Diesel or Gas?

[flash_e]

Guys...I was just wondering what everyone would recommen. I will be towing about a 10,000 lbs boat every now and then but I am wanting something that I can also use as a daily driver. I am planning on putting a lift and larger wheels on it but I was not for sure if I should go with the 6.0 engine with the 4.10 gears or the diesel? Sorry...I forgot to add I am looking at the 2500HD, 4wd, crew cab, short box.

[Bgdsub72]

the diesel will be more expensive,and cost more to fuel up but you will get better mpg plus you can program the diesel to get some incredible hp. The gas is less expensive, *usually* cheaper to fuel up but gets some pretty bad fuel economy. Your boat can eaisly be pulled by either truck so it really depends on how much you want to spend. Personally I would have gone fore diesel but my funds would not allow me to purchase a new one and I did not want a used truck so I ended up with gas.

[Shaners]

I went from a 6.0L crewcab short bed 4x4 to a Dmax with the same setup.

 

I figure it costs me about 10% more for fuel for the Dmax, but the milage gains over the first 1.5 tanks seems to be about 30% over the 6.0L. Plus it is very obvious to my right foot that the Dmax has alot more power than the 6.0L.

 

I will recover some of the initial investment for the motor with improved fuel milage, and I hope to recover the rest when I go to trade the truck in down the road...

[Wingnut]

You should also consider how far your commute is, if you do wind up with it as a daily driver.

 

My commute is only around 6-8 miles. That would probably be murder on an oil burner...Heck, it isn't even very good for my 5.3 gasser.

 

I wish they would install showers at work, I'd ride a bicycle.

[snoman]

the diesel will be more expensive,and cost more to fuel up but you will get better mpg plus you can program the diesel to get some incredible hp.  The gas is less expensive, *usually* cheaper to fuel up but gets some pretty bad fuel economy. 

 

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You will get some incredably bad emmisions too when you crank up oil burner especailly in the NOx area and CO2. For the same money or less you can buy a gas truck and super charge it and get incredable power with no stink, clatter or turbo lag. From looking at the futures markets I think diesel fuels days of being cheaper than gas are over for good which questions the logic of one futher yet. Also I would not call the 16 MPG I get in my truck "terrible" and I can pull up in a drive thru and not have to shut the engine off to be heard either and start in quickly at 20 or 30 below without plugging it in either or keeping in warm in a garage.

[Shawn T]

Have fun with this one, because you just started the forum's biggest war. I will just say, use your own judgment. Test drive them both and you will see the pros and cons of them both. As far as the numbers go, they don't lie. Whether you like it or not, 10,000 lbs is alot of weight, it will make the 6.0L work. The DMax will just purrrr.

[snoman]

Whether you like it or not, 10,000 lbs is alot of weight, it will make the 6.0L work.  The DMax will just purrrr.

 

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Not as nice and quiet as a 8.1 will be and "purr" is one word I would not use for any oilburner as they are quite noisy by design and fuction. Beside if you gear a 6.0 properly for 10k with say 4.56 gears it will do a pretty good job of it becasue it would better match its power curve to the load. Gear it tall and it will suck just like if you gear the diesel too deep its MPG will suffer and so will top speed and cruise. 300 hp is 300hp as long are they are geared properly to handle the load. No adays Detriot just want to sell you bigger engines rather than atleast offering the ability to do well with less and proper axle ratio. There was a time when you could get a 5.13 in a truck and that was before OD too.

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

Depending on how often you tow your boat,I'd look at the D-max over the 6.0. The 6.0 has a tow rating of about 10K +- and will be close to maxed out towing that much weight. You have to remember the 6.0 is a small block engine in a truck that weighs about 6K pounds all by itself.

[jamashke]

The big issue is the funds upfront and the regular maintence for the Diesel (cost of oil changes, fuel filters, water issues, etc.). I would love to own a diesel but an 11 mile commute would kill it. {I had a '81 diesel car that I couldn't beat to death and the DMax is better than that engine}

 

I have a 6.0L ext. cab versus the crew cab. It does fine pulling a 9000lb trailer before my tune. (waiting to see what it will do after the tune though ) Also I think the 6.0 is rated for 12k or 13k and not the 10k+/-.

 

But as a previous post stated this is the biggest battle out there. Good Luck and whatever truck you go with I am sure you'll be happy.

[Shawn T]

Whether you like it or not, 10,000 lbs is alot of weight, it will make the 6.0L work.  The DMax will just purrrr.

 

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Not as nice and quiet as a 8.1 will be and "purr" is one word I would not use for any oilburner as they are quite noisy by design and fuction. Beside if you gear a 6.0 properly for 10k with say 4.56 gears it will do a pretty good job of it becasue it would better match its power curve to the load. Gear it tall and it will suck just like if you gear the diesel too deep its MPG will suffer and so will top speed and cruise. 300 hp is 300hp as long are they are geared properly to handle the load. No adays Detriot just want to sell you bigger engines rather than atleast offering the ability to do well with less and proper axle ratio. There was a time when you could get a 5.13 in a truck and that was before OD too.

 

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Have you ever pulled in a DMax at over 10K? Have you ever even rode in one for that matter? At that speed the dmax technology has the engine noise reduced to a minimum. Besides you will be in OD on the flat. Oil burner, have you even been in a newer generation pickup? You can't get a 6.0 geared that low, what are you going to do, spend money on new front and rear diff gears after you buy a new truck. And I was not talking about the HP "ratings", I was talking about 605 lb-ft of torque. And don't try and give me a lesson on the definitions of TQ and HP, or RPM range, because I already know. Don't you drive an 85 suburban or something?

[Mattt]

I have a 6.0L ext. cab versus the crew cab.  It does fine pulling a 9000lb trailer before my tune.  (waiting to see what it will do after the tune though  )  Also I think the 6.0 is rated for 12k or 13k and not the 10k+/-. 

 

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I thought it was rated higher than 10k also, but I was wrong. I looked in my manual recently and was shocked to see a 2500hd CC 4WD 6.0 4.10 is only rated to tow 9800lb.

 

Really making me think about finding an 8.1 in a new to me truck. Anyone have a low mileage 01 or 02 for sale?

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

Whether you like it or not, 10,000 lbs is alot of weight, it will make the 6.0L work.  The DMax will just purrrr.

 

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Not as nice and quiet as a 8.1 will be and "purr" is one word I would not use for any oilburner as they are quite noisy by design and fuction. Beside if you gear a 6.0 properly for 10k with say 4.56 gears it will do a pretty good job of it becasue it would better match its power curve to the load. Gear it tall and it will suck just like if you gear the diesel too deep its MPG will suffer and so will top speed and cruise. 300 hp is 300hp as long are they are geared properly to handle the load. No adays Detriot just want to sell you bigger engines rather than atleast offering the ability to do well with less and proper axle ratio. There was a time when you could get a 5.13 in a truck and that was before OD too.

 

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Have you ever pulled in a DMax at over 10K? Have you ever even rode in one for that matter? At that speed the dmax technology has the engine noise reduced to a minimum. Besides you will be in OD on the flat. Oil burner, have you even been in a newer generation pickup? You can't get a 6.0 geared that low, what are you going to do, spend money on new front and rear diff gears after you buy a new truck. And I was not talking about the HP "ratings", I was talking about 605 lb-ft of torque. And don't try and give me a lesson on the definitions of TQ and HP, or RPM range, because I already know. Don't you drive an 85 suburban or something?

 

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SNOMAN knows more about diesels than anyone on the net. His favorite pastime is to head to the nearest car lot and try starting them when its -20 below.

 

In reality he is the biggest diesel basher on this site. His non-stop flurry of BS gets old after awhile. All he needs is a supercharger and 4.56 gears and he'll outrun,outpull,and outlast any diesel on the market.....assuming the diesel will start.

[bluenote]

Here's a head to head comparison (without the flaming and supposition presented by some responses in this thread).....

 

I have a cousin with a 2002 Silverado 2500HD, with the vortec 6000, 4L80e tranny and 4.10 rear gears. He uses it as a daily driver and pulls an under 7000 pound mid-profile 5th wheel. I have the truck in my signature, use it as a daily driver and pull a 11,000+ pound high-profile 5th wheel. I get about 1½ times better mileage than him running empty and about 1¼ times better mileage towing. Since I'm pulling over 2 TONS more (plus higher profile) than him when we tow our 5er's, I think it's pretty easy to see the advantage of the diesel engine.

 

Of course, this is somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison, but since someone else has felt it necessary to point out that 300HP is 300HP, I thought the dose of reality that 160 lb-ft of additional torque (numbers from the 2001-2002 specs) has a definite advantage when towing would be appropriate.

 

Now, if you wanna compare the vortec 8100 to the Duramax, you have a closer match-up. They both are towing beasts and you really can't go wrong either way. If your yearly mileage is light to moderate, the gasser may end up saving you in the long run. If your yearly mileage is moderate to higher, the diesel will pay for itself in most cases.

 

The argument that diesels cost more to maintain is hogwash. I owned a truck with the vortec 7400 prior to my current truck. My oil changes cost about $5 more, but since the recommended change interval is longer with the diesel, it costs less yearly for oil changes. It does cost more for fuel filters with the diesel, but it's less than the savings I see in oil changes yearly. All other components (air filter, serpentine belt, etc...) are a wash with either engine.

 

Good luck with your search and have fun shopping!

[kwasyd]

I will throw in my two bits worth. I had a 5.3 and thought it was a great motor. I recently bought a DMAX and lets just say, I grin everytime I have to drive it. It depends on your funds, but the diesel is the nicest engine I have ever been hauled around in.

Ow yah and one other thing.. I don't think you compare any gas engine to the pure torque of the diesel.

[jamashke]

I have a 6.0L ext. cab versus the crew cab.  It does fine pulling a 9000lb trailer before my tune.  (waiting to see what it will do after the tune though  )  Also I think the 6.0 is rated for 12k or 13k and not the 10k+/-. 

 

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I thought it was rated higher than 10k also, but I was wrong. I looked in my manual recently and was shocked to see a 2500hd CC 4WD 6.0 4.10 is only rated to tow 9800lb.

 

Really making me think about finding an 8.1 in a new to me truck. Anyone have a low mileage 01 or 02 for sale?

 

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You are correct. Sorry about that "496 CUBIC INCHES"... I was out looking being in shock and I think the '05's and the '04's have the same towing as they have the same engine setup.

 

The 2500HD 4x4 6.0 extended cab shortbed with the 4.10 rear is rated to tow 10,000lbs. The larger the bed and cab the less it can tow.

 

Now the 2500HD 4x4 DMAX CREW cab LONG bed with 3.73 rear is rated to tow 12,000 pounds (it is this rating in whatever flavor you choose)

 

The 8.1 and the DMax have the same rating except for GCWR depending on diff's

 

These are not goose neck trailers. SInce this is a boat I would assume bumper hitch style. Now if you go goose neck then the DMAX can tow my enitre house and land away. geeze!! Look at this link for all the info you want.

 

http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/

 

Well I got learned today

 

Well with that being said I would go with DMAX