Shopping for GMT800 Crew cab. Help please!

[motoGPatrick]

After trying sometimes successfully to fit things such as fishing rods, horse saddle, tack and even groceries in the Maserati coupe.. Italian algebra Rear transmission = fuel tank behind back seat + small trunk..... I am also growing tired of having to borrow a friends truck when I need a truck.

 

My last truck was a 1996 FZJ80 Landcruiser... Straight 6 and last year they made a solid front axle... It was not a tire smoker but unbelievably reliable and bomb proof. I had the OEM lockers at both ends, ARB bull bar and a MM hydraulic winch.

 

I am looking for a 2001-2005 HD crew cab 4x4 . I prefer this over a yukon or a tahoe because I can have the choice between a topper or not when I want to haul dirt bikes and I prefer the 6.0. On a RARE occasion I will haul a two horse trailer... My current location as well as where I am considering moving to allows for plenty of trail riding horses.. so I very rarely will tow a horse trailer therefore no need for a diesel.

 

Living in so-cal and having a couple motorcycles and a car around it will be driven even less frequently than the car. Unless I am on an outdoors adventure, hauling or towing it won't be used. There are places I go where I will drive on the beach to the kayak launch to go fishing or out in the desert or dunes to roll the dirt bikes off the bed where I would prefer having 4x4.

 

Basically the only things I know I am looking for are the 6.0 (LQ4) locker (G80), 4.11 gears (GT5), and four doors.

 

A fiberglass topper is a given bit I will do some mods for sure.. I am an aircraft mechanic by trade so I can't leave things alone.. Probably a winch in a road armor front bumper with prerunner style guard and the matching rear bumper. A select able locker for the front which means an ARB or an Eaton E-locker.. A high quality but minimal lift suspension upgrade and bushwacker flares and weld myself up a set of rock slider type bars to protect the body.

 

So with those ideas in mind and your experience in owning a GMT800 do any suggestions come to mind?

[nbuchanan]

I have had my 2003 6.0 for a year and a half now and love it other than low fuel mileage. I have true duals, front leveling kit, front windows tinted to match the back, pacer rims with mudders, grill guard with KC's, and a programmer. Basically what I'm getting at is that there is plenty to do to these things and it ends up being a little addicting!

[silverado_lover]

They're all over the place

 

Now do me a favor and find a 2wd GMT-800 regular cab (short or long bed) with a 5.3 that's bone stock

[redjewel2ss]

fishing rods and horse saddles in a maserati... LOL! i'd like to see a picture of that

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

 

Welcome! That doesn't sound like that should be too hard to find.

[motoGPatrick]

It's not an issue of finding them but picking the fly sh7t out of the pepper looking over the RPO's and inspecting troubled areas such as the T-case pump issue. I suppose if I found a full time 4x4 version with the BW 4482 T-case the pump rub is a non issue.

 

The 2500HD 9.25 front differential is what I want because the E-locker is available for it. Then there is the 4l80E trans I prefer as well as better brakes. With LA traffic I will probably do something with the front brakes such as a 6 piston big brake kit. The Brembo's on the car come in handy in stopping yesterday without fade so after driving a vehicle with serious brakes I put more importance into upgrading them. Driving around here big brakes are much more useful than a lift kit..

[Chris]

if you cant find a bedcover i have a fiberglass one i want to get rid off and im in Bakersfield, CA

[motoGPatrick]

if you cant find a bedcover i have a fiberglass one i want to get rid off and im in Bakersfield, CA

 

 

Looking for a cab height glass shell not a flat top bed cover.. Planning on putting RV AC on the topper for k-9 comfort when he is back there and for truck camping..