Roofer · April 16, 2004

Welcome to the forums!

1) Not sure...sorry

2) sounds like good pressure to me. I ran what the door says for pressure and it rides rough. Now I pull a trailer, so it is ok now.

3)Good thing you got 4x4. The duallies can be slippery in mud and ice. Our F550 was horrible even with weight on it(alot of weight), but got new tires on it and it is much better. It came with cheapo tires on 19.5" rims. Not sure what the GM duallies have on them now. Good tires mean more than anything.

4)Like I said above. Add some weight and make sure you have good tires. Don't be afraid to use 4WD. I use it on a daily basis in the sand. The Duramax spins them easy if it is at all slippery. Also, see if you have the G80 locker.

5)Sounds like BS to me. I would never believe a story like that. He is probably just jealous and wondering why you bought a truck bigger than his to drive around. I feel buy what you want and do with it as you please. It's your money.

Enjoy the new truck and have fun with the Duramax. I know I am.