2000 Classic 2500 Questions

jdaniel83 · October 28, 2013

I'm looking at buying a 2000 Classic body style 2500 with the 5.7L as a work truck for my business and I have a few questions before I pull the trigger and buy it. First, am I correct in assuming that it is the 4L80E instead of the 4L60E? Second, should I assume that it will have the 4.10 gear ratio instead of a 3.73 or 3.42? And lastly, what should I expect from this truck as far as MPG, towing capabilities/power, reliability? I know for the most part the 5.7s are very good and reliable motors but I don't have any experience with one in a 3/4 ton truck.

KMGZ400 · October 28, 2013

anything with a 5.7 will have bad mpg.. never seen one that got better then 12-13.. im sure someone will chime in saying they got 22mpg with a TBI 350 though

thearborbarber · October 28, 2013

I get 22mpg with a 350tbi in my square body style suburban but only when coasting down hill. 13.5mpg at 65mph any other time.

jdaniel83 · October 29, 2013

anything with a 5.7 will have bad mpg.. never seen one that got better then 12-13.. im sure someone will chime in saying they got 22mpg with a TBI 350 though

I'm assuming you are talking about the 3/4 tons with the 350? My brother's '98 Z71 with the 350 would get 17-19 MPG on the highway and usually around 13-15 in the city.

mike94silverado · October 30, 2013

had one in a half ton (tbi) did 19 hwy... had a Vortec in a 3/4.... Got 12... Heavier truck. But what you spend in gas you'll save in parts costs the c/k parts are dirt cheap and they are easy to work on.

jdaniel83 · October 31, 2013

had one in a half ton (tbi) did 19 hwy... had a Vortec in a 3/4.... Got 12... Heavier truck. But what you spend in gas you'll save in parts costs the c/k parts are dirt cheap and they are easy to work on.

Thanks for the response. Yeah that's what I'm thinking on saving money in parts. The truck I'm looking at has 171K miles which isn't a whole lot for those trucks and it was well taken care of so hopefully there won't be many if any repairs needed. I won't be towing too much weight (around 3500 lbs normally but occasionally tow around 8000+ lbs) so I don't think the 350 will struggle too much. My only real concern is the gas mileage.