New 2500hd 6.0 Owner.....questions/advice

gilldawg79 · December 25, 2010

Hi, new to the forum and to GM. I see so many of these trucks on the road here in Alabama there is no question that they are good trucks. I know all vehicles have their quirks and thats understandable. That being said, I just bought a 2006 GMC 2500HD 6.0 4X4 ext. cab and 4.10 rear-end W/T with 49,843 miles on it. The truck is immaculate and doesn't even look like it was used really. I have a Jayco 19BH travel trailer that I will be towing and the occasional flatbed to haul a tractor 30 miles or so and a 23' center console a couple times a year (to the beach for the spiring, summer and fall and home for the winter). I have a few questions about maintenance and some mods. I am by no means an auto mechanic. I am an electrician at a paper mill so I am pretty handy, but have never spent much time under a hood (unless it's an Arc Flash or welding hood). I need this truck to last me a long time. I have always wanted one of these trucks and I got exactly what I was looking for. It will not be a daily driver. I have a 2005 pathfinder that I will continue to drive as long as it will go. On a side note, it has been one helluva good SUV. It is about to turn 100k and still drives like it did on day one. On to the questions....

Maintenance: What have you guys done at 50K? I was thinking tranny maintenance....Flush or change? I have heard mixed results on flushes on other types of vehicles, but I know changing fluid is paramount around 50k miles....I would also assume to go ahead and do the differential and transfer case, right? What other things should I be looking into? Would now be a good time to swap over to a synthetic motor oil? If so, what are you guys using? Anything else??? Catalytic converters???

Mods: Exhaust. Mine is stock. Do after market mufflers make a big difference? Duals? or just one exhaust? Mufflers. I don't want a loud exhaust when and if I romp on it, but I do want improvement and I do like a low growl. I just don't want to have to turn the radio up all the way to compensate for exhaust noise. as far as exhaust goes, can I get away with just replacing the muffler and maybe the tailpipe or do I need to go all the way back to the CC? How about cold air intakes? Correct me if I am wrong. The standard intake on this truck is a cold air intake right? I do see some restrictions and a funny looking plenum that goes into the motor. It looks like these CAIK (Cold Air Intake Kits) really just create a less restrictive flow. Is that right? Do any of you guys have one of these. Did you see good results with it? I have heard about MAF sensors getting affected by some of these kits? Is that correct? What would I be looking at doing if I decide to add one of these these to my truck? Will I essentially just replace the OEM style filter with the new CAIK filter in the current intake and a new unrestricted tube to the motor? Forgive my ignorrance, but I just want this thing to be the best it can and last a long time. Has anybody on here heard of a ScanGaugeII? Does anybody use one? Check it out here! These things look pretty cool and we have something very similar in our boat and it is invaluable 90 miles offshore. However, it looks as though this thing could really help with driving habits and diagnosing problems down the road....Maybe?

Known Issuses: I have read about the cold start knocking and that sounds like it's pretty common. I haven't noticed it in mine, but I have only had it a day. I have read about the "steering clunk". What is this and what has to be done to fix it, or does it need to be fixed the instant you experience it? Are the any other things I should be looking out for and are there maintenance type things that will avoid that. Seems like I have read something about wheel bearings....That could have been a 1/2 ton thing though....Any input there?

Like I said, I am thrilled with my truck and want it to last a long time, and it should since I won't be driving it but probably 2 days a week or so. I just want some valuable input from the guys that I have been seeing driving these bad boys for the last 10 years.

Thanks alot in advance!!!

Jimmy

jro909 · December 25, 2010

i'll add a few things its late and i'll try to get back to this thread and finish what is started...anyway at 50k i would service both diffs, check belt and hose conditions...FLUSH the trans and get dex6 put in which you prob have dex3 in it currently which is obsolete and does not hold a candle to dex6...known issues, nothen really besides the cold start knock(its a trade mark of vortecs, not harmful) and yes the steering clunk which is not dangerous and is rather cheap to be changed at the dealer, besides that nothen that really rings bells in my head

macguy · December 25, 2010

i'll add a few things its late and i'll try to get back to this thread and finish what is started...anyway at 50k i would service both diffs, check belt and hose conditions...FLUSH the trans and get dex6 put in which you prob have dex3 in it currently which is obsolete and does not hold a candle to dex6...known issues, nothen really besides the cold start knock(its a trade mark of vortecs, not harmful) and yes the steering clunk which is not dangerous and is rather cheap to be changed at the dealer, besides that nothen that really rings bells in my head

Lets not forget the 06 is classic. Its notorious for a weak steering shaft and shaft play. GM never really had a good fix for this, but there are some after market shafts you can get.

jro909 · December 25, 2010

i'll add a few things its late and i'll try to get back to this thread and finish what is started...anyway at 50k i would service both diffs, check belt and hose conditions...FLUSH the trans and get dex6 put in which you prob have dex3 in it currently which is obsolete and does not hold a candle to dex6...known issues, nothen really besides the cold start knock(its a trade mark of vortecs, not harmful) and yes the steering clunk which is not dangerous and is rather cheap to be changed at the dealer, besides that nothen that really rings bells in my head

Lets not forget the 06 is classic. Its notorious for a weak steering shaft and shaft play. GM never really had a good fix for this, but there are some after market shafts you can get.

gmt-800's had sloppy steering in general

Shaners · December 25, 2010

It sounds like you will be using this truck for towing mostly. If that is the case I would leave the exhaust stock. Yep an aftermarket exhaust sounds good until you start to tow, and then the droning will drive you nuts!

[email protected] · December 26, 2010

I agree with Shaners - from personal experience - the droning at highway speeds towing is very noticeable and tiring, not only to the driver but the passengers as well. I'd stay with the stock quite exhaust system.

FWIW,

Carl B.