SWDoodle

Well I put an order in for a new AT4 gas with the 10-speed over the weekend. Dealer had allocation for one white HD and I went ahead and placed the order. Hopefully it gets picked up. I was gonna get and SLT but honestly there was little to no difference in price when you optioned the trims similar. There was a couple things on the SLT that I wanted that in order to get you had to get extra packages like cameras, blind spot sensors, etc. Honestly I didn’t want that stuff but I did want a bed view camera. That’s the hook they get you with. If a guys orders a base SLT the MSRP only went up a minimal amount, but they stick you on any upgrades. I had to at least have the bucket seats at a minimum. The AT4 trim pretty much comes standard with all that stuff. In fact the only option I picked was the gooseneck prep package, even though the B&W is better IMO. I feel stupid ordering a pickup this nice but at the prices these things are what’s another $4-5 grand? IPlus I think the AT4 will hold its value well. I’m sure I’ll take a bath trading in my 23 SLE though. I could live with the SLE but you can’t get factory leather. I know you can it aftermarket but I’d rather have it installed from the factory. At least my dealer i working with me a bit. He’s knocking $1500 off MSRP and “hopefully” the trade isn’t too bad. But at these prices it’s still stupid. Only thing I’m a little nervous about is I’m getting this thing without knowing if this 10 speed is the ticket or not. I think it will be a nice upgrade, but time will tell whether it will be as reliable as the 6L90. I don’t have any issues with the 6 speed I just hope the 10 speed is better. They did bump the GCVWR from 24K to 26K so that makes me feel better. I don’t think my 2015 LML is even that high but it will handle that weight no problem. So I’m excited yet anxious at the same time. Hope it all works out!

I really like this new 6.6 gas. I've had 6.0's with 4 speeds and 6 speeds and this one is quite a bit better. I will probably always keep one diesel around (as long as it's reliable) for real heavy tows, but this 6.6 is pretty good. IMO I'd probably only look at the diesel now days if you tow heavy and often or live in hilly areas or just simply want the most power you can get. Economy (fuel savings) doesn't mean anything anymore like it used too. So far my 6.6 gas is only getting 1.5 mpg less average (13.2 vs 14.7) than my LML. I am very happy with that. Diesel is 30% higher where I live so it will never pay back plus no DEF or emmissions issues. I live in flat country so the gas does fine even with heavy loads. So yeah it's nice to drive my LML but the 6.6 gas will get it done. I think the 10-speed will help a bunch. There is a flat spot in the power band from 30-45. It's good up to about 30 and fine 45+ but a few more gears will probably help balance the curve a bit better. I guess we'll see. If it does make that much difference then I may never go to diesel for what I do. I do wish GM would have squeezed a bit more torque out of this 6.6. I'd like to see about 500 torque but it does pretty good. I don't think you are making a bad decision. Yes the new L5P's will be ridiculous on power but I just wonder when extra power trumps longevity/reliability. I know one thing it's amazing what these new pickups can do. Yeah they cost an arm and leg but we still have a few GMT-400's around the farm and they are like model T's compared to the new stuff.

Had 21 calves on the trailer weighed 640 lbs avg. I'd say 1000 lb steers would bring $1.70+ in this market. Pretty hot right now. If it ever gets to raining again out here be out of sight in 2024. Massive herd liquidation out west past year. We won't be able to hang on this summer if it doesn't rain/snow soon. Driest I've seen it in a long while.

Took the new 6.6 gas on a heavy tow today. Had to haul some 6 weight calves to the sale barn. GCVW was just shy of 26K without me in it. We were maxed out! To give some perspective I live in Western Kansas and its pretty much flat. Outside of a few climbs in where some dry rivers are, it's pretty easy towing (this isn't the Rocky Mountains out here). I will say one thing I was impressed with how this thing did. I still have my 15 LML and love that pickup but this new 6.6 gas ain't no slouch either. I was mainly keeping it locked into 5th gear running between 65-70 and it did fine. Only downshifted to fourth a couple times on some small grades. One stretch I let it shift into 6th and it pulled it fine, but I kept in 5th most of the way just to keep tranny happy. The attached picture of the gauges on that 6th gear run. Never saw the trans temp go above 160 and had zero issues keeping speed. I think the 6 speed is adequate but it's a little doggy in the mid-range. The only flat spot in the power band is shifting into third and into fourth. Just kind of a dead area of power/torque. No issues on low end to get moving and once up to speed things are good. I think the new 10 speed will correct this. I do miss the exhaust brake though. That's probably the biggest issue. As far as mileage goes I was shocked. I pulled the calves 80 miles and computer said just a touch over 10 mpg!! Maybe I was just lucky today but that was impressive. My LML usually only does about 11 with this type of load. I have 5000 miles on now and seems like the engine is settled in as the mileage keeps getting better. Lifetime mileage so far is 13 and my LML is 14.5. Still love the diesel and plan to keep it around but I was smiling pretty big today with the performance of this 6.6. Hope this real world experience might help someone wondering about the towing ability. If GM got the hp up to 450 and the 10 speed there would be a lot more gassers being ordered I would imagine.

My 23 makes the same noise. Sounds like it’s coming from under the cab? No idea what it is. Hopefully its not like the gawd awful noise my 3.5 EcoBoost used to make, but that was cam phasers.

I finally got a chance to tow some with the new 2023. Load was about 23K GCVW. So just about the max rating. It was pretty windy out so it was a pretty tough test. Overall I was pleased with the performance and for the most part it was holding 5th gear but would jump down to 4th once in a while. I live where it's flat so that makes a difference. It's definately better than my old 2005 6.0 gas would do with that load. I tried my best not to compare between my 2015 LML but it's hard not to think of the power the diesel has. My LML would have pulled in 5/6 with no issues. But the 6.6 has isn't a slouch either. I did some thinking on the 10 speed. I do think it will help getting loads up to speed. To me it seems like the 6L90E does great up to about 35 mph but really falls flat from 35-55ish IMO. Maybe a few more gears would help that area of the power band. I don't think it will make much difference once you get up to 65 mph as it's not gonna pull top gear anyway. Gas mileage was horrid, but I knew it would be, but don't have many miles on so hopefully it improves some. My area Diesel is $1.50 higher so it's wash anyway. I still wish they would come out with like a 7.0L type engine with 450hp/500+tq but sure that will never happen. With the new L5P hp/tq numbers that's gonna be a huge gap between the two platforms. Be interesting to see how the new 2024 performs with the 10 speed but honestly I don't think it's gonna be night and day between the 6L90E and that has been a pretty solid transmission. I never saw the transmission temps get about 170 the whole time.

Haven’t towed with my 23 yet, honestly really haven’t driven it much at all since I still kept my LML but I kind of anxious to see how it does with a little weight behind it. I got to a admit this thing is pretty peppy down low compared to my old 6.0 4 speed I used to have. But it kind of falls flat above 45 or so if you punch it, but it’s ok I guess. That’s where the 10 speed should make a difference. If they added 50/50 to it in hp/tq and still got decent mileage they would sell a lot of them, but I think the 10 speed will be an significant improvement. Weighed my 23 last night and it was right at 7140 lbs empty for a CCSB 4x4 SLE. That’s 700 lbs lighter than my LML which weights about 7860. The gas platform definitely seems a little more nimble on the front end and it will be nice to have a little extra payload.

That’s what I was curious about as well. From my memory the reason they never put the Allison 1000 behind the 6.0 was of the parasitic loss, hence why it was only offered with the 8.1 in the gas platform. Interesting enough with the L8T they did increase GCWR up to 26K for 2024 so I would assume there was no loss in performance. I was gonna wait for a 2024 but ended up finding a 2023 Sierra SLE near me with the gas. I’ve had one heckuva time finding a pickup so I bit the bullet. My thoughts were to wait an see when this 2024 hits the road and get some real world reviews and then I can always trade up later. May be a year before we see many on the road anyway. Dealership I got this from had 2023’s on the lot and was still getting 2022’s in for customers!

I figured it was. Couldn't see how they could up it that much in a gas platform.

Looks like there is only one gear option, the 3.73. I'm ok with that. I figured they would do something stupid and offer a 3.23/3.42. I think a 4.10 with the 10 speed is probably not needed. I think Ford offers a 4.3 with the 7.3 though. I was really hoping for a bump in power for the L8T. I guess at least we got a transmission. One thing after reading and listening to a few videos it sounds like GM has made some changes to the low end torque. Claiming it increased low end torque by 25%. One site I watched said it was the diesel, another said it was the diesel and gas motors. If the low end torque for the gas increases 25% that's a game changer for the guys like me how don't tow often, but when I do it's heavy. I about pulled the trigger on a 2023 but I'm just gonna wait. Enough has changed with the interiors and powertrain that it's gonna be worth it now IMO.

Thanks for the honest review. I'm in a quandry right now. Had a 2022 AT4 gas on order, but got canceled. Option is to order a 23 which they've gone up $2500 over the 22. I hate getting the last year model ahead of a refresh. Almost thinking of waiting for a 24 at this point with the 10 speed. I know several guys that like the new gas but all tell me it's not close to the diesel. That has me concerned somewhat. I do not tow alot but when I do it's heavy. I'm almost thinking of just going with a Pro with the diesel this time and trade my 2015 LML off when the 24's with the new 10 speed come out.

Thats the dilema I'm in right now. Wait for a 2024 with the new 10 speed or get a leftover 22/23 with the 6 speed. I would bet the 10 speed will be an upgrade while the 6 speed will stay in the WT/Pro lineup for fleet buyers. I just hope it's not a big jump to the transmission and they offer a 4.10. That might be a good setup and help with the guys who tow towards the top end. I would be in that category. I would have flatbed trailers with a GCW of 14-16K. I know that's diesel territory but I only tow seasonally and live in flat country. I'm keeping my LML but looking at a second HD to help me when times are busy.

The 2023's went up about $2500 or so. I know because I had a 2022 ordered last fall and they canceled my order due to allocation. Had to wait for a 2023 (I was working with a fleet company). Anyways, I put an order if for 2023 a month ago and It was $2500 higher than the 2022. Same exact options. Base price went up $1000 and they MAKE you pay $1500 for a 3 Year subscription to Onstar. You can't get out of it. Dumbest move I've ever seen as I will never and have never used Onstar. And no I'm sure they won't honor any price reduction as it's still 2022 and I'm not even sure my 2023 will even show up this year anyway. At first I was ok with the 2023 because I thought they were gonna change the model, but that won't happen till 2024. I am just about close to canceling and waiting for a 2024 with the new 10 speed with the gas. Might have it a year from now anyway. Been beyond frustrating this order process.

I think with this new 6.6 gas GM finally caught up to the in-between guy who needs some capable towing power but doesn't tow super heavy all the time. I personally haven't even driven the new 6.6 but guys around here say they are a step up from the 6.0 so that's good enough for me since I've had a 6.0 gas. I'd imagine a gas HD would probably suite well over 50% of customers needs, but most opt for the diesel because of the "should've got the diesel" mentality when their upset they can't pull 20K up Eisenhower at 78 mph. Reason I chose gas this time is cost, extra payload, and fuel mileage. Guys are telling me their getting pretty decent unladen mileage with the new 6.6 gas. I have a lifetime average of 14.6 @ 100K on my bone stock LML. Not bad for real world mileage, but I honestly think this 6.6 gas won't be that far off that and right now gas is $0.50/gal cheaper than diesel here locally. In all fairness, I'll likely always have one diesel around (except maybe if it burns real bad on repairs someday)because of the towing confidence it gives me. At times I pull heavy like 26K+ GCVW. It's nice to have that power and the exhaust brake, but I am anxious to see what this new 6.6 gas is capable of too.

I would be fine with 4.10/4.30’s with the 6-speed. I just don’t understand why GM won’t give some options for Max payload with the gas. I would agree the 10 speed may shift a ton if towing. You’d almost have to manually lock it out OD gears which I used to do with my old 6.0.