C/K Man

The more I hear about Ford's 7X, the more it sounds like a Gen V. LS with slightly wider bore spacing and a taller deck block! Wow, if Ford really does dump OHC and returns to pushrods they will never hear the end of it.

The latest I am hearing is that the L96 will indeed continue, but there will be another larger gas engine option. Very true about Fuso now using the L96, along with Freightliner and Isuzu who have been offering it for years. From what I understand, need for a larger gas engine is being driven by the new Silverado 4500/5500/6500. Where the L96 would probably be fine for the 4500, it is limited to around 20,000#'s GVW. I believe GM wants to match Ford in offering a gas option in trucks over that GVW. Keep in mind the Ford 7X will not replace the current 6.2L. By the way, the company I work for has been flogging L96 6.0L's for years. We own 100's of them, vans, HD pickups, and 3500 HD dually cab and chassis. Very rarely do we have any issues with them, and about the most common problem is the occasional broken exhaust manifold bolt. My experiences with the L96 at work is why there is one in my garage.

Funny rumor, Ford's upcoming 7X engine is said to 'borrow' many LS features, particularly cylinder head and combustion chamber design.

You are typical of many medium duty box van users. Good chance GM will have a gasoline engine in the new Silverado 4500/5500/6500 in 2020 or 2021. Not everyone wants a diesel anymore.

Not sure about that. Work an Ecoboost and the fuel economy is worse than a GM 6.2L. There would also likely be durability issues. Fleets like simple and cheap. Not to say forced induction gasoline engines may eventually show up in larger commercial trucks, but the current trend seems to be back to large displacement naturally aspirated. Ford's 7X, GM's 6.0L replacement, and I am now hearing that FCA may be looking at a larger Hemi for the Ram HD's.

Driver's side actuator is on the bottom of the HVAC assembly, above the transmission hump accessible from under the dash. The passenger side actuator is on top of the HVAC assembly. It is accessible by removing the radio. Not too tough, you will see it in there a little to the right.

That depends. If you have the problem described in the TSB, (areas of the wax not sticking to the chassis) GM recommends prepping the surface first. I just apply the coating directly to the frame (after cleaning) for repairing small areas where the coating has rubbed off, ect..

This is the factory coating: https://www.daubertchemical.com/store/product-list/corrosion-prevention/nox-rust-x-121b It actually works very well if you touch it up occasionally.

Looks like a 10.5 to me. 10'5's have a removable pinion bearing retainer. Look for a round bolt-on piece at the front of the axle behind the U-joint.

If the primary application for the rumored new engine will be HD pickups and medium duty trucks, a low r.p.m. large displacement naturally aspirated engine would be the logical choice. Notice that Ford has not offered an Ecoboost engine in any Super Duty? There are good reasons for that.

Plus, GM sells a ton of L96's to other OEM's. But, I think the plan is to offer a gas option in the new medium duty trucks, and it won't be the L96.

The 8.1 has been developed into an 8.8L by PSI engines. It is now sold for industrial applications and International offers it in school buses, both gasoline and propane: www.psiengines.com https://www.icbus.com/bus/buses/school/ceseries I think GM is working on something all-new for their trucks.

Rumors are the gasoline powered 2020 HD trucks seen in the recent spy shots are NOT powered by the L96 6.0L. I personally think that GM wants to offer a gas option in the upcoming 4500/5500/6500 and sees a need for a more powerful gas option in the HD pickups.

I think you have to buy the whole trim panel. What trim level is your truck?

Well off upscale contractors. Lots of them in my area. You have to figure it will cost GMC next to nothing to offer that configuration.