Sierra Denali 6.0

[rtm038]

Hey everyone. New to the forums. I'm thinking about selling my F350 diesel for a 2500HD and have been looking at the Denalis with the 6.0 gas engine and 3.73 gears. Does anyone on the forums have a truck like this? If you do, how do you like it? Is the 6.0 enough for this truck or should I look at the Duramax. This truck will be used as a daily driver 90% of the time.

[ATMINF]

What are your plans for the truck? In my case where I drive the truck as a DD, and really don't have a need to tow something over 8000 pds regularly my older style GMT-800 6.0L gasser truck is great. If I had to tow a big 5th wheeler a lot, not so much. You need to explain your needs better.

[becker87]

I have the 6.0L with 4.10 gears in my 2007 work trucks, virtually the same powertrain, just a much improved chassis on the new trucks. As far as having it for a DD I would not have a problem with it, it has plenty of power and mpg's are descent. Although if you can afford the D-max, I would say get it, very powerful

[Chris]

A guy on here just bought one but diesel

[MORSNO]

I custom ordered my 2012 GMC SLT 2500HD 6.0 extended cab with 3.73's last winter and received it in April. It has been a great truck and has not been back to the dealer for anything so far. It's not my daily driver, but used on the weekends to tow my toys across Alaska. I don't tow a huge travel trailer or 5th wheel so I didn't see any need for the Duramax. I do plan on getting a small cab over camper, so I needed a 2500, but not the extra expense of a diesel (not just the engine/tranny, but maintenance costs). You can also get 4.10 gears with a 6.0 to increase the towing capacity, but you loose MPG's. If you need 4.10's to tow or haul large loads you should probably go with the diesel. However, diesels are a pain in the winter due to fuel issues, take forever to come up to operating temp, and take forever to get heat in the cab to clear the windows, but they can haul a heavier load. It really depends on what/where you plan on doing with your truck. For me the 6.0 was an easy choice.

[rotti]

Had mine for a year now, great truck and the 6.0 gas, 3:73 with the new 6 speed trans is a great combo with plenty of power. I have a camper on mine full time and have no trouble with the 12,000' passes here in Colorado. No need for the expense of a diesel unless your dragging around real HEAVY loads.

 

[ATMINF]

Also remember the 2001-2010 HD trucks shared basically the same chassis, in 2011did the "new" HD trucks get a "better" chassis.

[therink]

Hi. I have the 6.0 in my 1 ton single rear wheel crew cab. It is my daily driver and also used to tow my 12k 35' fifth wheel rv. Note that I have the 4:10 axle, which increases the factory tow rating by over 3k lbs compared to the 3:73. I Highly recommend the 4:10 if you plan on towing. I average 12.5 mpg mixed driving and 14 mpg highway (not towing). Towing I average about 9 mpg. The 6.0 is well up to the task of towing my load and is a great daily driver. If I towed full time or weeks at a time, a diesel would be favorable. In my case I am happy with the 6.0, 6sp trans, and 4:10 set up. I would never recou the additional upfront cost ($8k) of a dmax. Not saying I wouldn't love one but just don't need it.

 

If buying new, I highly recommend you consider 1ton SRW. The 3500 gasser not only gets heavier springs, but also larger rear axle and drive shaft than the 2500 gasser. The cost difference between 3/4 and 1 ton is about $700 and is much more truck. My last truck was an 08 Silverado 2500 6.0. The 2011+ are much improved (frame, suspension, engine tweaks).

Good luck

[Badass69]

Get 4.10's..... There is no mileage penalty as the mileage with 3.73's is just as dismal. The added fixed mechanical advantage in the rear end helps a lot... The L92 head equipped 6 liters I find are pretty doggy at anything below around 4500 so get your rpm up for pulling.

 

And the rpm thing is moot. With the stock rubber being 32.5" tall on the 2011+ ( as the OP wants a Denali thus it has to be a 2011+ truck) you will turn right around 2 grand at 70 mph with 4.10's...... whooptee doo.....

 

Having the 4.10 is just a nicer driving truck than 3.73's.... And I had a 3.73 geared turd for over 2 years and 60000 miles so I know what they drive like.

 

And please those that always try and teach...... I know full well that first gear in a 6L90E is 4.02:1..... What the heck does that matter to the guy crusing down the road at 60 + mph where the best he can hope for is maybe third gear at 1.53:1......It doesn't. The lower fixed ratio is an asset, period.

[rtm038]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'll just go with the 3.73s since the truck will primarily be used as a DD and occasionally tow a few thousand pounds. Now I just have to decide on a color.....black or white.

[rotti]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'll just go with the 3.73s since the truck will primarily be used as a DD and occasionally tow a few thousand pounds. Now I just have to decide on a color.....black or white.

 

 

Just split the difference and go with gray.....graystone metallic. I'm prejudiced.

The 3.73 will be fine and don't forget to order the Eaton rear locker, option code G80.

 

Glad your coming to the light.....what happened with the ford?

[20Tahoe12LT]

I too am partial to the color Greystone Metallic.

[therink]

Silver Ice Metallic is sweet if you don't want to see every scratch and spec of dirt.

Yet again, I'm partial.

[Prokopchuk_9]

What year/engine ford??? The 6 point ohhh is a good engine, gobs of power, tows well. The newer ones get decent mileage, compared to the Duramax of course the diesel will take the cake in towing power/mpg but the Initial cost of the investment is high. I don't know why people think the maintenance is more $$$...I think it's the same. You can go almost twice as long on maintenance intervals as a gasser. It doesn't cost twice as much, my truck gets a fuel filter every 25k ($20) and It takes 10 litres of oil...that I can go 12000 miles between. The whole maintenance price thing is false, it might cost a little more but you can go longer. I have a buddy with 350k on a Duramax it doesn't skip a beat, it's had a rough life too. It's the initial cost of the diesel that gets most people scared, which is totally understandable. You'll never gain that 8 grand back. Never. Most people don't need a diesel, including myself but hey why not

 

 

[Badass69]

Maintenance interval are speculative. I use just under 6 liters of oil and change it every 15000 miles or so, which is usually about 2 intervals of the oil life monitor. Oil analysis done and the oil is still technically fine but I just refuse to run it any longer.

 

But if a person wants a diesel.... which in Alberta you just aren't cool and in fact looked down upon if you don't have one, go ahead and buy what makes you happy in the pants, lol.