Gentlemen I'm in LOVE

[hogger999]

:love:Gentlemen I'm in love

For so long I've been looking for the perfect black 1500 ext. cab z71 LT. and today I found it. But after driving it I was kinda disapointed. After all this time of seaching and its just not what want. What I fell in love with was the K2500 HD sitting next to it. That 8.1 really rocks. I've even decided to go with the LS. maybe I'm just used to my 3/4 ton but what I really like about driving this truck is it just feels so solid.  What I want to know before I make my final choice is what is everyones take on the 6.0 vs. the 8.1 performance, MPG, etc.

                                    hoping to be joining your ranks.

[Stepside Z]

The 6.0 will give you a bit better milage but the 8.1 will give you alot more power. I guess it depends on your driving style and needs. If mpg is not an issue then I would go with the 8.1. jmho

[hogger999]

Appreciate the reply Stepside I was hoping some of the HD owners would step foward with some numbers. Guess I dont have enough stars  :blush: Horsepower is always #1. I was just hope the difference isn't to drastic, I drive 42 miles one way to work.

[Jpshostr]

While I don't have a new HD, I do feel you would be making the right move going from a half ton to a 3/4 ton.  You would have to look at your uses and wants in a truck to decide between the two motors.  You want power, go 8.1L.  You want slightly better mileage, go 6.0L.  You tow?  8.1L.  You just drive to work, nothing more?  6.0L.  On and on.

 

And for the stars, forget about those!  Everyone is an equal here, ask away with any questions you may have!

[Kansas Kid]

I do feel you would be making the right move going from a half ton to a 3/4 ton.

Agreed!  Especially since he already drives a 3/4 ton.  Going back to a half-ton would always seem like a step backwards if you ask me.

[hogger999]

I'm getting around 13 sometimes a little less now. The 8.1 surely couldn't be worse than that. I know the ride quality between the 01 and my 96 is unbelievable.

[Larry]

Expect to get about 8 to 9 mpg in town with an 8.1L and about 12 to 13 on the highway.  Mine has the awkward 6 speed so expect a little less with the Ally.   I drove mine to Albuquerque last week and got 10mpg on the highway.  With my little 350 in my old 98’ Z71 I could drive from Pueblo to Albuquerque and all over Albuquerque before getting gas.  Now my HD needs a reload in Sante Fe, which is 50 some odd miles north of Albuquerque.   I am sure driving 85 and 90 mph had something to do with the low numbers though.  I am sure the mpg will get much better once I relieve the truck of those cute little 245 tires and wrap some taller meats on the wheels.  Can’t beat the power of the 8.1 though.  That ##### will scream.  

 

You can also expect to dump a quart of oil in the 8.1 every 1200 to 1500 miles. Not that there is anything wrong with the engine, that is just the way big blocks are.  Rule of thumb for big block oil consumption: 1 qt per 100 gallons of fuel used.  

 

I know the ride quality between the 01 and my 96 is unbelievable.

 

I don’t know about this one.  Don’t get me wrong, I like the way heavy trucks ride but you would think the GM HD’s would ride much better given the fact GM sacrified a solid front axle for IFS for the sake of ride quality.  I have driven Dodge 2500’s 4x4’s and SuperDuty 4x4’s that ride better than my HD.

[hogger999]

I guess everybodys different cause the truck I had before my '96 3/4 ton that I have know was a  01 RAM 1500 quad cab 4x4 and I feel like I have a much better ride now. The dodge did have a little shorter wheelbase though.

[Shaners]

The 6.0L only comes with 4.10 gears.  that is great for towing etc... but they aren't really that great on the highway.  I run 2400 rpm at 70 mph and I think the 6.0 could easily hold it's own with 3.73's.  

 

Overall I think the 6.0L will give you consistently 2 mpg's better than the 8.1L.

 

I really like the 6.0L in my truck and it does everything I ask of it including an occaisional pull of my 8000# plus travel trailer.

 

My mpg's range from 7.6 (worst) to 13.9 (best).  If I were to drive some miles I know it would be better.  I drive my truck everyday but it is less than 2 miles to work so my mpg's suffer tremendously.  Generally my intown MPG's have been about 12.5 and I have never run a tank out on the open road.  Usually a tank of fuel lasts me 3-4 weeks, so you can understand why I feel my milage is not what a "normal" driver would expect.

[Beaux Duke]

You can never have too much truck!  

 

I went with the 8.1, Allison and 3.73 and I couldn't be happier.  

 

The 99 Yukon I traded got about 16.5 mpg.  

 

I commute 25 miles one way to work and set the cruise control on 75.  The mpg has been steadily increasing and the last tanks average was 12.35 mpg

 

I test drove the 6.0 with 4.10 and it was very nice but the 8.1 really impressed me.  For me the mpg difference was not a factor.

 

I tow a 6500 lb travel trailer and I know in a couple years I'll probably be trading for a bigger unit.  The 8.1 gives me plenty of room to move up.

[gandolphxx]

The 8.1L is a solid, power performer - you wouldn't regret that choice - gets better as it gets older - like a fine bottle of port.

[Kansas Kid]

Not to get off subject here, but I agree with Larry on the ride issue.  I personally like the fact they ride a bit rougher, but as much braging goes on about GM ride quality, I wasn't impressed.  As a matter of fact, the 2500 4x4 Ram (Ho Cummins) I test drove awhile back was the best riding pickup out of all the Big 3 as far as SRW trucks go.  I have to admit I was impressed with how well the Dodge rode after having driven a 2500HD around.  (I also liked how the Cummins drove, but thats a given)

 

btw, you want to drive a rough riding truck?  Go find yourself a 3500 Silverado (4x4, reg cab) with the bed delete option.  The back end on that thing was so stiffly sprung it was like riding in a tractor without an air ride seat.  It definetly needed a service box or a big gooseneck hooked up to it....

[hogger999]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna go with the 8100. We all know that you dont buy a 4x4 for fuel mileage and while the 6.0 is impressive I would probably wish that I had gotten the 8.1 if I don't.

Even though the only thing I'm realy gonna be haulin' is butt

                                 

[SixthMan]

Good choice!  I went with the 8.1/Allison for the drivetrain.  I tow my ski boat now and then but that didn't influence my decision, neither did the gas mileage.  After the first test (actually first launch from a stoplight) drive the decision was made.

[RIPMF]

Hey Hogger999

I bought the 8.1 with the allison and i'v loved it from day one.

First 2,000 miles sucked on mpg only got 9to10 but thats hammered down red light to red light  smokin the poor butt firestone's tires if you call them tires lol there a joke. So fare like the Larry  in the posts said  the 8.1 has a thing for using a quart of oil but mines every 2,200 miles on the dot was told that could be from running down  I-95 to work @80 to 90 mph every morning has a lead foot.And still even driving that away @13,800  I get  anywere from alittle above 14mpg to nothing under 11mph now and let me tell you after you get  the first  4,000 miles on it  you will think that someone kicked the thing in the butt mine really picked up in power and throttle reaction alot after that. So far to date  I'v had to take the truck in for warr work Driver side window not wanting to come back up,Driver side door not fitted right from top to bottom,Driver side tweeter fell out, Turq converter bolt falling out were not turqed at factory, and the newest that I have not been in for yet in the (abs) light  and the service 4wd light coming on and not letting truck out of 4x4. I have tried  the 4x4 and it's working fine for now but  still takin back to dealer even stuck in 4wd just last weekend  thank god there was snow first for the year here in Maryland for us I still got 12mpg. In all I still love my chevy's  screwed up once buying a dodge never again  dang thing was in the shop  more then I got to drive it and not saying this about the dodges just because I work for General Motors as you can see I have pointed out my 2500 Hd's faults Thanks  and welcome to the board and the  king of the big truck's