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Considering getting a 8.1L 3500

Commander Damo

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Commander Damo Enthusiast

Commander Damo

Posted
Posted

Hey guys, I've got a 6.5L GMC Sierra 3500 ambulance I'm about to sell and I'm looking at updating to a GMT800 3500, I've found one with dually rear and 8.1L engine.

 

I'd prefer a diesel but unfortunately I cant find one in my price range with under 250,000km, I'm looking at early 2000 models:

 

This is the one I have found:

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Chevrolet-Silverado-2001/SSE-AD-185508/?Cr=20&sdmvc=1

 

I'm looking at getting a 5th wheeler caravan in the future to pull, the truck will only really be a Friday cruiser/weekend car, I'll have another daily driver to get me to and from work.

 

How are the 8.1s like to drive? I'm used to the 6.5L diesel which isnt too bad.

NitroCherokee Enthusiast

NitroCherokee

Posted
Posted

They have lots of power. But the Allison 6 speed is nice to have. Please tell me $49k is a mistake.

I am betting that is not $49K in US dollars since the truck is Right Hand Drive

MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted
$49k???

Ryan

 

I'm guessing GM trucks are rare in Australia. Digging the right hand drive, never seen a GM truck like that before.

KMGZ400 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

Posted
Posted

Probably in some foreign country where these trucks are extremely hard to find.. That color is pretty disturbing... Amazing that that truck would probably go for under 10k here

Commander Damo Enthusiast

Commander Damo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah down here in Australia we don't get the full sized trucks you guys make, we've got smaller utes:

 

ford-fg-falcon-ute-1-big.jpg

 

ute_600e-620x414.jpg

 

That $49K is actually cheap, especially for anything GMT800 series, as those are all private imports, where as like my GMT400 3500, Rural Ambulance Victoria imported lots of them and used them for ambulances back in the 90s to early 2000s so they're now available for around $20K which is cheap.

 

This is the price of our new trucks:

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/demo/details/Chevrolet-Silverado-2013/AGC-AD-13725900/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

 

What are the 8.1s like to drive compared to a diesel, the only thing I could compare it to would be my GMT 400 3500 with the 6.5L diesel.

ATMINF Enthusiast

ATMINF

Posted
Posted

The 8.1 is very powerful, and if would say very similar to the 1st gen of the D-Max power wise, only drawback is they are very thirsty! I drove a 8.1L armored Suburban in Iraq every now and again, and it was a very good truck. If I remember, the only issue with the 8.1 motors are their crank position sensor. Out of the blue they will cause the truck to hesitate or drive in a reduced power state. You can google it and some stories will come up. Overall they are good trucks. Good luck!

doverarjim Senior Enthusiast

doverarjim

Posted
Posted

Only a couple of questions, what is the "Road Worthy Cert" and what is it for, and should you buy it without one? :jester:

KMGZ400 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

Posted
Posted

Yeah down here in Australia we don't get the full sized trucks you guys make, we've got smaller utes:

 

ford-fg-falcon-ute-1-big.jpg

 

ute_600e-620x414.jpg

 

That $49K is actually cheap, especially for anything GMT800 series, as those are all private imports, where as like my GMT400 3500, Rural Ambulance Victoria imported lots of them and used them for ambulances back in the 90s to early 2000s so they're now available for around $20K which is cheap.

 

This is the price of our new trucks:

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/demo/details/Chevrolet-Silverado-2013/AGC-AD-13725900/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

 

What are the 8.1s like to drive compared to a diesel, the only thing I could compare it to would be my GMT 400 3500 with the 6.5L diesel.

 

Damn if you want to buy my truck for 100k your more then welcome to!! I'll ship it down!!

 

To answer your question that truck will drive way better then your 6.5. The 6.5 isn't that great of a motor and it's got little power. The 8.1 is powerful but thirsty. That truck will probably get 10 or less mpg. It has an Allison trans which is one of the best trannys made. The whole gmt800 platform is way better the the 400s all around.

MORSNO Enthusiast

MORSNO

Posted
Posted

The US Dollar to Australian coversion rate is $1.00 = $1.14.

 

That '01 3500 is $43,090.60 US!

 

Out of curiosity what does a new dually 3500hd like this cost, $160,000? Are wages comparable to the US over there (can you give us an example of what a typical job pays)?

Commander Damo Enthusiast

Commander Damo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

F series, RAM and Silverado/Sierra are all around $120-$140K, because they aren't made in RHD or meet requirements for our market it all has to be done through private specialists and engineers.

 

I got quoted $40k just to have one converted and complianced and that was on top of purchase, shipping and import fees.

 

Our minimum wage is $16/hour but our cost of living is much higher than in the USA and our population is only 24 million so our market doesn't have the power of numbers like yours does.

 

I'm an auto electrician and I'm on $50K/year which is below average wage.

 

A roadworthy certificate is a check a car has to go through to check the basic condition of the car to be able to have it registered to drive.

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