If You Could Buy Your HD Again

Stepside Z · April 28, 2002

I am thinking about buying a 2500 HD. If you had the chance to buy yours again what would you do differently as far as options and such?

Shaners · April 28, 2002

I think the I only have about 1 or 2 options missing from mine...

My truck will be one year old in June. I told my wife tonight I'm going to drive it for a long time... she didn't believe me!!! I said everytime I get behind the wheel of this truck I smile!!! Good Power, good handling, awsome room (crewcab), great tranny....

My only complaint is mpg's , but it's only normal to want more so I gues I'm not complaining... I drive a big 300HP truck, so it's OK.

SoMnDMAX · April 28, 2002

LT package with heated leather seats.... The older I get (I'm only 25), the more I dislike having a cold a** during one of our nice Minnesota winters.

I would possibly entertain the thought of getting the ZF six speed as well, instead of the Allison. The Allison is great, but at times, the control you have with the manual would be nice.

JEBar · April 28, 2002

My truck came pretty much loaded. If I was ordering one I would probably add towing mirrors (like the look of the stock better but could sure use the others with my boat). Would like to have had a factory 5th wheel setup in a box the bed with the bed already drilled and set-up for it (don't have a 5th wheel need at the moment but can see that I may need one someday). Only have two modifications left to make (my wife says "Oh right" to that), those are Duromaximizier and a 15,000 lb. Warren winch.

akdiesel · April 28, 2002

I wouldn't change a thing. I ordered mine the way I wanted it after doing reserch and reading posts like these. Comments from real people will give you a good idea as to what is good and what is not.

Each year it the makers come out with somthing to impove from last year because of the public imput. 2003 will have somthing better than last year, but thats the way it goes.

Good luck.

sierra8.1 · April 28, 2002

This is the first vehicle I bought without ordering it the way I like, but I love the truck the way it is, only thing I might like would be if the Driver Information Center,I think it's called; mpg and trip info and such. Other than that I wouldn't change anything, really love this truck!

SixthMan · April 28, 2002

I love the performance of the 8.1, but like anything else you get used to it and the mileage is pretty poor. I would probably consider spending the extra money on the duramax. I would probably use the truck more because of the extra fuel economy and the power of the diesel is more than sufficient. I've also bought my first and last black truck!!!

katie-bug · April 28, 2002

I bought the last 2001 truck my local dealer had on the lot. I like it just the way it is and plan to keep it for ten or more years. It is a '01 2500HD, base trim, regular cab, long bed, 4 wheel drive with manual transfer case shifter on the floor, 8.1 litre motor, Allison automatic transmission, air conditioning, Z82 tow package and a radio. Plain jane pickup truck, white with black factory fender flares.

I paid $23,000 for it. I have added a K&N fuel injection perforamnce kit, cut off stock muffler and replaced with a magna flow muffler, a gemtop canopy, PIAA air dam with fog and driving lights and a Pioneer stereo.

If I could do it over again, I would like a different color, but the white will fade with age better than most colors. My 11 year old AWD Astro Van was white and still looked ok.

"There is no substitute for cubic inch displacement".

I've played around with the psi in stock tires. Recomended on door is 55 psi front and 80 psi rear. But that is with a load in bed or trrailering. I've tried 45 psi front and rear, but sidewalls bulge a bit. Right now they are at 52 psi all around. Seems ok but rear breaks loose kind of easy.

Stepside Z · April 28, 2002

Thanks for the input guys. I really think the Duramax is the way to go. Seems like you pay the bank or pay at the pump. When I retire from the Navy I will have a 90 mile round trip to work so I can justify buying a diesel.

WhiteBeast · April 29, 2002

Keep the step side and dare to be different!

CMNTMXR81 · April 29, 2002

LT package with heated leather seats.... The older I get (I'm only 25), the more I dislike having a cold a** during one of our nice Minnesota winters.

I would possibly entertain the thought of getting the ZF six speed as well, instead of the Allison. The Allison is great, but at times, the control you have with the manual would be nice.

I don't think you can get the heated seats then. That's part of the upscale LS and LT packages which include the center console which automatically upgrades to the Allison.

The only way to get the ZF is to get a more base model or with a split bench seat.

CMNTMXR81 · April 29, 2002

Also, mine came as a fully loaded LT so I don't have anything other than potential future options that GM could add. I like and went with the smaller mirrors because they were heated. If the camper mirrors were heated, I'd have gotten those.

Anyway;

1) Moonroof. Shorten up the overhead console by removing the two comparments that I never use and put in a moonroof. Kinda like how they did to the Blazer's in '97. I got used to it in the Aurora and now miss it.

2) Automatic climate control for extended cabs. I don't know why becuase of a few extra inches, crew cabs only can opt for this.

SoMnDMAX · April 29, 2002

I don't think you can get the heated seats then. That's part of the upscale LS and LT packages which include the center console which automatically upgrades to the Allison.

The only way to get the ZF is to get a more base model or with a split bench seat.

Oh, I know....

I think it's one of the ABSOLUTE STUPIDEST things GM has come up with!! It sure wouldn't be too hard for them to offer it, as all the parts exist.. :angry: :angry: