Introduction

NascarFan · November 7, 2002

Great forum...I could read for hours...Lot's of good info & opinions.

Just bought a new '02 GMC K2500 HD Ext Cab 4x4 w/ 8.1 & Allison. Can't wait to get past the break-in period so I can see what it will do. I've already figured out it's a good idea to slip it into 4WD before accelerating into traffic from a dead stop on an incline - otherwise, you'll just smoke the tires off.

I don't need either the 8.1 or the 3/4 ton - but I sure wanted both and am glad I got them! Previous truck was a '94 GMC K1500 Ext Cab 4x4 (150k miles). It is still a great truck that I am passing on to my son. Seems to have lost some power recently, esp. when pulling camper, so I'm looking forward to my first trip with the new rig.

I have been a little surprised by the gas mileage (11 mpg), but that's because I didn't find this forum until after I bought the truck. It wouldn't have changed my decision anyway and I agree with the general consensus that it is reasonable gas mileage when you really consider the size of this thing.

Any creative ideas for where to mount a brake controller? There doesn't seem to be much unused space with the bucket seats and center console. I've also got to cram a CB in there (yes, we still use CBs at deer camp).

GM recommends 55 PSI front and 80 PSI rear in the stock LT245/75R16! Holy cow! Is this correct? I'm not used to HD trucks, I usually run 32 PSI. Any recommendations re: air pressure. I actually do very little towing & hauling. However user manual is very clear that you should not under inflate or over inflate.

Like most, I wish I had bigger tires and will probably go with at least the 265s when I wear out the stock tires. Forum discussion on this has been very informative. Will be interested in further discussion on this topic. I do a fair amount of off-road driving.

I haven't got through all the posts yet, but I haven't seen any discussion on bed liners. I'm pretty sure I want a spray-in liner. Any recommendations?

I also haven't seen discussion yet on winch bumper guards. Any recommendations? And is it true that the Allison has a PTO and if so, does this mean I could hook up a PTO winch? Recommendations re: PTO vs. electric winch?

How many folks are relying on the oil monitoring system vs. regular oil changes? I plan to keep this truck forever, so I'm inclined to change about every 3k or so. Maybe I just don't trust all this new technology yet. Looks like changing the oil can be an adventure in these things...

Again, a great forum for a great truck!