Looking Into A New Truck ... Opinions?

brnr17 · March 21, 2010

Hey guys, I've started to get the itch for a new truck recently and started looking around. I'm definately looking for a crew cab this time around because i plan on owning the truck for a while. I'm looking for some opinions on what you have. Is there maybe a certain year that was better or had equipment that was better than other years? thanks in advance

tonygxp · March 21, 2010

Go for the 6spd trans.. Outside of that? Nothing comes to mind really. Just the trans' in the 07 early 08's are junk. good luck

cc1999 · March 21, 2010

Ya, if you are looking at the new body style, then look for the 6 speed auto. 2008 and up crews with. Ext cabs some were out there in 09, but all 5.3L and 6.2Ls have it in 2010. Other then that the NBS trucks are pretty much the same 07-10.

brnr17 · March 21, 2010

Go for the 6spd trans.. Outside of that? Nothing comes to mind really. Just the trans' in the 07 early 08's are junk. good luck

did the 6 spd come in 07's and 08's? why are the transmissions junk on those? any info you could give would really help. thanks

Ya, if you are looking at the new body style, then look for the 6 speed auto. 2008 and up crews with. Ext cabs some were out there in 09, but all 5.3L and 6.2Ls have it in 2010. Other then that the NBS trucks are pretty much the same 07-10.

the bold part has me a little confused

BadBowtie1 · March 21, 2010

They are all good truck's and there are many truck's with 150+ on there 4 speed trans and still going strong,so it's all on how the last owner used the truck,if they are red line the truck when they left every light than that's reason the 07-08 trans are junk,from reading some new posts on this site there are going to be some new 6 speed trans problems soon.

jro909 · March 21, 2010

i think all the newer CC have the 6 speed...never heard many gripes over the newer trans, make sure you get a warranty, the newer v8s have the hit and miss problem with the valves burning oil because of the AFM...otherwise i think they are decent trucks..

BadBowtie1 · March 21, 2010

jro909 is right they are all decent trucks.

SHooper4 · March 21, 2010

Have not had any issues with mine so far, love it. Its all about what your needs are, new ,older model, gas or deisel.

Next time I will go for a 2500HD which is comparable to a GMT900, but a pretty penny more than what I paid for.

No problem with the AFM but need a tune for better milage, some people hate the AFM, for me so far its ok, nned more highway time and milage to get a better prespective.

jro909 · March 21, 2010

afm is great if you get one that dosen't need the new valves, its nice to cruise around town in 4 cylinder mode, but when it comes to going 85 down the interstate the trucks going to be fighting itself going in and out and in out of 4 mode to try to maintain speed

music · March 21, 2010

Just the trans' in the 07 early 08's are junk. good luck

How many times do we hear that sentiment, and how many (if any?) times do we read of 4-spd issues on the 07+ trucks?

vester · March 21, 2010

Go for the 6spd trans.. Outside of that? Nothing comes to mind really. Just the trans' in the 07 early 08's are junk. good luck

Although I to prefer the 6 speed over the 4L60e, there is nothing wrong with it. It has been around forever and can easily and cheaply be rebuilt if you still have the truck when it does wear out.

Really, it comes down to finding the right truck for your needs that was taken care of by the previous owner. I am a fan of the GM certified used trucks because of the factory warranty extension. Generally, the vehicles that get certification are cherry picked from the lease return auctions and have limited repair history and little reconditioning cost for the dealer. Around me, you can get a low mileage 2007 GMT900 Denali for under $30K.

Andrew55 · March 21, 2010

I wouldnt trade my 4 speed for a six. Both are good tranny's but i particularly dont like the more frequent gear changes/downshifting in the six speed, but then again it probably would help get a little better gas mileage especally for my thursty 6.0.

cc1999 · March 21, 2010

My last truck was a 5.3 with 4speed, the new one is 5.3 with a 6 speed. My black truck still has a 4 speed as well, I never had any problems with any of the 4 speed trucks I have owned. But I think for future resale purposes, that a six speed will have its merits. As fuel prices are expected to rise. The 6 speeds not only help in the fuel mileage department, but also seem to really help keep the 5.3 in its power range better then the 4 speed. I am pretty happy with my new 6 speed so far.

The 6 speeds were not availble on the 900 series trucks the first year out as 2007my, then in 08 they started tricleing into the lineup, and more so in 09, and 10. Now on the 2010s , all 5.3Ls come with 6speeds and actually rate better EPA numbers then the 4.3 or 4.8 trucks with 4 speeds. I think most 08' Crew cabs with 5.3L or 6.2L would have had the 6 speed.

tonygxp · March 22, 2010

Just the trans' in the 07 early 08's are junk. good luck

How many times do we hear that sentiment, and how many (if any?) times do we read of 4-spd issues on the 07+ trucks?

Talk to a GM trans builder and you'll have your answer. The 4l60e, 65e, 70e are all junk. In a vette or camaro they were fine, even in the 6cyl trailblazer.. They cannot support the weight these trucks carry around nevermind the towing capacities. I had 65e & 70e and the 70e amazed me by it's ability to still run smooth after a couple hundred runs down the qtr in my TBSS running mid 12's & 11.8's on spray. Billet servos, deep pan, cooler and 3200 triple disc vig converter with an outstanding dyno tune helped i'm sure. That TBSS was 2wd and i didn't beat on it in the street and when i did get on it it would spin to ease the stress on the trans especially the 1-2 shift. it would leave a 10ft long patch at WOT in the street. Not until i started spraying a 125 shot did the 2-3 shift stop happening and only at WOT at 15k mi.

Tack on another 1000+lbs these trucks weigh and the loads they are capable of and you can start to see where i am going. In a stock tuned truck and not beating on it it will last a long time. Remember the roots of these 4spd trans'?? try 1985 700r4. just electronics added and mild improvements.

Point is two fold here. Many guys with these 4spd's are getting tunes and eliminating TQ mgmnt and getting on their trucks. The trans is gonna go, they were going on AWD TBSS's left and right and then GM put even MORE TQ mgmnt in for 07-09. Second is that these stock 6spds are doing things at the track the 4lxxx series never dreamed of. That my friend is where you start to figure out which is more stout and what GM's have been lacking. Good news is the 4l's have plenty of stout replacement parts and then get everyhing cryo'ed and you're set for life. But it's the 6spd stock durability that is amazing everybody ie track, street, builders.