Advice On 2001 2500hd 8.1l Crewcab

[tftimm]

I ran by the following vehicle here locally. It's ba REPO and being sold by a dealer, not a mom/pop dealer, rather a Ford/Honda dealer. I ran a CARFAX and it was sold about a month ago and I guess they didn't make payments, etc.

 

2001 GMC Sierra C2500HD

92,000 miles

8.1L Allison Transmission (don't know anything about the transmission)

Black, XLE package, leather, rear A/C, etc.

Exterior in OK shape, interior in good shape, no rips, everything seems good

Engine stared right up

 

Things I noticed:

1) The tranny/rear end seemed a little loose when starting from a stop. Once moving it was smooth, is this normal?

2) For a couple of blocks, there seemed to be significant engine noise, is this the CSK that everyone talks about, normal?

3) I won't be pulling anything with it and its more than I need, but what would I expect for MPG on the highway, 70-80mph, 13?

 

Asking price, cash, $6995. I am thinking about low balling them at $5500 OTD and see what they do, but the transmission makes me a little nervous. It's being sold as is with Yoko Geolander tires on it with plenty of thread. By the way, I'm looking for a heavy duty truck that I can take off road. My wife is from northern Mexico and I'm looking for something we can travel into Mexico in rather than take our car. I want something high off the ground with lots of steel, crew cab, and extra reliable in terms of I don't want to get stranded.

 

Thoughts? By the way, this is my first post on this site...

 

I'm a noobie

[tftimm]

Nobody knows anything about these engines? Advice???

[Stevens03]

Everything I've ever heard out them is they are rock solid. Awesome power and torque, but thirsty. As far as the driveline feeling "loose", I'd check the u-joints and repack the slip joke and I'm sure it will be fine. Very common issue on these trucks. The loud engine noise, does it sound like a diesel or clutch fan?. If it sounds more like a fan, then the clutch fan could be engaged longer than normal and need replaced.

 

And.. You've gotta have some patience,... more people will respond. Sometimes the boards a little slow. Evening posts move like crazy.

[tftimm]

Thanks for the heads up, some board are more active during the day, but I'll wait for the comments in the evening. Slip Joke, can you help me out?

[Stevens03]

Drop the drive shaft, put the slip joke out of the trans and re-pack the spline on the inside of the shaft. Re-install and your good as gold. It helps alot by taking up the slack in the driveline because grease doesn't compact.

 

[txab]

Have it looked over by a qualified mechanic for your peace of mind

[Haulin' 8.1]

1. This transmission though very good can very easily develop a delayed engagement during brief stop and starts. It's worse when cold, it effects 01'-03 I believe and there's a reprogram that addresses it. Mine just about cleared up completely after an ABS module repair.

 

2. A roar would be the fan clutch, they stay locked up for a bit on start up but this helps the A/C work. If it's a tapping it could be valve train. A banging indicates there's something wrong.

 

3. At those speeds unloaded expect 11.5 in perfect tune. You won't see better than thirteen above 60 MPH.

 

Great truck, I love mine. It has minor issues, a recalled crank sensor (free fix) is needed for that year. It won't be problem free but it can be major problem free. Just maintenence and wear items. That one is in desperate need of a tune-up if it's never been done. Plugs about 50K and fuel filters about 15-20K each. As long as the Posi still works the truck can go well off-road. It is long and very heavy so don't push your luck at any time. I don't stop in mud to see how I'm doing and make it fine but I have gotten stuck in the back yard trying to pull a car around. The transfer case will eventually develop a leak but there are fixes that can be done pre-emtively that remedy the situation before it catches you for a lot less. It will pull anything you want with ease. Plenty of power for passing. For long trips you'll have to stop about every 225 miles for fuel with the stock tank.

 

Go to www.dieselplace.com and look at the "GM Gassers" forum for more info. It' kind of a 8.1 specialty forum due to they share everything else in common with the Duramax HD's.

 

Vernon

[Haulin' 8.1]

Have it looked over by a qualified mechanic for your peace of mind

If you're near North West Houston I know a great mechanic.

 

Vernon

[tftimm]

Thanks for the advice.

 

1) I know a good transmission shop, unfortunately its a bit of a drive from here, about 3 hours. Its in the town I grew up in. I'm sure they could fix it.

2) It sounds exactly like the fan clutch.

3) 11.5, ouch

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to see how long it stays on the lot and low ball them.

 

How large of a gas tank does it have?

[ss502gmc]

Thanks for the advice.

 

1) I know a good transmission shop, unfortunately its a bit of a drive from here, about 3 hours. Its in the town I grew up in. I'm sure they could fix it.

2) It sounds exactly like the fan clutch.

3) 11.5, ouch

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to see how long it stays on the lot and low ball them.

 

How large of a gas tank does it have?

My truck has 150k on it and is stong as an ox only minor cheap fixes so far. And the Short bed has 25 gal tank and longbed has 34 gal tank

[tftimm]

So I could go 250 miles on a tank...if I'm lucky?

[die hard]

i have a 2001 hd 8.1 170,000 miles love it lots of power the transmission is awesome geared low but on the high way my rmp's about 2,300 at 75 mph.. i had to replace my transfercase ,crank sensor , but never left me on the side of the road .. for the money you say you can buy it for do it you will be happy

[davzog]

My son just bought an 01 8.1 with 115,000 miles....runs super strong and has no issues....after about 4000 miles, he always tells me how great the truck is (and I agree), then he complains about getting 8.5 mpg in the city and about 10.5 on the road...empty!

 

I have a 6.0 and never get over 13 mpg anyway, plus I don't have near the towing power that my son has.....I would have bought the 8.1 myself but GM quit making them before I bought my truck...darn.

[Haulin' 8.1]

So I could go 250 miles on a tank...if I'm lucky?

Yes it's very possible. But everything has to be right, if that fan clutch is sticking all the time it won't.

 

Vernon

[Stewmeistr]

I have an 01 as well.

Do the repacking of the 2pc driveshaft at the slip yoke. HUGE difference.

I got a waitforme tune for it. cheap, effective... many other tunes out there as well.

Haven't had to do the crankshaft sensor yet... only 48K still.

I like/use Iridium plugs gapped at .40

I also have mid length JBA headers....may or maynot be worth it, but Longtubes are supposedly best. Stainless works is the company for those I believe.

 

Wish it had a bigger fuel tank, cause 25gals goes fast. Mileage 8-9 city, 10 if you absolutely rub it just right. 11-12 on hwy max with the allison tranny and 4wd. I have, on the hwy, had a best of 294 miles (before I got nervous) before a fill up. Not exactly reccomended though unless you have a pair of walking shoes with you.

 

The truck will pull most anything (realistically) you will need to with ease. It will diesel a little on startup, but it usually goes away pretty fast.

 

Overall a solid truck, but thirsty for sure. As mentioned, for the price you are paying vs a diesel or newer gas truck, you can BUY ALOT OF GAS.

 

Always get it checked out first, but great trucks.

 

Rob

 

Oh yeah, its normal for these trucks to go through a quart of oil every 1K-1500 miles. Synthetics 5w30 (Mobil1 in mine) make a difference.