New to this forum

SteveSierra · November 12, 2001

Hey all. What's up? Some of you I know from other GM truck boards. I like this forum a lot, nice layout. I've kinda lurked here for about 2 months and am now coming out of the closet. haha

Anyway, I have an 02 2500HD 4x4 extended cab, charcoal gray with 6.0, 4L80E trans and 4.10's with locker and have a few questions if I could trouble you all.

1. I hear a whine in first gear, not dependent on internal or external temp. Does it all the time. Actually sounds like a school bus whine in first gear. Anyone else notice this?

2. If I give it half to full throttle(speeds around 35-60ish), I get a slight downshift out of OD then it slams hard into second. I never noticed this double downshifting in the 01 Z71 I had, is this also a characteristic of the 4L80E?

3. I still have the stock Firestone LT 245's. They had the air pressure at 35 psi. I notice they are 80 psi max. What is a good general psi for these tires(light trailering for now, and medium hauling). 55-60 psi f/r? (I'm too cheap to spend 600 bucks right now on LT 265's, Christmas coming up with 2 kids and all, so these tires will be staying on for a while)

4. Anyone else's 6.0 make some clatter on cold start ups? Not like knocking clatter(had that on a 99 Tahoe I had), but like chirping/whistling noises? Goes away after it's warmed up.

5. Not a problem really, but, anyone that went from a 5.3 to the 6.0 notice that the exhaust note is almost as loud as the 5.3 with a gibson single side swept exhaust? ;)

I think the 6.0 and 4L80E are a real good combo, runs like a raped ape, tires spin and smoke on full throttle takeoffs even with only 35 psi in the tires. Hey, I had a 98 Z28(8 months) and an 01 SS(3 months), even though it's a truck, I still have an urge to run a Ford or a Dodge up to 50-60 mph when the situation and conditions arise.

I think that's about it for now, looking forward to contributing to the board now.

Steve

DigUout · November 12, 2001

Welcome Steve!

Since we don't have the same configuration truck, I can't comment on some of your questions, but as far as tire pressure, on my 245's I ran 50 PSI all round for everyday driving. More when towing (about 55-60), less when off roading (about 35-40).

Sounds like a nice new truck and with the 4:10's, you should be all set whenever you're ready to jump up to 265's or 285's.

Again, welcome to the forum!

SteveSierra · November 12, 2001

Thanks for the info on tire pressure DigUout.

I like your 98! I wish I would've kept my 99 Tahoe sometimes. Didn't have any problems with it, yet the 01 Camaro SS and 01 Z71 I had, had multiple probs that the dealers weren't able to fix. I like the styling of the last generation a bit better as well. Maybe I should've bought a preowned 97-00 K series 3/4 ton instead of the 02. Oh well. Yeah, the 4.10's will be a big help when I go up in tire size.

chevy4x4trucks · November 12, 2001

I'd like to help you out, but some of us bought our light duty pickups before the release of the HD's. Welcome to the forum. Do you have any pics of your rig?

SteveSierra · November 12, 2001

Thanks for the welcome:) No pics yet. Still looking for a decent 2-3 MP digital camera. Can anyone recommend one in a 350-450 price range? Anyone have experience with the FujiFilm FinePix 2600?

MountaineerTom · November 12, 2001

Welcome to the site!

My work bought a 2.1 or 2.3 (can't remember which one) MP Kodak DC3600 a few months back, and it was $390.00. i think they have went down since then. It takes pretty good pictures.

Sounds like you have a nice truck. Sorry I can't help you with any of your questions.

Kansas Kid · November 12, 2001

Quote from steve2500hd, posted on Nov. 12 2001,07:52

1. I hear a whine in first gear, not dependent on internal or external temp. Does it all the time. Actually sounds like a school bus whine in first gear. Anyone else notice this?

I wouldn't worry about the whine if first gear. It is either coming from the gears being cut more for strength then running quiet, which generally causes a whining noise. The gears themselves are also much larger, which again makes more noise. It could also be the pump that circulates the transmission fluid. It moves alot of fluid, and tends to make a bit of noise.

3. I still have the stock Firestone LT 245's. They had the air pressure at 35 psi. I notice they are 80 psi max. What is a good general psi for these tires(light trailering for now, and medium hauling). 55-60 psi f/r? (I'm too cheap to spend 600 bucks right now on LT 265's, Christmas coming up with 2 kids and all, so these tires will be staying on for a while)

With the tires, I would run them at about 50psi front and 55psi rear for what you mentioned. Just remember to take them in pressure if you happen to pull a heavy load.

btw, you couldn't have picked a better color. I really like the Charcoal gray.

SteveSierra · November 12, 2001

Tom - thanks for the info on the DC3600. I'll check that one out. I just want relatively simple camera that takes real good digital pictures.

Kansas Kid - Thanks man. I heard the whine since new(1000 miles on it now) and just wondered. I'll just turn up the music a l'il louder.

I love Charcoal Gray. My Tahoe was that color. Except on the Tahoe, the paint was real cloudy along the front fenders.

This one has no cloudiness to it at all. In fact, this is the best paint job from GM I've seen on any of the GM cars/trucks I've had. Me happy. It looks reeeeeal nice after 1 coat of Zaino. Hope to get a couple more coats on before old man winter really sets in. When I do get a dig cam, I will post pictures.

Y'all try not to laugh too much at my tiny 245's that are on it tho'.

Shaners · November 12, 2001

Welcome Steve,

I have the same truck basically except it's a crewcab. Let's see if I can help...

1) I think the whine is because first gear is heavier in the 4L80 than in the 4L60. (Mine does it too, and reminds me of the the old Turbo 350's and Turbo 400's)

2) I never tried it, but I will sometime and let you know...

3) I run 55 psi front and back in the stock firestones.

4) I've heard it... I think it is a combo of fuel injectors/ Aluminum heads/ and exhaust all coming up to temp...

5) That's a big pipe on our trucks... I think it sounds good!!! I polished mine...

I agree this truck really likes to run... I really like mine!!!

Shane

wolfie · November 12, 2001

I have a little whine in mine too... only its at normal speeds when going down a hill not in 1st gear.. I'm going to ask about it when I take it in this friday.

SteveSierra · November 13, 2001

Shane -

You are the first person on any of the boards that I've been to that has acknowledged number 4 as well. No one else could offer an explanation. Whew! I thought I was gettin more nuts than I already am! lol

I kinda thought it might be the aluminum heads warming up to temp as well.

Also, it's good to hear that the whine appears to be normal. I was thinking I was alone on that one as well.

It seems I have found a great board with great people at gm-trucks. I like this place.

Wolfie - hmmmm, I don't notice what you're describing. As I live in a valley area with all sorts of hills, I think I'm gonna check for that as well on my way home today. Is yours pretty loud, fairly noticeable with windows up/down?

Shaners · November 15, 2001

Steve,

A couple of things... for one thanks for the compliments and I'm glad you like it here (I do too).

And as for #4, I also wonder if it is coming from the accesory drive belt... maybe something like the belt itself or the idler pully. It's just another thought to ponder when you're laying awake in bed at night... LOL

Either way, this is the nicest truck I've ever owned. I'm very finicky, and visiting here several times a day keeps me up on the latest. Sometimes that isn't always the best thing because I start looking for problems I may or may-not have!!! LOL!!!

I really love this truck, and it wouldn't surprise me if I keep it 3-4 years!!! (I usually trade every two years)

Shane

SteveSierra · November 15, 2001

-----Either way, this is the nicest truck I've ever owned. I'm very finicky, and visiting here several times a day keeps me up on the latest. Sometimes that isn't always the best thing because I start looking for problems I may or may-not have!!! LOL!!!------

LOL I know what you mean! You read about someone having a certain problem then you start wondering, does mine do that? Anymore I just turn up the stereo and fuggedaboutit:D

-------I really love this truck, and it wouldn't surprise me if I keep it 3-4 years!!! (I usually trade every two years)------

Me too. Let's see, since May 1995 I've had:

1. 1995 Reg cab long bed Chevy Z71-owned 3 years

2. 1998 Camaro Z28 M6-owned about 8 months

3. 1999 Tahoe 4dr 4wd LT - slightly modded-owned 2 years

4. 2001 Camaro SS M6-owned 3 months-many problems

5. 2001 Ext cab Chevy Z71-owned 4 months-LEMON!

6. 2002 Ext cab Chevy 4x4 2500HD-owned almost 2 months and probably will for at least another 60 months.

I'm done buying anymore cars/trucks for a looooong time now. Well, unless I hit the powerball I guess.

Quaaluder · November 20, 2001

Hey Steve,

My trucks are identical to yours except for the color. They both whine like everything in first gear. I've also confirmed this same whine with a few other '02s, as well as the dealer, who says its normal (like that means anything).

One point of advice, keep turning the radio up instead of using anything else to drown it out----I finished the exhuast out with dual flows out the back on the red one and it is WAYYYYYYYYYYYY too loud!!!!! SO don't do that!!! ;)

Ben

SteveSierra · November 21, 2001

Ben,

Nice truck! I like Indigo Blue a lot as well. I thought about changing the exhaust/headers out, but it might annoy me too much. It wasn't bad on my Tahoe, but I had a feeling that the 6.0 would be quite a bit louder with the same mods. I'll keep crankin the stereo. LOL

I have a couple pics at picturetrail of my truck if ya wanna check em out.

http://www.PictureTrail.com/steveclark

Steve