ATMINF

Sorry to hear of your problems, but what did you do during the winter months with all of the road salt on your truck? When I was stationed in Wisconsin I made sure to get my Suburban washed about every two weeks or so. That really helped to keep the salt off. For me coming from Southern California I still knew how bad road salt is to the frame and did things to take care if it. On my current truck, I just left Virginia where they use salt also. I made sure to hose off the underbody also. So after two winters in the mild Washington DC area my trucks undercoating and frame are still good to go.

I would say you would have to measure it out. The Avy is based on the Suburban frame so the size of your crew cab front area should be close.

Sorry, no idea. I was just commenting about the LS series engines.

What are you asking?

To burn a quart of oil between 3-5000 mile oil changes is not uncommon. I would say that is normal.

The current motor is all based around the LS1 that came out in 1997 in the corvette. Of these motors I have had one in my 2001 suburban and my current 2006 Silverado. Both of these trucks have been great for me, with no. Issues. I also know friends of mine that have the current motor and also have no issues. If you have problem, be cool and take it to the dealer to get fixed. While I understand some dealers are a pain, I have also seen where the customer is never satisfied and treats the dealer like crap. So human nature is just that, you treat people poorly they will treat you bad in return.

The 5.3 motor has been known to be a 200-300k mile motor. They are robust and durable.

In the GMT 800 trucks the 2500 HD and the SRW 3500HD have the same frame, but the 3500 has a heavier spring pack and slightly different wheels from the factory.

I would say the junkyard is the bet option. I want to say that that that body style was around for several years, so it should be easy to find. The only thing is that if they are overly expensive you might just take the tailgate off, and take it in for the trade. The dealer might not make a big deal over it. Just tell them you used a net style gate or something. Good luck.

I would just flush the fluids and give it a good tune up. Replace the differential fluids,trans,oil,brake, coolent, plugs and wires. Take a look at all the hoses also.

100k on these trucks are nothing. These trucks will last you a very long time.

I would go with the white one, it does have more miles, but it does not look like it was used to tow a gooseneck or 5th wheel. So it probably only towed "medium" heavy loads 6000-10,000. While the 2003 has a gooseneck ball in the bed, and probably used hard to tow heavy loads. Granted that's just a guess, but most bumper towing is max around 10k, where as a gooseneck and 5th wheel goes up to 16,000. Both trucks are capable of towing up to 16K in the gooseneck/5th wheel configuration, and bumper pull up to 12k.

My 4L80 is loud, whiny(straight cut gears),and clunky,but since its a 3/4ton truck and not a Caddy I expected that. What were your Dad's expectations? (this is a question, not trying to be a smart butt). Is this the first HD truck, or is it more hard shifting that other HD trucks that he has owned? I know I have had others that owned 1/2ton trucks comment on the ride & firmness of my truck, but when I explained it they understood. The reason the Trannys are like that is because the firm shifts = less slipping, reduced wear/heat, and the gear cuts make the overall package more robust. Granted would I like better if it was smoother? Maybe? but part of getting the strenght, is the trade-off of soft shifts. Hope this explians it.

It's not really a problem. It is just how the motor runs. Remember even the gen 1 & 2 small blocks used about a quart every 3000 miles.

I would say a 8.1/Ally truck is more capable than a 6.0L in all aspects, but that does not mean a 6.0L truck is not capable. I like my truck a lot, and it has been able to do everything I need it to do. If I were to do it all over again I would have bought a white 8.1/Ally 4x4 crew cab long bed, that was sitting next to my truck,but it was also $12-14 grand more than my truck.